Opinions and Advice

What year is your Chevy ? The ones from the early 2000's had transmission problems.

I had a GMC Savanah Van with the 5.3 motor.We have a 26ft travel trailer that weighs about 5900 lbs. We went to Yellowstone last May and had no problems pulling it with that motor.You need to learn what your truck is rated to tow, get the correct weight distributing hitch set up with a brake controller. I would suggest doing some short shake down trips to learn the ropes and see if there are any problems before you embark on a long trip.There are many videos that show you how everything works and even how to do repairs. Like others have said, most campgrounds in the warmer parts of Florida get booked real early. If you would just want to stay in South Carolina or Georgia ,you'll have more luck, although the weather will go from 80's to 30's at times.

A con might be that the RV parks get crowded and expensive in the winter; and with more Baby Boomers retiring with money every year they will get more crowded and more expensive. I'm thinking about going further south for the winter: Latin America and I'll put the RV in storage.

Dan Vitale wrote:
We are thinking about purchasing a travel trailer to stay south in the winter for 3-4 months. I am 70 years old, drive a chevy 1500 5.3 V8 with trailer pkg. Any of you folks spend the winters camping down south? (we're from upstate NY) Looking for pros and cons.
Thanks,
Dan

Come on down! :C

You like thousands of others do the winter trip to Florida each and every year. IMHO there are no cons to Snowbirding. :W

Check out the Snowbird forum here on RV net for more information on Snowbirding to Florida.

*Click on the drop down menu called 'jump to forum' on the upper right hand corner of this page, then scroll down to Locations and then click Snowbird.

http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/37

The good lord willing sand the creeks don't rise, I know somebody who will be 75 and down there with you next winter. :W

We spend 3-4 months in the south, mostly in Florida, each winter, leaving from upstate NY where our kids live in early January. We're just now drifting north to spend Easter with the kids before heading out again after some deep cleaning and minor repairs to the coach. You might want to spend some time over in the "Snowbirds" section of the forum to see what other folks that are doing. That might answer some of your questions.

Oh, and I'm 74, my wife is 72...

I'm like you. 69 with a Silverado.

IMO keep the advertised "dry" wt under 5000, think 2 axle.
AS for the TV you'll need to upgrade tires to 'E' and upgrade shocks.
A backup camera (lic. Plate mounted) will save the back end of the TV.

Hints:
TV = tow vehicle
Make a check list of everything you take. Then check off everything you use camping add things you fotgot. Add or remove those things when you get home!

Enjoy your trip!

We have but only 2 months. There are a lot of folks who do spend the winter.
For us there are more pros then cons. The biggest con for us is leaving the house vacant. We do set the house up to try and eliminate issues.
1. Turn water off.
2. Set heat on a program. I can control from my phone.
3. Security cameras to watch house.
4. Forward mail
5. Depend on family members if someone needs to go to house.