Need some travel trailer suggestions...

wmoses wrote:

The Green Mallard wrote:
My wife and I will be shopping for our first travel trailer (owned a pop up a few years ago, but that's it) and I need some suggestions for models, brands, options, size, etc.

It's just us two and I'm towing with a standard GMC Z-71 (not a heavy duty), so I don't need a really big trailer. I'm thinking something in the 15-20 foot range. I would like air conditioning, a queen size bed that is permanent (no having to fold down the dinette or couch), a dinette area and a bathroom with shower.

Looking for brands/models gets a bit overwhelming so I thought I would just ask here and see if I could get some ideas for where to start.


Also, what is everyone's opinion on buying new versus used?

Thanks in advance for the help. Also, if anyone wants to post some pics of their trailer that fits my above criteria, that would be great!

In addition to the opinions that you are likely to get in this thread, I strongly suggest you go to the Fall Boat & RV Show and Sale 26-28 Sep 2014 in the Indiana State Fairgrounds 1.5 hour away from your location.

That way you can go and see - first hand - what is available in your RV price and weight range. It is crucial that your wife sees the RV, likes it and is on board.

Get the technical basics from this thread (not from the salesmen especially when it comes to towing!) and then go see for yourself.

x2. Perfect place for a newbie to get ideas.

The Green Mallard wrote:
My wife and I will be shopping for our first travel trailer (owned a pop up a few years ago, but that's it) and I need some suggestions for models, brands, options, size, etc.

It's just us two and I'm towing with a standard GMC Z-71 (not a heavy duty), so I don't need a really big trailer. I'm thinking something in the 15-20 foot range. I would like air conditioning, a queen size bed that is permanent (no having to fold down the dinette or couch), a dinette area and a bathroom with shower.

Looking for brands/models gets a bit overwhelming so I thought I would just ask here and see if I could get some ideas for where to start.

Also, what is everyone's opinion on buying new versus used?

Thanks in advance for the help. Also, if anyone wants to post some pics of their trailer that fits my above criteria, that would be great!

In addition to the opinions that you are likely to get in this thread, I strongly suggest you go to the Fall Boat & RV Show and Sale 26-28 Sep 2014 in the Indiana State Fairgrounds 1.5 hour away from your location.

That way you can go and see - first hand - what is available in your RV price and weight range. It is crucial that your wife sees the RV, likes it and is on board.

Get the technical basics from this thread (not from the salesmen especially when it comes to towing!) and then go see for yourself.

my Ascend A171RD weighs about 3500 lbs. and has what you are asking for but does have a corner bed. the A1291RD has walk around bed and weighs about 250 lbs. more.
my suggestions, avoid rubber roofs, AZdel siding is preferable to standard fiberglass.
Rpods are another small/light weight units, a notch below Ascend IMHO.
I have always bought new, don't want to buy somebody else's problem unit. if you are buying a small TT the difference between new like you want it laid out with warranty won't be that much more than a used one.
bumpy

Been in your place back in 2004 when DW and I retired. We wanted a travel trailer to go traveling with. Not knowing anything about towing a travel trailer, we set certain criteria. The TT had to be used in case we found we did not like traveling with a TT. It must be able to be towed by our Surburban or Silverado. We went to local dealers and viewed their used inventory. We set our criteria as around 25 feet with one slide out. We began shopping for a TT with that criteria and found a 26 foot used Salem with one slide. We traveled all over the U. S. with that TT from 2004 to 2010 when it was hit by a wind and hail storm along I-94 in N. Dakota. Needless to say the TT became a total loss.

Set your criteria and look for it. I might suggest a couple of dealers close to you that I consider reputable and willing to work with you. Modern Trailer Sales in Anderson and Walnut Ridge in New Castle. I continue to use Modern Trailer Sales for service work even though we purchased our current TT elsewhere.

Good luck with your search.

What year is the z 71? What type of cab? 4x4?

If you have the money camplite makes nice lightweights ..

Like this 31 with slide. About 5000 lbs loaded..

http://www.livinlite.com/camplite21rbs-overview.php

See video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp6mPHYg3KU

At 15 feet you will most likely be using the dinette as the bed. At 18 feet the bed may be decent and separate. At 20 to 24 ft you may start to see the bedroom isolated from the rest of the living space with a door or curtain.

No matter which one you look at, go inside and take turns sitting down and trying to relax while the other person moves about. Many times you will find that if it doesn't have a slide you will be stepping on each other. It may seem ok at first but it gets old real fast.

First find out the towing capacity and payload of your truck. You will get many opinions but just say it's 7000. That doesn't mean you can buy a TT that's 7000. You need to start the counting and weighing with the weight of your wife, dogs, fuel, and anything in the truck and build from there.

If you go used be extremely careful that the rig does not have water damage. It's the number one issue. I guess I should also say that it's unlikely but also check new units for water damage as there are horror stories on here about that issue.

I'm thinking something in the 15-20 foot range.

Airstream Bambi. Having said that any TT in that small range will get even smaller in rain, cold, wind, bugs, etc. Look larger and you will find more trailer space and amenities that might make you more comfortable. The longer larger trailers are not really any harder to tow. Some are even easier to back up. Just stay within your tow ratings of your vehicle.

Depreciation is a huge hit buying new. Be sure you are not buying too small a trailer or you will be shopping again next season. That is why so many suggest pre-owned as a good starting place.

Okay, maybe I'm looking for a camping trailer. Not sure the difference between a camping trailer and a travel trailer? Sorry, I'm a rookie. Lol!

Buy used it will save you a lot in depreciation. Besides the fact at this point you have no idea what you will be happy with.
Finding a 15 to 20 foot trailer with permanent bed is going to be next to impossible. Most that size are camping trailers. You might find something that fits your needs in a hybred.