New to Travel Trailers: Looking for Opinions
All, I'm new to TTs and to this forum so please bear with me if I ask any too dumb of a question.. My wife and I have been looking to buy a TT to go camping with our twin toddlers and two cats. ...
Forum Discussion
Siv,
Welcome!!!
In regards to the 279, I guess the big question is where would you like to do most of your camping at: national forrest, state parks, private parks (KOA or similar), etc? As listed, you generally would want a shorter trailer for the np, the sp ideal length will vary some but usually allow a little longer rv, and the private parks usually allow the monster trailers.
If you aren't limited to a certain length, consider a brand that has a floor plan like our 32 BHDS as mentioned with 2 young kids. It is a dual slide, couch and dinette in one slide, and bunks in the rear slide. Adds a fair amount of room to the bunk room. And the bottom J Cube chairs (other brands are very similar) fold out to a queen bed I think it is.
Some things to look for when shopping are:
Tank capacities- will you always have full hook up, or electric only? The longer the trip, the larger the tank you may need without using the cg shower house.
Axle ratings- one unit we looked at had 2-4400lb axles, but a 95XXlb gvwr. The manufacture added the "dry tw" (tongue weight) to the total axle rating for a higher gvwr. Our trailer had 2-5000lb axles, and a 9975lb gvwr (or something like that). Also look at the ccc (cargo carrying capacity: gvwr- unloaded trailer weight)) of the trailer. I would suggest skipping any trailer with less than 1500lbs or so.
Tire size and rating. Make sure you have enough tire capacity.
Outdoor shower location: if you think you would use it, see where it is located. Our friends bought a newer 5ver and not paying attention until after it was home, the outdoor shower is under the awning. Not many people would like mud under the awning if preventable. Ours is between the two slides. And if wanted, we can clip a shower curtain to both slides for a little privacy. Not suggesting a full on shower outside, but if the kids are a little shy it can help.
You have enough truck, but make sure to still get a good wdh (weight distribution hitch) with integrated sway control. And size the wd bars for the loaded tw, not the "dry" tw. Usually the manufactures "brochure" tw does not include the weight of the propane tanks or a battery on the tongue. That can add ~120lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery. That is even before loading the trailer. For comparison, our dry tw of 920lbs is about 1400lbs loaded.
Good luck shopping from a fellow twin parent!!!
Welcome!!!
In regards to the 279, I guess the big question is where would you like to do most of your camping at: national forrest, state parks, private parks (KOA or similar), etc? As listed, you generally would want a shorter trailer for the np, the sp ideal length will vary some but usually allow a little longer rv, and the private parks usually allow the monster trailers.
If you aren't limited to a certain length, consider a brand that has a floor plan like our 32 BHDS as mentioned with 2 young kids. It is a dual slide, couch and dinette in one slide, and bunks in the rear slide. Adds a fair amount of room to the bunk room. And the bottom J Cube chairs (other brands are very similar) fold out to a queen bed I think it is.
Some things to look for when shopping are:
Tank capacities- will you always have full hook up, or electric only? The longer the trip, the larger the tank you may need without using the cg shower house.
Axle ratings- one unit we looked at had 2-4400lb axles, but a 95XXlb gvwr. The manufacture added the "dry tw" (tongue weight) to the total axle rating for a higher gvwr. Our trailer had 2-5000lb axles, and a 9975lb gvwr (or something like that). Also look at the ccc (cargo carrying capacity: gvwr- unloaded trailer weight)) of the trailer. I would suggest skipping any trailer with less than 1500lbs or so.
Tire size and rating. Make sure you have enough tire capacity.
Outdoor shower location: if you think you would use it, see where it is located. Our friends bought a newer 5ver and not paying attention until after it was home, the outdoor shower is under the awning. Not many people would like mud under the awning if preventable. Ours is between the two slides. And if wanted, we can clip a shower curtain to both slides for a little privacy. Not suggesting a full on shower outside, but if the kids are a little shy it can help.
You have enough truck, but make sure to still get a good wdh (weight distribution hitch) with integrated sway control. And size the wd bars for the loaded tw, not the "dry" tw. Usually the manufactures "brochure" tw does not include the weight of the propane tanks or a battery on the tongue. That can add ~120lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery. That is even before loading the trailer. For comparison, our dry tw of 920lbs is about 1400lbs loaded.
Good luck shopping from a fellow twin parent!!!
