Maintenance & Restoration

Zorro · 04-09-2012, 07:47 AM

My wife and I are thinking about getting into small RV-ing. We are interested in the EggCampers and have perused the website and like the idea and construction. Seems much more durable than the typical trailer options we see here in New England. The fibergalss construction and lightweight frame is appealing. Unfortunately, fiberglass campers like these are rare around here so it's near impossible to pick up a used one, noone has them and if they do, they are not getting rid of them. So, we might buy new from the factory. We are thinking about taking a road trip out to Grand Rapids MI to check out the EggCamper facillity. Anyone been there? Is it worth the trip? For those of you who needed to order your camper, how did you do it? Looks like we need to order it and either have it shipped or go pick it up. Looking for some advice in how to purchase what seems like a great little camper.

Donna D. · 04-09-2012, 08:24 AM

Hi Jason, welcome to FiberglassRV. Yes, a number of folks have made the trip to the manufacturer (and not just the EggCamper). I didn't, I bought used. So, I'll let those that did give you advice.

Whatever you do and whatever molded trailer you decide to buy... you'll be on the road to making a bunch of great memories.

SilverGhost · 04-09-2012, 09:25 AM

I have been there, and whether it's worth the trip is up to you. I drove up from So Florida to Grand Rapids to pick up mine. His "factory" is a small building in a commercial zoned area. My house(or at least the 1/4 acre it sits on) is probably bigger than his factory. Real nice local coffee shop (much nicer than StarBucks) right across the street.

I emailed the owner, got an estimate (base price, option packages, etc). We then called and settled on what options we wanted. He is older guy and does better over the phone than email. Put down a deposit, couple weeks later got my trailer. He does not trust the current durability or reliability of RV gas appliances so only sells electric models right now.

My take is he makes a great, BASIC, fiberglass camper. He follows the KISS principle - Keep It Simple Stupid. It is a perfect platform to make you own with mods and changes. Tows smoothly and built solid. No leaks, squeaks, rattles, etc. However it is a blank slate inside, gloss white gel coat everywhere. My wife likes it because she gets to decorate.

Jason

**cpaharley2008** · 04-09-2012, 09:37 AM

I too owned an Egg Camper and talking with Jim Palmer made me wish I had the pleasure of meeting him. But I purchased mine used and eventually moved on to a bigger camper. It is well built, 17' long out and 14' inside and the biggest/widest of the popular fiberglass campers. It has an useful front bath and large double bed in rear. Being all electric you will need a generator or hookups. The inside is open and easy for modifications to make it your own and if you look at some of my older posts you can see what I did. Enjoy, ps, there is also another company in NC- Parkliner that are manufacturing eggs and Lil Snoozy in SC.
One more thing about Jim Palmer, very honest and forthright. You can send him a deposit and if you go there and do not like the trailer, he will either make it right or refund your money.

Zorro · 04-09-2012, 11:12 AM

Thanks so much everyone. Parkliner and Lil Snoozy both look nice. Anyone have any experience with these? The Lil Snoozy seems a bit pricey (for me) for a base model. The parkliner seems perfect.

Ken C · 04-09-2012, 11:38 AM

We have owners of both here. The Upper right search brings up many threads. Happy shopping.

**cpaharley2008** · 04-09-2012, 12:33 PM

There is going to be a rally in Pennsylvania at the end of June, with attendees from NH, NY, and other NE states. Lil snoozy and Parkliner will also be attending. Why don't you grabs a tent or rent a cabin, it is at a KOA, and come down. You can see first hand the various campers. Here is a link for details
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ite-48233.html

Jon Vermilye · 04-09-2012, 01:14 PM

While I didn't get an Egg Camper, I did purchase an Escape 17B. Before purchasing I looked at as many different brands as possible at rallies, etc. I called Escape & they gave me phone numbers for a couple of owners here in the northeast. Went & visited with the owners, talked to them & looked over the trailer. Very helpful in making my decision.

If the Egg Camper is what you want, give them a call to see if they do referrals.

Another rally that might fit your plans is the 5th Annual 2012 Eggscursion April 19 - 22 at the Tremont Outdoor Resort in Townsend, TN. The campground has cabins so you don't need a trailer to attend.

artspe · 04-09-2012, 02:53 PM

Zorro,

I think Ron F. lives up your way. He may let you check his out if you can contact him. If you like what you see, send Jim a deposit and just make one trip to pick up your EggCamper.

p.s. We just love ours. It is simple, dependable AND VERY SPACIOUS for it's size.

Art

Gene Masse · 04-09-2012, 04:21 PM

Check out the Scamps too. Minnesota where they are made isn't all that much further.

Gene Masse · 04-09-2012, 04:29 PM

Check out this page. Molded Fiberglass Trailers | Fiberglass RV's For Sale
Here's one on NY.
19' Scamp 5th Wheel | Deer Park, NY | Fiberglass RV's For Sale
or this one...
1991 19ft Scamp 5th wheel | Rochester, NY | Fiberglass RV's For Sale
or this one in Mi
orhttp://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/1994-16-scamp-travel-trailer-6500-port-austin-mi

Gene Masse · 04-09-2012, 04:32 PM

I screwed up one link. Trying again.

1994 16' Scamp Travel Trailer - $6,500 - Port Austin, MI | Fiberglass RV's For Sale

rgrugg · 04-09-2012, 05:25 PM

We bought an Egg Camper from Jim Palmer (factory owner) last spring. On our first visit he probably spent a couple of hours showing us the trailer, answering any and all questions. At one instance he insisted that I get down so I could see the whole underside of the trailer. Second visit we made our deposit and ordered the trailer. Third visit we picked it up at the factory and, of course, paying for it. Again there was about a two hour delivery inspection going over everything he showed us on our first visit plus a lot more. There is a large owners manual and a long delivery checklist. While this was going on his office worker (wife?) went to the Secretary of State's office, registered it, applied for the title, and got the license. I might add that we have a friend who is 6'4" tall and he has more than enough headroom. It is wide enough that he would also have no issues with bed length. It tows beautifully with our Chevy 1500 pickup (V8 engine) and get 17 mpg. A slight correction to a couple of earlier posts: the factory is NOT in Grand Rapids. It's in Grandville which is a suburb of Grand Rapids. We're going to a fiberglass rally next month in Indiana and another in Colorado in August. Anyone interested is seeing ours is welcome provided we're not on the road somewhere. There is a bracket on the tongue sized for a Honda 2000 generator. I carried ours there last summer and will not do that again. Even with a propane tank cover on it, it got very dirty. It'll travel in the back of the truck from now on.

Mike Magee · 04-09-2012, 06:04 PM

It is worth the trip to see the Eggcampers (both finished and in process), but it is not worth the trip to see the tiny "factory". Fortunately you are not thinking of buying the factory, but an Eggcamper! I went and am glad I did. It was worthwhile to see the trailers and to meet Jim. They looked well built and solid. Unfortunately I couldn't justify the price of an egg so I went with a stickie, but you don't have to make the same mistake.