After giving my search a break for the summer, I'm back at it. Not super serious right now, but if I find the right RV, I'll probably buy it. I know that I'm limited in the size of 5W I can pull, so I'm considering a bigger bumper pull. I've also adjusted my budget a little, with the upper range being $35K for a 5w and $25K for a bumper pull. Is this even a reasonable budget for a 1-7 year old RV? I decided to buy used for my first RV in the long, partially because it is my first RV, and partially because I will be upgrading my truck in 3-4 years, so I will want to upgrade to bigger RV. Is this a wise plan? Sorry if I'm all over the place, I'm basically starting my search all over again.

I would not limit the search to seven years. There are some great trailers built between 2001 and 2008.

First off need more information:1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.2. Family size, what type of use, etc?3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing. 4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage? 6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.

The older and more used the RV, the more DIY skills required. I buy new for the warranty as I prefer traveling to repairing these days.Why the $10,000 premium for a fifth wheel? What you are buying is fun and price is secondary. Get what works of you. I buy mostly travel trailers as they provide the most utility for the buck. My point is that $10,000 is not going to matter if you don't enjoy it. There are differences and advantages between the types of trailers and cost is only one of them.

Go Dawgs wrote:First off need more information:1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.2. Family size, what type of use, etc?3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing. 4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage? 6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.1. 2016 Ram 2500 CTD2. Myself, SWMBO, 14, 11, German Shepherd, and Beagle3. I'm guessing somewhere around 13k-14k pounds4. I have a friend that has been RVing for quite a few years that I would take with me. 5. I would need to store it off-site.6. I don't have "serious" DIY skills, but have experience with car/truck engines, suspension, and electric. I have limited experience with "home" type repairs, we were renters until a little over a year ago, and I haven't had to make any repairs on the house yet.

Try again, Ask. 2016 Ram 2500 Trademan CTD is insufficient information about your truck. Guessing? I don't believe you are serious and don't care where you will store it.

5W vs. Bumper Pull | Good Sam Community

corvettekent
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
I would not limit the search to seven years. There are some great trailers built between 2001 and 2008.
Go_Dawgs1
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
First off need more information:
1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.
2. Family size, what type of use, etc?
3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing.
4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.
5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage?
6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.

Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
The older and more used the RV, the more DIY skills required. I buy new for the warranty as I prefer traveling to repairing these days.

Why the $10,000 premium for a fifth wheel? What you are buying is fun and price is secondary. Get what works of you. I buy mostly travel trailers as they provide the most utility for the buck. My point is that $10,000 is not going to matter if you don't enjoy it. There are differences and advantages between the types of trailers and cost is only one of them.
Askibum02
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
Go Dawgs wrote:
First off need more information:
1. What size TV do you have? or do you plan to buy that also? TV dictates the RV you get.
2. Family size, what type of use, etc?
3. Base your buying decision on what the GVWR your TV can handle, loaded with all your stuff and people you will carry. DON'T go buy dry weight. It means nothing.
4. If buying used (a good idea on your first purchase) have someone with experience look at it or have it inspected. I won't let friends buy used unless I look at it or they have someone do that. Lessoned learned for me.
5. Are you storing it on site or do you need to find storage?
6. Do you have any DIY skills? A must in owning an RV.

Good luck on your search and be sure to ask questions.

1. 2016 Ram 2500 CTD

2. Myself, SWMBO, 14, 11, German Shepherd, and Beagle

3. I'm guessing somewhere around 13k-14k pounds

4. I have a friend that has been RVing for quite a few years that I would take with me.

5. I would need to store it off-site.

6. I don't have "serious" DIY skills, but have experience with car/truck engines, suspension, and electric. I have limited experience with "home" type repairs, we were renters until a little over a year ago, and I haven't had to make any repairs on the house yet.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
Try again, Ask. 2016 Ram 2500 Trademan CTD is insufficient information about your truck. Guessing? I don't believe you are serious and don't care where you will store it.
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
Here is a handy chart for you to check through.

ram towing capacity
LadyRVer
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2017
I have a 2500 Ram, CC, LB, 5.7 Hemi... tow almost 10,000 and this is the most I would want to tow with that vehicle. Just me and my cocker spaniel. 31'FW. 2013 Ram with towing package.

With the children, IMO, I would look at a Bunk House or a Toy Hauler for the extra space. Making up a dinette or sofa each night and morning would be a hassle for SWMBO... or even if you do that job, still a chore.

My preference is a FW over a travel trailer, but we each have our own preferences.

Good Luck.

Edited by Barb
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.
ScottG
Nomad
Aug 20, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.

Agrreed.
Either that or the OP is naive to how heavy a TT is and that it is in no way a "bumper pull".

I think TT's tow fine when set up properly (dont buy the cheapest hitch!!!) but as they get much longer and heavier, a fiver pulls nicer without causing the TV to be pushed around the road.
Askibum02
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017
ScottG wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
Since the OP refers to travel trailers by the negative term "Bumper pull" and is willing to spend $10,000 more for a fifth wheel trailer, I think his mind is already made up. Not being critical, just noticing.

Agrreed.
Either that or the OP is naive to how heavy a TT is and that it is in no way a "bumper pull".

I think TT's tow fine when set up properly (dont buy the cheapest hitch!!!) but as they get much longer and heavier, a fiver pulls nicer without causing the TV to be pushed around the road.

I don't have a negative opinion of travel trailers (is that a proper description?) I just know I'm limited by weight, and I'm wondering if I would be better off with a smaller 5W or a larger travel trailer given family size? I don't have a huge selection of local dealers, and when I posed the very same question at the local Camping World, he didn't even want to show me travel trailers, only $45k plus 5W.