Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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Joined: 05/29/2005
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I had some issues where I took my camper in. It was that the air conditioning wasn't working adequate. It nearly ruined our vacation as it was 100 for 3 days straight and the rest of the week was in the middle 90s with high humidy. The air conditioner would only cool 10 degrees below outside temp with bunkend curtains closed and window drapes closed. Otherwise, it only cooled 5 degrees down. At night when temps went into the low 80s, it dropped 15 degrees below outside temp. Granted, there were no trees in this prarie campground, but even the Rockwood with a Coleman (not a duo therm that the starcraft has) kept the temps below 70 in the same conditions.
Dealer couldn't find a problem and said air worked correctly and that the air is blowing out 48 degrees out of the vents. Previously it was only 65 out of the vents at night or day. If something started to work, they couldn't find why it didn't previously. Not knowing when it could ruin our nex trip wasn't acceptable. I stated I would sell the camper and go back to tenting, where I could position the tent under items to keep it cool.
The owner called me this morning and is willing to swap a new starcraft TT for my PUP. The one I originally looked at before buying this PUP. Yes it's older in years but is new. Likely didn't sell it because it's small and lacks features. It wouldn't be a even swap but close as he put it. He wants my PUP because he has no used stock and with gas prices, I'm sure PUPs are high in demand now.
The girlfriend said to get the TT. That way we'll have some insulation if the air or furnace acts up, besides the inconvenience of setup.
I'm torn, I love the PUP but that last trip was nearly ruined and we had family with us. It was a special trip.
I like the idea of a TT, but storage and towing costs of an unknown future concern me.
In reality, I'll likely get the TT.
I was really surprised. The owner even asked if my fridge fan mod and the such were still in tact! Sounds like he's been eye balling my PUP for the chance to pounce on an opportunity.
I'll see how it goes.
I may be a TT owner, and a PUP ex-owner by the end of the day. Don't know if I'll be sad or happy as each offers their own benefits and negatives. Now that cost likely won't be a factor, it's more equally matched.
I respond later, have a good one.
2008 Eureka Copper Canyon 1312
13'x12' Tent
2007 Starcraft 2406 Exterior
2007 Starcraft 2406 Interior
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.6L V8 4X4
292 Hp, 300 lbs torque, 7000 lbs towing, 730 lbs hitch
Tow-N-See Convex Mirrors
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Intheloonybin
Twin Cities, Minnesota
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Joined: 08/19/2006
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I am really surprised to hear that offer too!
Hope it works out to your satisfaction in the end.
Would hate to lose you in the pup section though.
Good luck!!
HVAC instructor
2001 Chevy silverado 5.3 V8 1999 Coleman Niagara
2 Great girls 13 and 11
1 Great wife
Looking forward to fall/winter camping!
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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Let us know what happens!
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!
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Beacher
Long Beach, CA
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Joined: 05/07/2004
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It sounds to me like your functional A/C unit froze up at the heat exchanger coils due to the ambient high humidity while camping. When your dealer inspected the A/C unit the ice had melted and everything worked fine.
The dealer needs some inventory to sell to a customer he most likely has lined up. He knows your PopUp, and your situation! And, he has an old TT that he can't get rid of!
This can be a win/win/win situation for everyone! If you agree to the TT. Make sure you get ALL the options and accessories you want included in the deal, including a warranty for the new TT, I'm sure the dealer will agree!
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LetsRV
Portland, OR.
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Joined: 09/16/2001
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Don't get too excited until you find out his definition of "not even but close."
We are all good at something.....
I just happen to be a good bad example.
Occasionally in error but never in doubt.
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MattC
Missouri
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Joined: 05/18/2005
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Mike, let us know how it turns out for you. I hope you get the best deal possible. Even if you do move up to the TT make sure and drop by here every now and again to let us know how you are doing.
MattC from MO
2003 Grand Caravan
2008 Palomino Yearling 4102
Wife and 4 kids
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campercajun
Central Texas Hill Country
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Joined: 08/09/2007
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Mike, in hot weather while using the A/C, we didn't close the end bed curtains on our popups (except to change clothes) down here in Texas. That impediment to airflow would allow the trailer box to turn into a reasonable facsimile of a refrigerator, but would make the bed-ends very uncomfortable. I still think there is a problem with your A/C unit or installation, but if you are leaning towards trading for the TT, make sure your Sport Trac can handle it. Unless it's a very small TT, you may be a little short of comfort on wheelbase and power.
EDIT: Mike, I didn't mean this as a put down of either Ford in general or the Sport Trac in particular. Any light and relatively short vehicle pulling a long and/or tall trailer with a high center of gravity can be a very tiring handful on a trip, even with a good WD hitch and sway control, such as the Equal-I-Zer or Reese Strait-Line/Dual-Cam HP. I've been there, and not with a Ford or a Sport Trac.
* This post was
edited 08/18/08 03:44pm by campercajun *
2003 GMC Sierra Crew HD; 6.0L; Prodigy
2006 Thor Tundra 30RL-DSL; Reese Strait-Line & Dual-cam HP
2001 Honda Elite Scooter
Jim & Gayle Bryant
Murphy's Law: "Anything that CAN happen, WILL."
Bryant's Law: "31 years of RVing? Probably already HAS."
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dodge guy
Chicago, western subs.
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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Which dealer is it?
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
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JCHKeys
Suffolk, VA
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Joined: 11/05/2007
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not that surprised, my fleetwood dealer has sold PUPs 10:1 right now over TT and 5ths. He can't keep used PUPs on the lot. He know he can probably turn a profit from the used PUP sale.
New TV: 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7L Cummins, 6 Speed Auto, No mods yet (but they are coming)
2008 Fleetwood Evolution E-4, Reese Round Bar Weight Distributing Hitch
Me and the Wife: Scuba Dive, Mountain Bike, Kayak, Hike
Two Dogs: Mako and Amber
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Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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Joined: 05/29/2005
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Well I bought one. It's the original Starcraft NXP 20DBB I was going to purchase before I bought the PUP. It's still brand spanking new with full warranty. Dealer previously was asking to high a price compared to the other model TTs that were more featured ladden. I just didn't want to get into a high payment then and the PUP was the way to go for my likes and needs.
Back then the TT was $3000 more than my PUP and is what he sold it for. Only $3000 more than my PUP's trade in. The kicker now is that my PUP is used while the TT is still new. Granted a 2006 but it's still new, and I don't know if I could had gotten a better deal on a excellent used unit. A used model wouldn't have the 12 year roof warranty or other warranties as well. The other model I passed on was a "USED" traded in, Jayco 2008 Jayflight 19 BH. It was roughly $600 more but had absolutely no warranty since it was traded on a motorhome. The dealer was the second owner, making me a third own. Hence, no transfer of warranty.
The girlfriend, who will likely be more in the future, made a reasonable statement. That type of money and no warranty, is just a bad idea. I have to agree. The starcraft offers a better sleeping arrangement for bed sizes compared to the Jayco also.
This is one light camper as well. The weigh in slip indicates fully optioned, it's only 2800 lbs. These models are ultralights and used welded aluminum laminates instead of stick built design that adds weight. It's more expense obviously, but keeps the weight lighter than Starcraft's highwall PUPs! The travelstars by contrast use some welded aluminum framing, but use stick built design on floors and roofs and some walls depending on models.
Here's some info from Starcraft's site Series highlights The brochure The actual pics of 'my' trailer I'm buying
Wish me luck, I'll keep you updated and I'll still be around here.
Have a good one.
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