We currently have a Toyota Tundra with a relatively light tow capacity, and a correspondingly light 24' FunFinder BH model. We love our TT, but now that the kids are tween/teen aged, it is getting a little cramped. So, we are once again looking for a TV and TT.Couple of questions:We are now looking at 31' TT. I originally opted for a 24 ft trailer because of size restrictions in the California state parks (our home residence). However, since we travel for 3 weeks at a time going across country in the summer, we really need the extra space. How limiting are the 31 ft trailers in terms of maneuvering, state parks, national parks? My hubby really wants a 5'er. I really don't want to spend the money. Will we regret not getting the easier to maneuver 5er?Has Shadow Cruiser fixed their issues (2013 and newer)? Like I said, we love our Fun Finder; I don't want to regret getting a lemon of a trailer. Finally, we are looking at driving to Ohio from CA to save at least $7K on a new trailer. Are we crazy? I know we will pay gas, hotel costs on the way there and camping costs on the way home. But, CA is just so ridiculously priced! Am I missing some important concept?Should we get 4WD, or would 2WD be sufficient? (Looking at Silverado 2500 for the 31 ft Shadow Cruiser 314TSB)

I was wondering if you were planning to stick with the Tundra, which would probably be able to handle the 31' TT adequately (we have a 34-footer, which is labeled as a 31', and the truck has had no trouble with it; granted, we have the larger Tundra.) Makes a difference if you have the older, pre-2007 Tundra, of course. We have found that our camping habits have changed since getting the large TT. We have definitely sized ourselves out of many state parks and national forests that we would otherwise have considered visiting, and even a few of those with sites long enough, actually backing into some of those sites has been dicey at best. In a couple instances, we had to request an alternate site. Just something to consider. Remember that you will need a truck with enough payload capacity (GVWR, GAWR) to hold up the heavy pin weight of a 5er. If the 2500 you're considering will do that, and you want to continue camping in public CGs, you may want to go that route. At least, based on our experience, that's what I would suggest.

I don't do state and federal parks because I like full hook ups but my 35 foot TT is easy to maneuver around. To take an adventure, save 7k and get to camp... Sounds good to me. I tow with a 2 wheel drive 150 but when I ungraded will most likely get the 4 wheel drive. We get snow plus is you ever get in a situation while towing that you need it, it will be well worth it. Good luck.

Thanks for the input. I think in our trip this summer, I will watch what is parked around us (we will be at Yellowstone, Jackson, and some state parks. I don't know if I want to give that up. :(And. We do have the 2006 Tundra ....grrrr....

We're also in California we went from a 30'TT to a 34' 5th wheel. Yes, there are less sites that we can fit into but I still go to my favorite campgrounds. What we ususally do is walk around the campground and see where we can fit and try to select those sites when we make reservations next. Loved going from a TT to a 5er except when washing it.We also go to state parks and even fit in Yosemite.

awoodwaring wrote:We currently have a Toyota Tundra with a relatively light tow capacity, and a correspondingly light 24' FunFinder BH model. We love our TT, but now that the kids are tween/teen aged, it is getting a little cramped. So, we are once again looking for a TV and TT.Couple of questions:We are now looking at 31' TT. I originally opted for a 24 ft trailer because of size restrictions in the California state parks (our home residence). However, since we travel for 3 weeks at a time going across country in the summer, we really need the extra space. How limiting are the 31 ft trailers in terms of maneuvering, state parks, national parks? My hubby really wants a 5'er. I really don't want to spend the money. Will we regret not getting the easier to maneuver 5er?Has Shadow Cruiser fixed their issues (2013 and newer)? Like I said, we love our Fun Finder; I don't want to regret getting a lemon of a trailer. Finally, we are looking at driving to Ohio from CA to save at least $7K on a new trailer. Are we crazy? I know we will pay gas, hotel costs on the way there and camping costs on the way home. But, CA is just so ridiculously priced! Am I missing some important concept?Should we get 4WD, or would 2WD be sufficient? (Looking at Silverado 2500 for the 31 ft Shadow Cruiser 314TSB)I currently tent camp (buying a TT this spring) but I camp with 5-6 families with large 5th wheel campers, and we find many campgrounds have a 30' limit. I personally am looking to keep my own TT under 30 feet total length.There are some great 28'-29' TT options if you're looking to upgrade, yet keep your total length down.Every one of my family members who own a 5th wheel, will swear by the 5th wheel, and would never tow anything else. If you're driving cross country often, you'll appreciate the 5th wheel much more. You're not crazy for wanting to drive to save. You basically will save enough money to pay for the cross country camping trip, and it sounds like a great adventure.

Second Trailer Purchase Advice | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

awoodwaring
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
Thanks for the input. I think in our trip this summer, I will watch what is parked around us (we will be at Yellowstone, Jackson, and some state parks. I don't know if I want to give that up. :(

And. We do have the 2006 Tundra ....grrrr....
GaryWT
Explorer
Mar 10, 2014
I don't do state and federal parks because I like full hook ups but my 35 foot TT is easy to maneuver around. To take an adventure, save 7k and get to camp... Sounds good to me. I tow with a 2 wheel drive 150 but when I ungraded will most likely get the 4 wheel drive. We get snow plus is you ever get in a situation while towing that you need it, it will be well worth it. Good luck.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2014
I was wondering if you were planning to stick with the Tundra, which would probably be able to handle the 31' TT adequately (we have a 34-footer, which is labeled as a 31', and the truck has had no trouble with it; granted, we have the larger Tundra.) Makes a difference if you have the older, pre-2007 Tundra, of course.

We have found that our camping habits have changed since getting the large TT. We have definitely sized ourselves out of many state parks and national forests that we would otherwise have considered visiting, and even a few of those with sites long enough, actually backing into some of those sites has been dicey at best. In a couple instances, we had to request an alternate site. Just something to consider.

Remember that you will need a truck with enough payload capacity (GVWR, GAWR) to hold up the heavy pin weight of a 5er. If the 2500 you're considering will do that, and you want to continue camping in public CGs, you may want to go that route. At least, based on our experience, that's what I would suggest.

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Second Trailer Purchase Advice

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