Dh and I have been talking about buying an RV or Travel Trailer for the last 5 years and we've now given ourselves a deadline of April 1st 2015 to buy something. The time is now! On that note, I need help! We would like to buy a travel trailer or 5th wheel, possibly a toy hauler, we just need help deciding which would work best for us.We do not have a vehicle to tow it yet! Whatever we do buy as a tow vehicle also needs to be my around town vehicle, Pickup truck is fine. We are hoping for an extended cab/4 door so the dogs can stay up front with us and I can still shuttle our aging parents around in my downtime.What we will be using it for: Mostly weekend trips. Maybe a big trip once a year that would be into the mountains of Colorado, NM, Utah. Dh likes the look of the toy haulers better and thinks at some point, he may want a "toy" so why not buy it now. I'm fine either way as long as there is a decent bed, decent size shower and somewhere for me to sit and knit that is comfy. Also need room for the dogs.I won't say money isn't an option, because it always is, but we are DINKS and a little more flexible than some people. Anyone care to take a stab at recommending what we might be interested in? A good book/website of where to start?

You have to weigh the balance between something that has enough power and torque to tow a trailer comfortable vs fuel economy. Getting both in one vehicle is probably not going to happen. Using your vehicle as a daily driver is not even a consideration in my opinion. You want to get a vehicle that will tow a camper and not have any problems, or scares, or concerns, or "white knuckle" experiences (as they say), or be under powered if you decide to take a trip through the mountains, or you decide to change trailers in a couple years (which is most likely going to happen). Get the vehicle that will tow and do the job. You want to be able to tow safe, sound, and comfortable. As a daily driver, it will serve well. When you jump into the towing world, you can forget about fuel economy. Dismiss that from your thoughts immediately. We opted to have a good sturdy truck for towing (almost anything), and an itty-bitty car to run-around in. Only on rare occasions do we have to use both at the same time.F250 or 2500 series.... you'll be 99% good to go!

Find the trailer first, then a tow vehicle. Too many people do it the other way around and then are limited to trailers within the tow vehicle capacity, which usually tends to be too low for what they really want. Especially if you are considering toy haulers, they are heavy.

Go to a big rv show and go into all of the rv's that you might be interested in, be it fifth wheels, toy haulers, or travel trailers. You will most likely find the type of rv you like the best. Then you can concentrate your search for the floor plan and features you want in that type rv. What is a DINK?

There are some smaller toy haulers that can be pulled by half ton trucks. Honestly though you really need to decide what you want, what toys you might consider etc. Pulling a TT does open up the truck bed for toys, so a TH may not really be needed. Decide on what toys you might want, then decide how they will travel, then decide what is needed to accomplish the task.

It really boils down to what you are willing to put up with when it comes to a tow vehicle.Any truck capable of towing a larger sized 5th wheel or toy hauler 5th wheel will be less comfortable as a daily driver. I have used a 3500 dually crewcab long bed and now have a 4500 dually crewcab long bed and was willing to put up with poor ride quality to have a safer towing experience. For more comfort a 2500/F250 will be a little better and you can still get a fairly large TT, 5th wheel or toyhauler.A suburban or expedition provides a better ride along with the capability to tow a good sized TT or toyhauler.Here's a rule of thumb to keep in mind. Most RV'ers go through 3 RVs before they buy one that really fits their needs. Typically start off small with a Camper, tent trailer or small TT. Move up to a bigger TT or small MH. Then move into the 32ft Plus sized RV. It may be better to start off big.

It's finally time! | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Two_Hands
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
Go to a big rv show and go into all of the rv's that you might be interested in, be it fifth wheels, toy haulers, or travel trailers. You will most likely find the type of rv you like the best. Then you can concentrate your search for the floor plan and features you want in that type rv. What is a DINK?
camp-n-family
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
Find the trailer first, then a tow vehicle. Too many people do it the other way around and then are limited to trailers within the tow vehicle capacity, which usually tends to be too low for what they really want. Especially if you are considering toy haulers, they are heavy.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014
You have to weigh the balance between something that has enough power and torque to tow a trailer comfortable vs fuel economy. Getting both in one vehicle is probably not going to happen.

Using your vehicle as a daily driver is not even a consideration in my opinion. You want to get a vehicle that will tow a camper and not have any problems, or scares, or concerns, or "white knuckle" experiences (as they say), or be under powered if you decide to take a trip through the mountains, or you decide to change trailers in a couple years (which is most likely going to happen). Get the vehicle that will tow and do the job. You want to be able to tow safe, sound, and comfortable. As a daily driver, it will serve well. When you jump into the towing world, you can forget about fuel economy. Dismiss that from your thoughts immediately. We opted to have a good sturdy truck for towing (almost anything), and an itty-bitty car to run-around in. Only on rare occasions do we have to use both at the same time.

F250 or 2500 series.... you'll be 99% good to go!

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It's finally time!

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