Newby needs advice

DownTheAvenue wrote:

bpounds wrote:
You are going to need a weight distributing hitch, and the dealer you buy the trailer from will help you get all that setup. You can do it yourself and save money, but you have no experience, so lean on the dealership to help.

A good point to consider. Don't cheap out on an inferior hitch. You will have a lot of money tied up in your truck, trailer, and personal belongings. Don't rely on a $500 hitch. Study different brands. Consider the Hensley, ProPride, or Equalizer.

Looks like the Equalizer can be had for only about $500. The other two are serious rigs for a couple Gs. I don't want to skimp but the Equalizer does look like it can do the job pretty well.

We have never been full time but have been out for extended trips many times. Had two MHs and two TTs none longer than 24 feet but all with different floorplans. The one 24' MH we had was the easiest to live in for long trips, our 24' TT which you could pull without a problem, gets old after a couple weeks. Floor plan in an RV is very important, wife and I need to have enough space to allow privacy when we are doing different things. You should be able to find a TT you can pull that suits your needs but take time to find the right one. There are a lot of great military famp camps we have used over the years.

One thing that has been mentioned briefly a couple times is -- how are you planning to "fulltime"?

If you are looking at becoming a "seasonal" and stay long term at only one campground, the limited towing you will be doing is fine at maximum rating.

If you are thinking about traveling all over the USA, I think you would be happier in a tow vehicle that is much more capable, most likely giving you a more comfortable towing experience.

Have you "RV'd" before? You might want to think about "part timing" at first, basically taking months long "camping" trips to see if long term living in a camper will work.

Whatever you decide, have fun and see you on the road! Congratulations on your retirement!

OP, you really need to study floor plans. I see no reason why you can't find a trailer that you can live full time in. I assume with years of military service, you both are used to adapting to different spaces, some small and some even smaller. You both need to spend time looking at how you would live in the trailer. Where you will store your dishes, your clothes, and your toys. Is the bathroom usable on a regular basis? My Son-in-law would have a hard time using my shower regularly, as he is tall and the shower floor is raised. Me, I am barely over five feet so it is fine for me. Are you foodies that you need space for cooking and lots of kitchen appliances or are you a one pan throw it all together type of cook?

You need to sit down and look at how you live, places you lived that worked well, and places that had things that drove you batty and make a list using these as a guideline. (being military, you should have numerous places to think about).. I see no reason that you can't live in a 28ft trailer, and find one that will work for you. I have a 24ft trailer, that I could live in. I personally plan to move to Small to Medium MH when I go full time, but that's because I want the slightly easier travel and set up.

Thank you for your service! And good luck and enjoy your retirement.

Here is a thread from the Tow Vehicles Section that may interest you. I didn't read it - maybe some good info for you though.

gbopp wrote:
Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service to our country.

Here's the post from Perrysburg Dodgeboy, he has the same truck as you and seems satisfied.

Hershey is a great show. Enjoy.

No way can you compare this post to what the OP is planning:

Well it's not my first time but it is with the Eco-diesel. Was only about 30+ miles and all in the mountains around Knoxville Tn with some very step twisty grades. The travel trailer was a 25' weighing in at just over 5800#. I have towed my boat without any issues at all and it weighs in at 6800# so I was not worried about towing the TT.

He pulled it in the mountains (I'd expect a diesel to pull well in the mountains) for 30 some miles. Oh and he pulled a boat too which is totally different than pulling a high walled TT across country.

OP - you need to be concerned about the payload of this truck. Consider getting something better suited where you won't be over the payload of the truck. Familiarize yourself with what payload is. Your going full time so your TT will be loaded down. The brochure tongue weight of this TT is a joke. Your going to be in the 700 to 900 lbs range on tongue weight alone with this TT loaded up for full time living. Payload WILL be exceeded before reaching the mythical tow capacity.

It's easy to just take into consideration the opinions that tell you how doable it is - like the guy who said 300 lbs over payload isn't a big deal - and it's not for once in a while camping trips. But your usage is somewhat different.

I sincerely don't care who's advice you take on this issue - but don't listen to just those who tell you what you want to hear, because they don't have skin in your game. I was in the Navy too - I'm sure you have better sense than to take blindly take advice on an internet forum instead of learning all the variables and forming your own conclusions. That's where this forums usefulness shines - lots of experience to draw on to glean your own decisions.

Learn about calculating your TV's abilities - and what goes into calculating them - and if you want a solid answer, then take the advice to load it for camping and get it weighed.

Good luck - and hopefully your planning on living in the south during the winter months. but that's a whole different thread. :P

profdant139 wrote:
Wait one minute, folks. Here we have TWO career military veterans, asking questions in good faith. There are a lot of rude responses to those questions above, and I think some apologies may be in order. Why mock his truck and ridicule his choices?

I think it is true that this truck will be the limiting factor and that it will not be easy to full-time in a trailer that is suited to that truck. But there is no reason to be dismissive or hostile, especially since their career choice (to serve the country and to protect us) is why they did not get rich and can't now afford a monster truck. I am grateful to them and hope that their dreams come true.

Questions can be answered in a respectful and civil way. And believe it or not, comments that are phrased pleasantly are often given more weight than those that are mean-spirited.

Sorry for the rant, but this thread really hit my hot button. (And no, I am not a veteran -- that is one of the biggest gaps in my resume, and it is too late now to fix it.)

X2
Thank you for expressing how I felt while reading through this tread.

OP, THANK YOU and your wife for your service. Now go enjoy your well earned retirement.

Thank you for your service.

I used to have a fiberglass trailer and would frequent fiberglassrv.com website. They have a number of members that full time in the smallest of trailers like a Casita and love it and wouldn't upsize for anything. I watch the home channels and see couples that want to live in tiny homes and seek them out. Some are drawn to a minimalist lifestyle and don't want to be burdened with the stuff. Each to their own. I hope you find something that fits your needs perfectly.

If you want to tour the country I would pay close attention to the specs. If you are going to tow, park and live then maybe bump right up to the limits IMHO.

That trailer might be a bit tight on space for two full timers or even one. If you live a simple and organized life anything is doable. Towing will be at max so certain performance will be compromised such as going slow up some hills and being cautious going back down. You want a good antisway weight distribution hitch.

Maybe something like this: https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distribution/Reese/RP66083.html
This is an improved system vs the low cost friction systems.

The very best is probably ProPride http://www.propridehitch.com/products/ProPride-3P-Trailer-Sway-Control-Hitch-.html