Travel Trailer Must Have Options (1st timer here)? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Travel Trailer Must Have Options (1st timer here)?

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

BTW - I will be working while we travel (I have a home based business) but will need internet to view orders. I have a cell phone that allows me to do this so any suggestions on affordable internet options or cell phone boosters is appreciated too. We are doing this but are on a budget. Thanks!

fleamarketeer · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,

I use Virgin Mobile's 1 gigabyte $20 plan through Walmart. I really like it and have no real problems. The coverage area is not as extensive as say, Verizon. They have (had?) two different "dongle thingys" which used two different networks. There's a thread at:

http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php

in the tech/computer "room" that gives more details.

Good Luck

fleamarketeer

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Nice looking coach. Hard to tell from the pictures how much storage space it has, if any, on the underside. For boondocking I would look into a generator with inverter. The site also didn't include any pictures of the battery compartment...is there room to add more batteries? A nice solar system would be handy for keeping the batteries charged up without running the genny. I didn't see the holding tank sizes mentioned other than 40 gallons fresh water and that won't last very long with out serious water rationing when dry camping. The electric jacks/leveling should make setup easy.

Dog Folks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Remember, full time living is DIFFERENT than week end and vacation camping. Many things that you can tolerate on a weekend becomes an issue when live in the unit full time.

In our case, my wife had to have a walk around bed for ease of bed making each morning.

For me, it was an electric jack on the front for ease of hooking up.

Be careful when looking at units, of any item that you think you can"live with."

TxYellowRose · RV-Dreams Family Member

While that certainly is a nice-looking unit, as someone else pointed out, full-timing is NOT the same as weekend camping.

If you are selling your home and possessions (like we did) to hit the road, keep in mind that your rig is your house, your everything!

Is there enough storage inside and in the basement?

You may want a larger fridge. Just from the photos, ours looks larger than the one shown and I know we kinda wish we had a four-door fridge. We get along okay with what we have but if we were to do it all over again . . . yep, I'd get the bigger fridge!

We have a fifth-wheel, which are known as being more stable when towing and easier to manuever. I do the towing - yep, I'm a gal - and have towed cargo trailers, a pop-up, a bumper pull (such as the one you are looking at) and now a fifth-wheel. The 5er is by far the most stable and easiest to turn, etc.

Our 5er has a rear kitchen and an open floor plan. The rear kitchen allows me loads of storage and counter space and the ability to open the oven door and actually stand in front of the oven to look in! As opposed to standing to the side . . . grrrr. biggrin

How is the insulation? Even if you do not plan to be in colder climates, this is still something to consider.

Does it come with an awning? If so, is it manual or electric (as in push a button inside the rig and bingo! your awning deploys or retracts). We have the electric kind and I'd never go back to manual.

How many A/C units are there? Need another one? Do you have Fan-Tastic Fans in the bath(s) and/or living area that help cool the unit? Are the windows darkly tinted to help keep the unit cool during summer heat?

Is the interior woodwork, facades, etc. real wood or plastic or combination?

Remember this will be what you are living in day to day. When looking at rigs, spend some time in it at the dealer. Sit in the chairs, lay on the couch, stand in the tub/shower and see if you can turn around, etc. Visualize all your stuff in the rig, cooking, etc. . . .

We needed big basement doors to accommodate our bicycles and other basement "stuff" - tools, hoses, grill, etc. Is the basement roomy enough for everything you want to put in it?

Is the rig within the weight compatibility of your tow vehicle? Not only the "dry" weight but when the unit is fully loaded?

Just my two cents' worth! Folks full-time in all sorts of rigs and one has to go with one's needs, wants, purpose and budget.

Good luck with whatever you decide and welcome to the crazy/fun/rewarding adventure known as full-timing! biggrin

Cheers,

Betty

PS: Noting the part about your husband's spinal injury, a couple of thoughts -

If you go with a bumper pull such as in the photos, make sure you get an electric tongue jack. I would think it would be standard on a rig like that, but I really don't know.

Having hitched and unhitched both bumper pulls and 5ers, I can tell you that the fifth-wheel is easier.

-- Edited by TxYellowRose on Thursday 19th of May 2011 10:54:30 AM

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's not a trailer option, which I think is what you are looking for feed back here. But one of the first things you need (In my O) is a good set of walkie-talkies to help with the backing into place. With did it without them for a few years---tried once and they helped us tremendously. Wouldn't do without them now---and it works a lot better if the person giving directions has a good feel for how the trailer handles as one is backing, so both go out and get some practice--in a big open lot and using cones. Keep your cool and back slowly, as my better half has to tell me "it's not a race".

Flyone

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is wonderful!! Thank you all so very much! The idea of doing this without know what we are doing is frightening but the ability to ask questions from experienced people and get pointers is such a HUGE help!

We are limited because we don't want to get a new car to do this (we love our car + EVERYTHING is covered for life except normal maintenance like oil changes etc). Our vehicle can tow up to 8700 pounds so we are really limited on what units would work and give us the most storage. The reason we actually liked this one is because it seems to have decent storage with use of the front space and is one of the largest for weight. We were a little worried that this weighing 7385 and our max tow capacity being 8700 was a little tight. We don't want to max it out but have no clue how much weight we will be adding. We are also looking at ones a little lighter to give more room on that.

We have not gone in this yet since most dealers around here do not have it since it's a 2012. We are looking to find a dealer somewhat close so we can go check it out. I am actually torn because I think I like the option of having one huge sofa w/ table instead of the table/sofa and small sofa like this one. We are really trying to envision rainy days stuck inside and what living situation would be best.

The full size frig is a huge thing for us. They told us it is not offered as an option for this unit but they are checking to see if the factory could do one for us. This could be a deal breaker for us. I know it has the outside frig and that is helpful but not for freezer space.

Thank you all again - this is what I was hoping to hear from everyone so we can make the best decision possible. I know we'll wish we had other things too but this suggestions all sound like must have's for us. Any more thoughts you might have please add to the list :)

Thanks!!

Blythe

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

Blythe and Chuck, as you state, you are aware that your car is limited to 8700 lbs. You have to subtract your weight from that, plus anything you added to the car. Maps, magazines, passenger, dog, cat, gasoline, etc. Remember, the hitch is also subtracted, Since you did say car, you will need a hitch installed, which must be subtracted from your theoritical weight capability. Then the weight distributing part of the hitch is subtracted. My experience with a hitch is dated, but when I had one, it weighed over 125 lbs, all considered. Then you are at the supposed towing rating (which will be much below the 8700 lbs).

Now the trailer contents, Propane is about 6.8 lbs per gallon, water is 8.6 lbs per gallon. The water hose, sewer hose, connections, chemicals, etc required for comfortable living. Finally we get to clothing, foods, pots, pans, must haves, etc. By now, you have now weight cushion. YOu are going to have to get a serious look at what you WANT to do versus what you MUST do. You need to look at a towing vehicle that is seriously more capable than the car.

Our 5er is quoted at 10K lbs from the factory. Then 2 air conditioners, hoses, electrical cable (that darn thing weighs over 25 lbs), jacks, propane tanks, etc. After putting our clothes, pots, pans, food, minimal water etc, on a truck scale we weighed in at just over 14K lbs. (and we thought we were frugal in our packing).

Understand, I am not trying to throw cold water on your idea, but just be careful in what you hear at a dealership or what is shown on a brochure. Be reasonable, and above all be wary. A salesman may tell you that your car is capable. Given the suspension of cars, you do not want to be in white knuckle condition while towing. The fun will go out of the experience immediately.

If you are still convinced you will retain the car, consider an upscale hitch. As far as I am awtare there are two, and I have no business interest with either. Hensley manufacturing and Pro-Pride make sway eliminating/prevention hitches that get rave reviews from users. They are spendy, but they will make the towing experience more tolerable. OK, off the soapbox now.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK. Someone had to come along with the cold water. When you mentioned "car," I went to looking and you won't like what I have to say.

First of all, the weight you listed is "dry weight." That is with nothing put into it. On Forest River's website, they list 7125 lbs as dry weight, 10,925 lbs GVWR (that is fully loaded to its rated capacity) and a length of 35'9".

Here is a link to Forest River's website location for the model you are looking at:

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/default22.asp?location=rv&unittype=&page=floorviewertt&model=32VBHS&choice=vcross&nav=rec&name=3821&series=vcrossplat

Initially, I would have said that you would want to make sure you had equalizers on the hitch and an anti-sway bar as well. We used to pull a 26' travel trailer with our previous Ford F250 and I wouldn't pull another that size with anything less. With nearly 36 feet in length on the trailer, that is one HUGE sail for a cross wind.

When you mentioned the car, I was immediately wondering what size it is, but with that length of trailer, I would never recommend a car for pulling something of that size. And, should you put much of anything on the trailer as options, you will increase the weight of the trailer, and possibly to a weight your car could never handle.

Sorry, I wish I could be more positive, but unless you rethink to getting a truck of at least a Ford F250 or 2500 series in GM or Chrysler, I would suggest you look at a lot smaller trailer. Always remember side winds are possible anywhere.

We recently went to a local state park here in Oklahoma on a windy day. I was pulling our 38'5" fifth wheel with a Ford F450. The rear of our coach was a good foot and a half to the right of the truck wheels, if not more.

Terry

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

It really pains me to say this but I have to Agree with Terry on this one.I understand your need to be frugal with your money but do you really want to start off with a setup that will not come anywhere close to being what you need.It takes more stuff than you think to full time.

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

No please please throw cold water! That's why I am asking! I was wrong - we can actually go up to 8900 but still - not much difference. That's why I am here asking questions. I have NO CLUE how much weight room we will need. Honestly, whatever we need to do we need to do. If we need to get a lighter smaller trailer then that's what we will do - no problem. We have been trying to figure out how to wrap our heads around this and just haven't been able to. The one dealer we went to said if we stayed around the low 7000's for weight we would be fine. Do you think that is not safe still? It will be 2 adults and a 2 years old so our total weight is 400 (that's with my son 2 years from now).

I am sorry, I did say car but it is a large SUV - Chrysler Aspen V8 (sized like a cadillac escalade). But please know I want the cold dose of reality now before I buy anything. We won't buy a new car so we would either not do this or find a smaller trailer that would work. What would say should be the max weight to look at? 6K? Is that still too much? I honestly have no idea.

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

BTW - my hubby drove for FedEx for the last 10 years so he is comfortable with the size/winds but we are not understanding how much things would weigh.

Few specifics on our SUV - V8 w/ over 300 HP and it does come set up for towing/hauling

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would say in the LOW 6k range would work for you if you are careful about the extras. No matter how your suv is set up 8,900# is still 8,900#---like Terry said that 8,900# is for everthing in the SUV and in the trailer. You are best off to keep a safety factor as well. Lets say 8,900# minus 6,100# dry weight of trailer 400 for people 200 for extras (Fuel--what ever) and close to 2,000# (may be a little high, but better save than sorry) inside the trailer and you are right there at the limit. A few tips--run dry, always off load all water prior to traveling, including water heater, it is just excess weight that you can't afford to tow around. Keep in mind your weight limit and keep tabs on everything that goes in (or comes out) of the trailer or SUV. And most importantly have fun!!!

Flyone

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you Flyone! This is great info. I have a spreadsheet started to try to tally up what everything would weigh to be sure we are comfortable with it all. It's very exciting but stressful too. We are looking to find a new rig that has the space but is much lighter for us. I do love the idea of off loading water before traveling - that is a ton of weight that will help us out. Plus, maybe we'll get setup at the site then go get food for the weeks we'll be there so that isn't a ton of weight either. We'll want to enjoy the area anyway so we'll just make grocery shopping a stop along the sites.

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, You've had a ton of good advice,none of which I need to repeat, except to say that common sense considerations,are the key.For the past several years, we've done a lot of what you are doing, research. We decided to see if we wanted to full-time,which we are about to do, but first, decided to start with a small TT, to be sure we wanted to "tow" as opposed to getting a motorized RV. We have had several of those,too, over the years. We did lot of research, because many years ago, I had a roll-over accident, due to trailer sway, pulling a 19Ft. TT, with a Ford Explorer. The RV dealer "assured" me I had enough vehicle to do the job. He was wrong, and I'm lucky to be alive. That said, before buying our current DSL truck and 5er, we looked at very lightweight trailers, like the Evergreen Ever-Lite, which seemed to me to be an intelligent answer to the weight/needs/comfort/safety problem. Don't recall, but I think those are lighter than what you are looking at.Once we decided to buy the truck, that was less of an issue, but our try-out rig was a 21ft lightweight TT.When recently buying the 5er, we started all over again, with the same good advice you have been given here, and bought what we considered best for us, with all those things in mind. Another point worth repeating is the hitch. If I were going to pull a trailer of any length over 26 or so, I'd get a Hensley or similar. We pulled a lightweight 21 ft cross country several times with a weight distributing/sway control of standard type, and had some anxious moments, in wind. If we had decided on a long TT instead of the 5er, I'd have definitely paid the $'s for the Hensley or Similar(I think it's called a P-3, or something like that). Whatever you decide, just take care to be safe.

Richard

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just a thought in another direction: What about getting a diesel pusher motorhome and tow your SUV? I was surprised to find out that our Mountaineer can be towed without using a dolly. That opened up the possibility of a DP for us, when the time comes to go FT.

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Richard,
My parents had a similar experiences years ago with an accident from the TT.

We have been pushing and pushing to understand and be absolutely sure we can tow the weight the dealer (SUV dealer) told us. Spoke with 3 people at the SUV dealer, called Chrysler Corporate and they all told us 8900…went to the RV dealer and had a WONDERFUL person there who double checked before we got too far into this and found out we could only tow 5700!! Needless to say we gave a bit of an earful to our Dealer and Corporate. They couldn’t tell us for sure what was right so we have scratched the towing idea because we don’t want to push it and went looking at Class A’s today.

David – that’s what I think we may be doing! We have a 2 year old son and really wanted 2 bedrooms one for us and one for him but we found a Gas – A that had bunks. I don’t think we could afford the DP (although maybe next time if we save up a bit more). I just hate that idea of not having our “home” if it needs work done.

Blythe

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have heard that complaint about "losing" your home while getting work done. I guess it would depend on what was being done and by whom but I can tell you that almost every time we had our rig in for work they take 2 days to finish. The dealer we go to has hookups on-site and we stay in our rig overnight and they come get it in the morning. In almost 4 years we have never been without our rig and had to stay someplace else. I don't think I would put too much weight on that problem when choosing the type of rig.

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have only had to stay in a motel two times in our RVing days and both times we were warned in advance so we could be ready and make arrangements. The first time was for some electrical upgrades that made the RV unusable overnight and the second was when they replaced our sidewalls which took a few weeks. All other repairs and maintenance we stayed in the RV overnight. We have had to spend many days in our tow car while repairs were done, which is not fun.

Blythe N Chuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well that's great to know. I had my heart set on a TT but I am quickly warming to the idea of a class A. The main reason I loved the TT so much was because it had 2 bedrooms and with a 2 year old that was a delightful thing (for full time). Any suggestions on websites I can use to see if the model we are looking at (used) is a good price? Like a Kelly's Blue Book of RV's? We are looking at a 2009 Winnebago Chalet with 60,000 miles. A lot of miles for a 2009 but it is perfect for our lifestyle (bunks).

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

You can use the NADA for finding used RV prices.