Forum Discussion

fightingchef's avatar
fightingchef
Explorer
Feb 24, 2020

First Timers

My wife and I are looking to buy our first travel trailer. After much research, attending shows, walking lots and speaking with just about anyone with a modicum of experience, we've decided on the Prowler 240RB.

I just wanted to see if there are any others out there with this model. What do you like about it/dislike about it? How was the buying experience? Any advice or general tips?

Thanks,

FC

18 Replies

  • I always recommend poeple buy a used trailer for their first. You wont keep it long before you figure out exactly what you really want and you'll take it in the shorts when you sell that new traielr.
  • It's an entry level trailer. Corners are cut to keep cost down.
    Look at it, and other similar models for materials, and how well it has been assembled. Cabinetry is a major telltale, particle board with a paper veneer that looks like wood, is the cheapest material, and will start to show wear and age the fastest. Plywood is better, and hardwood frames are better still.
    How is it assembled? Staples are the cheapest, screwed and glued is better.
    Appliances are similar across all the brands, don't expect major differences until you advance to high end units.
    Empty weight vs gvwr is another hint. Some trailers will have empty and loaded weights within 700 lbs of each other, this saves on axles, tires, and frame cost. But, if you consider that the empty weight is without batteries (50lbs each) propane tanks (20-30 lbs each + the weight of the propane) and with no water in any of the tanks (8 lbs per gallon) You can end up with no actual cargo capacity available.

    Take your time, if you have found a floorplan you like, check across that manufacturer and others for other product lines with the same one, then compare with an eye toward how it's assembled, and make your pick then.
  • Welcome to RVing.

    We raised our children with an RV and retired with an RV, 4 in total.

    Never pay mind to UVW but rather the GVWR of trailer.
    Pay particular attention to your tow vehicles payload to accommodate tounge weight.
    Be safe and wise, use a WDH.
  • Many recommend that when buying your first TT to look at nice used units.

    You won't take as much of a loss on depreciation if you don't like camping, don't like the TT, or when you trade for a bigger unit or better floor plan.

    What will you be using for a tow vehicle? That is an important factor.
  • Sorry, fightingchef, from your other post, you need to get either a bigger truck or a smaller trailer.
  • fightingchef wrote:
    My wife and I are looking to buy our first travel trailer. After much research, attending shows, walking lots and speaking with just about anyone with a modicum of experience, we've decided on the Prowler 240RB.

    I just wanted to see if there are any others out there with this model. What do you like about it/dislike about it? How was the buying experience? Any advice or general tips?

    Thanks,

    FC


    It will all depend on 'what' you will be towing it with.
  • If you plan to dry camp much, 41 gallons of water won't be enough for two people. The waste tank capacity is good however. Having a dining booth and a sofa is nice. Loaded and wet the trailer will be very near 1,000 pounds of tongue weight. Do you have sufficient payload in your tow vehicle and extra water?