First off, thank you all for reading this and for any advice. I figure why not pick the brains of those who are in the know?
My wife, two dogs and I are looking to graduate from tent/SUV camping -- I camp in the tent attached to the SUV with one of the dogs while she camps in the SUV. We live in the mountains of New Mexico and camp in areas with bears, mountain lions, and many other predators. We NEVER camp at campgrounds, always on public lands, of which New Mexico has TONS of it!
We're looking for a used camper (to help keep the price somewhat lower) that won't rattle apart driving on forest roads, logging roads, and bumpy mountain roads.
The dogs don't like to snuggle with each other, so we would likely need some separate sleeping space for one or both of them.
I think a two person like the Intech Flyer Pursue would likely be too small because of the dogs (though I've not seen one in person, so I may be wrong). I've watched a lot of videos of various campers but am not quite sure what we want yet.
Tow vehicle: 2013 Honda Pilot EXL 4WD -- tow capacity is 4,500lbs
Some that we've looked at in person:
We went to an RV dealer last weekend and the guy kept showing us new Coleman after new Coleman after new Coleman that were all exactly the same and SUCH awful quality.
We also looked at a Viking 12.0 TD that was just horrible quality as well.
We looked at a Taxa Cricket and it was too small for sure.
We looked at a Taxa Mantis and the size is great, but the wife didn't like the used price of $33k. The quality seems really good, especially when compared to the Colemans of the world.
We looked at an Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Max. The price wasn't awful (still more than she wants to pay) at $25k and the size was good, but I don't know that it would do well on the roads we drive when we go camping.
The following things are must-haves:
Can anyone suggest anything in the $20k or less area (USED)? Obviously used prices can vary widely as opposed to new prices and based on options and whatnot. I'm very new to campers. If we find something that we think will do, and if one like it is available to rent locally via Outdoorsy or something, we'll likely rent it to check it out. I also plan on having it inspected so we don't buy someone else's problem.
Thanks again for any input anyone has.
***EDIT***
Please also feel free to let me know if this type of question is annoying or if I need to provide additional info.
My wife, two dogs and I are looking to graduate from tent/SUV camping -- I camp in the tent attached to the SUV with one of the dogs while she camps in the SUV. We live in the mountains of New Mexico and camp in areas with bears, mountain lions, and many other predators. We NEVER camp at campgrounds, always on public lands, of which New Mexico has TONS of it!
We're looking for a used camper (to help keep the price somewhat lower) that won't rattle apart driving on forest roads, logging roads, and bumpy mountain roads.
The dogs don't like to snuggle with each other, so we would likely need some separate sleeping space for one or both of them.
I think a two person like the Intech Flyer Pursue would likely be too small because of the dogs (though I've not seen one in person, so I may be wrong). I've watched a lot of videos of various campers but am not quite sure what we want yet.
Tow vehicle: 2013 Honda Pilot EXL 4WD -- tow capacity is 4,500lbs
Some that we've looked at in person:
We went to an RV dealer last weekend and the guy kept showing us new Coleman after new Coleman after new Coleman that were all exactly the same and SUCH awful quality.
We also looked at a Viking 12.0 TD that was just horrible quality as well.
We looked at a Taxa Cricket and it was too small for sure.
We looked at a Taxa Mantis and the size is great, but the wife didn't like the used price of $33k. The quality seems really good, especially when compared to the Colemans of the world.
We looked at an Xtreme Outdoors Little Guy Max. The price wasn't awful (still more than she wants to pay) at $25k and the size was good, but I don't know that it would do well on the roads we drive when we go camping.
The following things are must-haves:
- Room for two people and two dogs (one dog is about 35lbs and the other about 55lbs)
- Big enough to at least sit up inside in the rare occasion it rains here.
- A rooftop fan
- Room to stand for the wife to get dressed
- Potable water tank -- not a big necessity as typically we'll be camping 1-3 days
- Shower, either inside or out -- obviously not a huge deal because there are other options for showering like solar showers
- A/C would be nice, but not a must have since at night in the mountains it typically cools off, but in the day it can get hot
- Something for the wife to go to the bathroom in -- much like the shower, not a huge deal as there are other options for this that don't come in a camper
- Pop-up campers are a big no-go due to being in bear country.
- TO CLARIFY -- we would do something akin to a Taxa Cricket, Taxa Mantis, Overkill SO510, etc that have the roof that pops up, but not like a traditional popup camper with the slide out beds.
Can anyone suggest anything in the $20k or less area (USED)? Obviously used prices can vary widely as opposed to new prices and based on options and whatnot. I'm very new to campers. If we find something that we think will do, and if one like it is available to rent locally via Outdoorsy or something, we'll likely rent it to check it out. I also plan on having it inspected so we don't buy someone else's problem.
Thanks again for any input anyone has.
***EDIT***
Please also feel free to let me know if this type of question is annoying or if I need to provide additional info.
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