Can I dream?
First off I want to say thank you to this forum. I have been lurking around here since we decided to start looking at travel trailers and so many posts have answered my questions and raised questions I didn’t even know I should be asking. So in what I believe to be morphing into a fool’s gold quest to find that perfect trailer, we will be heading to the Tampa RV show later this month and I thought I should ask a few questions of my own before realistic ideas turn into outlandish fantasy. Quick background: We are a family of four with 2 boys (9 and 4) who tent camp around 10-12 times a year here in South Florida. We have slowly evolved from primitive backpacking to “car camping” complete with the cabin style tent and it is time for the next step – the travel trailer! Ideally we want to skip the pop up/hybrid style as it honestly doesn’t’ seem to offer more than our giant cabin tent (with the wonderful exception of more canvas and tires to worry about), but at this point we are still open to a hybrid.
We currently have a Kia Sorento and, considering the towing constraints, started our search with the R-Pods. Online, we fell in love with them and headed to a local dealer to check out a used one. It didn’t blow us away…. but it wasn’t bad, just not in love with the wet/bath….at all.
So we have decided to look into trading our 2013 Sorento for a 2013-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (general specs: TC 7200lbs, GVWR 6500lbs, curb weight around 4850, payload 1650, wheelbase 114.8”).
And here are where my questions come in, so if you are still with me, thank you. I have come to the conclusion that there are a few basic layouts, hundreds of brands who make these layouts, and then only a few larger companies who own these brands. So task one seems to be figure out the basic layout/length we want and go from there. We are honestly pretty open and while looking at the RPod, the wet/bath and thought of having to convert the dinette every night was not highly appealing, it still isn’t necessarily a deal killer either. But if we were to DREAM, the general floor plan we love has a u-dinette slide, a murphy bed and bunks in the back. Exampling being the Rockwood mini light 2504S, the Salem 230BHXL or the Jayco White Hawk 23 MBH etc.
Rockwood mini light 2504S: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=204&Image=5058&ModelID=914#Main
Salem 230BHXL: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=170&Image=5063&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2239#Main
But am I already dreaming too big? It appears the weights with us and gear would work with the Jeep IF I am even doing these calculations correctly, but is 23-25 feet too long of a trailer here?
The next option would be to forgo a designated kid sleeping area and look at models that have a U-dinette slide and murphy bed and just have the kids sleep together on the dinette every night.
Example being the Rockwood 2104S: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=204&Image=5058&ModelID=907#Main
IF this is more where we should be, is there anyone who has some experienced advice with kids? Would getting a hybrid be better than having kids sleep on the table every night? I just want some good, realistic ideas and advice before heading to the show and dreams don’t turn in to nightmares! I really appreciate any and all advice here!
We currently have a Kia Sorento and, considering the towing constraints, started our search with the R-Pods. Online, we fell in love with them and headed to a local dealer to check out a used one. It didn’t blow us away…. but it wasn’t bad, just not in love with the wet/bath….at all.
So we have decided to look into trading our 2013 Sorento for a 2013-2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 (general specs: TC 7200lbs, GVWR 6500lbs, curb weight around 4850, payload 1650, wheelbase 114.8”).
And here are where my questions come in, so if you are still with me, thank you. I have come to the conclusion that there are a few basic layouts, hundreds of brands who make these layouts, and then only a few larger companies who own these brands. So task one seems to be figure out the basic layout/length we want and go from there. We are honestly pretty open and while looking at the RPod, the wet/bath and thought of having to convert the dinette every night was not highly appealing, it still isn’t necessarily a deal killer either. But if we were to DREAM, the general floor plan we love has a u-dinette slide, a murphy bed and bunks in the back. Exampling being the Rockwood mini light 2504S, the Salem 230BHXL or the Jayco White Hawk 23 MBH etc.
Rockwood mini light 2504S: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=204&Image=5058&ModelID=914#Main
Salem 230BHXL: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=170&Image=5063&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2239#Main
But am I already dreaming too big? It appears the weights with us and gear would work with the Jeep IF I am even doing these calculations correctly, but is 23-25 feet too long of a trailer here?
The next option would be to forgo a designated kid sleeping area and look at models that have a U-dinette slide and murphy bed and just have the kids sleep together on the dinette every night.
Example being the Rockwood 2104S: http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=204&Image=5058&ModelID=907#Main
IF this is more where we should be, is there anyone who has some experienced advice with kids? Would getting a hybrid be better than having kids sleep on the table every night? I just want some good, realistic ideas and advice before heading to the show and dreams don’t turn in to nightmares! I really appreciate any and all advice here!
