Considering New Grand Lodge. Help!

[Blang008]

Considering purchasing a new Grand Lodge 42DL. We have 2 kids and a lab. Never owned a camper or stayed in one. Planning to put it at the beach and leaving it on site. Have several friends already there. What do we need to know about owning the Grand Lodge and in general? Thanks for all the help! We are excited!

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Blang008

Considering purchasing a new Grand Lodge 42DL. We have 2 kids and a lab. Never owned a camper or stayed in one. Planning to put it at the beach and leaving it on site. Have several friends already there. What do we need to know about owning the Grand Lodge and in general? Thanks for all the help! We are excited!

Welcome to the forums, and good luck with whatever you decide for your new trailer. The 42DL from Wildwood (a Forest River product) looks to be a very roomy trailer with three bunk mats in the upper level for the kids. I'm not sure how much headroom there is in the loft, or how old your kids are now, but consider that as they get bigger, there might not be sufficient room for them.

Have you considered a standard bunk-house travel trailer? Offers real beds for the kids and, since you are leaving it at the beach, you could find one with an outside kitchen, meaning water, drinks, and food could be outside without dragging sand into the unit each time they come in for a snack. Might also look for one with access to the bathroom via an outside door, again to minimize sand in the trailer.

Finally, if you do go with the 42DL, make certain that you have sufficient air conditioning (at least two units) to cool the trailer. The loft area will be much harder to keep cool as hot air rises.

Good luck with your decision and purchase.

[Capt. Mike]

Here is a trailer with bunk beds, outside kitchen, and separate entrance to the bathroom from outside. This one does not have a loft.

Just something else to think about.

Sierra Destination 404QBWD - Sierra Destination Trailers Destination Trailers by Forest River RV

[Kimber45]

the only problem with a destination trailer is the limited number of people looking at them when it comes time to resale.

[Blang008]

We like the loft because the kids like it. The front living is a good setup for us because it will overlook the sound. We looked at regular park models but the price was hard to swallow

[Blang008]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

the only problem with a destination trailer is the limited number of people looking at them when it comes time to resale.

The only thing at this campground is park models and destinations

[Kimber45]

and when you go to sell it about 2% of the camping population is going to be interested in it unless you know someone at that campground is going to buy it.

[Blang008]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

and when you go to sell it about 2% of the camping population is going to be interested in it unless you know someone at that campground is going to buy it.

So what’s your suggestion

[Capt. Mike]

Originally Posted by Blang008

The only thing at this campground is park models and destinations

The Sierra that I listed in post #3 is a destination trailer.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Blang008

We like the loft because the kids like it. The front living is a good setup for us because it will overlook the sound. We looked at regular park models but the price was hard to swallow

I would think as the kids get bigger the loft would be a deterrent. I think Capt Mikes suggestion would be more practical over all. Just my 2 cents. Later RJD

[Kimber45]

Originally Posted by Blang008

So what’s your suggestion

be 100% sure on that campground and unit before you make the investment. If that is what you want it is what you want. 6 months later if you decide you want another park or to travel more be prepared to have a hard time selling/trading a destination unit.


If you love the park and love the unit enjoy many great years.

[Scrapper]

I'm not going to try to talk you out of it but for general information check out this link.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-157524.html

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Blang008

So what’s your suggestion

Kimber is right, destination trailers are a small percentage of RV sales.
We probably have less than 20 Forum members that have one.
If you can find some of them, send them a PM to ask them questions.
Or you can go through the Wildwood sub-forum and get information on that brand.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

and when you go to sell it about 2% of the camping population is going to be interested in it unless you know someone at that campground is going to buy it.

We love our Cherokee destination trailer. It has a ton of room and we could never fill all the closets. It is at a resort that is so desirable that there is a five-year waiting list to get in. The only way to jump the waiting list is to buy a trailer that is already on a lot. As a result, trailers go for about $10 K above market price and typically sell in a week or two. When we bought the 2007 Cherokee 38P, the seller has three offers in three days. I beat the others out by meeting the seller's asking price and dropping $10K into his bank account before the others could move.

It did come with a 12 x 15 furnished cabin, a deck, blue boy and other amenities.

Larry

[Togger]

We are in a similar situation to yours. We have been on a permanent campsite near the beach for 20 years.

In 2014 we bought a 2015 Wildwood DLX FDEN. We had a factory defect in that there was a leak in the sealing of the 18’ slide out. The local dealer couldn’t even diagnose the leak let alone fix it. After a very frustrating first year, Forest River agreed to pick the trailer up at our site in DE and take it back to the factory in IN for repair at their expense.

They returned it a few weeks later with a successful repair and all has been well ever since. We love the unit. We have a hard room attached to it and if we ever sell it it would be sold on site. If you are committed to long term permanent camping there is nothing that can compare to a park model. Just be sure you pick a model that is going to be best for you for the long term.

[LOWRetreat]

We recently ordered a 42DL after camping 5 years in a 32' Jayco TT with a huge rear quad bunk room and outside kitchen (which i will miss) but upgraded to a larger kitchen and a real toilet. With 3 kids actively camping, the loft rooms will suit them for 6 to 8 years. The loft headroom is not adequate for full time adults, but maybe occassional use. However, with our campground seeing more destination trailers every year, including 6 of our neighbors, we arę not afraid of resale. We were looking for more open living and kitchen space while sleeping 6-7 people. So many layouts have the living and kitchen mid coach, resulting in limited and cramped areas for rainy dąys at the łąkę.