Advice for semi-newbie on used TTs

Our 21ft Forest River (2004, hard to believe it is that old now!) has bunks in the back - one person up top, two people below. The U-shaped dinette in front drops down to make a queen size bed, and it sits 6 people when set up.

We've never found it an issue to drop down and put up the dinette, and being able to sit that many people has come in handy more than a few times during rainstorms. I am over 6ft tall and barely fit on the lower bunk... the queen size (well, basically queen size) bed is wonderful for me.

Search every inch of a used TT for water leaks. Especially if you are looking at 10 years old or more. Also check condition of rubber roof and how well the caulking on the roof is applied.

You'll want something closer to 5k dry, maybe 6k. What year is your Expedition? They will be payload or receiver limited with a travel trailer. Towing an 8500 pound RV with a family of 5 will put an Expy well over some of its other ratings.

Pick your length based on what campsites you want to fit in. Some people travel in 45' motorhomes full time across the country. There are plenty of sites for them, just maybe not where you want. Length is not necessarily relative to weight. There are 25' TTS that will weigh 5000 pounds loaded and 10k loaded.

RVs all use the same 2-3 brands of parts, appliances, water heaters, slides. I personally would not care if the brand is not longer made. For shopping used, the condition and how it was maintained is far more important than brand. Water intrusion is the single most costly issue. So look under/behind everything for evidence of leaks.

One benefit of buying used is the cost is low if you decide you don't like RVing, or the exact model/floorplan you like. Keeping it for one season will depreciate maybe $1000.

There are only so many ways to fit 3 beds, a kitchen, living, and bathroom into 200 square feet of living space. Find the one that works for you best. Role play as you shop. Do your knees hit the wall/door when you sit on the toilet? Can someone walk by when cooking? Can you kneel to bath your toddlers? Do your feet and head simultaneously touch walls lying on the bed? Is there space for a weeks worth of clothes, food, cookware, dishes? I recommend browsing an RV show where many types of floorplans are without too much hassle fro ma salesman. Once you find a floorplan, we can help you find a used model with that variation.

If your planning on buying used, take a look at your local CraigsList ads. Dealers in my area also carry used TT's. Quality varies, but Lance is a good brand with bunkhouse models, although usually, they don't have ducted A/C. Check prices on NADA - just Google it.

Things to think about used TTs include how long has it been sitting? Does it need new tires? Don't think so? How old are they? Do the wheel bearings need service? Do all the outside lights work including brake and turn signals? Deploy the awning - is is full of mildew or nice and clean? Does it/did it have a roof leak? Does all the appliances work - water heater, A/C, furnace - don't take a sellers word for it. If it has slides, do they work? Get up on top and inspect the roof and the caulking - the caulk may need to be redone. The roof should be in good shape - ask if it will support the weight of an adult. Check inside for mold/mildew and pet/cigarette oder. Look inside drawers and cabinets. Can your husband do these types of repairs, or do you have a dealer close by for service? Try not to get something more than a few years old.

As far as towing is concerned, what the TV can tow is not as important as how much available payload it has. Since you have a big family, you will be taking a lot of stuff - and payload is always used up before you reach towing capacity. A consideration in making a TV choice is that this may not be your last TT. You may want to go bigger in the future. People have often advised on here to look at used 3/4 ton vans for big families pulling TTs. Hopefully, with a large family, your not even considering a 1500 series TV.

We've got 2 little ones and ourselves in a 20' trailer. Snug at best during meal times indoors, but we love the layout. Layout is everything, find what you like and shop from there. Consider the recession if your thinking of buying a trailer 2007 or older, is the manufacturer still in business? Can you get parts etc?

Oops, I forgot to add, we'd prefer hard-side this time - we've been in tents and pop-ups before and are thinking TT this time. :)

Westend, I understand about the weight, and I definitely don't want to pull 8500 lbs. I just posted what we currently have and what it's rated at (I think that's what it's rated at) because that's usually the first thing people ask when newbies ask for advice about what to get. Since we're going to trade in our high-mileage Expedition soon, it's really not an issue. We can get whatever we need to tow whatever we want... if that makes sense? It's late and I need more coffee. ;)

Spike, thank you so much for your comments. It's nice I'm not the only one who feels that way. My husband is more of a bigger is better kind of guy, so we'll have to meet somewhere in the middle if I don't win on this one. ;)

I'd suggest you buy a used pop-up, take it camping and see if it's all a good deal. The pop-up will easily tow and give you some ideas about what would be better or must-haves in a camping rig. The entry price should be lower and 1.It will get you camping 2. Will be less of a trade in/sale burden should you decide to upgrade, sell, or decide something else is in the cards.

If hard sides are necessary, I would suggest to go small.

BTW, look over in the towing section of the Forum or search "weights" and do some reading on towability. I'm thinking you and hubby would be pretty miserable pulling 8500 lbs. with that vehicle.

Physical size of trailer (for family of 5) depends on each unique family. If wondering, I had a 19ft TT (no slides) for family of 5 + our dog. This size worked for us. re: Easy to tow, easy to wax and with no slide, no critter entry as well. For my family, we use a TT as a "box". And being a box, we use it to sleep in and that's it. 90% of the time, we're exploring the lakes/towns or doing things in the park. We even eat outside. And if its raining, we connect and drive home. Rarely do we spend non-sleep time in "a box".

For other folks, they spend majority of their non-sleep time inside their TT. Thus, even a 29ft with 2 x slides isn't large enough (for them).

Hope this helps in your "sizing ??" question...