Travel trailers

[SlammedZero]

I just bought one last summer. I bought a Jayco White Hawk 27 ft. Definitely do your research with your tow vehicle and see what it's capable to pull. Just because Vehicle A says in the brochure that it can tow 10K pounds doesn't mean you can just hitch up a 10k trailer and drive away. You have to think about tongue weight/weight distribution. Don't rely on an RV salesman to validate that for you. They'll look at your vehicle and assure you it will tow this trailer. They just want a sale. Once you leave that lot it's not their problem.

Also, you have to expect some repairs. Doesn't hurt if you are handy with tools. Trailers are cheap. All of them. They have to be built with cheap materials to keep the weight down, plus, trailer manufacturing isn't known for it's great quality control. I would suggest to you to buy the extended warranty. I usually pass on those with all my purchases, but with a travel trailer, you will use it. Some things you just won't be able to repair yourself. You won't be able to take a trailer slide-out off in your driveway lol. So, food for thought there in your overall cost.

 

[HungryLion]

Pop-ups don't work well in Texas for year around camping.

I can believe that. But he lives in the Northeast near where I do.

Obviously how you plan to use a trailer does make a large difference. And again even the places you plan on going.

Like I was saying if you’re going someplace with no amenities out in the wilderness. Your tanks are important, how large the propane tank is, battery size, etc.


if you’re going to campgrounds with water/sewer and electric hook ups, then not so much.

 

[Tabascocat]

Thanks for all the answers. I have a Subaru Ascent which says it has 5,000 pound towing capacity. It looks like that should safely pull 20 footers and even some 26 footers. It's also all wheel drive, if that helps.

A pop-up would be the best way to go with that car. Make sure it has its own braking ability. Anything bigger and you will have transmission problems down the road, no pun intended.

https://www.withoutahitch.com.au/trailer/need-know-2wd-awd-4wd-towing-vehicles/

I have a 4x4 Ram for towing and I still wouldn’t tow a 26 footer even with the tow package. I stick to boats only(short distances), 24’ max.

The wifes X5 has a capacity of 6600 and I wouldn’t even attempt to tow anything behind it, don’t trust it.

 

[Turk]

I am not an expert by any means but I did extensive research on this a couple of years ago and I can pass along some tips ..

First, the size of your pull vehicle is irrelevant. Your engine and transmission are the important parts. Find out what your tow capacity is for your vehicle (the specific one with the specific engine and drive train you have).

Keep in mind the weight of the the trailer is before you add anything to it, even water as well as your black (waste) and grey (drain) tanks, are not included in that weight. Be sure to factor in full tanks for each.

If possible, get a trailer with at least two wheels on both sides. Side-by-side or front-to-back is not as important as having two wheels in case one blows while you are driving. If you are a pulling a travel trailer at 60+ mph and and a tire blows, it could flip your trailer and possibly your tow vehicle as well.

Try to get one with a slight concave roof so water does not collect on it or else you will be dealing with leaks at some point.

If you plan to boondock a lot, I would recommend making sure you have enough open space on the roof of the trailer to install solar panels, which have gotten a lot more affordable in recent years.

Lastly, I agree with the other posters in that you should rent first because you may find out very quickly that you need a different size trailer than you are thinking initially.

Disagree that the size of the vehicle pulling the trailer is irrelevant. The heavier its OWN weight the better it will tow.

 

[Reality]

Disagree that the size of the vehicle pulling the trailer is irrelevant. The heavier its OWN weight the better it will tow.

That is completely wrong.

A heavier vehicle is irrelevant if it has a weak transmission or not enough torque or horsepower.

There are plenty of heavy full size SUVs and trucks, especially older ones, that cannot pull trailers because they do not have the tow capacity or transmission for it while there are plenty of compact SUVs and small trucks that can because they do.

 

[CyberB0b]

My brother in law has an F-150 with two package he uses to tow his small trailer. He had to add airbags and it is still a little scary with the sway on the highway. If it were me, I wouldn't do it unless it was a gooseneck with an F-250 or similar.

 

[Turk]

That is completely wrong.

A heavier vehicle is irrelevant if it has a weak transmission or not enough torque or horsepower.

There are plenty of heavy full size SUVs and trucks, especially older ones, that cannot pull trailers because they do not have the tow capacity or transmission for it while there are plenty of compact SUVs and small trucks that can because they do.

Been towing heavy trailers for over 25 years with various vehicles. You do not know what you are talking about- the weight of the towing vehicle is critical to maintaining control. Your obsession about the power train to everything else does not cover the story even close. You need both the power train AND the weight of the vehicle.

 

[Reality]

Been towing heavy trailers for over 25 years with various vehicles. You do not know what you are talking about- the weight of the towing vehicle is critical to maintaining control. Your obsession about the power train to everything else does not cover the story even close. You need both the power train AND the weight of the vehicle.

I did not say that the weight had no bearing on towing as of course it does with control.

What I said was that the weight of a vehicle is irrelevant to what it can tow, and that is very true.

A heavy truck or SUV with an underpowered engine or transmission can struggle to pull a travel trailer that a smaller and lighter SUV can pull without any problem.

Obviously you want a heavy vehicle with a strong engine and transmission, but the OP asked about SUVs and the size of them is irrelevant if they do not have the engine and transmission with tow capacity to pull it.

 

[Reality]

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Funny, during my late night bouts of insomnia YouTube's algorithm has put some trailer videos in my feed which I've taken to watching. Now I have been considering looking into one myself. From cursory research, one thing I haven't seen mentioned here, but apparently is important, is the tongue weight capacity of the hitch on your vehicle.

From what I've gathered there's also a general rule of thumb that you should tow 15-20% less than the max. tow capacity listed for your vehicle for the reasons others have listed in the thread (i.e. carrying water tanks, propane tanks, luggage, creature comforts, et cetera).

 

[HungryLion]

Funny, during my late night bouts of insomnia YouTube's algorithm has put some trailer videos in my feed which I've taken to watching. Now I have been considering looking into one myself. From cursory research, one thing I haven't seen mentioned here, but apparently is important, is the tongue weight capacity of the hitch on your vehicle.

From what I've gathered there's also a general rule of thumb that you should tow 15-20% less than the max. tow capacity listed for your vehicle for the reasons others have listed in the thread (i.e. carrying water tanks, propane tanks, luggage, creature comforts, et cetera).

All sound advice. The tanks alone add quite a bit of a weight. Though the trailer will specify how much it weighs when the tanks are empty and how much when they are full.


Honestly I have always loved staying in a trailer and going to different campgrounds.

they make for great vacations. And it’s cool because depending what you want. You can mix it up between being more out in the wilderness, vs being in a more resort like setting.

my parents don’t travel anymore. They now have a park model and have stayed at the same campground for the past 12 years. But that place has everything.

pool, swimming lake, fishing lake, tram that provides rides all around the campground, arcade, restaurant, ice cream shop, store, etc.


I mean it’s a full ok resort but the only difference is it’s also out in the woods and instead of being in a hotel room or condo, you’re in a trailer.

Pretty awesome places to spend a vacation or go to for the weekend.


Years ago we also stayed places where there was nothing almost nothing but trees and open space. Lol


I can imagine there are some amazing places to take a trailer out in California.

 

[Melonfeud]

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with travel trailers. I don't know if that's the official term, but basically a full RV that you pull from your truck. I have a big SUV that should be able to pull a big one. I have a family of four, with my wife and two daughters. I don't know much about them. Wondering if anyone has used one, pros and cons, price range, etc.

*While I've not checked into the 2nd hand markets price range of say ? 18' to 22' footers( other than airstreams as that's in an entirely off the charts league of cultist campers) l venture a ( condition dependent) of $1,500 to $2,000 could easily be found sitting on surviving spouses property* plus side? their self contained & provide a certain level of normalcy while yer'out playing the "out on the hobo road to the vagabond trail"
*Minus negative (-) side?
Their frickin' trailer houses only of a more substantial grade of chinsey substandard materials ,which entails it's running gear,,,er,,,as compared to say? that of a 14'x70' regular piece of crap trailer house in the 60to 80k price range, and just like that 14x70? you"ve done latched up behind yer' rig a goodly amount of sq. Ft cross wind "CATCHER" & dependent upon manufacturer? Exceedingly top heavy ,now say yer' hobo'n north of Denver on I-25? even money bet that travel camper could float on right past yer' driver's side windows while traveling at excessive vagabond speed,,, hope this helps a bit in yer' decision making.

 

[Melonfeud]

Thanks for all the answers. I have a Subaru Ascent which says it has 5,000 pound towing capacity. It looks like that should safely pull 20 footers and even some 26 footers. It's also all wheel drive, if that helps.

I seriously doubt it ,bro,,, as I've never seen a set of electrical tow brakes work much more past 1,000 miles( if that ,and these guys talking trucks are correct, as you"ll definitely be dependent upon the braking system of the tow vehicle alone ,sooner rather than later , mountain passes & downgrades ?that S.O.B will try to be pushing up agin' ya*

 

[Melonfeud]

*SHEESE that reminds me to install a metal stand under my 18' dodge r v. as I'd shoehorned into it"s manufactured provided cubby hole( no mean feat,in & of itself) a near new Onan generator bout 15 years ago& been meaning to do that for the last ten years ,I reckon she's took a spring "set" to a starboard side list ,by now( I bought it off a bar owner Who'd yanked it out of his 28' motor home b-4 he'd got rid of it%,he was upside down on it w/ the bank*

 

[Melonfeud]

All sound advice. The tanks alone add quite a bit of a weight. Though the trailer will specify how much it weighs when the tanks are empty and how much when they are full.


Honestly I have always loved staying in a trailer and going to different campgrounds.

they make for great vacations. And it’s cool because depending what you want. You can mix it up between being more out in the wilderness, vs being in a more resort like setting.

my parents don’t travel anymore. They now have a park model and have stayed at the same campground for the past 12 years. But that place has everything.

pool, swimming lake, fishing lake, tram that provides rides all around the campground, arcade, restaurant, ice cream shop, store, etc.


I mean it’s a full ok resort but the only difference is it’s also out in the woods and instead of being in a hotel room or condo, you’re in a trailer.

Pretty awesome places to spend a vacation or go to for the weekend.


Years ago we also stayed places where there was nothing almost nothing but trees and open space. Lol


I can imagine there are some amazing places to take a trailer out in California.

* Retiree's living in a park model +55 gated communites are some of the most "hip & happening" seldom known to the general populaces lifestyles out there , especially with those "young at heart" crowd, hahahaha I"ve installed a mega crapton of those things in the past( oh man& it was back when 'viagra' was just hitting the mainstream acceptance,,er,if ya know what I'm saying)*half the women were constantly making good their escape via golf carts ,while the other half we're smiling & waving at all the grey haired dudes

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware. I can recommend you watch Attorney Steve Lehto's videos about buying RVs before buying one. He recommends that Americans simply not buy them because the consumer protection laws suck compared to those for buying a car. The lemon laws that apply to cars do not apply to RVs, even though they're both motor vehicles. The warranties are also a major pain in the butt because they won't just have one warranty on the RV. The thing is built by numerous different manufacturers, so you'll have one warranty on the chassis, another for the motor, another for the appliances like the fridge, another for the plumbing etc.

It MIGHT be a little better that you're buying one of those truck-towed ones that won't have a motor. Lehto says it's such a hassle that you shouldn't even bother. I'll modify that advice by saying be very careful. Do your homework. Find out in advance how many warranties and for what they all are. Do online research on the reputations not just for an RV brand, but for the various parts of it, and of course be super thorough about the seller. If you find out a seller has a ton of complaints and an "all sales final" attitude or policy, run!

Start by watching Lehto's videos so that you know of all the dirty tricks that hoze consumers. Then if you still want to buy one, do meticulous research to protect yourself. I'm not as anti-RV as Lehto, but I'm very pro self protection. I can say that my parents have successfully bought RVs that have worked out for them. They DID need to have some things repaired. They did all right because my dad is one of those meticulous researchers.

Like others have said, there is the option of renting one. If you just want an occasional trip in one, that may make more sense. Anyway, here are Lehto's videos. You might decide to take his advice and pass. Or you might research the crap out of the topic to protect yourself. The one thing NOT to do is to go check out a bunch of RVs and get super excited and make an impulse buy. Remember that sales people know all the slicko tricks of reeling people in. That thousand bucks off if you buy today is NOT worth it if you end up with something you hate.

Here are his videos.





The rest I won't embed. He's got a bunch of him. He's really done the topic and he knows his stuff.

More vids by him:



https://youtu.be/lQUJsbRV8qM
https://youtu.be/P51N8vK7hMU
https://youtu.be/vjrFYXQMT9g

(Wow, did those suckers auto-embed somehow?)

 

[HungryLion]

* Retiree's living in a park model +55 gated communites are some of the most "hip & happening" seldom known to the general populaces lifestyles out there , especially with those "young at heart" crowd, hahahaha I"ve installed a mega crapton of those things in the past( oh man& it was back when 'viagra' was just hitting the mainstream acceptance,,er,if ya know what I'm saying)*half the women were constantly making good their escape via golf carts ,while the other half we're smiling & waving at all the grey haired dudes

Yeah it’s actually my parents retirement plan. Live in their park model by the New Jersey shore half the year. And get a park model in another place down south to live in during the winter.


It’s reasonably priced living for retired folks.

 

[Melonfeud]

Yeah it’s actually my parents retirement plan. Live in their park model by the New Jersey shore half the year. And get a park model in another place down south to live in during the winter.


It’s reasonably priced living for retired folks.

Oh, I know it's a solid game plan,man( we call those folks "snowbirds" here in Tucson)
*But what makes those communites so cool is the things like the Thursday nite pot luck dinners horse shoe& shuffle board tournaments ( I think so anyway, as after having been press ganged into sitting in on one of their pot luck dinners one evening wHile working in the park, my right hand Mexican main man 'Roy' & me , thought it was pretty cool as they weren't old acting miserable folks,but laughing & happy kinda folks*

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Caveat emptor or let the buyer beware. I can recommend you watch Attorney Steve Lehto's videos about buying RVs before buying one. He recommends that Americans simply not buy them because the consumer protection laws suck compared to those for buying a car. The lemon laws that apply to cars do not apply to RVs, even though they're both motor vehicles. The warranties are also a major pain in the butt because they won't just have one warranty on the RV. The thing is built by numerous different manufacturers, so you'll have one warranty on the chassis, another for the motor, another for the appliances like the fridge, another for the plumbing etc.

It MIGHT be a little better that you're buying one of those truck-towed ones that won't have a motor. Lehto says it's such a hassle that you shouldn't even bother. I'll modify that advice by saying be very careful. Do your homework. Find out in advance how many warranties and for what they all are. Do online research on the reputations not just for an RV brand, but for the various parts of it, and of course be super thorough about the seller. If you find out a seller has a ton of complaints and an "all sales final" attitude or policy, run!

Start by watching Lehto's videos so that you know of all the dirty tricks that hoze consumers. Then if you still want to buy one, do meticulous research to protect yourself. I'm not as anti-RV as Lehto, but I'm very pro self protection. I can say that my parents have successfully bought RVs that have worked out for them. They DID need to have some things repaired. They did all right because my dad is one of those meticulous researchers.

Like others have said, there is the option of renting one. If you just want an occasional trip in one, that may make more sense. Anyway, here are Lehto's videos. You might decide to take his advice and pass. Or you might research the crap out of the topic to protect yourself. The one thing NOT to do is to go check out a bunch of RVs and get super excited and make an impulse buy. Remember that sales people know all the slicko tricks of reeling people in. That thousand bucks off if you buy today is NOT worth it if you end up with something you hate.

Here are his videos.





The rest I won't embed. He's got a bunch of him. He's really done the topic and he knows his stuff.

More vids by him:



https://youtu.be/lQUJsbRV8qM
https://youtu.be/P51N8vK7hMU
https://youtu.be/vjrFYXQMT9g

(Wow, did those suckers auto-embed somehow?)

Yikes.

 

[HungryLion]

Oh, I know it's a solid game plan,man( we call those folks "snowbirds" here in Tucson)
*But what makes those communites so cool is the things like the Thursday nite pot luck dinners horse shoe& shuffle board tournaments ( I think so anyway, as after having been press ganged into sitting in on one of their pot luck dinners one evening wHile working in the park, my right hand Mexican main man 'Roy' & me , thought it was pretty cool as they weren't old acting miserable folks,but laughing & happy kinda folks*

I always enjoyed shuffle board, even as a kid.

matter of fact. A lot of people at my parents current campground play bocce. Kinda similar to shuffle board in ways. As far as having to use strategy to knock the other persons balls away and place yours to block their shots.

a lot of fun.