Hello, Looking to get into a TT

We rented for several years before we bought our first camper.
Unless you use it more than once a month renting is the economical way to go. Maintenance and repair cost add up quick. It's just one less thing in life to worry about.

You could have your boat AND an occasional camping trip if you rent the camper.

I guess I must be a cheapskate...
Why would you be looking at a new TT if you don't even know if you would like the camping lifestyle? I can't imagine dropping $13,000 on an new TT just to see if I like it... and that's just the initial investment. There are a lot of "accessories" needed to go along with it.
My wife and I had talked for years about getting a camper and we found a nice clean used P-up for $3000. While a P-up isn't for everyone, a LOT more work to set-up / tear-down, that got our feet wet. We acquired a bit of camping gear during that time and learned a huge amount.
We got tired of the bathhouse routine, always needing to reserve a spot close for showers / potty. We knew we wanted to continue camping so began watching for a larger one with a bathroom we could afford. Looked at a couple of used ones in the $6000 range. When we went to look at a used Hybrid that wasn't so good at a dealer, That's when we found our current one. Over in the corner was a Lightly used TT, a 2005 25 footer.... CLEAN, nice floor plan, one owner, everything worked and got it for $4500 at the end of the season.
My point is, there are a lot of nice used units out there to start out with. Let the other guy buy a new unit and take the big hit on depreciation. When he wants to sell it, that same $13K TT you are looking at would be $8000 used in the next year or two. When / if I sell my unit, I will ask darn close to what I paid.
Hang out here, learn what to look for, and shop around on Craigslist. It is full of used TT's that someone thought they would enjoy but the romance was lost once they grew tired of it.

As far as boating goes, in my personal experience no thanks I want to relieve stress, not add to it. Where I live are tons of lakes, boating is huge here. Step-Dad had a Ski-Nautic and then a Hydrodine when he and Mom were dating and I had free use 24-7. The adage "A boat is a hole in the water you poor money into" has deep roots. Maintenance costs are insane compared to a TT. There are more jack-holes on a lake than ANY campground, drunk or sober. Forget the Holidays, everybody and their brother is out on the water and most are the later trying to prove their boat is the fastest. I would get up at the butt-crack of dawn just to get out on the lake when it was enjoyable and be docked up before Noon. How many times can you go counter-clockwise around the same circle over and over before it gets boring? (Sure the same could be said about setting around a campfire I guess)
Now if you live on a Great Lake or one of the Coasts, then it's a whole different story, but now you're talking BIG MONEY!
But that is just MHO... Good luck to you and strongly suggest you try both before jumping into either one.

I don't see a sink in the bathroom...???? For me this would be a deal breaker, especially with kids brushing their teeth in the kitchen. Did I miss it?

My TV is a 2000 Land Cruiser, class 3 hitch and a electronic brake controller. I have a pair of airlift 1000 suspension bags in my rear coils too. The cruiser's stock suspension really sags with even a small cargo load of 500lbs.

I live in a really cool neighborhood, my neighbors that live on the bay know I am a mechanic and ask me all the time if I can run their water toys (boats and jet skis) for them so they don't sit forever. If I get the sail boat, my plan was to moor it in the bay and just use a dingy to go back and forth. One neighbor offered his dock but I didn't want to accept at the time.

Anyway, I will take the common themed advice here and rent a few times before I commit. I was planning on doing that anyway but I was put off by the first trailer. But winter is usually the best time of year to score a deal on a sail'er so if you don't hear back from me for a while, I probably went for the boat.

All and all you have been a really cool and inviting crowd, chances are I'll be back some day.

Thanks,
Dave

PenMan wrote:
The first thing you need to do is make up your mind about a boat or an RV. I have owned both. If you live on a lake (I did and had a dock for two boats) you will get more use out of a boat. If not, I would definitely go with the RV.

+1

I found it hard to get enough use out of a boat to make it worth all the trouble. We kept it in the water about a mile from the house and are not selling it because we don't use it enough. I love to be out on a boat, but won't buy another if I don't live on the water with a dock.

Another reason for renting is to see what your TV does. My first F-150 was rated to tow and had a decent Max cargo for a 5000 lb. TT. Unfortunately when I started to travel, the poor 200 hp. V6 was over its limit.

So we kept the speed to 55 and 60 mph. on the flat and 50 to 55 mph in the Ozark hills and allowed for the sluggish performance when pulling out etc. It was annoying but we still managed 10 days of sightseeing.

When it came to a replacement TV, I purchased an E-Boost F-150 with 356 hp. I pull a 5000 lb. 25 ft. Dutchmen and I am at or a bit over the max cargo limit of 1400 lbs. when loaded. I looked at an F-250 but the added cost and maintenance was not worth it, since it is my day to day vehicle also.

A TV and TT are a serious investment. Try before you buy so you can determine what you like.

That is a nice starter unit. First question is what are you planning to tow it with? For safety's sake the LOADED weight should be no more than 80% of the tow vehicle's capacity, forget dry or shipping weight and do not take the salesman's word for it.
If a lighter vehicle a weight distribution hitch would be a very good idea. It will make the whole experience a lot more pleasurable. Once you are hooked up and ready to go, beg, borrow or steal (o.k just kidding about the criminal activity)a couple of fluorescent traffic cones, find an empty parking lot and practice, practice, practice until you are completely comfortable with backing and turning. Most important relax and have fun.

Take others with you and sit in and walk around in models with and without a slide. Imagine it raining and cold out and staying inside. Spending that much money I would put a whole lot of thought into this if you are unsure. If you were spending 3 or 4 thousand and decided you didn't like it, you could turn around and dump it for a small loss. If you bail on a new one soon you will take a big hit.

Like others said, not only rent one to try it but maybe rent one as the only way you use one. Then you get into all the hitches, tow vehicle, accessories, insurance, storage etc.

The first thing you need to do is make up your mind about a boat or an RV. I have owned both. If you live on a lake (I did and had a dock for two boats) you will get more use out of a boat. If not, I would definitely go with the RV. If you decide on an RV you need to decide what type will fit your needs. They're not one size fits all. Most people start using tents and move to another form of camping when tenting gets old. I was about 53 when tenting got old but after buying our first trailer, a hybrid, we wished we had bought one earlier and taken more trips as a family rather than just going camping for a few days in the tents. Only you can decide what you want to do. We now have the trailer in the signature and do not plan to change. I can get up the steps now but would hate to have more steps inside so no 5er for me. Same with a motorhome, too many steps. My dad had many RV's from truck campers to Class A's so I had experience with RV's. I would suggest renting one (mostly Class C motorhomes available for rental around here) just to determine if you really want an RV at all. Good luck with your decision.

decent price see if you can get them tot hrow in a starter package for free.
Water hose sewer hose etc.
MAKE SURE YOU DO a very thorough predelivery inspection before PAYING. Horror stories are abundant of people finding a problem after paying and waiting up to six months for the problem to be fixed before being able to use the rig. Ever system should be functioning when you do the inspection. No excuses from the dealer allowed. No further payment till fixed.
There are predelivery inspection forms available online if you need one.
Are you sure your tow vehicle will handle this weight trailer? Do not take salesmans word. What about a hitch?