Forum Discussion
kerrlakeRoo
Mar 31, 2018Explorer
Payload capacity on that truck is less than 1600 lbs. 5 people is going to eat a lot of that without even starting on the trailer tongue.
If you dont mind the kids travelling separate you would have upwards of 1000 or so still available after you add 100 lbs for the weight distributing hitch along with whatever else you carry.
When looking at trailers, forget the empty weight the salespeople all point to. The only time that trailer weighs that is as it leaves the assembly floor. Before you ever get it you have to add for the battery/batteries, propane tanks and contents, as well as any options added by the dealer.
If possible you may want to try to rent a trailer similar to one that your considering, see how your truck does, and learn a little about what you do and dont like in the trailer.
As to the "buy used" suggestions, new folks coming in to this often go through 2 or 3 units in a few years time learning what fits for them, taking that depreciation hit becomes a 2 or 3 time event which can hurt.
Also when talking to salespeople require "out the door" pricing, Car dealers are fairly standardized and competitive in their markets, RV dealers while competitive are varied in the approach they take. Some will advertise extremely low prices to get you excited and on the lot, and then hide thousands of dollars in "fees" to the transaction after you have agreed to a price. Make sure you can compare apples to apples. Some dealers are very upfront and will immediately give you the out the door price, and are proud of that, others are a little less forthcoming.
If you dont mind the kids travelling separate you would have upwards of 1000 or so still available after you add 100 lbs for the weight distributing hitch along with whatever else you carry.
When looking at trailers, forget the empty weight the salespeople all point to. The only time that trailer weighs that is as it leaves the assembly floor. Before you ever get it you have to add for the battery/batteries, propane tanks and contents, as well as any options added by the dealer.
If possible you may want to try to rent a trailer similar to one that your considering, see how your truck does, and learn a little about what you do and dont like in the trailer.
As to the "buy used" suggestions, new folks coming in to this often go through 2 or 3 units in a few years time learning what fits for them, taking that depreciation hit becomes a 2 or 3 time event which can hurt.
Also when talking to salespeople require "out the door" pricing, Car dealers are fairly standardized and competitive in their markets, RV dealers while competitive are varied in the approach they take. Some will advertise extremely low prices to get you excited and on the lot, and then hide thousands of dollars in "fees" to the transaction after you have agreed to a price. Make sure you can compare apples to apples. Some dealers are very upfront and will immediately give you the out the door price, and are proud of that, others are a little less forthcoming.
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