Hello, we're like you, retired military, my husband is a former submariner (obviously Navy) and I repaired the M1A1 Abrams tank in the Army.
When we first married and he wanted to go camping, I told my man that I had spent most of my Army career in the field in a GP Medium (that's a big tent, for those non military types) and never wanted to be in a tent again. But I did love camping, so we went shopping. We saw a Casita FIRST in someone's driveway, we didn't know then that we could call Casita and find out if a local had one to give us a tour inside.
But, still, we went to a big RV show in Tacoma, WA. I went with a list of things I wanted: more than two
electrical outlets (we eventually got six installed), a bathroom, and a real bed because i can't stand sleeping on seat cushions.
there were MANY Campers and RV's at the show, of all brands. EXCEPT
fiberglass. We looked at all sorts of models: RV's, fifth wheels, campers. (none, by the way, were fiberglass). I took notes of every one I looked at, what did I like, what I did not. That's 'what one poster meant by 'research'.
We couldn't afford an RV, but we still looked inside several.
the big road boats (RV's) are expensive and maintenance heavy. One we looked at-from the outside, because one had to make an APPOINTMENT to see inside the beast and only when we met a couple coming out of it with shell shocked eyes did we learn the dealer wanted $750K ! for it. The woman told us, not only was it too much, but once the got inside, the pressure was on to make a deal right then and there.
And eventually we ended up with our first choice: a Casita.
Right now, there's a glut of RV's on the market, so you may be in luck to find one that's been well cared for. But realize, it's really a tarted up bus. If you're looking at used, check check check. Look for water damage, etc. See if t he dealer will let you look at the roof. Ask about maintaince records.
I hope you understand that this is a
fiberglass camper website, so we're all ..well, biased?
But there's so much to be said for a camper that's small, easily maintained and best of all, doesn't leak. I swear, RV and 'stick built' camper dealers should throw in a free, logo'ed tarp when they sell one of their rigs, because it's going to leak. Don't believe me? I don't know where you live, but try this: drive a good twenty miles or so, looking for campers and RV's parked in people's backyards and driveways and half of them will have tarps on top. I haven't seen a Scamp, a Casita, an
Escape,
Oliver, just about any FG camper, even the very old ones, wearing a rain poncho.
As for a bed? THere's a company, Southern Mattress, that makes queen beds specifically for Casitas (and maybe Scamps, I don't know.) THey even make special designed sheets for their mattresses. And they ship..from one of the Carolinas to here in Washington State. Honestly, that mattress was as comfortable as the one in our bedroom.
Good luck!
Scampy
2012 Lil Snoozy 
Linear Mode
