How did we select our current RV? Well, I’d like to report that we had unlimited funds and time to select nothing but the very best that satisfied our every whim and need. I’d like to tell you that, but it wouldn’t be true.
Instead, I’ll tell you what is probably a common story. We had camped for many years while the kids were growing up. But, as time went on, life began to interfere. Promotions, transfers, tuition, mortgages; all added up to lots of responsibility and outgo; as opposed to income. We dreamed of an early retirement and an upgrade to a class A motorhome that we would tour the country with. Years went by and vacations became less frequent (After all, ambitious people don’t actually take vacations, do they?). After a while, any trips we took were of the hotel variety. Our dream had started to fade as I chased after the corporate brass ring.
I’m not going to complain; at least not too much. I got to travel the world, staying in fine hotels and, in general, enjoying my life. My wife got to share in some of this and we were even able to take the kids on a tour of England as a graduation gift for the boys. But, there was still that dream, sitting in the back of my mind, but pushing itself to the front whenever corporate life began to pale. At least in comparison to what I thought that couple were experiencing; in that motorhome that had just driven by…
My 64th birthday came and went and I realized that I was getting seriously old. It was then I decided to hell with everything else, we were going to capture as much of that old dream as we could, while we still could.
So in 2009, with a smallish to middling pile of money, we went shopping. We knew that our dollar would probably go further than it ever could before, what with the economy tanked and dealers dying for business. We had already decided that we would need to use our existing truck as our tow vehicle. It was nearly paid for and wouldn’t require a second, or more substantial combined loan, if we had to replace it and also buy a trailer.
I did a lot of research online; learning as much as I could about trailer RVs. One persistent warning I received was that I’d be crazy to use a 6-cylinder Mazda SUV for my tow vehicle. Its 3500-pound tow limit was just too small. There were those, though, who had been trailering for years and told me that, if I was careful and didn’t demand more from the truck than it could handle, I’d probably be okay. We would later learn that, not only would we be okay if we didn’t push, err pull it too hard, but, after climbing the nearly 10,000-foot Tioga Pass into Yosemite, we would be just fine.
We began looking at trailers; having decided that they would provide us with the simplest yearly maintenance and least costly purchase price. They could also be small enough to meet our towing weight needs and, at the same time, permit me to handle most of the maintenance and repairs myself.
We looked at used trailers, but found two problems: old technology and structural problems. The lightweights that were on the market looked and felt old. Bathrooms and kitchens were out of style. Appliances were old and looked it. Then there was the smell and feel of rot; mildew and spongy floors.
Having ruled out brand-new as too costly for the first year or two; given the drop in value the instant you pulled it off the lot, we started looking at brand-new leftovers. There were plenty of these on the lots in the ultra-light, 18 to 20 foot length and towing weight class we were looking for (No, we didn’t tour the country, going from RV dealer to RV dealer, nor did we shop on the internet, where I’m sure we could have found thousands of suitable trailers, all because we found just enough in local lots to give us plenty of choice). In time, we located what we wanted: A dealer that had been around for a while, was looked at favorably by customers, had a choice of the “right” trailers and was “hungry” enough to bargain with.
I won’t mention the dealer by name, since the market has continued to go up and down and some dealers are gone or merged, or whatever. I’ll use our experience going through the transaction of buying, though, as an example of what to look out for.
There were a number of sub-3000 pound dry-weight trailers on the market that would meet our towing load requirements. The one that caught our eye was the Cruiser RV Fun Finder X line. Take a look at the Cruiser RV Fun Finder X website for the latest photos of and specifications for the 2011 189 FBR (FBR = front bedroom) and FBS (FBS = front bedroom + slideout) models. Note that ours is a 2008 189 FBR and does vary in some aspects from the latest model.
We had to skip the FBS model (with slideout) because it weighed too much. As with the 3 Bears, the FBR
(without slideout) was just right. It has an axle weight of 2533 pounds, hitch weight of 255, equaling a dry weight of 2788 and a GVWR of 5855; resulting in a load capacity of 3067, which was way beyond our towing capacity, but, with careful loading, could still fall below our 3500 pound towing limit. (We’ve never weighed her loaded, but after a cross-country trip through deserts and mountains, we can report that we never overheated, tracked true in heavy cross-winds, never dropped below 35 MPH on the steepest climbs, and didn’t blow the transmission – thank God)
The Cruiser RV Fun Finder X models didn’t have that plastic, IKEA or popped-out-of-a-mold look that we’ve seen in some of the other ultra-lights. Like those from China.
A point here: During our time with the Fun Finder X, I keep finding the “Made in China” label on more and more parts. I know that that would cause some shoppers to scurry for the exit, but I think there aren’t many things left that aren’t made in China. And you’ll learn that, no matter where certain parts on our trailer were made, for the past 3 years and 6,000 or so miles, the trailer has been very reliable.
The Fun Finder X looked like a real trailer inside and out. For its size, it has lots of storage. The substructure looked well thought out and strong; dual 15-inch alloy wheels, Dexter EZ Flex Rubber Equalizer System, aluminum house framing, laminated, Gel-Coated walls, an I-beam frame with corner jacks, EDPM rubber roof, etc. It carries 40 pounds of LP, has a 55 AMP WFCO 3-stage charger/converter, a 16K BTU electric ignition furnace, a Shur-Flo water pump with E-Z Wintering kit, a 2-Door Dometic refrigerator/freezer, a 6 gallon LP water heater, and a Duo-Therm Brisk-Air AC (Check the specification sheet here and standards and options here).
And so we bought one. And, about 6,000 miles later, everything still works, nothing has come loose or fallen
off and the only thing that I can complain about is that the red swoosh decal; and only the red; not the silver or dark gray, but just the red, has dried out and is peeling. Go figure…
Another note here: After discussing the issue of towing with some old timers, I went what might be considered overboard with our hitch and bought a heavy-duty 2-inch receiver with an adjustable height hitch and load distribution system. I think that it has a lot to do with our trailer’s tractability and balance.
We’re very satisfied with it, although we would want a few changes if we were in command of such things: The whitish cabinetry isn’t painted; it’s covered with some sort of vacuum coating. It hasn’t peeled off or anything and it’s simple to just wipe it off if it gets dirty, but an enameled or urethane finish would have been nice. I guess if I peeled off that plastic coating on the cabinets I’d find a lot of finger-lapped, less expensive softwood under there, but that’s not inherently bad; finger-lapped joinery is strong. The other issue is about the 
bathroom. It must have been designed by and for people of small stature (dwarves?). Taking a shower is an exercise in yoga and body contortions. You basically have to wet yourself (with the shower, you cretins), soap up, and then perform a pirouette to rinse off. Having a BM, at least for those of us who aren’t, umm, height challenged, is another test; best performed with the bathroom door fully opened (which is tricky when you have company). Otherwise my knees are mashed up against the closed door.
Other than that, that’s it. I did make some modifications to better meet our needs; like removing the drop-down table and replacing it with two pedestal tables, which required removing the two facing bench seats, bolting them side-to-side and then bolting them to the floor against the wall in the form of a couch; which worked out pretty well. I did all of that because I am, hmm, sleep-challenged. Due to a cervical spinal cord injury, I cannot lie perfectly flat on my back without going into spasms and back aches. I therefore need to set-up and sleep-on a folding chaise lounge every night, which is all you need to know about that.
The only real problem we ran into was during the purchasing process. There was a difference between the finance contract numbers we had agreed to in advance and what was noted on the sales contract during closing that needed to be sorted out. And then there was the difference between what was installed in the unit while it was on display out in the lot or requested as an option during the ordering process and what was in the unit when we picked it up. Normally, a missing TV, stainless steel outdoor cooking unit, spare wheel cover, and a stainless steel convection microwave oven, not to mention the also missing remote-controlled Fantastic Fan wouldn’t bother me very much (like HELL). In fact, I did come unglued after finding out that all of those things weren’t in the unit when I picked it up.
A hint here if you’re ever faced with a similar problem. Have a heart-to-heart discussion with the sales manager. Remind him how many prospective buyers scan the internet to find out how other buyers view his dealership. Go on to remind him of the fact that (if you are) retired people have all the time in the world to get up on one or more of the many chat rooms and forums on the internet and trash their dealership. If they think that their sales versus inventory numbers suck just then, just wait until one or more irate internet users get done with them. This will usually do the trick in resolving any shortfalls in expectation versus delivery.
A way to possibly avoid the same thing happening to you is to write down, in duplicate, everything discussed and agreed to; to be signed by you and the salesperson before going anywhere near the finance closing. As a matter of fact, don’t go near the finance guy’s desk without first having a “walk-through,” checking that the RV is exactly as ordered; with nothing missing or, “Oh sorry, that’s been backordered – I’m meant to mention that” B—S—.
Till Next Time,
The Traveler
Greer Conrad
We have a 2009 Fun FinderX 210 (no slide). It sounds as if we have a similar story. We, too, wanted more open floor space and are in the process of turning our dinette benches flat against the outer wall. They fit perfectly
MomandDadCamping
Thanks for the avice on how to deal with the dealers. I would be sooo mad if even one of the items was missing from the trailer.
Vermonster
Thanks for the article. If your truck’s limit is 3500, and you deduct for a 10% margin, you must be very close to the top once you load up, add a passenger, propane, etc. I hauled a boat for several years with a Tahoe, always pushing the limit. The damage to my transmission wasn’t noticed until it was too late and expensive. Your plan to get it weighed next time you’re all loaded up is a highly recommended – you are going to be shocked! Get the trailer weighed and then the combined rig; remember to add in the usual passengers.
Also keep in mind that your towing capacity is for a 10% grade. If you go out west, there are plenty of long grades that are 13% or more. What the insurance company says is the least of your worries, your lives could be at stake. Sounds like you have tried out towing and have some experience though – that’s a big +
Spukistiles
Enjoyed reading about your camper choice. We ended up with something similar. Our tow vehicle is a Jeep Liberty which I chose because it could tow up to 5000 lbs. My wife insisted on a travel trailer, because we can park it and still go places in the car without taking it with you every time. She is right! We looked at used ultra lites several years back, including the Fun Finder. Our choice was a 2007 18 ft Eco, which is very similar to the Fun Finder. I am over six feet tall, but I can stand up in it with no problem. Even the shower is not too bad. Our previous campers left me stooping over. My only complaint would be the grey water capacity, but I think that is a common short fall in campers. You are right about the weight distribution hitch. It really makes a difference in the way the rig handles. Someone told me that it actually adds another 1000lbs to your towing capacity. Maybe it does, but I consider it a nice margin for error in the weight calculation.
Dear Spukistiles (I’d much rather call you Marshall)
Yes, grey water capacity is usually a problem, especially if you’re like and refuse to let it dribble out overnight. And yes, I swear by a good weight distribution hitch. It really makes a difference.
Traveler
Traveler8343
Hi Tim,
All good points. Thank you for your advice. I wish that I had “tried out” the toilet before we bought, but it may not have any difference. Those with bigger bathrooms were either too heavy, or too expensive. I learned to make do, so to speak. lol
I forgot to mention tha we went to RV shows, too.
Traveler
Traveler8343
Dear Oldie But Goodie,
You make some very good points. With the way my rig handles, I’m pretty sure I’m okay, but after writing this article, I’m determined to weigh her the next time we go out. I usually tow only with my holding tanks empty or near so.
I think that I would get more concerned about answering an adjuster’s questions if I rear-ended someone, jack-knifed or otherwise lost control of my rig. After our cross country trip, though, when I ran into about every could-have-been-an-accident situation I can think of, my rig handled beautifully.
Traveler8343
Dear Brad,
Oh how I wish, knowing what I know now, I could build a custom trailer!
Thanks for your comments.
Traveler
Tim Soller
We are in our 21st year of towing travel trailers and on our 4th trailer. It’s a 2006 Outback Sidney Edition 31 RQS. We tow it with a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel. Over the years we’ve learned a lot. With the first trailer we got tired of making out the couch and dinette for the kids. So we got a trailer with bunkbeds. Now we have 4 bunks in the back and a queen in the front and a slide out. Kids are all adults and go with us a couple times a year. The slide out and 4 bunks was a big selling point in this trailer plus the bathroom. Plenty of room to sit down on the toilet! even with the door closed. I always “try out” the toilets in the campers at the RV shows and tell others to do the same. Also check how the interior doors open. Looked at one trailer that you had to go into master bedroom to get in bathroom because of the way the door opened. Not good if you have guests staying with you. I also look for the little things too that I used to add myself. Fantastic fans, lights in storage compartments, coat hooks, hooks for keys, etc. Light switches in convienent places. I learned the value of a sway bar years ago and now have a Reese Dual Sway control and adjustable hitch. The company who installed the Reese system gave me a real education on towing level and sway control. Trailer Life, the RV Doctor , the Highways Magazine and other RVers have been a great help through the years. I like a travel trailer over a fifth wheel as I can haul my 4 wheeler in my truck bed, plus firewood, etc. I don’t like the toy haulers. The inside of our trailer also is decorated nicely (unlike some years models). I recommend going to as many RV shows as you can each year, you never know what you might find!
Brad Licklider
After camping for years in all of its versions, we decided to get a trailer. After looking at the possibilities and not finding one that would haul 14 ft. kayaks, decided to build one myself.
I had a local trailer manufacturing company build a shell, and I did the rest myself.
We now have a trailer that will haul 5 14ft. kayaks, and we can still use it for camping while on the road. It has a bathroom, 7and 1/2 foot kitchen, a banquette that will seat 6, a queen size bed, and a
screen porch on the back. We are the talk of the camp ground
O. Gray
Re 3500 lb towing weight: It is my understanding that the towing weight includes, not only the trailer weight itself, but everything packed into it AND everything loaded into the tow vehicle other than the driver and one passenger. Reference: my Honda Odyssey manual.
If you go over the recommended weight, what will your insurance company do if you make a claim after an accident? Will they refuse to pay your claim because you are, in fact, not complying with your car manufacturer’s recommendations?