My wife and I are empty nesters. We know close to nothing about RV dos and don'ts. We think we would like to give camping a try with a travel trailer. Just this week we stopped by an RV dealer and looked at some models. I would need to upgrade my pickup just to get started. I would want to stay with something that a full size half ton can tow easily. One thing I am sure of is I'm tired of going to the beach and paying for overpriced condos that don't live up to my expectations on cleanliness and upkeep. With all that said, I am open to any and all advice on getting started. If I have left out info that is needed to offer us pointers, let me know and I will fill in the gaps.Thanks!

RENT an RV..Class A or C and go on a couple of extended camping trips BEFORE you buy any RV and then find "this is not for us"As for later on buying a Travel Trailer.....Really need to pay attention to what YOUR truck is capable of towing.Year / Trim level etc .Door sticker that states Cargo Carrying Capacity (payload)....amount of weight that can be added to truck....people/stuff/hitch/tongue weight of trailer (10%-15% of trailer s weight)Do NOT use DRY weights in brochures/publications ----no one tows DRY and that includes the published tongue weightsThen pay attention to MAX Load Ratings of your trucks tires....do not exceed that weightRENT first..

Is the truck equipped to tow? Ie trans cooler? right gears? Tow mirrors /extended mirrors, As for travel trailers look at the lite/ultra lite trailers and think about length. 25ft-30ft not a bad size. Best of luck and welcome to the family where you spend money to live like you're homeless :B some of the things to think about and don't listen to the RV salesman as they are there to sell. and most will tell you that your truck can pull the biggest heaviest trailers without any problems

Come up with a "dream list" of where you want to go and how you would like to get there. Ie,,, use RV parks with all amenities and travel full time, north in summer,south in winter. Or maybe, remote locations with just nature around me. Then you can start to determine how to get there. Happy motorin

Find the right RV first then find the right truck to pull it. Lots of good dealers in Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville areas. Check out the Birmingham RV in the spring at the BJCC.Good luck with your search.

We're not considering full time. Just weekend trips to local campgrounds and if that works out, longer trip to beach, mountains, maybe out west.

We think we're ready to start RVing | Good Sam Community

campinginthewoo
Explorer
Jun 29, 2017
Is the truck equipped to tow? Ie trans cooler? right gears? Tow mirrors /extended mirrors, As for travel trailers look at the lite/ultra lite trailers and think about length. 25ft-30ft not a bad size. Best of luck and welcome to the family where you spend money to live like you're homeless :B some of the things to think about and don't listen to the RV salesman as they are there to sell. and most will tell you that your truck can pull the biggest heaviest trailers without any problems
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 29, 2017
RENT an RV..Class A or C and go on a couple of extended camping trips BEFORE you buy any RV and then find "this is not for us"

As for later on buying a Travel Trailer.....

Really need to pay attention to what YOUR truck is capable of towing.
Year / Trim level etc .
Door sticker that states Cargo Carrying Capacity (payload)....amount of weight that can be added to truck....people/stuff/hitch/tongue weight of trailer (10%-15% of trailer s weight)
Do NOT use DRY weights in brochures/publications ----no one tows DRY and that includes the published tongue weights

Then pay attention to MAX Load Ratings of your trucks tires....do not exceed that weight

RENT first..

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