Howdy! Looking for an entry level tt on a budget!

I am thinking of buying a 2016 Coleman CTS192RD at the Camping World in Jacksonville. Will my 2014 Nissan Titan Crew Cab pickup pull it okay? My wife says no more used campers. I have a 1994 Gulfstream Ultra that does not run and needs roof repair. A 1994 Dutchman I gutted and made into a toy hauler. It's now used for storage and is my computer room and my last one is a 2001 Coleman Sante Fe popup almost restored. But decided I want a hardside camper with a bathroom.

RVcircus wrote:
If you haven't been to an RV show find one and go. Take notes, look at as many manufacturers as you can, and see what feels right. It's one thing to sit on the computer looking at floorplans and another getting to walkthrough and really get a feeling for what will work for you.

Make a list of features you MUST have and those that would be nice to have. It may take some time to get to that point, but that'll help when you get the list down to a few models.

If you're going to look at used RV's be careful. Really pay attention to the condition and signs that maintenance was neglected. There's no such thing as a minor water leak when looking at used units. Don't trust the dealer or private seller without looking yourself. If you don't know what you're looking at I'd recommend having a mobile RV mechanic take a look.

I second this...We also spent almost 2-3 years going to RV shows, sitting in them, talking to people to be sure we got what would work for us. And we made our first one last us almost 7 years. We still continue to go to RV shows and RV stores to look at what is available. When we upgraded this year, we knew exactly what we wanted and have been pleased with it.

Do not rush, take your time and research, research, research....

Three things make a good match, Floor plan, Tow vehicle and Cost.

We tow a 5000 lb. dry weight 25 ft Dutchmen. The scales say 6200 lbs loaded and 700 lbs on the tongue.

Our F-150 4x4 has a cargo capacity of 1411 lbs. so I can haul 711 lbs of people and other stuff.

If you haven't been to an RV show find one and go. Take notes, look at as many manufacturers as you can, and see what feels right. It's one thing to sit on the computer looking at floorplans and another getting to walkthrough and really get a feeling for what will work for you.

Make a list of features you MUST have and those that would be nice to have. It may take some time to get to that point, but that'll help when you get the list down to a few models.

If you're going to look at used RV's be careful. Really pay attention to the condition and signs that maintenance was neglected. There's no such thing as a minor water leak when looking at used units. Don't trust the dealer or private seller without looking yourself. If you don't know what you're looking at I'd recommend having a mobile RV mechanic take a look.

You can save a boatload of money buying private party used. You need to check the unit out well before you buy it, but there are a lot of really good trailers and fifth wheels out there that have had all the kinks worked out and have been well cared for.

Another reason to consider used is it makes it easier to buy outright, which may be important if you find your tow vehicle insufficient and find yourself looking to upgrade that sooner rather than later.

The other great thing about buying used is you're not taking that depreciation hit, so if you find the trailer isn't working for you for whatever reason you can turn around and resell it for what you paid provided you didn't overpay.

I'll second some earlier opinions on your tow vehicle. My first TT (2008 Keystone 19FLB) I towed with a 4.7 V8 Dodge Ram. After less than a year I knew I had to upgrade, I was killing that small V8. It was also not fun to tow and I live in Florida where there are no appreciable hills.

Do your research...before you buy or you will have to possibly upgrade the truck, as I did.

Also, buy used, if possible. This is a large ticket item that you will want to be sure you enjoy. My first one was a little over a year old, only used about 4 times. The cost was over half of what it would have cost brand new.

Consider buying used the first time. It takes a lot of us 4 TT before we decide on the floor plan we like best. No use buying new then deciding you hate it and are now stuck with it. If you do buy used then use the resources of this site to make sure you know what to look for in good used .

mbopp wrote:
Depending on the axle ratio and if it's 2X4 or 4X4, your truck is rated to tow 6000 to 6800#. But your payload capacity is a more important figure than tow capacity.

Quote numbers like that to any newbie and they'll always mistakenly assume they can actually tow a trailer weighing that much. Not even close, particularly when they're talking about towing a full height trailer that has all the aerodynaics of a barn door. That wee 4.6L is already tasked with dragging around 2.5 tons of truck ... asking it to also tow another 3+ tons of trailer will more than double the task and really make the truck work, even if equipped with a 4.10 axle ratio.

I like new stuff. But there are some advantages to buying something that's one to three years old, if you don't mind doing so. You escape the worst of the depreciation (saving thousands) and all of the out-gassing from the interior (that stuff can sting your eyes!). The little glitches (and maybe there was a big glitch or two) have been fixed under warranty. The disadvantages: you don't get to order something custom, there's no warranty period, and you sleep in a bed that's been slept in by others.

One of the problems we RVers have is called "two-foot-itis". We're often deciding that the TT we own is too big, or too small, or not as nice as another one we've seen. Buying the first TT used can avoid some of the financial hit. You find out while camping what you like and don't like about your TT, and when you decide what you really should have bought, you are only going to lose a little bit when you sell the current unit.

For the 4.6L, I'd suggest buying a TT with a smaller than average frontal area. Like, 7' or 7.5' wide rather than 8'. And maybe 100"-105" tall (not counting AC). It will tow easier, because frontal area (wind resistance) counts more than weight on the typical highway, at highway speed.

A lot of folks get carried away and buy a much bigger trailer than they need or feel comfortable towing. I started with a 23' TT with slide, then downsized to 16'-17' trailers, and have been happy with the smaller units. The small trailers fit into more campsites, too... which can be important if you want to stay at some tight NF CG.

Also consider how you intend to use your trailer. Will you stay in parks that have power, water and waste drains? Or do you want to stay off the beaten path and rely on your trailer to provide those amenities? If so, larger holding tanks might become important. Higher ground clearance might be a positive trait too. Regardless of what you choose, be proactive about preventive maintenance immediately. Stay especially focused on potential water leak areas on the roof and all cutouts on the walls. A leak is not the end of the world, but if left for very long, it will ruin the trailer. Mold, wood rot, etc.