Community Forums

Tierney Dawn · 09-18-2012, 09:21 PM

We got our truck last weekend and I've started researching the tralior options in great detail. I must say my head is spinning and my notebook is full. I have acquired lots of information, tips and suggestions here so thought I would join in. I'm looking forward (with crossed eyes and writers cramp) to narrowing our choices and getting closer to the traveling lifestyle we have been dreaming about.

SarahW · 09-18-2012, 09:26 PM

Howdy and welcome!

Good luck with your search.

historyljc · 09-18-2012, 10:09 PM

Hi, welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your search.

Skip426 · 09-18-2012, 11:12 PM

Hope you find the right, unit to fit your needs. I'm on my fith RV and I'm getting close ; but then I'm a slow learner.

Arch Hoagland · 09-18-2012, 11:17 PM

What kind of truck did you buy?

And by the way...you have one of the nicest RV parks in the country in your backyard. We spent a week there three years ago and loved it.

TXiceman · 09-19-2012, 06:31 AM

Welcome to iRV2. Check out the Texas Boomers and our schedule.

Now what kind of truck did you get, because that will limit the size camper that you can tow.

I hope you picked up on the number one rule of RV shopping....
#1. Never believe the RV or truck slaes person.

#2. RV and truck sales people lie.

have fun shopping and keep us psoted.

Ken

Gadget63 · 09-19-2012, 08:20 AM

Hello there and welcome to the forums!!!

greystroke · 09-19-2012, 09:06 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Take your time and watch your weights. Study so you will know more than your salesman. Don't be afraid to offer 25 percent below list price.

When you decide make sure you have a good acceptance checklist in hand and demand that you can check things out before signing the final papers including a drive check. I would recommend that you set up inspection days and final signing days as not the same day so you allow time for repairs. That way you can delay signing until everything is good to go. Al repairs before signing are made under Dealer Prep and are easier to approve by local managers than mfgr warranty items.

Remember once out the door they will treat everything as warranty. So try to get major problems solved before signing. The camper should be ready when it goes out the door. Once out the door they have to get repairs made after mfgr approval.

450Donn · 09-19-2012, 09:26 AM

I think before you get all starry eyed over a specific trailer you need to load the truck up like your going camping and get to the scales. From this ready to camp weight you can do some simple math and end up with how much trailer weight you can actually tow. Then and only then should you start your trailer research. Because finding the perfect trailer and discovering it is 3000 pounds over your trucks towing capacity is a real let down.

Tierney Dawn · 09-19-2012, 09:42 AM

Thanks everyone, I've got a list going of everyone's suggestions (esp the weight and the fiberglass vs rubber roof), keep 'em coming. Picking out the truck was a blue job and researching the trailer is a pink job. (blue jobs are hubby, pink jobs are me, haha). We purchased a Dodge Ram 3500 Desiel dually and hubby is having extra fuel tank/toolbox unit added tomorrow. The sales guys we talked to said 3/4 ton truck.....goes to show ya we didn't listen to sales guy!

Arch- I assume you are talking about the The Vineyards park. I heard it was great. Did you do any winery tours or visit downtown Grapevine? I love downtown! And for any future visitors .... Ck out the 2 festivals we have every year. Grapefest was last weekend (it show cases Texas wines and has live music and grape stomping). Main Street Days is in the spring. That was a shameless advertisement for my town, sorry.

Thanks again, everyone for the warm welcome.

greystroke · 09-19-2012, 10:24 AM

Sounds like your blue job man did a great job.

After you load up your truck with tools, hitch etc, go to the truck scales and have your truck weighed.

Subtract the actual weight from the GVWR of the truck and that will give you weight available for trailer pin and additional truck baggage.

When you find your trailer take about 25 percent of the trailer GVWR and this will be the approx pin weight for the truck. Make sure the pin weight will not go over the truck allownce. (25 is just approx)

Take the truck weight from the scales and add it to the GVWR of the trailer. This value should be less than the CGWR(Combined Gross Weight Rating) of the Truck.

Good luck.

TXiceman · 09-19-2012, 10:33 AM

No such thing as too much truck......

Ken

MSHappyCampers · 09-19-2012, 11:01 AM

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad to have you join the group! Congrats on the new truck! Sure wish you were closer, I just put a 5er on the market today. We went to a Class A a few months ago. We pulled the 5er for 10 years and it's really hard to get rid of it now since we had so many good times in it. Good luck on your search! Have fun and God bless!

missourijan · 09-19-2012, 02:27 PM

Don't drive yourself crazy doing research trying to find the "perfect" rv, there is no such thing. Everyone has an opinion on what you should buy, you need to decide for yourself what is right for you. My 2 cents, buy a used one that looks liveable to you. You won't know what floorplan is good until you live in it. What you think may be perfect may not be. Buy a used one, live in it for a year, then you will know what you want. It's easy to trade one in and buy a new one, we've done it twice. Good luck!