Prospective TT RV'ers from Upstate NY needs advice

[rayk4e]

Hello everyone,

My wife Lisa and I, along with our two boys have been 'just looking' at travel trailers for over a year now and may take the plunge soon. I have a good idea of what make/models I like, after spending countless hours showroom and RV show shopping, talking to others, and a lot of online research. I fancy myself very analytical and objective, but am still quite green when it comes to RVs. I'm concerned my wife is too enamored with the floor plans, and while that is important to me, I tend to concentrate more on the build quality, materials, technology, etc. She does think those are important too, so we are not at odds too often on things.

We are looking for a 29-31' TT with a bunk house (preferably with a slider there to provide more room).

One of our top considerations are the Heartland North Country Lakeside Edition, and Heartland North Trail 32BUDS. Does anyone have any feedback on these models?

I am also concerned with what I can realistically tow with my 2010 F-150 Super Crew 4x4 (5.4L with 3.55 gear ratio) rated at 9600 Lb towing capacity. We have a 22' boat (3800 Lbs) that the truck pulls just fine, but a TT around the 30' range is going to be double that weight or more.

Looking forward to reading through the forums for your opinions and wisdom in making our choice. Maybe we'll run into you one day at a campground.

Take care!
Ray

[PNWGirl]

Hi Ray,

I can not answer your questions, I just wanted to say Hello and WELCOME! It is really good that you are taking your time and doing all the research to make sure you get what will fit your needs/wants. A lot better to do that so that all of you are happy with your purchase and actually use it

Let us know what you do purchase. Please do not hesitate to ask questions-- there is no 'dumb' question here as we were all newbies, at one time, and there is decades of experienced members here who are more than happy to share their knowledge.

Sheila

[dsbike]

I also can't answer questions on towing but wanted to welcome you to iRV2.

As the saying goes in realestate Location, Location, Location. So does the saying go in RV's, Floor plan , Floor plan, Floor plan. Just saying......don't count out the DW's (Dear Wife) floor plan wish. I am a mechanic & I am like you, more concerned with the mechanicals than the floor plan, but the DW must be happy. So with that said find the mechanics & build structure you want along with the floor plan she wants & you like also. When the mechanics & structure are right, they will pretty much take care of themselves with just some routine maint. Then you all get to enjoy the floor plan.
GOOD LUCK in the search. Hope to see you in a campground someday.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Ray & Lisa! Welcome to IRV2! Sure glad you joined us! Good luck & God bless!

[Steve N Sal]

Welcome to the forum Ray and Lisa. Hope you enjoy your time here, plenty of great people with a wealth of knowledge to solve everyday problems. Hope you find that travel trailer soon. Enjoy all your future travels, be safe and Happy Motoring!!!

[NLOVNIT]

First let me welcome you to iRV2.com. We're glad you're here & you've come to the right place for advice.

Your F-150 is not sufficient to safely tow that size of TT. If you load your truck up with a full tank of fuel & everyone/dogs/gear in it to travel & you go to the scales you will be surprised by how much you weigh loaded. You subtract what you weigh loaded from your vehicle's GCWW (Gross Combined Weight Rating) & THAT's the weight you're left with to tow.

I'm concerned with the TT length, too. Even with equalizing/sway bars, you'll have a difficult time controlling that long of a TT with an F-150. Also, you say you are looking at 29-32ft TT's, but the NT32BUDS is 35'10" according to the web specs. Way too long to be controllable by an F-150.

I think you should consider either a smaller TT or get a larger tow vehicle.

Lori-

[CD]

I agree with Lori. We have a 28' TTthat is 9K the way we travel. I towed it with a 3/4T Dodge W/Cummins and it did OK. When we got the 3500 Dodge Dually it handled so much better. It wasn't the power, it was the stability. I don't know anything about the F150 but I'm sure someone will tell you it will be great. JMHO

[rayk4e]

Thank you Lori and CD. As far as the weight, I did some calculations and have determined my 'loaded' trailer weight should not exceed 7600 Lbs. I took the GCWR (15,500) and subtracted the vehicle's empty weight (5624 Lbs), Full 36g tank of Gas (219.6 Lbs), and estimated vehicle load of people, dogs, gear (1045 Lbs), and an approximate trailer load of (1000 Lbs). Did I miss anything?

Given that, I'm assuming we are probably looking at trailers of approximately 27-29' range and of the 'Lite' variety.

As far as the stability concerns cited: I know my F-150 Lariat 4x4 has a lot of intelligence built into it's computerized controls to minimize and account for trailer sway (AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and Trailer Sway Control, plus an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller). Since I need to go to a smaller trailer anyways (due to weight), how big of a concern do I have with sway now? I definitely would incorporate anti-sway/equalizing bars.

I truly appreciate the advice I am receiving from everyone. I feel blessed to have come across a site that will help me make wise and practical decisions. Thank you very much.

Ray

[CD]

Originally Posted by rayk4e

Thank you Lori and CD. As far as the weight, I did some calculations and have determined my 'loaded' trailer weight should not exceed 7600 Lbs. I took the GCWR (15,500) and subtracted the vehicle's empty weight (5624 Lbs), Full 36g tank of Gas (219.6 Lbs), and estimated vehicle load of people, dogs, gear (1045 Lbs), and an approximate trailer load of (1000 Lbs). Did I miss anything?

Given that, I'm assuming we are probably looking at trailers of approximately 27-29' range and of the 'Lite' variety.

As far as the stability concerns cited: I know my F-150 Lariat 4x4 has a lot of intelligence built into it's computerized controls to minimize and account for trailer sway (AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and Trailer Sway Control, plus an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller). Since I need to go to a smaller trailer anyways (due to weight), how big of a concern do I have with sway now? I definitely would incorporate anti-sway/equalizing bars.

I truly appreciate the advice I am receiving from everyone. I feel blessed to have come across a site that will help me make wise and practical decisions. Thank you very much.

Ray

Again, I don't know about the computorized controls you have. They may be very helpful. It's not about everyday down the highway. What I was talking about, more TV weight, stiffer suppension and more rubber on the road. What I noticed with our TT and the 2 TVs that I mentioned was going into a corner (usually going down hill) the TT would tend to try to push the TT sideways and it didn't happen with the 3500. You don't want that to happen if you have to make a quick lane change.

[wingnut60]

If you continue on with your plans, please consider the ProPride or Hensley Arrow hitch to eliminate worries about sway control.
I towed a 30' trailer with large front slide using the Hensley and had NO sway problems; the ProPride is a newer, less expensive version.
Just my opinion...
Joe

[StarGazer-1]

You also might look into a brake controller to help you stop that T.T.
I know my sig doesn't match my avatar but will soon update it.

[shelle007]

Originally Posted by rayk4e

Hello everyone,

My wife Lisa and I, along with our two boys have been 'just looking' at travel trailers for over a year now and may take the plunge soon. I have a good idea of what make/models I like, after spending countless hours showroom and RV show shopping, talking to others, and a lot of online research. I fancy myself very analytical and objective, but am still quite green when it comes to RVs. I'm concerned my wife is too enamored with the floor plans, and while that is important to me, I tend to concentrate more on the build quality, materials, technology, etc. She does think those are important too, so we are not at odds too often on things.

We are looking for a 29-31' TT with a bunk house (preferably with a slider there to provide more room).

One of our top considerations are the Heartland North Country Lakeside Edition, and Heartland North Trail 32BUDS. Does anyone have any feedback on these models?

I am also concerned with what I can realistically tow with my 2010 F-150 Super Crew 4x4 (5.4L with 3.55 gear ratio) rated at 9600 Lb towing capacity. We have a 22' boat (3800 Lbs) that the truck pulls just fine, but a TT around the 30' range is going to be double that weight or more.

Looking forward to reading through the forums for your opinions and wisdom in making our choice. Maybe we'll run into you one day at a campground.

Take care!
Ray

Ray,

We tow our 29 foot Holiday Rambler TT with our 2010 half ton ford 4x4. Sounds like we have the same truck! It tows it like a dream! Ours is built light specifically to be able to be towed by a half ton. Just be sure the one you buy is also rated for your truck and figure in weights for the contents you will be hauling. Of course we also have sway bars which helps in handling of the trailer too.

Good luck in your hunt for the perfect unit!

Shelle

[sdennislee]

Hi and .

Lot's of good advice here so far. I wanted to emphasize the importance of control, not so much for day to day towing but more for those unforeseen events that require panic stop braking and evasive maneuvers. The bigger the truck the safer the trip.

[PNWGirl]

Originally Posted by CD

Again, I don't know about the computorized controls you have. They may be very helpful. It's not about everyday down the highway. What I was talking about, more TV weight, stiffer suppension and more rubber on the road. What I noticed with our TT and the 2 TVs that I mentioned was going into a corner (usually going down hill) the TT would tend to try to push the TT sideways and it didn't happen with the 3500. You don't want that to happen if you have to make a quick lane change.

I have had this happen to me. Did not know that my ex had added a whole bunch of weight, to the trailer (which took us over the limit). Was coming out of the mountains, of New Mexico, and suddenly the TV (tow vehicle) was being pushed by the trailer. I've never been so scared in my life (up until then anyway)! I was being pushed into oncoming traffic toward the guard rail (which was right before a drop-off). To this day I could not tell you how I got that thing undercontrol, back in my own lane, over to the shoulder & stopped.

Sheila