Research your intended towing vehicle. Family sedans, compacts, minivans and SUV's all have different towing capacities and specifications. You'll need to pull out your owner's manual and take some notes on specifications such as tongue weight, gross towing weight and recommended accessories. If you can't locate these in your manual, contact your local dealer service center or garage for help. They can also help you with information on recommended accessories such as towing mirrors, oil coolers, heavy duty brakes and other towing options. If you don't already have a towing hitch on your vehicle, now will be a good time to have one installed. Be sure that you understand the towing ability of the hitch, how to properly connect a trailer and how the electrical wiring works.
Consider the size of camper you'll need. Consider the number of people who will be included on trips and any special needs or wants. You should also have a family meeting to discuss what features will help everyone to have a fun filled vacation. Features such as A/C, indoor vs. outdoor cooking options, inside showers, electrical hookups and space for gear will help you to select the model that best suits your needs. Take notes and assign a priority to each item. This will be helpful when you are looking at various models with different features.
Start your search on the Internet or by visiting local RV dealers to collect some catalogs for research. Look over various models and manufacturers, and consider the following points: campers are offered in various lengths, ranging from 8 feet to over 16 feet, so consider what you will be comfortable towing and use this to limit your search; gross vehicle weight and towing vehicle capacities may also help to narrow your search; compare models based on points such as bed sizes, dining options, cooking options, water storage, electrical hookups, ease of set up and storage; research the history and track record of various manufacturers to eliminate any with a troubled history.
Visit a local dealer to see your selections in person. Check out every option and feature on the campers as you would if you were buying a home. Try out the beds for comfort, sit in the dining area, try moving the indoor stove outside (if applicable), go through the set up and tear down procedures, operate the features and even hook up the camper for a test drive. Going through these steps should help you become comfortable with your choices and help identify the one that is best for you.
