SoFL checking in

[Lucky53s]

Hey everyone. Just here to learn all I can as I search for the perfect TT.

[bdickson]

[aschuh53]

they are a wealth of knowledge here on the forum.You ask and someone will respond and have the answers you need.Welcome to irv2

[TXiceman]

Welcome to iRV2. We got our first RV in 1984 and still do not quiet have the perfect RV. Seems everyone is better but not quiet there.

Start asking questions.

But as a starting point:
Visit RV dealers and leave the check book at home at first. When you find something you like, tell the salesman to basically get lost and you will find him when you have questions.

Spend 30 minutes...2 hours in the RV and pretend you are living there. Check the kitchen to see how you would prepare a meal, store dishes, food, flatware, etc. Next see if the bath fits, stand in the shower, see if the toilet is useable, see where you would put toiletries, linens, etc. Check the bed to see if you fit, where do you put clothes, are there drawers for the underwear or do you have to use bags tossed into the closet floor or under the bed.

Will it work for weekend, 2 week trip or longer trips? Is there storage for lawn chairs, fishing gear, kids or grandkids stuff.

For a first RV, look for a higher quality used RV rather than an entry level new RV. There are lots of 2 to 5 year old gently used trailers on the market. You will not get hit with the huge depreciation of a new RV by buying used.

Next read and understand all of the weight ratings and DO NOT believe the RV or truck dealer on what you can pull. It he says you can pull it with your small SUV, plan on a 1/2 ton truck, if he says a 1/2 ton truck will pull it, plan on a 3/4 ton truck; if he says a 3/4 ton truck will pull it, plan on a 1 ton dually. If he says 1 ton dually, better plan to look at MDT (medium duty trucks). A bit if an exaggeration , but somewhat true.

Have fun looking.

Ken

[Lucky53s]

Thanks for the early advice. Right now it's just my wife and I with two small dogs but we are planning on kids so I'm thinking something on the bigger side. I really like the Keystone Laredo 316RLS. My wife is really funny about living in someone's lived in space so we are thinking about something new. I'm going to be towing with a 2014 Tundra with the big V8 so we are looking at 10,100lbs of towing capacity.

[JohnRR]

[Chiefbvfd]

Welcome aboard...You came to right place...

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by Lucky53s

I'm going to be towing with a 2014 Tundra with the big V8 so we are looking at 10,100lbs of towing capacity.

This is what I mean by understand the towing weights and ratings. Let's take a hard look at this...The 10,100# is a maximum and based on a stripped base model, no options or accessories, no cargo, no hitch and only a 150# driver. So for every pound you add over this base weight, you reduce the towing capacity by the same amount.

Next, on a travel trailer you will have a hitch weigh that is between 10% and 15% of the trailers GVWR. This hitch weigh goes directly against the GVWR of the truck. You can use 12 or 13% (of trailer GVWR) as a preliminary estimate of the trailers hitch weight.


It is best to weigh the truck fully fueled, loaded with normal cargo and add 125# for a hitch. This is you Laden Vehicle weight (LVW)

From the door jamb sticker get the trucks GVWR and from the owners manual the GCWR for your specific cab, engine and rear axle ration.

GCWR - LVW = maximum loaded trailer weight.

GVWR - LVW = maximum loaded trailer hitch weight.

I would guess from the model number of the trailer, you are looking at a 31' or so trailer. I would never pull that much trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. Weight is only a part of the towing equation. You have to have enough truck to handle the trailer as well. I would back off to a trailer that is about 26' or 27' as a maximum length.

The major short coming of a 1/2 ton truck is the limited GVWR and the resulting cargo carrying capacity. This cargo capacity is comprised of cargo, fuel, passengers and trailer hitch weight and anything load in the truck.

The Tundra is an excellent truck, but I think the 1/2 ton manufacturers are overstating the tow ratings and misleading the public on the tow ratings.

As for the "used" aspect and someone else sleeping in the trailer, have you never stayed in a motel or hotel? A mattress can be replaced, the toilet cleaned. A gently used trailer is still the best value, even considering a new mattress.

Any way you got my nickels worth.

Ken

[Lucky53s]

I hear what you are saying about towing limits. I am on TundraTalk and you will consistently find many that tow those weights with their Tundra. The major limiting factor is cargo capacity (as you touched on). My model has a 1440 lb cargo capacity. Figuring 300 lb for my wife and I and 150 for a weight distribution hitch gives me roughly 1000 for the tongue weight. Now imagine I want a cooler and maybe a few bags in the truck too, I am down to about 900 for the tongue weight.

The Tundra is the only truck going by J2807 standards though and I am confident in the published numbers. While they may be a little lower than some of the other manufacturers I have seen the truck perform to the advertised limits with no issues at all.

[Lucky53s]

Also, the 10,100 lbs is for my model, not the stripped base. Those are higher. But I got the CRewmax 4x4 so it pushed my limits a bit lower than the base.

[MSHappyCampers]

Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang here!

Hope you find the right TT for your needs! Enjoy the forum!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Medico]

Welcome and glad to meet you!