"test drive"

you MIGHT find a dealer who would let you do that provided you have all of the necessary equipment and want to pay to have it set up for the particular trailer. Not really sure what you're wanting to find out from the test though. Tow ratings tell you how much you can tow and handeling is pretty much a matter of how things are set up. Might have better luck hitching up to a friends trailer with your truck or better yet a friends trailer with a similar truck that is already set up. I think if I were looking for a new trailer and was told that the one I'm interested in was used as a test vehicle I'd sure expect a big discount or just pass on the deal.

We looked at used trailers and I know if I was selling a used trailer privately, I would be very leery of someone taking it for test drive. We knew what we wanted so we bought a Sherline tongue weight scale to check the TW of the trailers we looked at. The door stickers and such did not mean as much to me as the TW. We did very well in our decisions and avoided a bunch of trailers that we liked but were too heavy on the tongue. You can check the sticker on the trailer for max weight and dry tongue weight and then weight tongue. You will have an idea of what your loaded weight will be looking at where the tanks are, storage is and what is on the tongue (propane, batteries, etc).

My rule is when you don't have much information, having the tongue weight is a benefit that tells you alot (thoughtful interpretation needed).

Bobbyg2013 wrote:
Before I purchase a TT I want to hook it up to my truck and take it on a short drive on a freeway to see how it handles, etc. Do you think a dealer would allow me to do this?

While I didn't load it up for camping, I hooked the trailer up and took it for a good test drive, with a WD hitch. Brand new trailer by the way. The dealer was very cooperative and had zero problem with this.
If I had any concerns about the ability of my tow vehicle to handle the trailer I was considering, I wouldn't buy from a dealer who would not let me test tow.
You wouldn't think of buying a motor home or a truck or car without a test drive, why should a travel trailer be any different?
They have insurance for this sort of thing as trailers are usually towed from the factory to the dealerships half way across the country.

What kinda truck , what weight trailer ?

wing_zealot wrote:
You going to put snap up brackets, sway control, and all the WDH stuff on it also? Cause that is the only way you will know how it is going to handle.

My question exactly...also, are you going to load it up (trip ready) with all your gear and stuff so that the weight is actual weight, not "dry weight?"

Use the tow rating and Payload numbers for your truck and start there to match a good trailer combination..(not dry weights).

Bobbyg2013 wrote:
Before I purchase a TT I want to hook it up to my truck and take it on a short drive on a freeway to see how it handles, etc. Do you think a dealer would allow me to do this?

I naively asked for a test tow back when were moving from a popup to our first full height trailer, a hybrid ... little did I appreciate at the time that not only should I be test towing with a properly sized and adjusted weight distribution system in place but also with the trailer loaded as it normally would be for camping. BIG difference without these and having been there I'd say don't waste your time, nor the dealer's with an empty test tow that's not going to tell you anything.

Just curious ... do you think you're so close to the limits of your vehicle that a test tow is going to make the decision for you one way or the other? If so, knowing all your numbers beforehand will tell you a LOT more than a test tow with an empty trailer.

When we were looking for our 1st TT about 8+ years ago and the sale person said we were welcome to hitch up and see how the truck handled it. We never went back there as we didn't buy one till a few years after that. It was a new TT as well. I would think it would be easier on a used one as the WD stuff would've left marks/dents in the tongue. They may not want to ding up a new one. You could certainly ask.

Probably not.

Maybe, but if the trailer is in need of a Weight adjustment Hitch, I don't think they will….
I would ask, Check first to see 1. Towing weight of Truck 2. Weight of Trailer

You going to put snap up brackets, sway control, and all the WDH stuff on it also? Cause that is the only way you will know how it is going to handle.