Kids just bought a Coleman (Fleetwood) monster for $3200. Granted it is a 98 vintage, but it is in great shape and has a slide out. Tent trailers tend to hold their value well, so if you offer less, be prepared for them to laugh at you. With that tent trailer almost any mid sized (Tahoe/Yukon) would pull it just fine. As far as the hybrid? I would have serious doubts you will see enough of a mileage improvement to justify the added expense. We started with a I5 Trailblazer and honestly out Tahoe fuel economy was darn near the same. Get a vehicle that fits your family comfortably and has enough power to two once it is loaded up with kids and all their trappings for a weekend.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All
I saw a report on tv about hybrids. The math showed that, due to the extra cost, it would take about 17 years to reach the break even point based on slightly improved gas mileage. I'd never buy a hybrid because the longest I have ever owned any vehicle was 7 years. A few years ago we bought a 10 year old travel trailer. we paid too much (probably) but it was in such superb condition that it was worth every penny. Your money, your choice.
RRUGG
2009 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 1500 4x4 5.3L
2011 Kodiak 281RLGS travel trailer
2011 Egg Camper
2010 Chrysler Town & Country
Good Sam life members
Bob & Grace professional retirees
We have a 2004 Fleetwood Allegance (aka Sun Valley) and love it. It's not a high-wall like the Rockwood but a somewhat similar layout. The dual king beds is quite nice. We have slept 8 comfortably; 4 adults & 4 kids. Normally it's just 4 of us. DW & I on one bunk, DS & DD on the other. The table usually stays up since we don't need that for sleeping. The extra couch is nice too for additional seating, plus it's nice putting on/taking off footwear. Another big selling point is the access to the bunks without climbing over the table. With the Rockwood's layout, you can use the dinette bunk without disturbing the person/dog using it. That was one of the biggest selling points for us. As previously stated, condition is the key factor. Don't worry about cosmetic dings and scratches; they add character! Look for signs of water damage, functioning appliances & plumbing, and frame/structural damage. Also look for signs of maintenance. A well cared for pop-up (my DW might even say spoiled) will last a long time.
In regards to Fleetwood being kaput; the appliances are used by multiple trailer manufacturers so they're easy to get parts for. The lift system isn't that complicated and anybody familiar with them should be able to repair them. Cables can be made up from materials readily available. So far I haven't found anything on my unit that I couldn't repair or find replacement parts for. Since you would be buying it used, you wouldn't get any warranty coverage from Fleetwood if they were still around today anyway.
The price is up to you. The true value of an item is what somebody is willing to pay for it. Make an offer of what you feel is appropriate. Take the NADA guide with you to justify your offer. Negotiate within your budget constraints. If you can't make the deal, move on without regrets. Who knows, the other party may come look and decide otherwise and the seller may call you back to accept your offer. I bought a truck that way.
Do you have a way to get it home? A friend who can come tow it for you?
I'm not familiar with hybrid tow vehicles, but I would assume that it will work a little harder when towing than a standard version. However if this is also a daily driver and you have a long communte it may be suitable in the long run.
Good luck with the purchase, and if it doesn't work out, keep in mind that there are more out there and the one for you may come along at any time. We wanted to purchase a new Viking pop-up in spring of 2008, but couldn't swing the deal. There's only so much I'll finance for a toy. We were disappointed until we found our beloved Allegiance at the same dealer later that year.
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
I'm with the majority here... I wouldn't let the fact that it's an orphaned camper alone drive me away from it if it was in otherwise good condition and the right price. The only truly proprietary things that Fleetwood had on those would be things that do not often fail under normal operation. The lift system is not exactly unique, and parts are available for everything except the lift arms themselves. Things like the bunk slides could pose a problem in the future if you were to damage one, but the company that now owns the rights to the old FFT products should be able to provide replacements should the need arise. Things like hardware, shepherd's hooks, appliances, electrical components, etc. can be built, constructed, or modified from existing parts if they're not readily available as-is. Things like tenting and awnings can be had from several sources, mattresses can be made to order, and cabinetry and upholstery can be repaired DIY or at a local boat repair shop with little fanfair.
So again, don't make a hasty decision. If this one falls through, there will be others down the line, I promise.
I have a 2003 Fleetwood Highwall (Sequoia) and it is a wonderful trailer and should work well for your family. The high wall gives you such a better kitchen then the regular folding trailers.
Regarding price - well, sure offer less, but run the risk of the other family getting it, if you are sure there is another family. If it is in as good a condition as you say, then I suspect 6K is a good deal.
I dont know if you have the same lift system as mine does: the lift on mine was subject to a recall. If you used the lift while plugged in, you ran the risk of doing damage. The companies solution was to fix any that broke and put a stick next to the place you plug in the controller telling you to run it off battery. We bought ours used from the guy who serviced our previous Coleman. He forgot to tell us about it, and we did ruin a vacation with a trailer that would not open. Fleetwood fixed it for free, but that wouldn't work anymore.
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