Hi everyone - So I am a first time owner looking to buy a travel trailer for my wife and I, 5 mo old baby and dog. Looking to stay under 30ft and under 10k. I have familiarity with boats as Ive had and towed several, but know nothing about trailers. I can tow about 9K lbs on my QX56. I will want to be able to camp where there are no hook-ups, so I think I want/need a generator for that? From what Im seeing on craigslist, you can get a early/mid 2000s, mid 20ft with slideout (not a requirement for me) for well under 10K. Anyone have any suggestions, questions comments? Brands to avoid? Etc? By the way I am in SoCal as a seminary student and most of the time I will only drive 4-6 max from here and only camp for a few days. Maybe that helps with recommendations? Thanks in advance guys (and gals).

Also, anyone have or know of something for sale that is a deal?

Welcome to the Forum...it's a good place for experienced advice and opinions...QX56...is that an Infinity SUV? If so I'd be skeptical about that towing claim of 9000 lbs. Problem is that when you get into that range you are getting into a tongue weight of over 1000 lbs.Check the PAYLOAD number for your SUV, not the towing number. Subtract the weight of all your gear, people, dogs, etc and see what is REALLY possible.Also...never use the 'dry' weight number for any trailer. Almost always that number will jump 600 to 1000+ lbs more when you are loaded and ready to camp.Good luck with your search and new adventure.

I don't have much experience with trailers, but I found myself in your same position two years ago. My wife and I settled on a 1996 24-foot Aljo that has an excellent floor plan for the kiddo. We looked at five or six trailers at various dealerships and settled on a list of must-haves; open floor plan being the highest priority for me. The trailer we bought was in B+ condition, but everything was well within my capabilities to restore. The fridge needed a new ignition module, the water heater needed a tune up (orifice cleaning, spider web clearing) and the sink p-trap was loose and leaking on the kitchen floor. We paid $4400 for the trailer and I just finished investing $1600 in a new roof, so my best advice would be to hop on the roof of any trailer you're interested in buying and give it a good going-over looking for deteriorating sealant, soft spots in the substrate and any obvious repairs. A leaky roof can the be the kiss of death for trailers.Happy hunting!

Thanks downtheroad. Yes, the QX56 is basically just a Nissan Titan/Aramda with a bit more luxury. The payload is about 15-16K can't remember, tongue weight is about 870-890, again can't remember exactly. Id like to stay in the 5-7K range, and yes, will be adding 600-1K lbs of "stuff". Thanks again for the reply. Im in the process of sifting through various threads on here now...

Thanks imadarling. Your post helped - honestly we are going to spend as much time as possible outside of the TT, but now that you mention it, an open floor plan is probably going to be important. I will keep that in mind. Thanks also for the info about the roof. I read on another thread on here to try to get the aluminum ( i think roof) rather than the other materials.

1st timer need advice on buying used | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

imadarling
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
I don't have much experience with trailers, but I found myself in your same position two years ago. My wife and I settled on a 1996 24-foot Aljo that has an excellent floor plan for the kiddo. We looked at five or six trailers at various dealerships and settled on a list of must-haves; open floor plan being the highest priority for me. The trailer we bought was in B+ condition, but everything was well within my capabilities to restore. The fridge needed a new ignition module, the water heater needed a tune up (orifice cleaning, spider web clearing) and the sink p-trap was loose and leaking on the kitchen floor. We paid $4400 for the trailer and I just finished investing $1600 in a new roof, so my best advice would be to hop on the roof of any trailer you're interested in buying and give it a good going-over looking for deteriorating sealant, soft spots in the substrate and any obvious repairs. A leaky roof can the be the kiss of death for trailers.

Happy hunting!
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Welcome to the Forum...it's a good place for experienced advice and opinions...

QX56...is that an Infinity SUV? If so I'd be skeptical about that towing claim of 9000 lbs. Problem is that when you get into that range you are getting into a tongue weight of over 1000 lbs.

Check the PAYLOAD number for your SUV, not the towing number. Subtract the weight of all your gear, people, dogs, etc and see what is REALLY possible.

Also...never use the 'dry' weight number for any trailer. Almost always that number will jump 600 to 1000+ lbs more when you are loaded and ready to camp.

Good luck with your search and new adventure.
chrisleduc1
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Also, anyone have or know of something for sale that is a deal?

Forum Discussion

1st timer need advice on buying used

13 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Buying Advice

Buying advice

Thinking of buying a Class A and seeking advice

Old Timer RVing

Advice for 1st timers - we are looking to buy