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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Buying An RV -> help in choose a travel trailer?
Post Info TOPIC: help in choose a travel trailer?
travelingkathy


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help in choose a travel trailer?
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I'm looking to purchase a small travel trailer, approx. 18 to 22'.  I will be living in this full time on a budget.  I want to get the best mileage I can out of a tow vehicle so I am considering a 1/2 ton pickup or a van.  I will need to work camp or boondock most of the year so I feel that a trailer is the best option for me. a) maintenance on only one vehicle, b) having a vehicle available for exploring the areas where I work. 

I have two basic questions.

1).  What brands should I be considering that will be good for 4 seasons.  I will want to be in KY for Nov and Dec and don't want to deal with frozen tanks.

2).  Now this will make some of you laugh.  I cannot parallel park a car.  I have difficulty backing up in parking lots if I have trucks parked around me because I cannot see traffic.    I have driven a pickup truck a few times and I have owned a mini van which I loved driving but I have never pulled anything.  I actually had a easier time backing up the mini van because I sat up high and good get a better view of traffic.  Am I crazy thinking that I can learn to drive a pickup pulling a trailer?



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SnowGypsy


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First, living in a trailer in winter weather is challenging and KY will sometimes be cold enough that you need to google "RVing in cold weather". Even with heated tanks and some sort of winter package, there are things you will need to learn about. Second, we have looked a lot at smaller TTs, are you looking for new or used and what is your budget range for buying the trailer? I think you'll be able to learn to drive a pickup pulling a trailer. You are cautious and that is a good start. You'll need to practice and make sure you have the right equipment which makes ALL the difference in the world. You can look at Artic Fox, Nash, the smaller of the Bigfoot fiberglass trailer to start with and there are many less expensive that offer a winter package. It is possible to RV in cold weather with lesser units as we have done it more than once, in KS and NC (one of their worst winters).

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Cathy, Alfred, Andrew & Rinnie/Yellow Dog/Sparky

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travelingkathy


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Truck & trailer combined will need to be in the 30 to 40k less range. I've been reading about the Nash but there aren't really many small trailers to look at in my area. Have not yet found a dealer of 4 season trailers within an easy drive. And the used ones I've found on the internet are usually a good 1000 mile drive.

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GENECOP


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Yes you can....look into an Oliver.....welcome to the Forum...

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GOING FOR IT
SnowGypsy


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Well, if not on the west coast, Nash can be difficult to find. I think your budgeted amount will be fine. Here is a blog for a lady that is full-timing with a standard size van and a Casita fiberglass trailer: rvsueandcrew.net/ and a young lady that full-times in a Casita also: www.interstellarorchard.com/ and both are really good blogs. This might give you an idea if you could see yourself in the smaller fiberglass trailers or the small 5th wheel. A great forum for fiberglass TTs: www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/ The fiberglass TTs are sturdy and tend to last a long, long time. In the smaller TTs, many aren't very good and they don't last under heavy usage but if you absolutely wanted something new, they are cheapish. You might look at Hi-Lo, they went out of business but you can get used and they are "telescoping" in that the top closes down over the bottom to be towed low-profile and they are a quality product. They have an active forum with lots of info available. Do you check Craiglist, rvtrader, rvt, etc. for your area? Do not buy long distance unless you are traveling there as there are scammers out there waiting for your money. Not a lot of people here get smaller trailers but you could try rv.net forum, the TT section, then "small TTs" and they have a discussion about different trailers.  Lance is another 4 season TT that comes in a smaller size, they can be pricey but year-end clearance time is here!



-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 7th of August 2014 04:02:31 PM

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Cathy, Alfred, Andrew & Rinnie/Yellow Dog/Sparky

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travelingkathy


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thanks



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