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Old 11-04-2014, 02:43 PM   #1
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Want To Buy My First Trailer - Lite Quad Bunks

Hello Everyone,

Now that I have an appropriate tow vehicle 2011 F-150 Ecoboost with the HD and Max Tow package the wife and I are looking at travel trailers.

I checked out a Salem Cruise Lite 281QB yesterday at a local dealer. The unit is a 2014 but was used as a rental for their rental dept.

They are asking $19,900 which I feel is too much considering the prices I've been looking at online. I offered them $15,000 and the sales lady said there was no way they'd go for it... So I walked away, lol. Based on my reading here and elsewhere and researching NADA guides I felt my offer was pretty fair, maybe too high too start actually.

My Questions...

Does Anyone Know The Difference Between The 281QB and 281QB XL?

How Much Was The Outdoor Kitchen Option vs Additional Bunk Bed?

How Accurate is NADA pricing for Travel Trailers in Canada?

What Are Some Other Great Forest River Models That Are 1/2 Ton Towable and Include:
  • Quad Bunks
  • Private Master Bed
  • 1 Slide

With 4 kids the quad bunk trailers are pretty much what we are limited too. I would like to keep it under $15,000. This way we can put money down and not be upside down.

Looking at used trailers it seems there are many owners asking waaaaay to much because they didn't negotiate their purchase price down to a fair price.

Thanks for any assistance or advice!
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Old 11-04-2014, 03:27 PM   #2
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Used 2008 Forest River RV Wildwood LE 32BHDS Travel Trailer at Collier RV | Rockford, IL | #242665

I’m not sure if this link still works but we just traded in a 2008 Wildwood 32BHDS.

It had 2 slides. One in the main living area, and one in the bunkhouse. The one in the BH really made a difference. Much more room to move around.

They still make this model but they’ve changed the layouts slightly. Now the slides are both on the same side of the trailer.
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Old 11-04-2014, 10:20 PM   #3
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Nada values are actually higher than trailers actually sell for. A better gauge is to do a search on rvtrader.com and search craigslist. We used both of these when selling our old tt.
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Old 11-04-2014, 10:31 PM   #4
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Not sure what your payload limitations are (the ecoboosts weak link) but Some other good options for you:
Check out the flagstaff and Rockwood lines.

While not forest river, crossroads makes good trailers:
Check out the zinger, z-1, and sunset trail models. Our zinger was a great trailer and held its value well (sold for $3k less than we paid for it 3 yrs prior).


Basically if you are looking used, the key is to look for any sign of leaks (ie reexamination , wetness, mildew odors etc). Find a tt that is truly within your trucks capabilities and not the internet capabilities listed for the truck. Do not ever believe the salesman. Do your own math. Remember you will not tow a dry or unloaded tt camping. On average most add 1000-1500 lbs of stuff to a trailer. You can expect the loaded tongue weight to be 13-15% of the loaded tt weight. Stay within spec and find a floor plan that fits your needs and you will be happy.
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Old 11-04-2014, 10:56 PM   #5
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In California I've seen the 281s going for $19.9k brand new


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Old 11-05-2014, 12:57 AM   #6
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IF...
you like the dealer
and you like that TT
go poke around it some more and they'll start poking numbers.
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Old 11-05-2014, 01:37 AM   #7
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Rvtrader shows 3 new 2014s going for $17,440 in NY, $19,600 in MT, and $21,050 in KS. I would say they are too high, especially on a rental that probably got abused in their fleet. I would also want to know why they are selling their rental that quickly.
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Old 11-05-2014, 01:56 AM   #8
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Thanks for the advice everyone. Decisions... Decisions... I do like the TT. It seems like it would suit our needs.

The SeeDealerCosts website lists the Wildwood X-lite 281QBXL at $15,348 USD invoice. That is like $17500 CAD. The Salem Cruise-Lite is essentially the same thing.

Wildwood X Lite Travel Trailers by Forest River | See Dealer Cost

I found a brand new 2014 Wildwood X-lite 281QBXL at a dealer about 2 hours away but they are asking full MSRP of $28,836 CAD and it has only 3 bunks in the rear to make room for the outdoor kitchen... A cool option but we'd rather have that 4th bunk.

My Ecoboost has a Payload capacity of 1600 lbs (says on the door) and a towing capacity of 11,300 lbs with my engine/gear/max tow package combo. My goal is to stick with a trailer that will come in around 7000 - 7500lbs loaded.

I have a 16' enclosed we haul around with 2 - 800lb ATV's an 11' foot zodiac with 9.9 motor more than 12 5 gallon jugs of fuel and an ATV trailer and all hunting gear. With two Moose as well the trailer is easily 6000lbs and my Eco handles that with ease even through the rockies here in BC so I think my estimate on a TT is going to be fine.

I just need to find the right one at the right price.
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Old 11-05-2014, 02:18 AM   #9
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Are you sure you don't want a toy hauler with the bunks to bring your atvs etc along? Sonething like this vengeance
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Old 11-05-2014, 02:25 AM   #10
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Yeah, definitely not. The dry weight on that is 7600 lbs. I'm not looking to max out the capabilities of my truck. I want a 28-32 foot light weight trailer with Quad Bunks.

There seems to be a lot out there so I just need to be patient.
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Old 11-05-2014, 05:13 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by huntnrig View Post
Yeah, definitely not. The dry weight on that is 7600 lbs. I'm not looking to max out the capabilities of my truck. I want a 28-32 foot light weight trailer with Quad Bunks.

There seems to be a lot out there so I just need to be patient.
Look at the Rockwood 2505s mini lite. It is a new floor plan that offers everything your looking for except the private master. It has a Murphy bed queen which folds up nicely giving your family more room in a shorter package. Plus the trailer only weighs about 4500lbs. I purchased a similar model from RV Wholesalers and got a really good price. They are in Indiana. You can find a shipper to bring to your front door using Uship. Good luck in your hunt
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Old 11-05-2014, 09:05 AM   #12
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Look at the Palomino Solaire line. I think at least one floorplan would meet your needs. We have a 269BHDSK - just two double bunks so wouldn't work for you. Really like the unit and a very good price point. Good luck!!!
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Old 11-05-2014, 12:44 PM   #13
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Look at the Rockwood 2505s mini lite. It is a new floor plan that offers everything your looking for except the private master. It has a Murphy bed queen which folds up nicely giving your family more room in a shorter package. Plus the trailer only weighs about 4500lbs.
Damn, those are slick little units... I think it's going to be just a bit too small though. Especially if my kids want to bring friends or a grandparent or other family member decides to come along.

So far I like these models:

Salem Cruise Lite 281QB (doesn't have folding bunks or side entry though)
Wildwood X-Lite 281QB (no folding bunks or side entry - outdoor kitchen instead of 4th bunk.)
Jayco Jayflight 31 BHS (everything I want just a little bit too heavy)
Keystone Hideout 31 BH (I like this layout - on heavy side - lighter than Jayco)
Grey Wolf 29BH (layout is fine - no outside storage entry for the bunks)
Keystone SPRINGDALE 294BHSSR (a little heavy - hard to find with 4th bunk)
SURVEYOR 295BHS (tough to find in my price range - outdoor kitchen instead of 4th bunk)
SC-294QBLE - Surveyor Cadet (appears to have everything I want and the weight is right) tough to find here.

Thanks for all your advice thus far!
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Old 11-05-2014, 12:54 PM   #14
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There is a big difference between US and Canadian prices. The trailers are allot more expensive up north. 2.5 years ago I bought my trailer, the Canadian dealer wanted $18000 after negotiating and I was able to get it in Ohio for $13500.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:45 PM   #15
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There is a big difference between US and Canadian prices. The trailers are allot more expensive up north. 2.5 years ago I bought my trailer, the Canadian dealer wanted $18000 after negotiating and I was able to get it in Ohio for $13500.
I am seeing the difference with some trailers, not so much in others. The MSRP in fact has been MORE at a few US dealers but they seem to give a higher discount.

I am now looking at a 2015 Surveyor 294QBLE. This unit pretty much fits the bill for everything we are after and has more features than the Salem Cruise Lite 281QBXL.

The dealer is asking $28,995 for the Surveyor 294QBLE and I offered him $19,000... SeeDealerCost lists the dealer invoice at around $16,000USD which is roughly $18,000 CAD. Maybe I offered too high.

They have 3 of them for sale.
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Old 11-06-2014, 02:50 PM   #16
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Thats not a bad price for the Surveyor, if he takes that you're getting a great deal and a great trailer


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Old 11-06-2014, 08:06 PM   #17
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Thats not a bad price for the Surveyor, if he takes that you're getting a great deal and a great trailer
That's what I thought too but it doesn't look like they will go for it. He said that $28,995 was their list price and he'd be willing to come down to $26,995.

I replied that I've found 23 other identical trailers on RVTrader for $18,980 - $19990. Yes they are in the USA but why should I pay $7000+ more for the exact same unit?

He hasn't replied to me, lol... Keep looking. I liked that layout too.
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Old 11-06-2014, 08:07 PM   #18
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Haha! I paid $28k for my Surveyor SC321BHTS. He's nuts at $26.9k


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Old 11-06-2014, 11:20 PM   #19
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Haha! I paid $28k for my Surveyor SC321BHTS. He's nuts at $26.9k
Yeah I don't think he wants to sell one that bad... I just found a used 2013 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS within 2 hours of me. They want $29,500.

Will I have a lot more leverage on the used unit then dealing new? Would it be worth offering these guys $19,000?
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Old 11-06-2014, 11:28 PM   #20
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Yeah I don't think he wants to sell one that bad... I just found a used 2013 Coachman Freedom Express 292BHDS within 2 hours of me. They want $29,500.

Will I have a lot more leverage on the used unit then dealing new? Would it be worth offering these guys $19,000?

There is a brand new 2015 292BHDS in Alabama for $24k so $19k in Canada is a decent price IMO. $29.5k is definitely too high for that trailer used


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