Forum Discussion
afidel
May 17, 2020Explorer II
testing123 wrote:
Hello all,
I have some young kids (5 and 2) I grew up tent camping and have gone several times with the 5yo. (had plans this spring for the family but all that is canceled). I also planned to get a truck for my next vehicle (in ~5 years) with an RV so the wife will come (also AC opens up summer for camping), I know it probably wont be her thing but between the kinds and I it will be fun. Now: the wife thinks we can get a good deal on a used truck here soon (due to economy) and I am sure it will get a lot of use between our families.
It got me thinking I could (currently unprepared on research) accelerate the purchase of a travel trailer. I have browsed here and there but the main thoughts are:
-We will spend most of the time outside like tent campers, would like trailer to shower/sleep. Don't need couch/TV/etc.
-Not sure I want to hassle with pop up/canvas.
-Probably keep for 5-7 years
-Thinking bunk beds for the kids and big bed for us (6'3" height): I don't want to be making a bed out of a couch every night.
-Minimal amenities (hot water, AC) would prefer something shorter/light weight/easy to tow
-Almost always staying at a site with water/power
Concerns
-Enough hot water for showers?
-Frequent empty waste water tanks?
-Insulation isn't too important as we are in the south and main use is for sleeping at night. I do expect the wife will spend some afternoons inside while we are out.
Budget: I would prefer to spend less than $10k, probably closer to $6-7k for a used trailer.
Length: was thinking 18-20 ft long as the target
Don't have experience towing but would want something about 5000 lbs or less. Looking at full size trucks (V8) so I think the weight shouldn't be an issue.
I am looking for any feedback and thoughts on my plan. Suggestions on what to look for. Any specific models you would recommend for these conditions. Hard finding a bunk bed model.
I am the type of person who will make do with what I got so if the TT is decent on average, I wont get too caught up on little preferences. I also figure buying a cheaper used one will limit downside.
The Gulfstream 198BH looks good (and new for $10k?) but the queen bed is going to have my feet hanging off the edge a bit.. thoughts?
My KZ 181BH is very similar but the bed is full trailer width and it has a dinette slide which adds SO much space. The downsides are very, very small tanks, before Covid it was not an issue, we used the bathrooms and showerhouses at the campgrounds so the main issue was sink water, needed a blue tote to go two weeks without a sewer hookup. Now that public showers aren't a possibility it's limiting out options, have to find a site with full hookup even for a long weekend because navy showers won't cut it with my family, sites with water/electric or just electric are WAY more common so my advice for the next year or two is get 60 gallon grey minimum. We did not find size to be a problem 95% of the time, we did 5k miles with 5 of us, that said I do want a couch or recliner in my next trailer. I payed $12,500 out the door for my unit new.
hope that helps a little
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