Quote:
Originally Posted by MJSteele
Hello everyone on this fantastic forum!
You are the ones my wife and I need to hear from.
We are lining up to buy our first pull behind travel trailer.
I want, no - need, your opinions on several questions.
We have several trailers we are looking at and deciding is a little difficult.
1) How close to your trucks GVWR max would you get when picking a camper?
We have a truck with a towing cap of 8800 lbs.
Does that mean it is comfortable to take it up towards that or should we stay below by say, 1000 lbs?
2) This is mainly for my wife and myself but we want it capable for 2 to 4 more guests.
Are most that say they have sleeping room for 6 really legitimate or is that a tight 6?
3) Keeping the "Up to 6" in mind, but 99% of the time it will be the two of us, what is the minimum Fresh/Gray/Black water capacities you would recommend?
4) We are thinking a 24' to 26' trailer. What are your experiences? Is that a good size to comfortably house up to 6 (but mostly 2)? We chose that length range for ease of pulling and backing.
5) Any things that stick out in your minds that you especially like or do not care for in a travel trailer?
6) Does it matter regarding fiberglass or metal shell?
7) Does having a ladder on the end indicate you can go up on the roof or always avoid stepping foot on the roof?
8) Is there a make or two that stands out in your mind as having exceptional trailers?
9) We are hoping to have our travel trailer on hand by the end of October.
We live in north central Pennsylvania.
We will use it mostly in fall and spring as we are always very busy in the summer. Any thoughts on colder weather RVing?
Please, throw out there anything that comes to mind. It will only help us. We feel strongly about having a slide. Are those without big enough to enjoy as well?
Thank you to everyone for helping us out. While working today and thinking where can I go to get answers it hit me - a forum like yours here where you all have great experiences!
God bless!!
Michael and Karen
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I will be reading the entire thread. But was wanting to address this first, or at least what I feel comfortable addressing
1
Many are going to tell you no where near. With today's ridged testing standards you can easily do up to your max weight ( loaded trailer, with full tanks and everything you own [for the trailer] in trailer ) that said if not a diesel you will cry on hills and mountains, if using a 1/2 ton or less, go through brakes like candy ( not maxed out one of my sets on my 1500 went 10k... ) and you NEC to also include any extras in your cab, including you ( most manufacturers assume a driver of 120lbs. )
Make sure to include any cargo, people, and additions ro the vehicle
2
A tight 6, get ones with real beds ( pull out sofas are ok too ), I recommend not using the table. Ours have a bunk and a pull it in the sofa ( queen size )
3
Depends on many things, never travel with no water, the black and gray, the sloshing help to clean everything, also the driving make a perfect tone to use draino or similar to enhance the cleaning ( as per most manuals that I have read ) ( you will love bringing your own toilet everywhere...... trust me....l
Another question you will have to answer is are you willing to conserve
Are you planning on boondocking ? Most camp grounds have water! Ect ect
4
personal preference, get a camera, I love haloview due to the price point and the one I bought is also a DVR ( dash cam ) for 3 camera and a 7 " monitor it was similar in price to the furrion 7" and single camera. Also great signal.
The furrion is good to...
5
I recommend a after market stinky hose holder ( I have once that is a pipe ( like abs material ) that is bolted to the frame
If you boondock, a generator
Storage is key. Make sure you have enough !
6
Personal preference, I have been told al is cheaper and easier to repair from damage, but it is easily damaged esp by hail. Al siding is way way way heavier. Fiberglass costs more.
7
It means you can walk on it, however I would walk on either ( with or without ) but you need to be careful.
Either way, you need to do roof checks, at minimum 1ce per year
8
All are made cheap. Accept it now.
You will never find a perfect trailer. You can make it perfect though.
9
If planning to get a four seasons rv. It isn't fullproof, but it is needed/ better