MDKMDK
Canada
New Member
Joined: 10/15/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
I'm looking into Travel Trailers and have no idea what I should look for in a general purpose trailer for vacation stays away from home for well over a month at a time, probably closer to two months per trip. I currently own a class B van (so I know a little bit about the technical stuff to do with RV functional systems), but want to up size to a truck/trailer combo to lengthen our vacation stays by increasing our living space, and increasing our amenities. I may be buying a 2009 F150 with a 4.6L V8V3 with full factory towing kit installed. So that will be the tow vehicle. It's supposed to be able to pull 8,000 lbs. so.....
Things I'd like to get, or know more about.......
-price. I'd like a new trailer, maybe around $20,000? Maybe that's not realistic, I have no idea. I live in Canada, but would consider importing from the area around Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Out to a few hundred miles radius. If you just suggest an RV retailer that you've used before and trust, that might help, too. I can contact them via the internet to start, so if they have a good website, that would also help.
-would like it to sleep at least 4 - what are beds forward and aft, pros and cons? do they make some with a master at one end, and bunks at the other end?
-all weather insulated (enclosed or heated basement or belly?) - important, as we may be camping in some sub freezing temps or areas for short periods.
-good furnace - see previous point.
-A/C/roof fans for cooling and/or air circulation.
-3 or 4 days of boondocking capability would be nice, larger tanks, lots of propane and battery/electrical (12V) capacity - a large output inverter would be a bonus, too. I have 2 large ah AGMs in my van, and they do a nice job. Can you charge your coach batteries while you drive from your tow vehicle? Do any TTs come with roughed in solar roof or small wind turbine coach battery charging setups?
- easy to hookup at a commercial campground. I've seen some TTs that say they have a single access point for sewer/electrical/water/cable hookups all clustered together on the outside of the trailer.
-good bathroom/sink/tub/shower, good water heater. showers are important to us.
-standard kitchen is probably good enough, fridge, M/W, oven, cooktop.
-strength in construction and durability. nice finishes would be an asset.
-I can add entertainment system stuff like sat dishes and TVs and so on.
-easy to hookup and detach from the tow vehicle.
-simple to understand systems - the ones that aren't similar to those on my class B.
- safety equipment like CO/Propane/Smoke detectors, GFCI outlets, fire extinguishers, 12VDC/110-120VAC panels with breakers, etc..
-do these things have external storage compartments, or is it mostly inside storage?
Any suggested makes or models I should look at, or anecdotal experiences
pros and cons, and suggested maximum weight and length ranges to look at. Overall good handling on freeways, and general ease of towing and easy to hook up and detach would be important. Simple works best for me. I would like to be able to pick up and move easily, if I find I don't like the neighborhood, so something that's not too big or heavy might be better, but a lighter weight probably causes handling issues on the freeway. What are cross winds like to deal with in these trailers? Any suggestions besides slow down or pull over and wait it out?
Any thoughts, comment, or cautions, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mike.
Mike.
2002 Roadtrek Chevy 190 Popular/2009 F150 XLT Supercrew
It's not a sprint, it's a marathon (on most days).
|
Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Sorry, can't help. Will point out one thing. If TV has an 8000# tow rating, it likely has an 800# tongue weight limit. You want 13 to 15% of the FULLY LOADED TT WEIGHT on the tongue. Thus the maximum FULLY LOADED TT weight is 6153#. Look at the GVWR of the TT's, not unloaded weight. Also ignore the dry tongue weight, it has no meaning at all.
Have fun looking, and finding just the right TT.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
|
jerem0621
SE Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 05/17/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
If you are looking to buy a truck why not go ahead and get one that is designed to tow heavier. I would recommend trying to find at least a 5.4.
You are in a good position. Most people come here asking what they can tow with what they already own.
I recommend getting the biggest motor you can find and get the biggest truck you can.
However, if your heart is set on this truck I would shoot for a TT with around 5000 lbs dry weight. Loaded you will be around 6000-6500 lbs.
Make sure you have at least 3:55 rear gears. Make sure you have a transmission cooler. If the truck has anything less your towing experience will be abmisal.
Thanks
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
|
APT
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/09/2010
View Profile
|
The 2009 4.6L/6-spd is a good combination. It will rev more than the 5.4L, but the 6-spd helps. In either case you'll probably be out of payload closer to 6000 pounds dry, so the tow rating does not mean as much. Power to pull a house through the air at 65mph and how it handles 1000 pounds of tongue weight are. For a good RV, the lighter ones cost a little more. If you can afford and live with a 3/4 ton, get one.
Look for heated and enclosed underbelly. Most will have R7 insulation all around. You'll find the furnace working pretty hard at 0C, though. You'll pay a lot more for one built stronger with a lot more insulation, and it will be heavier than many half tons can handle.
Floorplan, floorplan, floorplan. Attend an RV show and go in everything. Imagine what it would be like to sit, sleep/lie down, cook, poop. You have to live in what you buy, not me. $20k CAN new seems possible for a smaller unit, but probably more for 6000-ish pound 28+ foot.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
|
Atlee
Mechanicsville, VA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/28/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
This advice is coming from a "newbie" WRT trailers, but I've been doing a lot of looking, reading, researching lately because I'm considering going over to a trailer.
It's not mentioned much, but I've found on my 2005 F150 4x4 Supercab, 5.4L w/ tow pkg and 144.5" WB and 9300# tow weight rating, that I will run out of pickup cargo capacity well before I run out of tow weight.
From the info on the door of my truck I am limited to 1,496# of cargo. From this I have to substract me, my wife, the hard bed cover. Also from this cargo weight limit, you must substract the weight of the hitch and the tongue weight.
For 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, this is much less a concern.
Erroll, Mary, Duffy the Badger Dog plus "Ollie"
2009 HiLo Towlite 2209T
2005 F150 Supercab 4x4, w/ 5.4L
1996 RoadTrek 210 Popular, on 1995 Chevy Chassis
|
|
|
MDKMDK
Canada
New Member
Joined: 10/15/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Hi folks.
Thanks for the hints/advice.
Some things I guess I should have mentioned are, we're retired and relatively comfortable financially, but still on a somewhat restricted budget, so I'm trading in my 2010 Ranger XLT 4L V6 plus a few thousand to upgrade to the much better equipped (for towing) F150 V8, and going to sell the 2002 class B and use some of the proceeds towards the trailer. If I had a million dollars........ of course I'd prefer a larger V8 or V10. The F150 is probably the best TV I can afford under the circumstances. I got the idea from my cousin who is pulling a 21 or 22 foot "North Trail" (by Heartland?) with a new F150 with the biggest V6 Ford makes, and he seems to be doing it without any issues, so far. He lives a few hundred miles form me here in Ontario, and he's currently in Los Angeles with his truck and trailer.
So, getting down to technical specs, it sounds like I would be able to handle (trying to choose flatter routes south and west, and avoiding any heavy hill climbing) something with a maximum weight of 6,000 lbs. loaded, and a maximum tongue weight of around 800 lbs.? Ok, that's good to know. There is an RV show near me in Hamilton in a few days I think, so we'll probably head out and have a look. Problem is I might have to buy the truck first, because at the price they want ($19995+tax with 46,000 miles on it) it won't last long on the lot.
Does Heartland make a lot of heated basement models? Are they generally a good make? My cousin's looks pretty good, although he just bought it, and I haven't seen the inside layout.
APT: I see you're pulling a North Trail. How do you like it, and is it insulated, and if I might be so bold, approximately how much would your TT have cost brand new?
Thanks for the input. Keep it coming, if you think of anything else.
I'm in my learning curve right now.
* This post was
edited 01/30/12 07:20am by MDKMDK *
|
goducks10
Keizer OR
Senior Member
Joined: 02/22/2010
View Profile
Offline
|
Recomending a TT is really subjective. There are so many different styles, trims and floor plans. We have a Heartland NT 26lRSS and really like it. I would look for something in the 4000lb dry range. Add another 1000-1200lbs of stuff and your at 5-5200lbs. That puts your tongue weight at apr 675lbs. All that will give you some cushion. Also check the yellow sticker on the driver side of the truck door for your payload. You don't want anything low.
|
MDKMDK
Canada
New Member
Joined: 10/15/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
goducks10: Thanks. Would I be able to pull a shorter version of your NT, in your opinion? I see yours is 30', and over 8600 GVWR, according to RVGuide. Maybe a 22'-24' would work. I'm thinking Heartland now, after 2 replies from NT owners. Some do have heated basements, I see. I could probably squeeze out a few more bucks for a quality build that isn't going to fall apart in a few years. Any problems with the roof? APT have you had any problems with the roof leaks or other? Would it support a satellite dish system (sorry, for the added questions, but you guys have the knowledge).
I'm hoping that RV show will have Heartland represented there.
|
eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
Senior Member
Joined: 07/21/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I too will recommend the 5.4L motor if you're going to tow.
Your buddy's F150 "with the biggest V6 Ford makes" could be the Ecoboost motor and it's a powerful beast.
You will get more payload the smaller the cab. Crew cab 5.5' bed will have the least payload standard, the Super cab with 6' bed is a great combo. Nice wheelbase too.
Know the 3.73 axle code on the driver door stick is "B6"
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
|
APT
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/09/2010
View Profile
|
Good followup info.
Get axle code 26 (3.73 open diff) or B6 (3.73 limited slip). Under 5000 pounds dry will be fine for either the 4.6L or 5.4L as long as it has the 6-spd trans. The 2V 4.6L came with a 4-spd that has less power, worse fuel economy, and fewer gear. Skip that! 3V 4.6L or 5.4L 2009+.
I love my NT. The only regret I have is maybe I should have gotten the quad bunk instead, but I have 3 little kids and you are just a couple. The tanks are supposedly heated and enclosed. Mine is clearly enclosed. I am not sure how they are heated as the furnace duct work to inside the TT is all above the floor. A simple duct through the floor would be sufficient, but I'm not sure where that is in MY TT. I have only camped down to the mid 40's at night and been comfortable.
The 21FBS, 22FBS, or 24RBS would all be great for a retired couple. Mine was about $21 OTD with about $1500 in upgrades/options and a $600 weight distributing hitch. The 21FBS with limited options should be closer to $16k USD, plus TTL and hitch.
I recommend contacting RV Direct. Many Ontario residents have purchased from them. They carry some good brands like Forest River Rockwood lines and Jayco.
|
|
|
|
