Input needed on choosing my first TT
I think I am ready to pull the trigger on moving up from a popup to a TT. I sure could use some input into the differences in quality and attributes or flaws of these 3 choices. 2015 Jayco Jay Flig...
Forum Discussion
When we purchased our first pop-up, the tow vehicle "drove" our decision as to what size and weight of pop-up we could get. We finally moved from a mini-van (5 years after getting the pop-up) to a Suburban which towed the pop-up for a year. We thought we had enough tow vehicle to handle a smaller TT, so we ended up getting a Dutchmen Sport 18 foot travel trailer. After a few months we realized the Suburban could not handle the towing, and the transmission went out. We replaced the transmission and it wasn't more than 3 months after that we traded the Suburban for a 3500 dully. The Suburban never drove right again.
After that experience with the transmission failure, we realized the tow vehicle had to be considered first before making any further camper considerations. The 3500 gas model was traded for a used 3500 diesel mode, which was finally traded for a 3500 diesel new model. With the 3500's we've never had issues towing or truck performance.
(In Indiana, rust is a real problem, and when vehicles reached about 7-10 years old, the body rusts, thus the reason for our trading).
So, to answer your question, all 3 of the campers you are considering will be equally OK, provided they have been maintained by their current owners. The difference will be the details and the overall floor plan.
But the real factor to consider, do you have a tow vehicle that can handle towing the trailer. I advise on caution here, because I am a living, breathing, real-life experienced person who found out the hard way that not all vehicles are adequate for towing much more than a pop-up.... even when they have all the appearance to handle more. Make sure you are fully aware of all limitations of your tow vehicle. And after getting the trailer, be prepared to trade for a different tow vehicle within the next year. More than likely, you will.
After that experience with the transmission failure, we realized the tow vehicle had to be considered first before making any further camper considerations. The 3500 gas model was traded for a used 3500 diesel mode, which was finally traded for a 3500 diesel new model. With the 3500's we've never had issues towing or truck performance.
(In Indiana, rust is a real problem, and when vehicles reached about 7-10 years old, the body rusts, thus the reason for our trading).
So, to answer your question, all 3 of the campers you are considering will be equally OK, provided they have been maintained by their current owners. The difference will be the details and the overall floor plan.
But the real factor to consider, do you have a tow vehicle that can handle towing the trailer. I advise on caution here, because I am a living, breathing, real-life experienced person who found out the hard way that not all vehicles are adequate for towing much more than a pop-up.... even when they have all the appearance to handle more. Make sure you are fully aware of all limitations of your tow vehicle. And after getting the trailer, be prepared to trade for a different tow vehicle within the next year. More than likely, you will.
