[Skater]

Don't forget about b190.com. (Disclaimer, I run the site.)

I wouldn't buy one 3 years before I first use it - things go wrong with any camper, and you have to stay on top of them: window seals rot out, etc. Plus you have to deal with it in the way of your parking, have to pay insurance on it, etc. One of the things that's hardest is not using it - when you let it sit a long time, toilet seals dry out, fuel starts going bad, tires suddenly dry rot, etc.

That said, I wouldn't buy one a week before your trip either. You'd want it a couple months ahead of time so you can camp in it a couple times so you know what works and what doesn't.

But if you are planning on going camping in it in the meantime, then by all means buy one now and enjoy it! The good news about that is that when it comes time for your long trip, you'll have an excellent idea of what to expect, because you'll have a pretty good idea of what condition everything is in and what quirks it has developed over the years.

The biggest change in the campers was that in '97 (I think) they switched to a wet-bath setup in the back, and there is actually a sink back there. Prior to that, it was a separate toilet and shower, and only the kitchen sink in the camper.