Newby needs advice
Hello, I had a recent change in life's circumstances that have made me decide to live in a travel trailer full time. My wife and I retired from the Navy and the budget works to live out one of our dr...
Forum Discussion
Don't let all of the downers get to you about your truck. Another forum member, Perrysburg Dodgeboy just did a review towing with a truck like yours and seemed quite happy with it. You can search for it.
Any trailer you buy, of course, must match your tow vehicle. If your tow vehicle has a tow rating of 7600 lbs. only look at trailers with a GVWR of no more than 7600 lbs. Pay no attention to "dry weight" as that figure is meaningless. Actual weight from a scale (some manufacturers actually have that) are also deceiving, as the weight of your personal supplies, kitchen stuff, batteries, water, etc. add up surprisingly fast.
While payload numbers are very important, you will find that a lot, if not most, vehicles towing a RV are overloaded according to payload. A few hundred pounds is not a killer. You will hear posters say that your warranty will be voided or if in an accident, your insurance won't pay because you are overloaded. As an attorney, I can tell you I have never read of this except for Harley Davidson who denied a warranty claim when they discovered the motorcycle was towing a sizable trailer and displaying several large flags that created significant drag.
Reputation of the manufacturer and dealer along with a floor plan that is workable coupled with a trailer that your vehicle will tow are your concerns. That is a tall order. Don't let the excitement of the RV show, the pressure of "show prices" and fast talking salespeople cloud your judgement. Finding the right combination outlined above may take a year or more.
Any trailer you buy, of course, must match your tow vehicle. If your tow vehicle has a tow rating of 7600 lbs. only look at trailers with a GVWR of no more than 7600 lbs. Pay no attention to "dry weight" as that figure is meaningless. Actual weight from a scale (some manufacturers actually have that) are also deceiving, as the weight of your personal supplies, kitchen stuff, batteries, water, etc. add up surprisingly fast.
While payload numbers are very important, you will find that a lot, if not most, vehicles towing a RV are overloaded according to payload. A few hundred pounds is not a killer. You will hear posters say that your warranty will be voided or if in an accident, your insurance won't pay because you are overloaded. As an attorney, I can tell you I have never read of this except for Harley Davidson who denied a warranty claim when they discovered the motorcycle was towing a sizable trailer and displaying several large flags that created significant drag.
Reputation of the manufacturer and dealer along with a floor plan that is workable coupled with a trailer that your vehicle will tow are your concerns. That is a tall order. Don't let the excitement of the RV show, the pressure of "show prices" and fast talking salespeople cloud your judgement. Finding the right combination outlined above may take a year or more.
