I just got a call from Johnny Walkers RV in Las Vegas...the model they didn't have when I was there has just arrived on their doorstep...the salesman is in the backroom crunching numbers for me as I write.

The list on this trailer is around 23,000, but I found identical on sale up in Fresno online new for 16,450. So I guess my first question is I should be able to beg my way down to this price or lower?

Here's the floorplan of my new little trailer.

And here's the specs:

Unloaded vehicle weight (lbs.)	4,250
Hitch weight (lbs.)	495
Gross vehicle weight (lbs.)	5,500
Cargo carrying capacity (lbs.)	1,250
Measurements
Exterior travel length	23' 7"
Exterior campsite length	27' 6"
Exterior height w/opt AC	121"
Interior headroom (living area)	78"
Tank Capacities
Fresh water capacity (gals.) includes water heater	30.5
Gray wastewater capacity (gals.)	30.5
Toilet/black wastewater capacity	22.5

My MarkIII conversion RAM van 2500 has major overhaul in progress and I've had the transmission guy beef up the tranny as much as humanly possible. The sticker on the door of the van and other stickers under the hood read:
GVWR 6400lb
GAWR Rear 3700lb
GAWR Front 3300lb
3.5 axel ratio with a rear axel - Chrysler 8.25

The full time occupants will be myself, my 7yr old daughter and my 6 lovebirds.

Does this look like a good match? I'm supposed to go in tomorrow or Thursday for final inspection and seal this deal!

I just don't want my excitement to overweigh my senses where safety and travel is a matter of concern. I hope to park for 1 month at a time for the next year.

Thanks for your input in advance,
Carleen [cms]

-- Edited by BirdHaus at 17:46, 2007-08-28

Our friends have a new Jay Feather, not sure of the model and they had problems right off the bat when trying to empty the black tank. Apparently theirs isn't in a great spot and it gets clogged. I'm not saying that this will happen to you but you might want to check it out. And yes, you an swear all you like when setting up the tripod system but as long as you have the longitude and latitude, it's not a big problem. Setting up our TV takes a lot longer! Sandra

"I should be able to beg my way down to this price or lower?"

Should be no problem, just show them the ad and tell them to throw in an equalizer hitch with anti sway torsion bar and you wont go anywhere else. :)

Dont be afraid to just get up and walk away, they are the ones calling you .


Ken

-- Edited by ken and cindy at 19:05, 2007-08-28

Sandra wrote:

---

Our friends have a new Jay Feather, not sure of the model and they had problems right off the bat when trying to empty the black tank. Apparently theirs isn't in a great spot and it gets clogged. I'm not saying that this will happen to you but you might want to check it out.

And yes, you (c)an swear all you like when setting up the tripod system but as long as you have the longitude and latitude, it's not a big problem. Setting up our TV takes a lot longer!


Sandra

---

Wow! clogged black water, my biggest fear! and YIKES for me since as long as I can remember my nose seems to be attached to my stomach reflex...I can only imagine I'll need a gas mask to deal with the likes!

I'm thinking that tripod of yours could be the ticket out of massive 5k unit. I fear a few things: being able to set up in a reasonable amount of time, being able to set up after a long day of driving, having someone steal it, and having it get knocked over or damaged when stoed. Your thoughts here? and thanks!

Thank you Ken and Cindy, and Bago40. Numbers make me spin at times. I'll try to be strong and walk away if the guy is not doing me right. Thanks for that. And, as far as all the towing tongues and caps and mechanics...still learning, reading and researching. I don't want to end up on side of mt somewhere, my lovebirds could escape![lol] But, seriously, as I child driving through the Rockies I have strong recollection of a nice AirStream being towed by a Jeep going down side of revine and backing up traffic for miles...probably not the right combo for that Jeep, even back in the 70's.

If I'm reading all these configurations and numbers correctly, I should have about a 900lb play area in my favor. I am in the process of liquidating all materialistic possessions save for day to day needs, painters dulce, bird cages, and computers. I guestimate my load in both the van and the trailer to be about 700-900 lbs max at any given time. Now, where does one figure in water and tanks weight? Is that a preload or a max load number on those specs above?

Thanks again you RV'rs!
cms

"I'm thinking that tripod of yours could be the ticket out of massive 5k unit. I fear a few things: being able to set up in a reasonable amount of time, being able to set up after a long day of driving, having someone steal it, and having it get knocked over or damaged when stowed. Your thoughts here? and thanks!" We travel with the dish in the back of the truck and put the tripod in a lawn chair carry bag stowed in the truck bed. The LNB goes in another lawnchair carry bag in the back of the truck. My husband sets up the dish in under 10 min. Before we leave for the next location (as long as we know where we're stopping) he checks the longitude/latitude for the next stop so he has the numbers to set up at the new site. Once you've set up a few times it will be like doing it in your sleep. Just be sure you get the proper training when you buy the dish. We use tie down straps with a corkscrew stake in the ground to be sure the dish doesn't blow over in the wind. We have tent stakes as well in case the ground is too hard and a rubber mallet to pound them in if needed. We have used the large water bottles if we can't get stakes in the ground. The dish is no good without the modem which is inside the unit. In over two years traveling with internet satellite we've had no problem. We've even left it at the campground staked down when we've taken the RV in for service and haven't had a problem. Good luck! Sandra

Carleen,

Regarding the water weight - water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon and your rig will hold 83 gallons meaning a weight of 689 pounds when all tanks are full.  We generally run with our tanks almost empty (we keep a little fresh water for flushing the toilet and some in the black water tank) to minimize the water weight.

Regarding the black water tank, you should not dump until it is at least 3/4 full and always leave a couple of gallons in the tank to keep the waste from solidifying.  Also, you should backflush the tank at least once a month (you'll need some attachments from your RVing store if you don't have a blackflush connection on the rig).

Keep asking those questions,

Darrell

Hey BirdHaus, Let us know how it goes. Hope you're getting the info from the dealer you need.  Bago

Got knocked down late afternoon by something my daughter brought home from school no doubt. Feel like a wilted daisy... But yes! thanks all...I'm going back to the drawing board from scratch. Looking for gently used and a bit bigger without more weight. Dealer wouldn't come down past 19,999.99 on that trailer I'd been waiting for. I sent him the links I'd found online to same model /new at his request [in disbelief], only to find his reply was "WELL! THIS is a 2008 with flat screen/antenna and electric awning, the links you send are for a 2007!"...my reply, "I don't even watch TV, does it make sense to you that I'd pay 4,000 dollars more for a TV, a push button and the prestige of owning a 2008 instead of a 2007?"...bah hummmmmbug! He told me to send link to 2008 at 16k, so after searching without a glimpse, I called RVdirect.com for a quote. Same model, same year, same same from them in Des Monies was 14,980 out the door.... Shortly after the demise of that deal, a fella in Utah I don't even remember e-mailing telephoned me and stated he'd deliver to my doorstep some jayco bunkhouse floorplan 2007 model/new for 13,999. ACK! So horribly disappointed...but, still determined to find the perfect fit! going back to horizontal now...thanks all for replies! I'll get back on the quest when I feel more like human again. cms

Carleen,

We can all understand your disappointment but you are a very wise lady.  Purchasing a fulltime home on wheels is part of the fulltime lifestyle and you need to take your time and enjoy the process.  Don't feel pressured, relax, dream, and review your choices.  Now that you know the weight limitations for your van review products offered by various manufacturers.  RV Net Linx has a manufacturer list (http://www.rvnetlinx.com) that links to the manufacturers.  Take a look at Sunnybrook who builds good quality units and now has some light weight rigs, there are many others as well.  Once you find the unit of your dreams check out used rigs to see if there are any available.  But, as you have already done, be willing to walk away.

Good Luck

Darrell

BirdHaus, You had the strength to walk away, as Darrell and Judy so aptly put it you are very wise. It took me quite a while to find my rig. I too was looking for the right rig at the right price. Granted I had to travel to North Carolina to get it ( I live in Florida) but, it was worth it. It is used and needed some TLC, but I am able to take care of that and got it for 30,000.00 less than the average asking price. What I am saying is that the deals are out there even on used models, travel trailer or motorhome! You'll look back on all this and be glad you took you're time. I searched on ( rvtraderonline.com). Just my two cents. By, the way have you checked out Howard's pages on this topic? Great info! Glad you've joined the friendliest family on the RV net! Best Wishes! Bago.

We have a solo friend who is on the road about 8 to 9 months a year with a Hi-Lo Trailer and is very happy. They are well made and can be towed with a more modest tow vehicle.