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Old 11-04-2019, 08:05 PM   #1
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Newbie question - family trailer recommendations

Hi! Looking to get our first travel trailer. Looking for guidance on floor plans and brands. I really appreciate any help we can get!

Family of 4, kids age 3 and 5
1/2 ton pick up, would like to stay below 8000 total weight
Would use several times a year for family trips.
Thinking we need a bunk house plan
Probably buying new, 20-25k budget

Thoughts? Any favorite plans to look at? Brands to look at or stay away from?
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Old 11-04-2019, 08:22 PM   #2
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I am also looking for a bigger trailer than my 2013 Keystone Vantage 25 RBS. I have looked at about a dozen trailers and like the Flagstaff/Rockwood twins.

I also like the Winnebago trailers.

Both manufacturers make a trailer with bunks.

The RV Shows start in about a month or two. That is what I am waiting for to see a lot of different trailers in one spot.
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Old 11-05-2019, 03:23 AM   #3
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Quality Travel Trailer Brands

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/best-...-443427-2.html
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Old 11-05-2019, 02:24 PM   #4
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We recently bought a Rockwood Mini Lite and like it a lot (good for behind a 1/2 ton, depending on the model). I would say a bunkhouse for the kids, or you will be messing with converting your table to a bed every night (or your couch). As mentioned above, in your price range, Rockwood/Flagstaff and Winnebago are decent quality for the money. Consider buying a newer used one. That is what we did (2017). With one that is a couple of years old, most of the bugs will be worked out already.
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Old 11-05-2019, 03:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaronharte View Post
Hi! Looking to get our first travel trailer. Looking for guidance on floor plans and brands. I really appreciate any help we can get!

Family of 4, kids age 3 and 5
1/2 ton pick up, would like to stay below 8000 total weight
Would use several times a year for family trips.
Thinking we need a bunk house plan
Probably buying new, 20-25k budget

Thoughts? Any favorite plans to look at? Brands to look at or stay away from?
Start with how are you going to use it. We like to stay in National Park and Forest Service camp grounds in the Pacific Northwest. That meant that we had to go small as most of those CGs were built in the 30's and they didn't really intend on people dragging in 45' fifth wheels. If you're going to be staying in RV parks and state parks, etc, then you don't need to worry so much about length.


Do you want the flexibility of not requiring hook-ups (water, power & sewer)? If so, you'll want to look for something with larger holding tanks and bigger propane tanks.



Are you going to want to use it in temperatures below freezing? There's really only about 3 or 4 brands that are designed for that kind of use.
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Old 11-05-2019, 03:10 PM   #6
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I'm not a TT guy so can't advise you on that. Noticed you are new on the forum and wanted to say hello.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Old 11-06-2019, 08:03 AM   #7
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Look at the Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BRDS and the Winnebago Micro Mini 2306BHS on YouTube to see what they are like.

I think both these units will weight 6,500lbs when ready to camp. Although they are marketed as lite trailers they are not lite. It is just marketing. 6,500lbs is about as much travel trailer I would want behind a little 150/1500 series truck.
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Old 11-06-2019, 09:39 AM   #8
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Be sure you look at dry weights on units sitting on dealers lots. Not brochures, as these are units with zero options.
I agree with the manufacturers already listed, but you may want to consider a used Lance 2185, GVWR is 6k, 3 bunk beds, and lots of storage.
Either new, or used a full and detailed inspection is key. If you don’t know what to look for hire someone, or take a friend who does. Exercise all systems. If the repair list becomes too long or extensive walk away. There is no shortage of trailers, don’t be pressured into any money down before the unit is inspected. Inspection should take at least 4 hours. Dealers will take your money then give you a quick walk around. Then you discover a nest of issues.
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Old 11-06-2019, 06:39 PM   #9
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Thank you everyone for the responses so far! I was starting to lean towards the grand design trendscend xplor 265BH but think that may be too heavy. I will definitely look into those that y’all recommended. Thanks!
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Old 11-07-2019, 08:04 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaronharte View Post
Hi! Looking to get our first travel trailer. Looking for guidance on floor plans and brands. I really appreciate any help we can get!

Family of 4, kids age 3 and 5
1/2 ton pick up, would like to stay below 8000 total weight
Would use several times a year for family trips.
Thinking we need a bunk house plan
Probably buying new, 20-25k budget

Thoughts? Any favorite plans to look at? Brands to look at or stay away from?
Watch your truck's GVWR and GCWR. With two kids you might have lots of "toys" for them (thus payload, probably in the bed of the truck - if not now, certainly in the future). The hitch also subtracts from the payload capacity of the truck. Tow capacity of the truck is not the only thing you have to keep your eye on. And recognize if a salesman's lips are moving, he's probably stretching the truth somewhat. Do your research and ask questions on the forum; don't make any hasty decisions. Good luck!
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Old 11-07-2019, 08:55 AM   #11
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Selecting a Tow Vehicle (TV)

Selecting a Tow Vehicle (TV)
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/new-to-rving-need-advice-please-459774.html#post4939624
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/question-i-am-new-to-this-rving-462519.html#post4968977

I am not sure you are interested in this issue. I am responding to your vague reference to "may be too heavy".
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Old 11-08-2019, 06:14 AM   #12
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Fun times ahead! I really like the Flagstaff product. Long time camper family and just bought a new Flagstaff after an exhaustive search for a decent quality unit as our last TT purchase. We are both mid and upper 60's in age so next step will be class A probably. Stay away from Prime Time and beware of any used units that you don't know history on for certain. A lot of junk out there on both the used and new market. Enjoy the search and have patience!
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Old 11-08-2019, 06:12 PM   #13
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Newbie question - family trailer recommendations

Agree wholeheartedly with SummitPond...kids bring lots of toys, bikes, etc...plus they grow and their toys get heavier. Then they invite friends and their toys. Before you know it, you could easily overload your tow vehicle. Plan ahead and be conservative. The gross tongue weight of that fully loaded TT, plus all the toys and passengers (don’t forget your two 80-lb golden retrievers!), plus all the gear in the TV loads the TV and much of that weight go onto the rear axle. In addition to GVWR of your TV, you must also see that you don’t go over your rear GAWR. Not all 1/2 ton trucks are the same...payload and axle ratings vary tremendously. Plus, if you plan on towing in the mountains, leave yourself some margin. Camping is supposed to be FUN. Don’t make it a hairy, white-knuckle experience. Sometimes less really is more.
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Old 11-08-2019, 09:02 PM   #14
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So the f150 brochure has the stock row hitch limits shown as 5000 limit and 500 hitch weight. Am I reading that correct? How is towing capacity 9100?
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