3/4 ton'er in a dense urban city

[froward]

oh wow, what exactly is RV Pricing and Appraisals? is this a service some company offers? i searched it and found several different websites...rvbluebook, nadaguides, rvtrader, etc.

this is actually something i was thinking we were going to have to figure out---how can we find someone reputable to inspect whatever used tt we're interested in and where to find a good and honest mechanic to inspect the tv before we buy one.

my first car in highschool was an '85 chevette (used to say to people "i have a vette." and when they'd go "REALLY!?!" i'd be like "yeah...it's a CHEvette." i know. i'm hilarious. but before we bought it, my dad found a mechanic to take it to. when we came back he's all thumbs up and says it's a good car. shortly after i bought it i found out the freaking axle was broken or bent or something. something serious that should have been obvious..

good points though. thanks. at this point i think we're leaning towards sticking with one of the half tons with a the higher tow capacity and just making sure we stick with a tt under 6k lbs and maybe '27.

another thing we're going to want to find is someone in our area that's an expert in the ways of trailering who can check our setup (will get a good wdh and sway control). because i don't trust either of us to do it right on the first go at it.

[tuffr2]

I bought the NADA RV guide for $60 I think back in 2012. I saw a few dealers using the same guide.

It is a thick book with just about all RV's in it. Sometimes it is difficult to find an particular RV because of looking under the wrong sub-title.

This NADA guide is handy and worth the $60 of now $70.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by froward

oh wow, what exactly is RV Pricing and Appraisals? is this a service some company offers? i searched it and found several different websites...rvbluebook, nadaguides, rvtrader, etc.

this is actually something i was thinking we were going to have to figure out---how can we find someone reputable to inspect whatever used tt we're interested in and where to find a good and honest mechanic to inspect the tv before we buy one.

my first car in highschool was an '85 chevette (used to say to people "i have a vette." and when they'd go "REALLY!?!" i'd be like "yeah...it's a CHEvette." i know. i'm hilarious. but before we bought it, my dad found a mechanic to take it to. when we came back he's all thumbs up and says it's a good car. shortly after i bought it i found out the freaking axle was broken or bent or something. something serious that should have been obvious..

good points though. thanks. at this point i think we're leaning towards sticking with one of the half tons with a the higher tow capacity and just making sure we stick with a tt under 6k lbs and maybe '27.

another thing we're going to want to find is someone in our area that's an expert in the ways of trailering who can check our setup (will get a good wdh and sway control). because i don't trust either of us to do it right on the first go at it.

It's 2020. It's right at your fingertips. Here ya go! https://www.nadaguides.com/RVs

[PKI]

Originally Posted by froward

-- snip -- do it right on the first go at it.

It is valid to use a reputable professional to help. However, it is better to know, understand and recognize what makes a good RV, a good hitch lashup and a good tow vehicle. To do that, you need to study, practice, and test.

"You, Me and the RV" has a video on You-tube where they interview the inspector that checked out their Motorhome before they purchased it. There is a link included that references the organization which certifies inspectors. Might be a place to start.

With respect to the hitch lashup, note that it changes. You really need to develop enough experience to fine tune the adjustments to match the load out of the RV for each trip. That means you must understand what the knobs and levers do. A trip to the CAT scales can validate your settings. Travel slow until you know it's right. Then always tow slower than you would drive if solo. An RV is not a sports car. Conservative driving is critical to safe driving.

As you test your tune, you will learn what does and does not work. That process never stops. It just gets easier. So, no one gets it right the first time. The key is to get it good enough and continue to improve.

Good luck with your adventure.

[mrgrayaz]

Originally Posted by froward

just wondering if anyone else is doing a 3/4 ton in a dense city--- or if we're nuts even considering going this big living where we live.

It sucks - parking takes 2x as long anywhere, never mind the walk once you find the spot...in the back of the lot. after the 3-4 pt turn to get into the spot. You can't fit in a ton of garages, so your stuck finding surface lots, and if its a 1 ton, you feel every pothole, expansion joint, bump, and terrible road surface out there due to the stiff suspension and 80 PSI tires.
Its tolerable for a time, totally doable, the added height is LOVELY for seeing over traffic, and you can totally make it work....the new trucks are also MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE then even a 10 year old truck - but after 4 years of driving F-350's I'm pretty tired of it.

I drive my wife's car in town as much as I can, its just a much more appropriate size for that mission.

We still take the F-350 on road trips because its just that comfy, and you can't beat the big fuel tank. A 3/4 ton will solve a lot of the ride issues, but not the size.

There, I said it. Go nuts

[WJGray]

Drove a F350 DRW with a 8' bed for years all around PHX, LA, DFW, Houston and other major cities with out any major problems. Sure I took a bit of planning and walking sometimes a little from the open areas of parking lots. After down sizing to a Ram 2500 truck life was simpler if also seems that the Width of the Ram is narrower than the others, it does set higher than my Ford which has it been a problem for me in parking garages eiher.