Newbie-making a choice on first TT--advice appreciated
Greetings All,
While not new to towing or camping, this will be the families' first TT. We tow a 3 horse trailer with rough camping living quarters on a regular basis, but recently decided that cramming 3 of us into the tack room/bedroom under the gooseneck is less than desirable for long weekends at the show grounds. We resorted to hotel living when it got cold last year, and that gets expensive fast.
Tow vehicle for the TT will be a 2013 Tahoe 4X4 equipped with HD trailer towing package and weight distributing hitch. Can tow 8,200--so I will want to keep trailer under 6,500. We live in Michigan and shows run March through October...it gets cold!
So, have done a LOT of research. So many choices. The RV show is next weekend, and I am trying to narrow the list to what fits what we are looking for so we can spend time in the models of interest and not wandering around dreaming about a $100K motor home. Any words of advice are welcome.
We are a family of 4. Children are nearly adults (14 and 16) and there will be sleep overs with friends at shows. We've decided that a bunkhouse model (dual doubles) with a separate bedroom in front is what we need to keep sanity. One slide would be good since it is common to have folks who don't have TT drop in to warm up when it is 30F out (we did that last season and would like to return the favor). Bells and whistles and fancy appointments are not at the top of our list. Function and durability trumps all. It will start to look and smell like a barn inevitably--so fancy means nothing--easy to clean means a lot.
Research is pointing us to Cherokee Grey Wolf, Coachmen Catalina, Coachmen Apex, or Jayco Flight SLX models. The Apex appears to have aluminum and fiberglass construction--this seems a plus when compared to wood in terms of durability. Jayco has a longer standard warranty. All seem to hover around the same price point. What options are the ones that make life easier and make set up easy?
Any thoughts on models or brands?
Thanks in advance.
Jacquie
While not new to towing or camping, this will be the families' first TT. We tow a 3 horse trailer with rough camping living quarters on a regular basis, but recently decided that cramming 3 of us into the tack room/bedroom under the gooseneck is less than desirable for long weekends at the show grounds. We resorted to hotel living when it got cold last year, and that gets expensive fast.
Tow vehicle for the TT will be a 2013 Tahoe 4X4 equipped with HD trailer towing package and weight distributing hitch. Can tow 8,200--so I will want to keep trailer under 6,500. We live in Michigan and shows run March through October...it gets cold!
So, have done a LOT of research. So many choices. The RV show is next weekend, and I am trying to narrow the list to what fits what we are looking for so we can spend time in the models of interest and not wandering around dreaming about a $100K motor home. Any words of advice are welcome.
We are a family of 4. Children are nearly adults (14 and 16) and there will be sleep overs with friends at shows. We've decided that a bunkhouse model (dual doubles) with a separate bedroom in front is what we need to keep sanity. One slide would be good since it is common to have folks who don't have TT drop in to warm up when it is 30F out (we did that last season and would like to return the favor). Bells and whistles and fancy appointments are not at the top of our list. Function and durability trumps all. It will start to look and smell like a barn inevitably--so fancy means nothing--easy to clean means a lot.
Research is pointing us to Cherokee Grey Wolf, Coachmen Catalina, Coachmen Apex, or Jayco Flight SLX models. The Apex appears to have aluminum and fiberglass construction--this seems a plus when compared to wood in terms of durability. Jayco has a longer standard warranty. All seem to hover around the same price point. What options are the ones that make life easier and make set up easy?
Any thoughts on models or brands?
Thanks in advance.
Jacquie
