Help buying a small travel trailer
Hello, this is my first post and I am very excited to be joining this great group! My family of 4 is in the market for a small travel trailer in the near future. I am looking for something in the 21' ...
Forum Discussion
In addition to towing capacity, you need to look at the hylander's payload. That is where you are most likely to max out.
Payload must be equal or less than the sum of: weight of all passengers and pets, weight over 150lbs of driver, all supplies and stuff put in or on the vehicle, AND 10-15 percent of the trailer's GVWR (known as tongue weight).
Also consider the ages of your kids and how quickly they will have that major growth spurt. A girl of 5 will have years of being small, a boy of 11 can grow huge overnight. So work the numbers to make sure you won't outweigh your payload within a year or two.
In regards to the various brands, I would go look at what's on the lots and check the build quality in person. RVs aren't built by automation, so one trailer can vary in quality from another of the same make and model. Also, spend some time inside acting out your morning and nighttime routines - make sure this layout won't make it impossible to get everyone up and dressed without major contortions.
If you're kids are or near that "growth spurt" edge, make sure the bunkbeds will be big enough - some are short and narrow, some are claustrophic, and so on.
Payload must be equal or less than the sum of: weight of all passengers and pets, weight over 150lbs of driver, all supplies and stuff put in or on the vehicle, AND 10-15 percent of the trailer's GVWR (known as tongue weight).
Also consider the ages of your kids and how quickly they will have that major growth spurt. A girl of 5 will have years of being small, a boy of 11 can grow huge overnight. So work the numbers to make sure you won't outweigh your payload within a year or two.
In regards to the various brands, I would go look at what's on the lots and check the build quality in person. RVs aren't built by automation, so one trailer can vary in quality from another of the same make and model. Also, spend some time inside acting out your morning and nighttime routines - make sure this layout won't make it impossible to get everyone up and dressed without major contortions.
If you're kids are or near that "growth spurt" edge, make sure the bunkbeds will be big enough - some are short and narrow, some are claustrophic, and so on.
