Shopping for a new popup

[LACamper]

We bought a new tow vehicle this past weekend since some idiot totaled my truck (it was parked and unoccupied) and fled the scene... so we bought a slightly used Xterra.

I'm starting to shop for a new popup. I sold my Coleman last year. My wife wants one with a bath and a shower. We want something light. I'd like to find one that has the AC mounted somewhere other than on the roof (you know, right in the middle of your rearview mirror?). AC is a must since we live near New Orleans.

It has to be big enough to sleep my wife and I, plus an 11 year old daughter and an 80 pound chocolate lab. The Xterra is rated for 5000 pounds but we don't want to get anywhere near that. My carport is only 7 1/2 feet tall so an RV is out of the question. Length isn't an issue but I don't need two king sized beds and multiple slideouts! I'd like to keep the cost reasonable also...

Most trips will be weekends within an 3 hour drive.  

I understand that Chalet now makes a model w/ a bath set up. Has anybody seen one? Selections of popups around here are slim and the RV show isn't until spring 2010. Any other ideas?

[austinado16]

Something like this?
http://neworleans.craigslist.org/rvs/1181380147.html

or

http://shreveport.craigslist.org/rvs/1202570436.html

[dthurk]

We have this one for sale.  http://www.rvt.com/rvdetail4364103.htm
I think it has everything you're looking for except AC.  Might be a plus for you, sounds like you want to put a window unit in rather that a roof unit.  GVWR is 3500 lbs.

[Ranger3/75]

We have a 2009 Flagstaff 176LTD for sale.Loaded with AC,furnace,awning,3way frig,heated mattresses.Sleeps 4,queen/dbl beds.GVWR#2079,UVW#1379,TW#179.   (sorry no bath)
 
Take a look at my classified ad here.Would be able to deliver to La.
 
Let me know.......Jim

[LACamper]

I was really looking for new or close to it. It definately has to have a bath. That's the main reason I sold my old trailer (well, that and not having a tow vehicle temporarily, oh, and my lab pup ate the door off...)

[dthurk]

Did you look at ours?  It has a hardside bathroom with a flush toilet, 20 gal. fresh tank, 20 gal. gray tank and 9 gal. black tank.  It's a 2007, not very old and in really good condition.  It does seem to meet all your requirements except AC, where you could mount something through a sidewall to get that rather inexpensively.

[MJohn]

Okay here's a suggestion.
Try to find one that is a last years model that hasn't sold off the lot yet.
I know it's a very long way from New Orleans but you can go to their on line sight to see new or used campers. It's in Fort Worth Texas (TX largest pop up dealer) called Western Campers.
I'm going to suggest a Fleetwood Westlake. I own one and insisted we have a toilet and shower this time. This is a Westlake option. The Westlake weighs 2135 before accessories are added. That means the a/c's weight hadn't been added. I do have roof air. Had a window unit in a previous one and well didn't like it as much. Personal preference. This model is lighter than most that have RR.
We can pull 6500 but did have a minivan at the time of pop up purchase with a 3500 limit.
Add 2135 plus accessories, plus cargo and people and we are at 3415 which was too much for the altitude we were climbing so we had to upgrade our tow vehicle as well.
Westlake's can have RR w/ showers and come with outside showers as well. Which is nice b'c it keeps the moisture out of the pop up. Just have to set up a small "shower tent" for it.
Good luck and hope you find what your looking for!:D

2008 Ford F150 supercab
2007 Fleetwood Westlake

[jeezy]

I tow with an Xterra.  I wouldn't want to go anywhere near 5,000.  I'm not sure how it would feel to approach 3,500 with it.  

"Rocky," our Rockwood Premier is about 1,850 dry weight, and Tonka (our yellow Xterra-apparently we name everything) definately feels it.

[Ranger3/75]

Check out:tom johnson rv.com website for Fleetwood Campers.They are located outside of Asheville,North Carolina.they are a 5Star dealer nationwide with a large selection.Worth the drive from La,and save a bundle....
 
Reference to AC in side,forget it.....Our new pup's AC is mounted on roof,but it mounted off-set of center,and doesnt block rearview at all.Its a 13500BTU unit and removes the humidity and heat great,esp in the summer heat...
 
Good luck on your new search for a pup...........Jim

[LACamper]

I went to fleetwood's website and received this message:

Thank you for your interest in Fleetwood Travel Trailers. On March 9, 2009, Fleetwood made the decision to exit the travel trailer business. While we will no longer produce new travel trailer products, several Fleetwood dealers still have a variety of our travel trailers and fifth wheels available for purchase. Please feel free to use this website to research our entire product line and to locate a Fleetwood dealer near you.

I'm concerned about buying a fleetwood and either not having a warranty or being able to get parts.

[jeezy]

I went to fleetwood's website and received this message:

Thank you for your interest in Fleetwood Travel Trailers. On March 9, 2009, Fleetwood made the decision to exit the travel trailer business. While we will no longer produce new travel trailer products, several Fleetwood dealers still have a variety of our travel trailers and fifth wheels available for purchase. Please feel free to use this website to research our entire product line and to locate a Fleetwood dealer near you.

I'm concerned about buying a fleetwood and either not having a warranty or being able to get parts.

They sold their folding trailers to another company who produces them under the Coleman name.  

http://www.colemantrailers.com/

[surffishjimmy]

I bought a 2004 Viking Legend 2465 in January and am very happy with it.   It has a slide out dinette, shower and toilet.    Check out PECO campers in Georgia.    You can get this model with an A/C brand new for about $10,500.   I think it is a great deal.   If my deal fell through on the used one I was going to buy the same model new.