07PSDCREW
Berlin Ma
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Joined: 02/08/2012
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Hello all!
Ive been lurking on here but haven't joined till today. My wife and I have been looking for a camper since last year (July 4th long weekend) on our last camping trip. We usually rent our campers for the last 5 years. On our last trip, we had a hybrid type tow behind and we decided that it was time we bought our own camper.
We couldn't really afford a monthly payment on one so we have held out till now. Being married with two kids, we get a pretty healthy tax return. We have filed and have our money on its way. We've been looking more hardcore recently and we happend upon a deal at an Rv dealer in West Hatfield Ma. It was for a 2004 Starcraft 290rks 5er.
They origionally wanted 16,900$ for the unit, I was turned off by the price as we were looking for in the 6-7k range. We didnt find anything that day. The gentleman called us back and told me they were "moving" some inventory and said they would give me three units to pick from and a bottom line price on each. So I drove there and one of the units was the starcraft I liked from previous trip. The prices ended up being 9,000-9,999. I told the salesman that he knew that was out of my range and I was upset that I drove 80 miles for nuthin. They gave me the wheel and deal speach that maybe I could come up with extra or whatever. I expressed my feelings of being upset because the salesman told me it would be worth the trip, and they had units in my range. I told them I was still interested in the starcraft but I couldnt afford 9k. I told them I only wanted to spend the 6-7k and be able to pay sales tax and registration.
So we talked a little more back and forth and I told them I couldn't budge. The wife and I got up and said our goodbyes (nicely) and headed out to the truck to head home. I got the rig started and just before reverse the salesman came running out of the sales office over to my window. He told me the sales manager caved and accepted my offer of 7k$! (6800.00 total for rv and 200.00 doc fee. I had named my price during the back and forth). I was actually shocked! We went back inside and the sales manager said he hates to turn down a guy with an honest offer, not being someone trying to get it for a steal when they have the money.
We get our new to us 5ver on the 14-15th of Feb. I cant wait! Back in December, I sold my snowmobile to buy a slider hitch for my 2007 crew cab F350. I was going to buy all new from Etrailer.com I happened to find a practicly brand new reese 16k round tube slider on craigslist for 450.00. When i got there to look at it the owner and I found someone had bent the release handle into a U shape.... I told the lady it was useless to me like that and would need to be fixed to be used. She told me she needed it gone out of her garage and she asked what I would pay being broken. I thought for a minute and said 325.00. She said sold! I took it home and bent the handle in my vise back to its origional position. I then went on Etrailer and bought the Rails and custom install kit for the F350 with the wiring extension to the bed.
Like I said before, I cant wait to get the new camper. I spent last weekend installing a 30 amp rv plug on the side of my house from the panel to plug in the new "home". Ive also been looking around for deals on sewer pipes, water hoses, etc. I also will need a battery. They told me at that price, the only thing they will do is the propane safety check, which is fair.
Ohh well I'm sorry for the long post but I wanted to tell my story.
I also look forward to seeking some help from you guys. From what I hear and read it seems starcraft was a good choice?? Let me know what you think.
Leon & Tina
2007 Ford F350 6.0 CC SB
Fully bulletproofed/EGR/ARP Studs
Reese 16k round tube slider hitch.
2000 Damon Hornet 2850BH 5er 
http://i.imgur.com/zfSKw.jpg
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jasonlisan
Colorado
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Joined: 07/20/2005
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First of all congrats! Second, way to go on sticking to your price and willing to walk out. Third, Starcraft makes a great trailer, we used to own a Starcraft hybrid toyhauler, it was a good trailer. We now have Jayco Recon and if I'm correct, Jayco and Starcraft are basically one company.
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Two Hands
California's Central Coast
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Welcome to the forum. You will find a whole lot of good information here from some very experienced rvers.
2011 Fleetwood Southwind 32VS
2009 Ford Edge
Retired Law Enforcement
U.S. Army 1965-1973/RVN 1968-'69
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07PSDCREW
Berlin Ma
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Joined: 02/08/2012
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Thank you Jason and Two Hands!!
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RonandConni
Greentown In
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Joined: 03/11/2008
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Nice job working your deal. Hope you have a wonderful time in your 5er.
WE GO WHERE WE ARE TOWED!
Ron and Conni
Greentown, In
2011 Cedar Creek 29RL
Ford F-350 6.4 Diesel
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Welcome.......
$6800 is a really good deal........low retail is around $11,000
Hope you don't have problems with the rig and get to enjoy lots of great camping adventures.
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brirene
midwest
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Joined: 01/27/2007
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Congrats and welcome!
'04 Jayco Designer 30 RKS Medallion pkg, Trail Air pin
'05 F350 6.0 PSD CC, Lariat, 4x4, Duallies, 4.10, LB, B&W Companion
“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for.”
-Louis L'Amour
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hitnderoad
Twin Cities metro, Mn.
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Joined: 01/12/2011
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Congrats and I'm glad to see people who will stick to their budget even if it means losing something you would like to have. Enjoy lots of camping with the new unit.
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07PSDCREW
Berlin Ma
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Joined: 02/08/2012
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Thanks everyone! I will be sure to post a picture here when I bring the new 5er home!
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TugCE
Leesburg, Florida
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Joined: 06/10/2008
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Welcome to the world of being a RV Owner. Now the fun starts! Trust me when I say this you will be forever finding new things to add so just enjoy your first couple of trips and keep a list of want too's. After using it for a while you will know what you can not live without and what stuff would be "nice" to have.
I hope that you and your family enjoy many years of RVing.
05 Chevy 2500 4x4 D/A with Helper Springs and Air Ride Air Bags
06 R-Vision RW3360 Fifth Wheel Toy Hauler
97 FLTCI converted into a Roadsmith Trike by The Trike Shop of Daytona
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