Hi all, my wife and I have been tent campers all our lives but it began to be too much of a struggle fitting all our gear in our little cars and a huge pain packing it all up, especially now with two daughters.
Three years ago we bought a 1989 Bonair Tent Trailer to test the waters. 900 lbs and easily tow-able with my Toyota Corolla. This worked great but we knew we wanted a bit bigger,
Two years ago we bought a 1991 Starcraft Tent Trailer. 1100 lbs and an amazing little trailer. I thought this would do us for many years to come.
Last year on a lark I stopped in at an auction near my house and walked away with a great deal on a 2007 Mallard Sport 18CK. Convinced myself I would just borrow my Dad's truck when needed.
Earlier this year we came to the conclusion that my Dad's two seater truck wouldn't do for longer trips where taking two vehicles is impractical. We both commute 80km per day so buying a new tow vehicle was always out of the question so we decided to buy a 2003 Toyota Sequoia as a dedicated TV and occasional use vehicle.
The Mallard Sport only whetted our appetites. As we used it we decided we wanted a different floorplan and better quality.
In addition to regular camping we hope to start doing a lot of travelling and a 22 hour drive to Disney with the kids and my sister and sister-in-law so we wanted more beds.
I began researching and shopping around and once I found Jayco I had a hard time looking at other campers.
We decided had pretty much decided Jay Flight SLX 264BHW and were looking at it at a few different dealers locally, on the internet, and in every forum post here I could find. Then something made me read into the differences between it and the Jay Flight 26BH. What a mistake!
This cost me hours of time and research comparing options and specs trying to justify one or the other.
Local dealers only had the 264BHW in stock and the one dealer ****** me off so this passed weekend my wife and packed up the car and headed across the province on six hour drive to Sicard RV in Smithville, ON. I think they claim to be the largest dealer in the Province, if not Canada and I believe them. They are HUGE!
We looked at the 264BHW one more time, then at the 26BH and we were hooked. No question about it, for us the addition of the better frame, 8 cuft fridge, outlets and lights in each bunk, doors on the dinette benches, with pull out bins, struts to help lift the queen bed, 12V & 2xUSB in master bedroom, more cabinets, electric tongue jack, solar ready, etc. make the 26BH a better deal.
In addition this model came with the thermal package, bumper BBQ, roof ladder, TV (not a plus for us), and aluminum rims.
Since we decided this is our final stop on the camper buying spree we might as well get it right and spend the little extra cash.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope it helps anyone else on the fence like I was.
Any advice on how to not go CRAZY waiting nearly 4 weeks until I can finally go back to pick it up?