Community Forums

mt742 · 04-01-2021, 08:55 AM

My wife and I have been thinking about purchasing a trailer for travel once COVID is over. Initially we were thinking about a 25’ish class B or C, but figured we should start out with a trailer as it would be less of an investment. It will just be the 2 of us, would prefer a minimum of a queen, preferably a king size bed. One that caught my eye is a 2017 Gulf Stream Vista cruiser. Our only experience was renting a 25 foot Class C last summer for a tour of Cape Breton. Any and all advice would be appreciated!

propchef · 04-01-2021, 01:13 PM

Honestly, the best advice I can give is to read posts, lots of them on different topics, go to YouTube and spend a lot of time there, watch both the good and bad.

Everybody is looking for something different, and what works for one might not work for you. Read, visit dealers to actually see them in person, consider your tow vehicle and how far from home you think you'll go, etc, etc, etc...

There's SO much to learn. Take your time and consider well.

Roy-c · 04-01-2021, 01:53 PM

Everyone has different wants in an RV. Mostly just the wife & I and we find a 35' class A works for us. As has already been suggested do your research to find what suits you the best. My only question would be what do you have for a tow vehicle for a TT ? If it is a half ton p/up be very careful what TT you buy. If you don't have the TV yet then a class B, B+ or C may be a lot less expensive. Like I said, DO EXTENSIVE HOMEWORK. It took 2 years for us to find the right RV for our needs.

bneukam · 04-01-2021, 03:01 PM

We’ve been traveling with our trailer all through COVID. It’s what I love best about an RV. Having your own bed, and cook what you like.

Which leads me to what your biggest concern should be, and that is a good nights rest. We have a walk around queen bed, and I would give up a lot of amenities, but this is one I would not.

Had a corner bed in a Class C for many years, and even though we were a lot younger then, it affected our quality of sleep.

Ours is a 20’ box, 23’ overall, and is 5700 GVWR, and it goes great behind our 1/2 ton truck. I will say campgrounds are filling up right at the reservation window hits, so being small allows for more sites at State and National Parks.

BoomtownDave · 04-01-2021, 03:42 PM

Check/compare insurance & registration rates too. As a motor home is powered it will require a different policy than a trailer. You might be able to add a trailer to your home policy and save some $$

Persistent · 04-02-2021, 06:36 AM

All good advice above!

It sounds like you are planning to use a tow vehicle you already own. If so, look for the weight capacity stickers in the driver's door frame. There may be a maximum tow capacity weight. Compare that to the trailer maximum gross weight.

Start by staying under 80% of the maximum tow capacity. Then learn how to do the math for all the other limits shown on the stickers.

Half ton trucks and SUV's can safely tow a lot less than most people think. Individual vehicles vary in what is available for towing even in the same model line. It tends to get complicated.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!