Forest River Salem 27DBK for a first TT?

Lwiddis wrote:
Holding tanks...good capacity. Fresh water low at 42 gallons. Sleeps 10? If you don't need to sleep 10, why not a shorter TT.

spoiled wife. I want one without slide outs and to weigh 4500lbs, lol. I get what she wants. Don't we all?

Just my experience, but I'd push for the best price on trailer, and order hitch, or accessories at best price elsewhere. Most anytime RV dealers throw anything in, it is either lesser quality, overpriced, or both. In any case, if thrown in, you are still paying for it, because that means they could have sold the trailer for less.

Check for hitch at E-trailer. They are a helpful, knowledgeable source, with fair prices.

Jerry

Artum Snowbird wrote:
Wow! I have had 5 campers, a 27 foot motorhome, two boats on trailers, and now I have a 26 foot long fifth wheel.

Even still, the length overall becomes a constant learning curve.

To jump into a trailer that long behind a full size truck is basically saying you think you can drive a rig the size of a full size semi-trailer without any experience.

I would strongly suggest you go take a few hours of driver training if you can. The first time you run over a curb, you will really regret it.

yeah I should have mentioned I drive trailers every day. LOL Great advice though. Camper newb, not trailer newb. :-)

Shal36 wrote:
If the floor plan works for you and it's in good shape, talk cash, start low, and try to get accessories thrown in the deal.

New or used, look the thing over top to bottom. Even new rigs (especially new rigs) will have plumbing leaks and stuff that doesn't work. Make sure the bathroom works for you. It's not until you camp in the trailer several times that figure out what you wish you had.

My first TT was 29'+. Not a big deal. If you can pay attention, you can tow and park it. There's a knack to it but it ain't rocket science.

Good luck!

I'd really be happy to get the hitch thrown in, they aren't cheap. I'm certain we are overthinking at this point and I'm sure your theory of not knowing until we camp a few times will happen for sure. Always does.

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, you do probably have enough truck for this TT. But you posted seeking validation? If so, you are not convinced in your own head. Spend the next week comparing this TT to similar TTs. Then decide. And why are you so sure sway won't be an issue? 32 feet of TT is a heck of a length for a newbie, and will your anticipated campgrounds allow 32 feet of box, probably 36 overall?

27 foot box should be good at most if not all KOAs and I'm gonna get an anti-sway hitch. I can pull loads over 12,000lbs around town easily for work so I'm sure 6,5000 dry, 8,000 loaded is in my comfort zone. I back an 7.5' wide trailer into an 8' wide garage bay every day(while turning it) so maneuvering it shouldn't be over my head. I had directly compared it to a Jayco model that was similar(more expensive) and a coleman model(less expensive) and my wife(they make all the decisions) like the decor of the Salem. If there is a brand I'm missing with a side mounted entertainment center please let me know. My research has been exhausting so far.

I own a landscape company so pulling a trailer, parking a trailer and knowing how to fix small things on a trailer are not going to be an anticipated issue. More looking for if the price is good, is it a good first trailer(maybe I'll go nicer in 5-7 years?) and is the brand model reliable?

If the floor plan works for you and it's in good shape, talk cash, start low, and try to get accessories thrown in the deal.

New or used, look the thing over top to bottom. Even new rigs (especially new rigs) will have plumbing leaks and stuff that doesn't work. Make sure the bathroom works for you. It's not until you camp in the trailer several times that figure out what you wish you had.

My first TT was 29'+. Not a big deal. If you can pay attention, you can tow and park it. There's a knack to it but it ain't rocket science.

Good luck!

Wow! I have had 5 campers, a 27 foot motorhome, two boats on trailers, and now I have a 26 foot long fifth wheel.

Even still, the length overall becomes a constant learning curve.

To jump into a trailer that long behind a full size truck is basically saying you think you can drive a rig the size of a full size semi-trailer without any experience.

I would strongly suggest you go take a few hours of driver training if you can. The first time you run over a curb, you will really regret it.

Price the trailer on rvdirect.com and rvwholesalers.com, then you will get your best price you could theoretically get if you drove there and picked it up. Negotiate with your local dealer from there.

Holding tanks...good capacity. Fresh water low at 42 gallons. Sleeps 10? If you don't need to sleep 10, why not a shorter TT.