Buying first TT - New or Used?
Hello! We are a family of 5 with three small children (ages 7,6,2) and we are wanting to buy a travel trailer - doing alot of research - and wondering if we should buy new or used. New we are thinking...
Forum Discussion
In my own experience there is a big difference between the towing capacity specified by the manufacturer and the amount that can be safely towed. None of the truck testing includes a tow load so they are all worthless.
My Tahoe could in theory tow more than 7,000 lbs. with its 4.10 gears and large V-8 but in reality even a 3,000 lb. trailer load made it unsafe in any type of emergency maneuver where I had to stop everything quickly.
You may be a safe driver and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead but then some yahoo will pull in front when they remember that they wanted the next exit which you are about to pass and then they will slam on their brakes and you options are very limited. I had it happen three times in one year around where I live and twice it was sheriff deputies on a mission who were not paying attention to me with my trailer in tow.
Acceleration is also important so you can safely merge with traffic and 4.10 gears and a big V-8 help a lot but the heavier the trailer load (and you already will have a large passenger load) the longer it will take.
With a used TT you will save 50% compared to buying a comparable trailer new. The prior owner will have dealt with any problems and malfunctioning equipment. It is also much easier to spot a problem with the undercarriage or some other structural aspect on an older camper than a brand new one where everything will look good from the outside.
Although you are buying the TT for your family I would look for a used trailer that was owned and used by people without children as it will have a lot less wear and tear.
My Tahoe could in theory tow more than 7,000 lbs. with its 4.10 gears and large V-8 but in reality even a 3,000 lb. trailer load made it unsafe in any type of emergency maneuver where I had to stop everything quickly.
You may be a safe driver and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead but then some yahoo will pull in front when they remember that they wanted the next exit which you are about to pass and then they will slam on their brakes and you options are very limited. I had it happen three times in one year around where I live and twice it was sheriff deputies on a mission who were not paying attention to me with my trailer in tow.
Acceleration is also important so you can safely merge with traffic and 4.10 gears and a big V-8 help a lot but the heavier the trailer load (and you already will have a large passenger load) the longer it will take.
With a used TT you will save 50% compared to buying a comparable trailer new. The prior owner will have dealt with any problems and malfunctioning equipment. It is also much easier to spot a problem with the undercarriage or some other structural aspect on an older camper than a brand new one where everything will look good from the outside.
Although you are buying the TT for your family I would look for a used trailer that was owned and used by people without children as it will have a lot less wear and tear.
