McClipper

After several years of visiting rv shows, browsing rv dealer websites and searching Craiglist for deals and pricing, Jan and I purchased our first camper. We probably should have bought a used tent camper back when our children were young but for one reason or another (money, usually) we didn't.

We traveled with tent gear or in small KOA style Kamping Kabins, or when we could afford it, motels. The last time Jan and I tent camped was 2009. It was a rainy weekend, at a campground we thought had electricity at the sites, but didn't. The tent leaked, then flooded. We were miserable. On the way out of the campground the tent went into the dumpster. Since then it has been hotels/motels and once in a while a cabin.

Purchasing a camper isn't a decision to take lightly. What type of vehicle do you have to pull it or will you spend much more money and buy one to drive? What's your budget? How long will you be traveling? Are you going around the country or staying local? What options are really necessary to have with the camper?

We decided a new camper wasn't necessary. The oven I wanted became not so important. A bathroom to end those 3am trips across the campground in my pj's was an absolute. Air conditioning was not negotiable, we had to have it. We figured a tent camper or hybrid trailer would give us the most room for the least money. The camper had to be lightweight and not super long. No matter what my used 2010 Chevy Silverado could pull according to the manual and the rv dealer, I wanted something fairly small and light.

This is what we surprisingly ended up with on Monday;

A brand new 2017 Coachman Clipper, now named "The McClipper". It only weighs 2,500lbs, is 21 feet long, has a queen walk-around bed, no oven, indoor and outdoor shower, full bathroom and lots of storage. So we changed lots of our "must-haves" and got something we hope is perfect for a couple of semi-old people.

Our first venture will be a weekend at a nearby park, maybe Hamlin Beach State Park, just to get used to living in it. Hamlin also is a great park to run and bike in. Wish us luck.