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zimm's avatar
zimm
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015

First time potential buyer of a TT- need advice

My first post, but I have lots of questions. We're a family of 4, with boys aged 2 and 4. Tow vehicle is a 2005 F250 (10,000 tow rating). We just sold our boat as she didn't like boating and I want to try out camping, but get away from tents on the ground.

I envision going more towards Virginia parks and dry camping rather than hanging out at the KOA camp ground 20 feet from my neighbors.
We'll have 3 dirt bikes (mine and two little kids 50's), but a toy hauler is probably out of budget. I'm envisioning keeping them in the bed of the truck and getting a bumper puller trailer.

We went to an RV show and have a list of wants and don't-wants. As this would be our first trailer and I'm not sure how much we'd use it, I want to keep it cheap. Around $10k would be ideal, but if I could get a get new one under $15k and finance, that could work too.
I think we want the smallest trailer we could get that has a queen up front, and two bunks in the rear for the kids. A slide out for the couch/dinette would be nice.

Must-haves- solid sides. No soft flop out beds, she's worried the kids will get stolen. So no pop ups or hybrids.
I don't care about fancy amenities like an outdoor kitchen. I plan to cook outside by the fire with my grill. I'd use a cooler for beer, no need for outdoor fridge. I own a Honda EU2000i generator, will that run a trailer if we're dry camping?

I do care about quality though- I want something build solid without spending money on "foo-foo" extras.

So that's where I stand, really looking forward to advice from RV'ers who've been there- done that.

30 Replies

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  • Heavy_Metal_Doc's avatar
    Heavy_Metal_Doc
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2015
    While I am a cheap person and not against buying used, I will also say I have nothing against brand new and would not shy away from it.
    I have a relative who bought recently, for their first TT, a brand new Micro-Lite TT that is almost exactly what the OP described -- and it was right about $10K, not much over.

    I also know there are often better deals on new than used. The MFR's and dealer WANT to get them sold.

    BY the same token, good RV dealers do offer warranties on used stuff. 4 or 5 years back, my siblings and I all threw in together to buy a $3K 10YO pop-up for our assorted young adult kids / nephews / nieces to use to come camping with us. The daeler fixed mechanical items no questions asked, under their used-sale warranty. The downside was - it was 10YO, and plastic body / trim items that where deteriorating where Not covered in the warranty and parts where NLA from the MFR. It got used for just 2 years before it began leaking water in through those cracks again (after a ton of work to attempt to seal it up when they first appeared) and we had to nearly give it away before it turned into a junk pile.
  • Bill___Kate's avatar
    Bill___Kate
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2015
    I go with the advice to buy used. If you want to go a little more cautious, try a used unit from a trustworthy dealer. You will pay a little more, but they often offer a short warranty and usually can offer financing. Find a unit with the layout you seem to like, and if the whole thing turns out wrong, you won't be out too much cash. Your generator will run everything except the air conditioner - if you want to run that, you will need a second 2000 and a hook up kit .....
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    AngryBert-63 wrote:
    bikendan wrote:
    zimm wrote:
    I own a Honda EU2000i generator, will that run a trailer if we're dry camping?


    everything BUT the a/c.

    we are long time dry campers and our Honda 2000 has been one of the best things we ever bought for our trailer.

    but we live on the West Coast and don't camp in the summmer, due to all the crowds. so we don't ever need the a/c, since we camp spring and fall.


    We live just across from you on Whidbey..


    we cam see Whidbey and the Passage from our place. live on the NW side of Camano.
  • Winnebago_Bob's avatar
    Winnebago_Bob
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    bikendan wrote:
    zimm wrote:
    I own a Honda EU2000i generator, will that run a trailer if we're dry camping?


    everything BUT the a/c.

    we are long time dry campers and our Honda 2000 has been one of the best things we ever bought for our trailer.

    but we live on the West Coast and don't camp in the summmer, due to all the crowds. so we don't ever need the a/c, since we camp spring and fall.


    We live just across from you on Whidbey..
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    zimm wrote:
    I own a Honda EU2000i generator, will that run a trailer if we're dry camping?


    everything BUT the a/c.

    we are long time dry campers and our Honda 2000 has been one of the best things we ever bought for our trailer.

    but we live on the West Coast and don't camp in the summmer, due to all the crowds. so we don't ever need the a/c, since we camp spring and fall.
  • eichacsj's avatar
    eichacsj
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    So with the dirt bikes, how will you haul them> Think about if you have to have another vehicle be driven to haul them, that may counter the cost of a toy hauler cost). I personally have them in the bed of my TV (tow vehicle). We use the 2000i for our 30U with no issues. You can't use the MW or AC though. Look at Northwood; Nash or Snow River models. If you find one used that fits your budget don't wait long to decide. They are really tough for off roading.
  • zimm's avatar
    zimm
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    Thanks. I do think renting one this spring will help decide how we'll use it. I'm going to try out tent camping hopefully this weekend and see how that does. At least she'll appreciate a TT after sleeping on rocks and sticks for a night! I'm an experienced backpacker, but I've never tried taking toddlers car camping...
  • Winnebago_Bob's avatar
    Winnebago_Bob
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    donn0128 wrote:
    Shop used. As a first timer there is no logical reason to suck up the massive depreciation you will encounter when buying new not knowing if your going to like the lifestyle or not.


    I would agree with this - also you can rent a TT and see what works and what doesn't.

    If you go used you'll have a lot more options to get what you want.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Apr 14, 2015
    Shop used. As a first timer there is no logical reason to suck up the massive depreciation you will encounter when buying new not knowing if your going to like the lifestyle or not.
  • Winnebago_Bob's avatar
    Winnebago_Bob
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2015
    The Rockwood mini-lite 2306 fits the description, but not sure you can get one new and stay within your budget. Saw a 2014 for $13,500 asking...

    2016 model here.

    Nash 25C is also a really well built unit but it's more expensive.

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