Coleman Mesa or Tacoma

[Jerald Pratt]

I've narrowed my search for a new pop-up/tent/folding camper to either the Coleman Mesa or the Coleman Tacoma.  I'm going with Coleman since it seems that the differences in the top brands are not too much and the local dealers all have Coleman (otherwise I have to travel well over an hour to a dealer that carries another brand).  These two models are very similar in floor plans and options.  But the Mesa is in a higher end class (Grand Tour) and the Tacoma (Destiny DLX).  The differences are minor. 

 

- The Tacoma claims to sleep 10 vice the Mesa claims it sleeps 9.  The only difference I can see is the size of a couch are next to one of the king beds.

- The Mesa has an external storage box where the Tacoma does not.

- The Mesa has the AlumiTite Roof and the Tacoma has only an Aluminum roof.  I heard there have been problems with the Coleman ABS roofs in the past but I believe they have resolved most of these.  I'm not sure if the Aluminum roof on the Tacoma is still the ABS roof or not.

- The Tenting type for the Mesa is "Sunbrella 302".  The Tacoma is listed as having "Sunbrella w/CamperTex".  I don't really know what the difference is.

- The Mesa has an extra 2-burner high-pressure stove for the outside. The inside stove is fixed and cannot be removed.  The Tacoma's has a single stove that is used both inside and outside.

 

The campers at the local dealer all include and awning, hot water heater, heater, and outside shower.

 

The price difference is about $1700 more for the Mesa than the Tacoma, based on the asking price at the dealer.  I'm interested in other opinions on whether these options really justifies the extra $1700 or not.  I like the extra storage box but I'm thinking that the extra features or higher grade materials might not be enough to justify the extra $$$ (I know, I'm being a little obsessive in my investigations.  Just humor me  :) ).

 

Jerald

 

--
*********************
Jerald Pratt
jerp...@cox.net
*********************

[DTT]

If you are going to have 9 people sleeping in the trailer, then
storage space will be a huge problem.

I have a Westlake '99 which does not have the outside storage box.
There were several instance we would love to have an outside storage
box, both on the road or in camp. We only have 2 kids.

"Jerald Pratt" <jerp...@cox.net> wrote in message news:<GfOhb.21788$La.3848@fed1read02>...

[Mike]

Jerald...We just picked up a 2000 Mesa used. Have two boys and a beautiful
Labrador. My wife and I love it. We bought ours after the original owner
replaced the ABS roof that had a hairline crack. The new alumicoat roof
looks tougher, and the new bike rack track fits our Thule racks. The only
thing we wish we had was a slide out dinette. A lot of campers at one site
we stayed in Maine had slide dinettes. Boy does that add floor space. Good
luck....The Vertman.
"DTT" <dtms...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:697a20b8.03101...@posting.google.com...

[jeo...@surewestunspammable.net]

We have a 2002 Mesa.
Here are a couple quick observations:

The trunk is always full. Either with camp chairs, lanterns, astro-turf or
firewood. I cant imagine not having it, and we only have two toddlers. At
night it makes a great 'den' for the dog too.

The fridge can be accessed in the Mesa without cranking up the top. This is
very, very handy.

The outdoor shower is kind of a joke. The hose kinked up the first time I
tried to get it back in the holder. But it does knock the dust of the kids,
I'll say that much!

All in all, I like the Mesa. It's a good solid design.

FWIW.

[DTT]

Get a cassette toilet and an inside shower.

the outside shower is only useful by the beach. Most of the parks,
they don't let you shower outside because the shampoo and body oils
would comtaminate the soil.

jeo...@surewestunspammable.net wrote in message news:<vois3ls...@corp.supernews.com>...

[Steve C]

My shower hose kinked up too. I went to Walmart and found a replacement.
Look in the shower head department. The standard hand held shower hose fits
perfectly and the Walmart replacement is much more kink-proof and only about
$4. Then dont try to store it in that little box. Remove it and store it
inside. A bit more hassle, but no more kinks.

Steve

<jeo...@surewestunspammable.net> wrote in message
news:vois3ls...@corp.supernews.com...

[Dan the Hutt]

For overnighters, can't the Mesa remain hitched to the tow vehicle with the
bunk extended?
--
Dan
Ottawa, ON
99 Westlake
99 Safari

<jeo...@surewestunspammable.net> wrote in message
news:vois3ls...@corp.supernews.com...

[Gerry Pierce]

I wouldn't think so. I have never tried it, but from my observation, the
tounge is not long enough. If it is possible, the bed would be right against
the TV. Can your westlake? It should be the same as the Mesa.
--
Gerry & Robyn
99 Mesa
01 Sporttrac
Jacksonville, FL

"Dan the Hutt" <dan_the_hutt@deletethis_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:CkIib.101185$ko%.23456@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[Dan the Hutt]

I don't have the storage box, but the King size bed almost allows me to
fully extend from the box with my bumper/tow bar combination. The Mesa with
the storage box of 2ft depth looks like it extends the A frame by perhaps
upto 2ft. Thus, I thought these trailers might be able to stay hitched to
certain tow vehicles (definitely for sedans.) Is there not the same amount
of room for propane and battery on the A frame with or without storage boxs?
Comparison of two trailers with and without storage box below:

========= Bed
----------- A frame without storage box

========= Bed
[ ]---------- Storage box and A frame which conceptually brings tongue
closer to edge of bed.

--
Dan
Ottawa, ON
99 Westlake
99 Safari

"Gerry Pierce" <Cruzr...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:bmhvui$m1sh1$1...@ID-51206.news.uni-berlin.de...

[DTT]

my combo didnt' allow me to extent the bed without unhook the truck for sure.

99' westlake + 4Runner.

"Dan the Hutt" <dan_the_hutt@deletethis_hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<Zy2jb.110649$ko%.4254@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>...

[TAMMY]

dtms...@hotmail.com (DTT) wrote in message news:<697a20b8.03101...@posting.google.com>...

I guess you could in theory, but would it make it a little hard to
level? We do back the tv up to pu real close and plug in when dry
camping to charge the battery or take showers. I think we would have
to stand in the bed of the tv to completely pull bunk end out. But
back to the original question-get the mesa over the tacoma, it is so
nice having the storage trunk. It is invaluable.
> > > >
> > >
> > >

[Craig Mack]

We have a 2001 Mesa (pulled by an Escape) and have fully opened the front
bunk end while hooked to the hitch. As for deciding on front storage box or
not, get it. We keep all our chairs, torch lights, hoses, lanterns and more
in it. Also, if you get hot water the tank goes in there too. Being able to
access the fridge without raising the roof is great. We plug in the fridge
the night before to chill it and then load it just before getting roadbound.
AS an FYI, we paid $7500 (new w/ fridge, heater, HW, outside shower, vanity
mirror, group 24 battery and no awning) back in 1/2001. Just got back from
camping in the Kanc and hoping to get out one more time.

--

Craig Mack
Ipswitch, Inc.
cm...@ipswitch.com

"Dan the Hutt" <dan_the_hutt@deletethis_hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:CkIib.101185$ko%.23456@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...

[Jerald Pratt]

Wow, you paid only $7500 for a new Mesa in 2001!?! They are list price
around $11,000 now. The best price I've seen offered so far was about $9500
for a 2003 1/2 model. I was thinking of offering around $8000 - $8500 to
see if they byte. This Mesa comes with an awning, heater, hot water, 1.9 cf
fridge, and an outside shower.

In investigating price, I've heard that the markup was anywhere from 25% to
%35 of dealer cost. Its too bad we can't get the real numbers as we do with
cars. At this one dealer, they don't display the original factory MSRP
sticker (is there actually a factory sticker??) but provide their own that
quotes the MSRP and their price. I planned to asked for the factory paper
work and numbers. But I'm not sure if I should guess a price around %25-%35
off of the MSRP? At this one dealer that is offering the new Mesa for
$9500, the offer of $8k to $8.5K would be about 10% - 15% off of the dealers
offered price (not MSRP).

Any suggestions to a good price, how to work the numbers, or haggle with the
dealer?????

Jerald

--
*********************
Jerald Pratt
jerp...@cox.net
*********************

"Craig Mack" <craig...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Awojb.789809$uu5.138225@sccrnsc04...

[Craig Mack]

30%-35% markup is what I heard. I never was about to find out what dealer
price was. As for price dealing, just stay firm to your price range and walk
away if needed. Tell them to call if they what the sale. The problem
regarding Coleman is that they limit the number of dealers in any one area
and the dealers know this. We bought ours at a RV show. Prior to that the
best price was $8000 for the same setup. I forget what list was back then
but I'm sure it's gone up since then. We didn't want that crappy awning and
bought a Carefree of Colorado Campout. Much easier to setup and take down.
Today Carefree makes an even better model for folding trailers. Another FYI,
with all our gear we weighed it at a truck stop at around 2800 lbs.

--

Craig Mack
Ipswitch, Inc.
cm...@ipswitch.com

"Jerald Pratt" <jerp...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:0Lojb.40124$La.381@fed1read02...

[Jerald Pratt]

I don't believe that Coleman has anything to do with these campers anymore
other than licensing the name to Fleetwood. That would mean that Fleetwood
handles everything from construction to warranties. But this is definitely
something to double check. What I heard was that Coleman wanted to change
the current licensing contract with Fleetwood and ask for more money for the
naming rights.

Jerald

--
*********************
Jerald Pratt
jerp...@cox.net
*********************

<jeo...@surewestunspammable.net> wrote in message
news:vos83pf...@corp.supernews.com...
> One thing I forgot to mention in the last post is that before I would
> consider buying a 2003 or 2004 Coleman Pop-Up, I would probably want to
> understand exactly who is on the hook for the warranty. Coleman Inc. is
PO'd
> with Fleetwood Inc. over a number of issues, and revoked Fleetwood's
> licensing to build under the Coleman brand this summer. Fleetwood is still
> making the same models, but with no Coleman name. Sounds like a first
class
> pissin-match. Lawyers. Feh.
> There's no explanation on either Coleman or Fleetwoods website. Google it
> and the corprate position PR statements are out there if you want more
info.
>
>
> I would want to know the details before I bought a new one...
>
> And yes, you can set up the Mesa while still hitched.

[DTT]

From now to next spring, it's a buyer market. They need to get rid of
old inventory but not too many people are looking because of holiday
season. Last year, our local dealer put out some RV show in early
spring where they gave hefty discount on stock on hand.

Low ball it.

"Jerald Pratt" <jerp...@cox.net> wrote in message news:<0Lojb.40124$La.381@fed1read02>...

[Jerald Pratt]

Thanks all for the info and discussions on this topic.  I bought the Coleman Tacoma today.  This was my 2nd choice but I had a hard time justifying the extra $2K for the storage trunk in the Coleman Mesa.  Actually there are a couple of other extras but basically the two trailers are about the same and have almost identical floor plans.  The big kicker was that my wife refused to pay over $8K for a pop-up.  I ended up getting the '03 Tacoma for $7300 which I feel is a pretty good deal. This dealership already had a lower price than any other Coleman dealer that I called between San Diego and Santa Barbara plus they knocked an extra $500 off since it was an '03 closeout.  Not too bad I think.

 

Thanks again.

Jerald

 

--
*********************
Jerald Pratt
jerp...@cox.net
*********************

"Jerald Pratt" <jerp...@cox.net> wrote in message news:GfOhb.21788$La.3848@fed1read02...