Overwhelmed Newbies--Help!
My husband and I are buying our first travel trailer and we are frustrated with all the choices and little direction on what will work best for us as well as our tow vehicle, so I am asking you experi...
Forum Discussion
They have a 1/2 ton truck already. You will want a weight distributing hitch for the truck and a hookup for the electric brakes on the trailer. I would take the max tow rating with the special hitch and subtract 2000 lbs. and use that figure for a trailer, recognizing that the dry weight at 4000 lbs. can easily become 5,000 lbs. with provisions, clothing, fresh water, etc. in the trailer.
A lot also depends on the gears. A 4.10 or lower rear end with a 5-speed auto transmission is going to handle the tow load a great deal better than the same truck with higher gearing and a 4-speed manual transmission. Better rear shocks are also going to help with handling and control.
A smaller trailer like the Burro, Scamp, Casita ones is where I would start. These 13' trailers are easier to tow and easier to find a campsite for than longer and heavier trailers. The advantage of the larger/longer trailers is having larger holding tanks and a shower. I know people with very large 5th wheel trailers who always use the campground showers instead of the ones in their RV - others may go in the opposite direction.
A lot also depends on the gears. A 4.10 or lower rear end with a 5-speed auto transmission is going to handle the tow load a great deal better than the same truck with higher gearing and a 4-speed manual transmission. Better rear shocks are also going to help with handling and control.
A smaller trailer like the Burro, Scamp, Casita ones is where I would start. These 13' trailers are easier to tow and easier to find a campsite for than longer and heavier trailers. The advantage of the larger/longer trailers is having larger holding tanks and a shower. I know people with very large 5th wheel trailers who always use the campground showers instead of the ones in their RV - others may go in the opposite direction.
