| There are several choices of towable campers: travel | | | | are going to finance, know how much money you can |
| trailers, fifth wheel campers, toy haulers, hybrid | | | | comfortably afford each month. Once you have set |
| campers and pop up or tent campers. The camper | | | | your budget, stick with it. It will make you feel better |
| that best suits you will vary from person to person. | | | | about your purchase after everything is said and done. |
| Here are several things to consider when choosing | | | | * Size - Campers come in many lengths. The longer |
| your camper: | | | | the camper, the more it will weigh. The more slide out |
| *Tow Vehicle - Depending on the kind of tow vehicle | | | | rooms there are, the more the camper will weigh. |
| you have will help to determine whether you can pull a | | | | Keep your maximum tow weight in mind when |
| fifth wheel camper or if you must buy a bumper pull | | | | considering size. |
| camper. One of the first things that you really have to | | | | If you visit certain camp sites, make sure that the |
| take a look at is how much weight can your tow | | | | camper that you choose is not too big for your |
| vehicle pull. Once you have determined this, it may | | | | favorite places. |
| eliminate many campers and help to narrow your | | | | * Sleeping Capacity -Make sure that you consider the |
| decision. | | | | average number of people that will be sleeping in the |
| Remember that the dry weight (unloaded) of the | | | | camper on a regular camping trip. Don't worry about |
| camper does not include any water or cargo weight. If | | | | the people that "might" go with you every |
| you are going to haul water, keep in mind that water | | | | once-in-awhile. They usually don't end up going very |
| weighs 8lbs per gallon. That can really add up quickly! | | | | often. |
| When possible, fill your fresh water tank at your | | | | Most campers have a master bed, some type of |
| camping location. Also dump your waste water tanks | | | | sleeper sofa or jackknife sofa and if it has a booth |
| at your camp ground if they offer that service. With | | | | dinette, the dinette can be converted to a sleeping |
| water weight and cargo weight, you can expect to | | | | area. With more families camping together, |
| add an addition 500-800lbs to the dry weight of your | | | | bunkhouses campers are becoming very popular. |
| camper. Allow for that extra weight when figuring the | | | | * Amenities - Campers come with many options and |
| total weight of the campers you are considering. | | | | features. Most campers are normally equipped with: |
| * Budget - Campers will vary in price from a several | | | | refrigerator, microwave, stove, water hookup with |
| hundred dollars for older or fixer-upper campers to | | | | water pump, hot water heater, toilet, shower, sink, |
| almost $100,000 for the cream of the crop campers. | | | | stereo, stabilizer jacks, awning, propane tanks, furnace |
| Price will be affected by the camper's age, brand and | | | | and air-conditioner. |
| size. Shop around on the internet and see what kind of | | | | Some of the other features that are common are: |
| campers are selling in your price range. Make sure that | | | | outside cook station, outside shower (hot & cold |
| the amount that you have budgeted is going to get | | | | water), outside speakers, power jacks and awning, |
| you the kind of camper you are looking for. | | | | enclosed underbelly, spare tire and carrier, outside |
| You should set a reasonable spending budget. If you | | | | ladder (to roof) to name a few. |
| are paying cash, know what the maximum amount of | | | | If you use this list to help narrow down your choice of |
| money that you want to spend. Remember that you | | | | campers, it will make choosing your camper easier and |
| will also have taxes and insurance costs on top of the | | | | help you to make sure you get the camper that you |
| actual cost of the camper so keep that in mind. If you | | | | really want. |