bcarr
SE Wisconsin
New Member
Joined: 05/11/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
Well, after months of reading this forum and doing research we are finally taking the plunge. We are new to RVing but wanted to find something to do with the family on weekends and some vacations.
We will be picking up our 2006 Starcraft Antigua 305 QBS on Wednesday and taking our first trip next weekend. My kids have only briefly been exposed to tent camping but they are really excited. After owning boats for many years we thought it was a good time to try something new. I know I had great memories of camping as a kid and hope we can do the same.
Anyway, I was wondering if there were any opinions on this TT we are purchasing? It is brand new and has been sitting on the lot for 2 years. The dealer (whom I trust because I was introduced to him by a co-worker) said the white interior made it difficult to sell. I happen to like it even though the wife is not "thrilled". Either way, we got a good deal and really couldn't pass it up.
Any opinions are appreciated. I really enjoy this site because there are so many good ideas and great advice it makes me feel better about the purchase.
Happy camping!
2006 GMC Yukon XL 5.3L
2006 Starcraft Antigua 305 QBS
|
crickeydog
Marietta, Ga.
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Boooyahhhhhh on yer new TT!!! Congrat's!!!
Check the date stamped on the tires (should not be more than 2 years old) and check the tires for dry rot and sidewall cracking from sitting on the lot this long. If there's any sign of either, have the dealer replace the tires or walk away from it. If the tires are "Carlisle" brand tires or some other Made In China brand tires, refuse to take the TT off the lot until the dealer swaps them with the appropriate new sized Goodyear or Michelin tires. If the dealer won't do this, walk away from it. There's only about a 1000 more TT's just like it for sale out there. Unless you've already done so otherwise, use a credit card for your down payment; it's easier to get your down payment money back this way if you walk away. Ask the dealer to wash and seal the roof of the TT since it's been sitting on the lot for 2 years and most certainly needs this performed; this is usually an annual maintenance requirement as outlined in the OM. Prior to your 4 to 6 hour PDI on Wed, ask the dealer to fill the fresh water tank and pressurize the water system, turn on the refrigerator and the a/c the day before your arrival so all of this will be done and operating prior to your arrival on Wed. Also ensure the dealer has the unit plugged into at least 30 amp service and check every 110V outlet. Plan to refuse delivery of the unit on Wed if all is not in working order or up to your satisfaction before you leave with the TT. The dealer will try and talk you into taking the unit pretty much as is then return it later to have the shake down stuff repaired. Refuse to do this. Period!!! End of discussion. Complete the PDI on Wed. before signing any delivery paperwork and if it means setting up another delivery date for the dealer to do their job getting your TT ready for delivery, so be it. We haven't picked up an RV yet that was ready for delivery on the first try. It took us 3 weeks to try and take delivery of our first TT and we ended up walking away form it after the 3rd failed attempt at delivery.
Type in PDI in the search block here on the forum; download a PDI checklist and take it with you and follow it religiously.
FWIW: You may trust your dealer and that's fine, however, IMHO: Don't trust them any further than you can throw 'em.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
CHEROKEE & CHEYENNE, MINI DOXIE'S
LOADED LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, FLYIN LIKE A JET PLANE!!
|
Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Have fun in the new Antiqua! Your family will have a great time!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
|
Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
Senior Member
Joined: 07/10/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
It's a great choice. Isn't that what you wanted to read?
Next time, ask this Forum BEFORE you buy the RV and/or consult the RV Consumer Group, and check out www.rvknowhow.com and read the Kieva's suggestions for how to select an RV.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
|
Beartoo
Perham MN
Full Member
Joined: 08/31/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Now they have scared the S*** out of you have fun and don't worry. Your family will have a great time.
DH - Bear
DW - Marge
Dogs, Rufus and Nelie
01 F 150
1999 Coachman TT
|
|
|
bcarr
SE Wisconsin
New Member
Joined: 05/11/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Wow. I hope I didn't offend you Dick. I did do my research on this particular trailer and have seen nothing but positive comments. The price was right and it is light enough for my 1/2 ton SUV to tow and that is what made the final decision.
I am not looking for anybody to tell me it is a great choice. I was looking for some honest feedback if anybody wanted to share some information.
Anyway...I did save that link and I will look at that site later. It seems that there is a wealth of knowledge on this site so I have been looking at it for several months now. I wasn't about to ask "Which one should I buy" because I know I would have received hundreds of different responses.
Thanks for your reply...I think...
|
bcarr
SE Wisconsin
New Member
Joined: 05/11/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
OH, and thanks to Crickeydog for the good feedback on the PDI process. I didn't know what to expect and that helps a lot!
|
19Sandie54
AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 01/24/2005
View Profile
|
I'll give you some good feedback on Starcraft. We have had ours for 4 years and it has never been back to the dealer for anything. Thats the truth!! I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Oh and here is the toll free number to Starcraft if you have any questions on how to work things. 1-800-945-4787. They are great at helping with any questions you may have about your unit. I'm sure you'll love yours as much as we love ours. Have a great time...
JJ & Sandie
Li'l Jack and Pickles, chihuahuas...Chewy, poodle 6/15/95-7/4/08 We will always love you Chooch.
2003 Chevy 2500HD,LT,CC,SB,4x4,Duramax/Allison
2007 Starcraft Homestead 262RKS
|
kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
Senior Member
Joined: 05/27/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
We spent 20 years in Starcraft campers - 17 years in a PUP and 3 in a HTT - and were very happy with them. If they made a TT in the weight and floorplan we wanted, we would have bought one again.
|
I_rv2
Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 01/13/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Enjoy your new RV ... the best way to learn about it is to hook it up and go.
Also, don't overlook the pleasures of a "drive way" campout. Park it in your driveway and everyone spend the night in it.
Just don't have so much fun your neighbors know you are camping in your driveway. They'll think you're nuts ... but we all know you are just enjoying your new rv!
|
|
|
