THE SEARCH: Two Months, Too Many Campers, and One Perfect Match
They say buying a camper is part excitement, part patience, and part “how badly do you want this?”—and after the past two months, we can confirm all three are true.
It started the way most big purchases do: with optimism, a list of must-haves, and the idea that we’d find the one quickly. We visited multiple “large” dealerships, where the sales consultants were genuinely great—friendly, knowledgeable, and patient—but the corporate policies hanging over them were another story. Hidden add-on fees appeared like unwelcome guests. And then there was the constant push to finance—not just a little, but as much as possible, for as long as possible—along with “financial advice” that would make Bernie Madoff cringe. We left a few times with smiles from the sales team but frowns at the fine print.
Thinking we might have better luck one-on-one, we turned to private party sales. Let’s just say… that came with its own set of “adventures.” We met sellers with half-truths about condition and history, others who got downright angry when we asked too many questions, and one particularly memorable moment where Tim touched a camper and got shocked—only to be told, “Oh, that’s normal.” (Spoiler: that is not normal.)
Weeks turned into months, and honestly, we were starting to feel like maybe the right camper didn’t exist. Then, on a whim during the 4th of July weekend, we decided to take a drive north to Myrtle Beach. That’s when we stumbled upon Carolina RV.
From the moment we walked in, things felt different. No pressure, no corporate hoops—just people who genuinely wanted to help us find the right fit. Angela greeted us, but instead of launching into a sales pitch, she handed us the freedom to explore the lot on our own. She explained the labeling system so we could tell at a glance whether a camper was a couples model or a bunkhouse—meaning we could browse without constantly having to hunt her down for answers.
We went there planning to check out a shiny new 2025 Coachmen, but on the way we passed a used 2022 Forest River R-Pod 192. Out of curiosity, we stepped inside… and instantly knew. This was it. The layout, the feel, the size—everything just clicked.
After a quick walk-through, we both stepped outside, looked at each other, and said, “Well… let’s talk to them and see how much in hidden fees there are that’ll push it out of our price range—and brace for the finance pitch.” Except… that never came. The price was the price. No surprise add-ons, no inflated “prep” or “shipping” charges (seriously, why would we pay shipping fees on a used camper—was the guy trading it in charging by the mile?). The only extras? Taxes, title, and tag—South Carolina needed their cut.
All it took was a simple deposit and a trip back to Myrtle Beach the following week to do a walk-through when the camper could be plugged in and checked. If all was good, it became a simple transaction—just like buying groceries. No long, drawn-out process. No dog-and-pony show.
And then there were the simple touches—the ones that made Carolina RV feel like family. It didn’t matter if you were spending hundreds of thousands on a Class A motorhome or $7,000 on a used hybrid camper, everyone was treated the same. They knew that no matter the budget, it was a big purchase for that family, and they celebrated it. Our names went up on the roadside billboard and the whiteboard inside. Every consultant in the building stopped to congratulate us.
The Shibas joined us for the walk-through, charming the staff and becoming little celebrities at the dealership. Monty sniffed every corner, Gadget hopped up on the bed like she owned it, and we knew this was the right fit for all of us.
After two months of searching, comparing, and second-guessing, the decision was suddenly effortless. The right camper had been waiting for us all along—it just took the scenic route to find it.
More soon from the road—
Tim, Kristen, Monty & Gadget 🐾🐾
P.S. Next up: “Meet the New Camper”—and yes, Monty and Gadget have already claimed their favorite spots
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