RE: Diesel vs gas......................
It has been what 20 days since I last posted.
NH gas $3.75
NH Diesel $4.50
Last night we test drove a 06' F-350 PSD. I hit the dumby computer to see what kind of mileage we could get on the test drive. 18 mpg. If that holds true, I would be all about becoming a diesel owner. I couldn't get 18 with my Hemi on the best of days around town. Well, maybe if that Ford was pushing me.
I am in the process of checking mpg with my Hemi. Results next week.
Tomorrow we are looking at a 06' Cummins.
Happy Camping,
We had an older PSD and it's mpg was great, around 20. We have the newer diesel (2008 F350) and the mpg sucks. Then again, we didn't buy it for mpg.
RE: Best way to get tongue weight, at home?
Dave,
The Sherline LM-2000 is the way to go (link).
Turk2500
Turk2500 is right on the money. I have a Sherline LM-2000, best money I've ever spent.
RE: Anybody ever bought a new 5er on ebay?
I purchased my Keystone Cougar 245RKS from TerryTown. I first saw the camper on Ebay, then called them and made the sale directly. They where four thousand cheaper than my local Keystone Dealer, no way would they match TerryTown's price, but my local dealer said he would do the warranty work anyway. Too his credit my local dealer said "I'f I cant win you with our price we will win you over with our service".
My wife and I picked it up in Michigan, rather than have it shipped.
Ron W.
We are dealing with TerryTown as well, still in the deal stage but they are saving me $6300 from local dealer prices. The people at Terrytown have been excellent so far. Found them via eBay and called them directly to work a deal. Thanks for the post, eases the nerves dealing with a cross country/internet type deal.
RE: Campgrounds near Denver, CO
Hi,
I have researched some RV campgrounds in the Denver area for a possible fall trip this year and am considering Chatfield State Park which is near Littleton CO, just south of Denver... sorry I have not been there yet to give you a first hand report, but from my research it looked pretty good.
http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Chatfield/Camping/
Dale
I live 20 to 30 mins from Chatfield. It is a quiet open space type area, at the base of the foothills. I have only hike the outskirts of the trails there but always had a quiet hike. It right off the 470 Expressway but feels like your off the beaten path. You're still close enough to major shopping/dinning but you could head into the foothills (5 mins away), which take you to the mountains(with your tow vehicle or car).
Funny, we are going to pick up our new 5er in a week and I was trying to find somewhere close to have our first quick overnight trip. Basically a shake down and let the youngsters enjoy "Rving" but still close to home for any thing we forgot/need/etc.
Do ask for more detail if you need it. I drive by Chatfield often.
Here is a good link, which links you to their site:
http://www.coloradodirectory.com/costateparks/chatfield.html
RE: RV Wholesalers vs the local guy
in California, dealers basically dare you to buy from an internet dealer. they figure most people won't drive to the midwest to pick up a RV. but when they try and charge 3-4 times what the trip would cost, then there is something wrong.
i shopped 3 dealers within 100 miles of me, that sold the particular trailer i wanted. none of them got within $4,000 of RVW or RVDirect. now, two were large volume dealers and one was a small family-run operation.
i ended up buying from a small family-run dealer in Chicago, that was just as small as the local family-run dealer. they also were lower than RVW and RVDirect.
the owner of the local small dealer said the price the Chicago dealer had quoted me had to be wrong or they had some hidden charges. i showed him the copy of the invoice. his jaw dropped and he said if that was the real price, then he'd buy it, too. but if he'd been willing to even come within $1500, i would have bought from him. he still wanted at least $4000 or more for the same trailer, as did the other 2 larger dealers.:(
We are driving 1100 miles to save $6300 dollars on a new 5er. The trip will problably cost $500 to $700 for gas/food/one night hotel. The local dealers here in Denver claim they are at invoice until you show them the 6k + savings. They quickly start scrambling to give you bogus reasons why that savings is not "Real". I just smile. 6k is many tanks of gas over the next couple of years.
It is good to hear others are travel far to save big $$. It can be nerve racking dealing over the internet/phone with someone you can't see/touch, when spending 30k to 40k.
RE: Wildcat, Sabre, Cougar Help Me
Wife and I looked at Cougar 320SRX and Wildcat 31THSB. We love the floorplan in the Cougar with the long couch with twin dinette tables, the master bed slide (more room) but the WildCat has the air pin box, mag wheels, power awning, electric rear jacks, lower ramp door (mini garage in back -than the Cougar) and much bigger counter space. The Cougar has a better home feel but as we push and pulled on cabinets, buttons, recliner knob, etc, they felt cheaper, miss-aligned or wouldn't function. The Wildcat seemed more modern/newer with the extra features/fit and finish. Cougar has a better resale though. The Cougar was also 2k more.
So, reviews, comments, etc is what we have been doing over the last month. Dealers selling both models mention they sell 10 Wildcats to every 1 Cougar.
At this entry level price point it hasn't been easy.
Plus, we are driving out of state to save 5k to 6k over local, non-dealing Denver dealers.
