There is a lot to consider when buying a camper…

…things like  floor-plans, length, weight, and even type – (I.e. fifth wheel, travel trailer, motor home, fold down)  Walk on the lots and the possibilities do seem endless. It’s fun to picture yourself camping in one of these beauties – and it’s easy to become overwhelmed with “too many” choices.

So how do you decide what’s right for you?

Here are five questions you need to ask yourself before you buy that shiny new camper…

1. What type of “camper” am I?

This question is at the core of every decision you will make about your new camper.

In recent years two terms have become commonplace to describe the type of camper you are…   “camper” or a “glamper” (think GLamorous cAMPER)

What do these terms mean?

Camper

Campers tend to mean someone who is more outdoorsy and casual. You’ll hear the term “roughing it” around campers.  Purists will only call it camping if it’s under a tent or just in a sleeping bag under the stars.

You don’t have to be someone who’s hiking, kayaking,  or biking all the time to be a “camper”. You may in fact, just prefer to have a chair out by the fire, where you read a book or talk with family and friends. You don’t want to be in an RV watching TV or playing on your computer.

They see their time “camping” as the one time they have to “unplug” from the world around them and connect with nature (and each other)

They often decide to buy an RV because they simply want the ease of “pulling in and opening the door” versus spending hours setting up tents and “Pop Up” shelters.

As far as RV’s go, most campers see their RV as a place to sleep, get shelter from the weather, and perhaps cook a few meals. They are interested in a basic unit, and sometimes like the idea of a TV for those “bad weather” days, but many don’t care to have a TV at all.

Glampers

Glampers like to have the comforts and entertainment of their home at their campsite. As a result, glampers are more likely to want  their RV’s to come with large TV’s, Fireplace, Recliners – even Theatre Seating!!! (Some RV’s have washer/dryer, residential refrigerators and even dishwasher options!)

Glampers like having a “Home Away From Home”

“Full Timers”

I have friends who own the full out “Glamping” RV’s, and I’d describe most of them as true”camper” personalities.  They’re getting the RV’s now that they plan to use on trips across the U.S. in a few years.   It’s a matter of buying it now, vs getting a unit they need to “trade up” in a few years.

For “Full Timers” their camper IS their home, so they will want that TV , larger fridge and really comfy seating.

2. What type of trips do I plan to take?

Camping trips will, typically, fall into one of two categories…

Traveling:

You will either travel for short trips (under a week), or take a long trip but break it into many different stops.  (Think going the beach for a week, or going across country and stopping in 10 different locations on the way there and back)

When you are traveling you need to consider a lot of factors like, the campers length, weight, the tow vehicle you are using (or if you’ve decided on a motor home – are you towing a car?).

Where are you camping?

If you are camping in National or State Parks there are limits to camper size.  Some allow larger campers in a limited number, and it’s more like a parking lot than a traditional campsite.

If you are going to some sections of Yellowstone you can’t have canvas sides to your camper. (because of bears)

Some roads out west simply weren’t made for these larger campers, and limit the length of tow vehicles.

Staying:

If you’re staying, you’re moving your camper once and leaving it there for a longer period of time. (Typically a season or year round with seasonal access).  Some people who are seasonal campers actually build platforms and patios around their campers!  Because they spend so much time  there, these campers often want a camper that is more like “home”.

3. How many people will be camping?

Camping is a great way for families to spend time together, away from the distractions of the everyday world.

Of course smartphones and tablets are cutting in to our vacations, but families still head out on camping trips for some time to bond and enjoy being together.

If you’re like me, I had two sons who loved camping but wanted NOTHING to do with our camper. As soon as they were old enough they wanted to be in their own tents…  Some friends of mine take their parent(s) with them in their camper. Others bring children or grandchildren.

Many campers will have “bunkhouses” where children can stay.  Most bunkhouses will not accommodate your 6 foot tall son but they are great for young children and early teens.

More and more lately campers are coming with home style table and chairs. This option does not offer any additional sleeping area.  Others still have dinettes which convert in to beds – some for smaller children, others more full sized.

There are campers with small sofas, again that sleep small people, and others that have “tri-fold” sofas that convert in to full size – or even Queen sized beds.

Most campers now have a “Queen” sized bed in the main bedroom – but Kings are available.

Some have smaller camper sized Queens – they are 4 inches shorter, and 4 inches narrower than a true Queen bed.

So when you see a camper that “sleeps 8”, pay attention to the “size” of those beds, and how that relates to your group.

4. Do I want to tow – or Drive – my camper?

How you answer this question has a huge impact your camping experience.

The choice seem simple, but it really isn’t.  That’s because there are incredibly strong reasons for EVERY choice!!!!!!!

A motorhome gives you tremendous freedom when you are on the road… your family can sit in the camper and enjoy the ride, eat, play games, whatever they’d like. Everything is self contained and you can pull into a parking spot and simply step back in to the camper to eat, sleep, or take a “pit stop”. There are 3 types of Drive-able units, Class A (like a bus), Class B (like a van) and Class C, the most common which have a truck like appearance with an overhang over the cab of the truck.

The downside to a drive-able unit is, unless you are towing a vehicle behind it, whenever you need to do even the simplest errands, (i.e. pick up groceries, go sightseeing, the beach, souvenir shopping), you have to take the camper – and find a parking spot for it which, except for the Class B van, isn’t allowed on many “streets”.

A fifth wheel is a loved by many.  It turns and tows much better than a travel trailer, and you can disconnect from the truck and use the truck for errands and sight seeing, while the camper stays at the campground. There are a couple of downsides to a fifth wheel. They are, in fact, more expensive than travel trailers and, because they require a larger truck, the investment in both a truck and camper can be quite high.

A travel trailer – the most common choice – is popular for several reasons.  Travel trailers cost a less per Square Foot than their Fifth Wheel counterparts.   You also can find “lighter” travel trailers that can be pulled by smaller trucks, S.U.V.’s and even some cars!

Travel trailers come in a lot of sizes and weights. There is an overwhelming number of  floor plans available.  As  you walk through them you’ll be amazed by the difference a foot or two can make in a camper’s layout!

Some smaller travel trailers make the best of both worlds – they have a dinette and a couch, and instead of a bedroom, there is a murphy bed. So you have a true live-able space during the day and can quickly and easily have a “bedroom” (with a queen sized bed) at night!

Among our friends we have them all!  Drive-ables (motorhomes), Fifth Wheels – massive and small, and Travel Trailers of many sizes.  We also have friends with Fold Downs (also called Pop Ups and Tent campers), and Friends who prefer tents! There truly is no “one size fits all” answer!

5. Am I cooking? grilling? or buying meals?

Another really important question involves how you prepare and eat your food.

Are you someone who loves to take the time to cook over the fire, or on the grill outside? Would you like your camper to have an outdoor kitchen option?

Or do you prefer to cook inside on the stove?

Do you need an “oven”? If so, do you need a larger oven? (standard RV ovens are teeny!)

Do you want a microwave? (Almost every camper comes with one… some come with combo microwave/convection ovens)

How you cook can also influence your food storage and refrigeration needs.  Storage in a camper is premium, and each floorplan has a different approach to storage.  Some have great kitchen pantry’s and places to put larger pots. Others have more room for clothes storage, or storage in the bathroom.  Make sure the camper has the right storage for your needs.

My final thoughts…

Think about how you live at home…

Think about the camping you’ve done in the past…

How does your life change when you’re camping?

In my family we tend to be creatures of habit, so how we are currently living, is usually how we’ll be most comfortable when we are camping.  For us, we love to eat and cook…so we aren’t going out to eat all the time. But that’s where the similarity ends…  you see I love camping because we do most of our cooking outside, and my husband, who almost never cooks at home, loves to play chef at the campsite.  Something about “fire” is so much more alluring than a stove top to him!!!! I get a break from doing all the cooking when we are camping, which is good, because without conveniences like a dishwasher there are  plenty of other “chores” for me to do….

Think about what you want to do, and what you want your camper to have… what you can live without… and what accessories you plan to bring.

For example we don’t yet have a camper with an outdoor kitchen but do carry extra camp stoves and even a dorm fridge to keep our drinks cold in while our camper fridge stores food.

Think about bike racks, kayaks, volleyball nets and other things you may want to bring along.  How can you incorporate them  into the camper you choose?

Have everyone involved in camping in your new RV make lists of what they like, what’s important for them to take/store in the camper, etc.   Compare notes and find a camper that most meets your needs.

I’ll be writing more on the way to find “quality” in a camper, but, for now, simply get a clear idea of what you want (and need) in a camper.

It’s a big purchase.

It’s a huge part of your life.

It’s important to get it right!