First TT - Looking for Opinions on Model

Thanks for the advice on 3/4 ton vs. 1/2 ton tow vehicle - I think the bigger truck is definitely the way to go.

Any other TT's that offer a similar floor plan that we should consider?

We originally started out looking at pop-ups, quickly went through hybrids, and arrived at a hard sided TT. I really like the option to be able to pull off at a rest stop/walmart for the night on a long trip. We spent a good bit of time hanging out in the 292 model at a dealership, and of everything we looked at, this one felt the least cramped inside. I can easily see the family surviving a rainy day or two in there, with only minor carnage. I'm more inclined to start out with something around 25' in length for a first trailer, but I've been keeping in mind the idea of buying our last trailer first. Until our kids are off on their own, I think this one should work very well.

Its been said to buy your last trailer first...... saves you the trading in and buying another one when you find out your first choice was not adequate. Seeing you can afford a new TV along with the trailer I like the 230bhs model bhs myself, but you're the one going to use it so....... good luck on your search and I am sure you and the family will have a lot of good times in whatever you get.

Half ton family RVing with a half ton is usually payload limited. Some half tons with 10k+ tow rating have under 800 pounds of payload and some have over 3000. A 6000 pound dry TT will be over 7000 pounds loaded with a family's gear for a long weekend. Tongue weight will be 900 pounds. Add some camping gear in the truck bed, and the family in the cab. So as you shop trucks, take a look at the as equipped payload located on the driver's door or door jam of your potential purchase. Make sure it has enough for your needs. Note what is listed where mine says 2051. Everything else will take care of itself. Each brand with the common V8 and Ford's Ecoboost with respective HD towing packages are all very capable for pulling TTs.

Agree on the 1/2 vs 3/4 ton. We have a 28' (6000#ish) bunkhouse and both a 1/2 and 3/4 ton truck. For short flat trips, I'll consider using the 1/2 ton since it is a crew cab, but for anything over an hour or two away or hilly, the 3/4 ton is much preferred, feels much more stable. Towed with a 3/4 ton across country (NC to Wy) and only really had wind issues driving across Kansas.

The layout of the trailer looks as though it would work very well. The length may limit your choice of campgrounds and/or sites but that depends on where you are looking to camp I.e. state/county or private. Although the TT weight may be only 7,500 lbs. loaded, you have to consider the weight of bikes, firewood or other stuff you are going to haul in the truck bed. So, a 3/4 ton truck would be a better option and get a good weight distributing hitch with way controls. Depending on the truck you buy, you may need some towing mirrors.

Good luck with your search and once you are outfitted....ENJOY!

Everyone has their own preferences, but for me, the #1 factor (once I broke down and agreed to a slide-out), was to make sure the trailer was 100% functional with the slides in. Before signing on the dotted line, I spent considerable time inside the last camper we purchased with all slides out and all slides in. I then envisioned being inside the camper with the slides 'in' under the worst conditions.

And this actually happened this summer when tornadoes were forecasted and I pulled in all the slides to make the foot print smaller, and we were still able to function inside the camper until the storm blew over.

Sometimes, you just cannot extend the slides. With 2 boys (and possible friends too), how cramped and unusable is your selected floor plan in the event you're in a similar situation some day? Can the kids access the bunks with the slides in? Can you access the bathroom? Can you access all the kitchen cabinets, stove and refrigerator? Although this is not necessarily a big issue, still .... the one time it happens, you'll be pulling your hair out!

Even with the slides out ... how functional is the camper? Sit at the table and the couch for 30 minutes and watch television? Is your neck cramped up now?

And for us men (especially me) ... when sitting on the "Porcelain Royal Throne", can you spread your knees? (Oh after experiencing this on our first 2 trailers, my last one... spreaded knee room on the "throne" was #2 on my list of "MUSTS!"

Its raining outside, everyone is inside. The kids are antsy as can be. They start poking at each other. Tempers flair, and you and your wife are trying to get lunch ready. um ... actually ... no camper is big enough ... but still ... is it functional? Better bring along a Game Boy!

On that particular TT, the two things I noticed are that the grey water tank is a bit small at 33 gallons, especially for 4 people. Not a deal killer but something to consider; you could just buy a portable tote tank though.

The other thing is that looks like you can't access the bathroom or fridge with the slide in. A lot of people like to use their own restroom and get to their food when stopping en route to their destination. This may not be a big deal for you but it is for some. Otherwise looks like a pretty good floor plan for your needs.

As for the tow vehicle, disregard the "10K" tow rating and look at payload capacity. Plus, with 4 people, I bet you'll load the truck and TT down with gear, which eats into your payload capacity.

Also, once the TT gets over 30' long, I would get a 3/4 ton truck. The TT you're considering is 34' long, which will be affected by cross winds a lot more with a 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton. The 3/4 ton truck will be a lot stiffer, weigh more, and probably longer, all of which help with stability. For example, I had a 2012 F150 and now have a 2013 F250. The F250 weighs 2000 pounds more than my F150, per a CAT scale. That's literally a ton more weight to keep the TT in line.

If you were only going to take short trips, a 1/2 ton might be okay but any long trips and you'll be VERY happy to have a 3/4 ton. Look around the campgrounds for people towing 30+ foot travel trailers and you'll 3/4+ ton trucks. There's a reason for that.

Without knowing exactly what the tow vehicle will be, will make any inputs here almost redundant.

Do NOT get fooled by the towing capacity advertisements of the truck manufactures....it is just a selling gimmick. Concentrate on the tow vehicle's payload capacity, RAWR, and its GVWR. Those are the important figures that will determine how much trailer you can tow. You will max out one, if not all, of these ratings looooong before you max the advertised tow capacity.

In my opinion, the truck's payload is the most important figure. That is the amount of weight you can put in and/or on the truck including the trailer's tongue weight and hitch system. You can pretty much figure around 12% to 15% of the trailer's GVWR for the tongue weight. Subtract that from the truck's payload rating and see what is left for you, passengers, equipment, tools, and everything else you plan on taking with you.

Good luck in your quest and please do keep us informed of your decisions. Lots of very experienced people here to help you out along the way.

Ron