We had a 2001 Dutchmen Sport Lite hybrid back in 2001.  We made the mistake of selling it year later.

Now, about 8 years later, we are finally back, RV'ing.  We spent just over a year  researching, looking at, researching, going to shows, researching and planing.  Did I mention researching?  So on 12-5-09, we picked up our new TT.

We started out looking / researching inexpensive 5ers,  then TT's, then 5ers, then nicer 5ers, the really nice 5ers, then inexpensive Class A's, then back to mid range 5ers, then back to inexpensive 5ers, then back to TT's.  It took a year and we watched a lot of good deals go by.  We've considered, researched and looked at LOT's of RV's, both new and used.  And we finally settled on a (lower) mid range TT for a bargain price.  The trailer is a Keystone Sprinter 318FLS and it weighs about 8,300 empty and around 11,800 loaded.  It's a pretty long trailer and it has most of what we want.  At least as a starter unit for the next 5 - 8 years (we still hope to eventually get a nice 5er).

We knew we were getting close after we stumbled across a deal on a TV, a couple months ago, that we couldn't pass up.  A 2007 Ford F350 SuperCab 4x4 DRW (auto) diesel with factory Tow Command package in *excellent* condition, for $14999.  It has a B&W flipover gooseneck hitch and a factory Class V hitch and an EAZ 14,000 lb rated weight distribution hitch setup, with anti-sway.

We drove up from Kyle (just south of Austin) to Cleburne (just south of Fort Worth) and spent about 3 hours doing the PDI, signed the paperwork, hitched up and headed to a nearby campground, The RV Ranch and spent the night.  We had a great time!  It was so neat to be back in an RV and it be large enough to have some family and freinds come visit!  The park was awesome and the staff was super friendly and informative.   Towing it back home to Kyle was simple, smooth and easy.  No swaying or bucking.



We are planning on spending the last 2 weeks of December, here again, visiting family for Christmas.  So... wish us the best and we hope to meet some of y'all real soon!

Hey, don't let 100,000 miles scare you off from a diesel tow rig. *PROVIDED* you check it out thoroughly and verify it is in GOOD, SOLID condition.  We are really happy with our (used) truck and I'm pretty confident that it can provide many years and lots of miles dependable of service.

Here's the deal on the truck we got.

1 - It was purchased new by Enterprise Leasing for operation out of San Antonio as a car hauler.  It was ordered with the Tow Command package and they installed a B&W flip over gooseneck hitch.

2 - It was a fleet vehicle and got regular maintenance (which I verified).

3 - I had a local ford dealer run an OASIS report and it only had one warranty repair, an EGR valve replacment at 121,000 miles, in Sept 2008.

4 - We also got a CarFax from the dealer we bought it from and it was clean.

5 - As a former mechanic (gas/diesel) for about 15 years, I checked it over with a fine tooth (and very picky) comb.  It had two issues.
   
 ** First, the FICM (Fuel Injection Control Module) was going bad.  The dealer covered 50% of the cost.  My part was $300 (most dealerships charge just over $1,000)

  ** Second, the rear axle seals are seeping just enough to make the emergency brake shoes slick and prevent the e-brake from working.  I'll fix this, because it's the only way I *KNOW* it's done right.  It will cost me about $100 in parts for seals, bearings, shoes and lube.  (the bearings are fine, but I'm going to replace them anyway)

6 - The interior was dirty.  (the dealer didn't bother to clean it.  the up side is the dealer didn't try to "hide" anything either.  I've since, cleaned and detailed it)

7 - Because it was a fleet vehicle, it had 148,000 miles on it.  The hour meter showed 3,100 hours, which averaged out to about 45 miles an hour for the life of the truck.  Translation = highway miles.  (this is a GOOD thing)

So, there is the truck.  Now the "deal".

I traded in my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo (2wd, 4.0L, auto, base model) which I bought new and maintained very well.  It had just developed a problem with the driver's power window regulator and the rear hatch lock.  It also had 148,000 miles (the same as the truck).  Now I had been researching selling the Jeep for some time and I felt that if I could get $2,500 out of it, I would be *VERY* happy.

The dealer said they had just marked the truck down from $17,999 to $14,999.  He said he paid $15,000 even for it and even showed me the check / purchase order.  Anyway, he said that because it was a SuperCab, nobody was interested in it.  They all wanted Crew / Quad cab trucks.  So, he was just trying to get it off the lot (it had been there 3 months).

The dealer walked outside and just walked around my Jeep.  Didn't open a door, didn't look in it, nothing!  And then came back in and offered me $4,500 for the Jeep!

Putting on my best poker face, I agreed and drove off with the Ford for my Jeep and $11,335 out the door + $300 for the FICM repair.

(sorry for the LONG post)

-- Edited by 4x4given on Friday 4th of December 2009 04:12:38 PM

-- Edited by 4x4given on Saturday 5th of December 2009 12:31:16 AM

Hiya Neighbor!

I say neighbor because we're in Cedar Park, on the north side of Austin. 

Welcome to what I have found to be THE best site on the Internet for full-timing!  I haven't been here all that long but have found that the folks here are helpful, friendly, supportive and downright fun.  Howard and Linda have established a wonderful community in cyberspace.

Congrats on your new rig and welcome back to the world of RVing!  You've certainly waited long enough to come back and sure do deserve a great rig.

See ya in the forums and down the road!