Camper travel trailer noob questions
About to pull the trigger on a 2016 Dutchman Aerolite 292 DBHS. http://www.dutchmen.com/aerolite/floorplans-and-pictures/floorplan-details?modelId=22695 I'm hoping I got a good deal at 31950 out ...
Forum Discussion
You'll be over on most if not all of your truck's capacities when the trailer is loaded with food, gear, water, propane, paper plates, etc..
To squeak under a TV's payload/cargo capacity, many people will say they won't add water(8.3#/gal) until they arrive at the campground. But having water on hand for the many lunch stops or bathroom breaks is kinda nice. On the bigger trips, I don't want to empty my fresh water tank before pulling out to go to the next destination. And, not every campground will have a dump station. So carrying a filled black and grey tank until you reach a campground with one happens fairly often when staying at some great rustic campgrounds in between full service ones.
I consider the towing comfort aspect of the truck to be important on a cross country trip, especially when driving 6 to 10hrs a day.
Having said all that, the safety aspect is most important. The truck should have extra capacities to handle those situations that crop up all too frequently. Enough power to handle merging and passing safely. More than enough braking to stop the rig without trailer brakes especially down 10% grades.(Some will argue this point but my experience brings this up) Enough weight to not get blown around by wind or big trucks.
The trailer you are considering is great for a family. But a 3/4 ton truck would be a good fit for it.
To squeak under a TV's payload/cargo capacity, many people will say they won't add water(8.3#/gal) until they arrive at the campground. But having water on hand for the many lunch stops or bathroom breaks is kinda nice. On the bigger trips, I don't want to empty my fresh water tank before pulling out to go to the next destination. And, not every campground will have a dump station. So carrying a filled black and grey tank until you reach a campground with one happens fairly often when staying at some great rustic campgrounds in between full service ones.
I consider the towing comfort aspect of the truck to be important on a cross country trip, especially when driving 6 to 10hrs a day.
Having said all that, the safety aspect is most important. The truck should have extra capacities to handle those situations that crop up all too frequently. Enough power to handle merging and passing safely. More than enough braking to stop the rig without trailer brakes especially down 10% grades.(Some will argue this point but my experience brings this up) Enough weight to not get blown around by wind or big trucks.
The trailer you are considering is great for a family. But a 3/4 ton truck would be a good fit for it.
