We're going to the PA RV show and need a bit of advice.
My wife and I are new to RVing, but not new to camping. I used to be an avid backpacker, my wife grew up camping with a pop-up and we've done a bit of tent camping together. Our goal is to buy a tow-able RV (not decided between a 5th wheel or TT) and tour the USA and Canada. So this week we are headed off our first RV show in PA! We are going with a couple objectives in mind. First and foremost, we hope to learn a lot about RVing and towing. We thought that the show would be a good place see a lot of different RVs. Second, decide upon a trailer we like. Third, (probably toughest objective), we are hoping to find a layout and trailer with a layout that we like AND that my current truck (2006 4X4 Toyota Tundra Access Cab, 4.7L with the towing package) can SAFELY tow. If this proves impossible (which it may be) we are going to pick the "best" trailer and upgrade my truck to at least a 3/4 ton truck. As you all know this is a very expensive option.
I've already made a couple posts on my truck dilemma and I know what it can't do but I haven't quite figured out what it can do. According to my manual it's "payload" is 12,000 lbs (truck, trailer and cargo) with a max 700 lb tongue wt. The truck weighs 5000 lbs, so that leaves 7000 lbs for the trailer and cargo. I believe that my truck's most limiting factor is the low tongue wt. What confuses me is most trailer specs give the UVW or dry wt and hitch weight (when empty). Then they give the cargo wt and/or the GVWR, but don't give the ultimate tongue weight. I'm sure that's because it varies with how the trailer is loaded. For instance today I saw spec on Apex Ultra-lite 213RDS trailer that looks like it might be tow-able withe my Tundra. The specs are follows: Hitch Weight: 467 lb, UVW : 3806 lb, GVWR: 6000 lb, CCC: 2194 lb, Length: 25' 0". On the surface, this looks okay, but I don't know how loading the trailer will effect the tongue wt. The trailer cargo storage is right up front, so I would expect its load to greatly effect the tongue wt and there doesn't seem like there are a lot other areas, so there may not be a lot of ways to redistribute the load. In your expert opinions, would my Tundra handle this TT? Lastly, we'd use a weight distribution hitch with anti-sway.
Its NOT that I'm planning to buy this trailer (I've never even saw it) I'm only asking so I don't get into a debate with a salesmen or anyone else for that matter as we walk around the show. Lastly, my Tundra is in like new condition, has been garaged for its entire life and almost all of its mileage is from long trips to Maine. It will delay us about a year to gather the funds to replace my truck.
I've already made a couple posts on my truck dilemma and I know what it can't do but I haven't quite figured out what it can do. According to my manual it's "payload" is 12,000 lbs (truck, trailer and cargo) with a max 700 lb tongue wt. The truck weighs 5000 lbs, so that leaves 7000 lbs for the trailer and cargo. I believe that my truck's most limiting factor is the low tongue wt. What confuses me is most trailer specs give the UVW or dry wt and hitch weight (when empty). Then they give the cargo wt and/or the GVWR, but don't give the ultimate tongue weight. I'm sure that's because it varies with how the trailer is loaded. For instance today I saw spec on Apex Ultra-lite 213RDS trailer that looks like it might be tow-able withe my Tundra. The specs are follows: Hitch Weight: 467 lb, UVW : 3806 lb, GVWR: 6000 lb, CCC: 2194 lb, Length: 25' 0". On the surface, this looks okay, but I don't know how loading the trailer will effect the tongue wt. The trailer cargo storage is right up front, so I would expect its load to greatly effect the tongue wt and there doesn't seem like there are a lot other areas, so there may not be a lot of ways to redistribute the load. In your expert opinions, would my Tundra handle this TT? Lastly, we'd use a weight distribution hitch with anti-sway.
Its NOT that I'm planning to buy this trailer (I've never even saw it) I'm only asking so I don't get into a debate with a salesmen or anyone else for that matter as we walk around the show. Lastly, my Tundra is in like new condition, has been garaged for its entire life and almost all of its mileage is from long trips to Maine. It will delay us about a year to gather the funds to replace my truck.
