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RE: new purchase help

Started by Y-Guy, Jan 21, 2003, 10:35 PM

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PopUpTrio

 I am desperately trying to find a dealer who carries the Bantam line and actually has some on hand to look at.  We have narrowed our choice to the Kiwi 23B and the Bantam B823S.  I have seen the Kiwi but can t help but feel I would be happier with the Bantam if I could see one.  I really do not feel comfortable ordering one sight unseen.  We are going to a show this weekend which will have a factory rep there and I will try to talk to him about this.  The few Trail-lite dealers we have found in Texas do not carry anything but the smallest models.  Anyone have any suggestions, comments.  We have actually seen the smaller Bantams and the quality looks good.  I just want to see the model we want to buy. Has anyone had this problem or am I asking too much?

Y-Guy

 PopUpTrioFirst off, welcome to PopUp Times!  Glad to have you here!
 
 We ran into the same problem out here in California.  We found plenty of the Kiwi s, a couple Bantam s and none of the others that were in stock.  I had to look at other units to consider the quality.  In the end the floorplan of the 23D won us over.  Plus we liked some of the features Jayco offered that the bantam didn t, namely the ducted heat.  
 
 Before you buy a Bantam be sure to check the prices from Barry at Campers Factory Outlet, http://www.campersfactoryoutlet.com./index.html they have a better website on the Bantam/Trail-Lites than the manufacturer does.  Plus his prices are tough to beat.  We made an offer on a Bantam 22  but the deal wouldn t budge from their $18,000 asking price and we walked off the lot.  Barry s price was around $4,000 less, though we would have shipping costs added in.  Still we would have saved around $2,000.

PopUpTrio

 PopUpTrioThanks for the info and the welcome, Y-Guy.  I ve read a lot of your posts and liked your website.  The ducted heat is something I hadn t realized Bantams did not have.  Like I said, we are still considering the Kiwi 23B also.  I have done so much research, I can t believe I missed the heat thing.  I have checked with CFO and their prices are good.  I use that as a starting point while negotiating with locals.  How do you feel about the ground clearance you have on your Kiwi?  I know the Bantams have more clearance, but have also read that this causes more resistance.  Since you looked at both brands, Kiwi and Bantam...were there any other issues with the Bantam that swayed you towards the Kiwi?  Most things I like in the Bantam are really cosmetic, such as stainless steel sink, oven and the fabric design.  They are also available 8  wide now.  In the end, we may go with the best price offered since I will probably be happy with either one.

Y-Guy

 PopUpTrioThanks PopUpTrio, glad to be of some help when I can.
 
 The price swayed us, we picked up a 2002 and the dealer was willing to deal.  The 3rd bunk above the wardrobe was probably the biggest factor. I liked the look of the Bantams as well, same things you noted.  The Fantastic Fan in the front was another plus, and something I will be adding in our Kiwi.  The 8  wide really wasn t an issue, though the extra width just makes towing that much harder to see around the camper.  I can t recall for sure, but I think the couch on the 22  Bantam wasn t full size... but might have been another.  I know I liked the size on our Kiwi (really liked it this past weekend [:)] ).  Hands down the two major reasons were price and the local dealerships.  The Bantam dealership just ticked me off enough this time, and when we bought our Niagara (skipped the dealership then too) that I just refused to buy from them.  Though I ll admit they have one of the best parts department apart from Camping World.  Tough choice but either way  you come out ahead.
 
 On the clearance... so far I haven t had any issues with it.  No problems driving or setting up for the grey/black water drains either.

CampinCrazy

 PopUpTrioIf you can make it to the RV show this weekend in Fort Worth you may be able to  compare without the usual running around.  I talked to a guy at RV Life who said the big focus would be on hybrids this year.    Maybe we ll see you there!

PopUpTrio

 PopUpTrioCampinCrazy,
 that is exactly where we will be on Friday.  I talked to RV Lite to see what they would have there and the first guy I spoke to gave me the same info..hybrids would be their focus.  I called back again a couple days ago and was told that they would have a couple there and the biggest would be the B22S.  It is also not the 8  wide model.  They will have a factory rep there and we intend to get some info from him.  Thanks for your help.. Also, RV Lite stated they will have a bigger showing in Feb at the Dallas show as they have been given more space.  Maybe they ll have what we re looking for by then.

CampinCrazy

 PopUpTrioOkay, popuptrio,
 
 What do you think after the RV show?  I still think we will wait until we have room to store a hybrid ourselves, but saw some interesting campers.   Voit has a 2002 kiwi (17 ) at their lot at a nice price - if they would just even trade my pop-up I might do it this season!  I m just not ready to more than double my floor space and tow a big pig - would like to go for a smaller hard side.  I ll keep an eye open for your postings - are you joining up with any of the NTPUCA camping trips?

PopUpTrio

 PopUpTrioCampinCrazy
 Although the show didn t have a tremendous amount of hybrids, we went by RV Lite on the way there and they did have the model Bantam we wanted to see in the 7 3"  floorplan (not the 8 ).  I think we have decided to get the TrailCruiser C23.  It is the same floorplan without the slide but it is 8 wide.  The R-Vision rep was really a big help in answering our questions.  By giving up the slide, we get a 72" sofa opposed to 65"  and will get a bath with the small tub (which just makes a larger shower area for us). It will also be about 850# less.  There is still quite adequate floor space even w/o the slide. The TC also has ducted heat with a higher BTU furnace.  A couple things I did note going back and forth with the Kiwi.  The Kiwi has actual drawers which was nice.  The TC and Bantam have a cabinet door with sliding plastic bins.  The Kiwi u-dinette is not as wide.  The Kiwi walls are 1/2"  thinner.  These were a few things I learned at the show.  We will still probably wait until Feb to see if they get in a TC like we want so we can actually see one before ordering.  Also, the TC runs about $1000 less.  Yes, we plan to go with NTPUCA on the next few trips planned.  We will be at Inks and probably Cedar Hill and Daingerfield.  I was glad to get to see the Coleman Monterey popup and the Aliners at the show...interesting.