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Gjac's avatar
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 05, 2020

ClassA to small TT set up.

I have been looking at selling my Class A and downsizing to a small TT with a slide(18-24ft). Those of you that have, did you find the setup of backing into a site and leveling the TT much more difficult over disconnecting a tow and using HYD jacks to level? I looked at several last week and found out that the scissor jacks don't level the TT only stabilize it and was told I still needed wood or leggo blocks under the tires. Can't heavier scissor jacks be installed or is driving up on blocks not that big of a deal? I was also told I needed a sway hitch and would be better of getting a combo WDH and sway. I know that FW capacity is less but see several with 40 to 58 gals. I am assuming that the truck bed would make up for lack of basement storage. Is there any other issues that I need to under stand before switching. My wife and I are both 73. I bought the Class A at age 58 and put over 100K miles on it but my wife never liked the huge vehicle or going around mountainous curves with it.

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  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jun 06, 2020
    prichardson wrote:
    Yes you need blocks under the tires for side to side leveling as TTs are not designed to be lifted by the stabilizers. As far as heavy hitch assy.; it does not need to be removed from the truck. In fact on an overnight stop you don't even need to unhitch unless front to back leveling is grossly off. It shouldn't take any longer to get a TT on the road than a class A with a toad. It all depends on how complicated you make it for yourself on either rig. I can be on the road with my TT is less than 30 minutes and I have friends that can take half the morning getting their class A ready.
    I guess the devil is in the details. I still don't understand what makes the hitch heavy? Are people referring to removing the anti sway bars? You don't have to physically lift the hitch to position it on the ball like a boat trailer do you?
  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2020
    Yes you need blocks under the tires for side to side leveling as TTs are not designed to be lifted by the stabilizers. As far as heavy hitch assy.; it does not need to be removed from the truck. In fact on an overnight stop you don't even need to unhitch unless front to back leveling is grossly off. It shouldn't take any longer to get a TT on the road than a class A with a toad. It all depends on how complicated you make it for yourself on either rig. I can be on the road with my TT is less than 30 minutes and I have friends that can take half the morning getting their class A ready.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Jun 06, 2020
    K Charles wrote:
    We went from a TT to a class A because the hitch was heavy. We had electric stabilizers and Jack but setup was getting hard for two old folks. I can unhook the toad in just a couple minutes.
    When you say the hitch was heavy, doesn't the front jack lift the hitch off the ball? Or do you mean you have to lift and move the TT hitch to position it over the ball on the truck?
  • AJR's avatar
    AJR
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2020
    Around age 70 I went from a 22’ TT to a 36’ class A. I did not like the change and went to a 28’ class C and now a 29’ class C.

    The TT was becoming more difficult to set up and tear down for me. We all age differently. Now on a bad day I still can hook or unhook the toad in less than 15 minutes. Plus, like the TT, there are only two steps to get into the rig.
  • Blazing_Zippers's avatar
    Blazing_Zippers
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2020
    Got ya beat! We're 74 years old.
    Leveling a trailer using wood blocks isn't hard, then use the screw jacks to stabilize the rig.
    The hitch set up is important and yes, it can be heavy. When hitches are adjusted correctly, they work well.
    Our Outdoor brand trailer has 80 gallons fresh water, 80 grey, and 40 black. It's 30 ft long bumper to hitch, and is pulled with a 3/4 pick up that gets 8.5 MPG. We have dual pane windows, lots of storage space, and don't have to listen to rattles when we drive.
    To be honest, going to a tow behind or fifth wheel would be a learning experience, but very doable if you're ready for a new way to travel.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2020
    We went from a TT to a class A because the hitch was heavy. We had electric stabilizers and Jack but setup was getting hard for two old folks. I can unhook the toad in just a couple minutes.
  • LadyRVer's avatar
    LadyRVer
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2020
    I went from a 31' Class A with full-wall slide to a 23' travel trailer. I am a widow now, but did all the driving and setting up/tearing down when hubby was alive. He was not able to. Personally it is a lot more work with the travel trailer, but a lot less expense, too. I am 76 and just did a cross country trip and back. On one of my travel trailers I had the power stabilizers and that was nice. This one I have the crank down. Takes about an hour to fully unhook and set up. With the Class A, 30 minutes tops and I was done. My one suggestion would be the tow vehicle you get have a built in backup camera for easier hooking up. I traded trucks and got the camera in the new one. What a great help. Good luck in your decision.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2020
    Yes, sometimes leveling my TT is a pain and no, most TTs have stabilizers that should not be used to level. Not sure if TT frames are strong enough to level with stabilizers. Winnebago’s are not and I wouldn’t try it. Hitching and unhitching is easy with the right attitude and a check list. Backing up improves with practice. By the end of a trip I’m an expert. With a truck you could carry extra fresh water. I’d be more concerned with waste tank capacity.

    I much prefer my “tuff” big tow vehicle and TT to a C with a little toad. Park the TT and go exploring!

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