Oh no...Peeked into the Dark Side!

[Campntime]

Thinking of taking DW on more business related trips where I go to an area and stay a couple of weeks.  (I'm in sales.)  Started wondering about a regular travel trailer vs. PU.  

Looked at a '04 Prowler 250RKS (26') fully equipped.  Dealer offered to trade for our loaded '01 Bayside for $8781 right out of the chute.  Prowler lists slightly over $20,000.

Luckily currently do not have correct TV, but price shocked me.  Sounded like a good deal.  What do you think?

Oh the dark side...I think I escaped...but the force was strong with this one!

[tlhdoc]

Campntime you must not travel to places of the dark universe, until you are strong enough to resist the temptations of the dark side.

[B-flat]

Sounds good to me and just like what you need.  Go for it!

[aldebnj]

Check out TrailManor too.  It's a good cross between a TT and a PUP and lightweight.  We really enjoy ours.  Pricing in about the same.  (http://www.trailmanor.com)
 
Al

[barbjeff]

I must admit that i too visit the Dark Side every year at the R V shows and it always gets me thinking, What iff......, or wouldn't it be nice to have........

But then I look at the sticker price and add all my what ifs ( because if you go to the dark side you better go in style) up :eek:  Then my DS picks me up off the floor we head over to PU dealers to dream at level with which I'm comfortable!

Besides with another TT or other large RV comes higher associated costs, maintenance,repairs,storage, insurance......But DS still holds on to the hope that one day will will head down the road in a class A. I hope he can hold his breath a long time

[Campntime]

Great replies, we appreciate the input.  Drawn to TT's because of ease setting up and creature comforts for long stays.  Also liked idea of insulated walls and roofs for extreme weather temps.  Never really looked at the TrailManor Al...but looked at the link and printed off a bunch of info.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Very interesting alternative.

Others of you are right.  The dark side is tempting but in reality, the dollars are always an issue.  Especially true till youngest DS gets out of college!

Would a TrailManor be considered grey...dark grey...?

[birol]

Great replies, we appreciate the input.  Drawn to TT's because of ease setting up and creature comforts for long stays.  Also liked idea of insulated walls and roofs for extreme weather temps.  Never really looked at the TrailManor Al...but looked at the link and printed off a bunch of info.  Thanks for the suggestion.  Very interesting alternative.

Others of you are right.  The dark side is tempting but in reality, the dollars are always an issue.  Especially true till youngest DS gets out of college!

Would a TrailManor be considered grey...dark grey...?

Black.  

[tlhdoc]

Would a TrailManor be considered grey...dark grey...?

Don't listen to Birol.  What does he know?  He doesn't even believe in snipe.  :rolleyes:   A TrailManor is a popup, so it isn't black or grey.  It is camping.

[Campntime]

Don't listen to Birol.  What does he know?  He doesn't even believe in snipe.  :rolleyes:   A TrailManor is a popup, so it isn't black or grey.  It is camping.

Snipe! Everybody has been Snipe hunting at least once with the gunny sack and the flashlights...we do that in the Midwest too.  Trailmanor's are camping...got it...that's what is really important.  No Black, No Gray...just camping.

Guess I will get looking at them then.

[B-flat]

I'm considering a trail manor popup or a HiLO.  In my neighborhood there can't be any campers parked in the yard and I have an extra long garage.  So, I will be looking at several different kinds like TM, HiLo and even a TT.  I've got to move up soon.  The old bones make it difficult to set up and take down a popup any longer.

[birol]

I'm considering a trail manor popup or a HiLO.  In my neighborhood there can't be any campers parked in the yard and I have an extra long garage.  So, I will be looking at several different kinds like TM, HiLo and even a TT.  I've got to move up soon.  The old bones make it difficult to set up and take down a popup any longer.

Get one of those which have electric setup ? Like Monterey ? I am sure there are a lot out there which has the same option ... Just stating my opinion  :W

[NightOwl]

yeah, guys we bought our  2001 model 3023 TrailManor  2 years ago this past Sept and really love it, although I think Birol might be right aboit it being a bit on the "grey side".  Well, it is rated as a Travel Trailer so theoretically, it is dangerously close to The Dark Side.  In all honesty, while it has a lot of wonderful characteristics and features in commom with a TT or a hybrid, it still has many of the common disadvantages of a PopUp like  requiring a bit of  time and effort in opening and closing it.  For US, it was the right choice and we love the excellent gas mileage we get with it and ease of towing--and  really are happy with our little hardsided bathroom.

But Tracy is right, it is  STILL camping, no matter which "side" you list it in.  

The insulated floor and hardsides allow us to camp much longer and later in the season.  Let us know what you find works best for you Campntime--your idea to take your son with you sounds like a fine one and it will provide both of you with some really great memories  :p

[chasd60]

We looked at a used 31 foot Prowler TT that was for sale for $4500. The price was right but the condition of the trailer was poor. At the time we were not even considering any changes but the price dragged us out to at least look.
 
Once we looked at that one, we decided that if we moved up it would either be new or nearly new. We also learned for a 31 foot model, there wasn't that much room left once you subtract the bedroom and beds from the floorplan and you get a whole lot more weight to tow.
 
We looked at hybrids at that point and found one we liked, and also happened to buy:D . Pick it up in two weeks. Keep in mind, I wasn't looking to upgrade either. You have just been bitten, I think you are in trouble now!!!
 
FYI: $13475 fully loaded 2004 Bantam B823S or as some call it B23S

[NightOwl]

We looked at a used 31 foot Prowler TT that was for sale for $4500. The price was right but the condition of the trailer was poor. At the time we were not even considering any changes but the price dragged us out to at least look.
 
Once we looked at that one, we decided that if we moved up it would either be new or nearly new. We also learned for a 31 foot model, there wasn't that much room left once you subtract the bedroom and beds from the floorplan and you get a whole lot more weight to tow.
 
We looked at hybrids at that point and found one we liked, and also happened to buy:D . Pick it up in two weeks. Keep in mind, I wasn't looking to upgrade either. You have just been bitten, I think you are in trouble now!!!
 
FYI: $13475 fully loaded 2004 Bantam B823S or as some call it B23S

chasd60, everyone who has one (here and on the old board, too, you may recall) really seems to love their Bantam hybrids.  I've often thought what a brilliant idea they are, and you just listed the reason so many of us have picked hybrids or continued to stick with  popups--THE BEDS TAKE UP NO FLOOR ROOM AT ALL!  

For instance, our TM wagon bed is 17 feet long and we can  use all seventeen feet for "living".  If we had bought a true TT, we'd have had to get a longer one in order to have much living space, a double bed, and a queen. (It has a fold down sofa-bed as well).  And since we still plan to use our 3023TM on the road, we had to take its length into account based on the limits of our TV.

Al and Peggy (Topcat) have just bought a beautiful new Sunline TT to use at a seasonal site, but they have wisely kept their Coleman popup for camping TRIPS.  

The choices we make  in RV's are so varied here at PUT but they suit whatever it is we need at the time.  ( And it's fun to learn about different types of campers since we never know when we will move to something else like you did.)

I hope you love your new Bantam--keep us updated on your adventures in it.
 :W

[B-flat]

chasd you are right about the floor space being taken up by beds, that's why I'm considering a hybrid, though I would kind of like to get away from having to clean and deal with bunk ends.  I guess time will tell....I have plenty of time until next Spring.