Travel Trailer Shopping - Newbie

Welcome to the Forum...
First of all post what vehicle you are going to be using for towing the trailer.

Yes, we need the tow vehicle info. And don't believe a salesman if he says "Sure, you can tow that." They're under no legal obligation to ensure your tow vehicle is adequate.

All the manufacturers build different lines, at differing price points.
Forest River for example builds six different brands, (like GM builds chevy, buick, gme, etc) And within them builds multiple models with differing price and accoutrement levels. From entry level to luxury models.
You will see similar floor plans offered in several different trim levels, with the differences visually being Metal vs glass or azdel sided, cabinetry being all wood or differing levels of particle board and like materials. Appliances are similar across the lines with the exception of some of the larger units having 10, 12 or more gallon water heaters, bigger and in some cases residential reefers, and even electric ranges.
Differences you dont readily see are frame size, tank sizes and other systems that are concealed in the unit.

Start by considering how you intend to use the unit.
Occasional weekend or extended trips.
Dry camping or full hookups.

If you have a tow vehicle, what are its limits?
If not, decide on type of trailer and size, and then buy a truck with at least 25% more capability according to the mfr data than the trailer you are planning around. This will allow for a possible "upgrade " in a year if you dont start with a big enough unit. A lot of folks in here lament the truck not being able to tow their trailer as easily as they desire, but it's rare hearing someone complain that they have too much truck.

Happy Motorin

The bigger the travel trailer the fewer places you can go. The smaller the fresh water tank, holding tanks and batteries the less you can camp without hookups or frequent fills and dumps. Too many beautiful campsites not to be able to go a week on the water I carry and use and the power my solar system provides.

Moved from General RVing

We have a Dodge Ram 150.

I'm kinda in the same boat as you as I havent bought a new camper in 20 years but I'll tell what I THINK I KNOW. (lol) It depends on what you wanna do. how many people are going to sleep in it? Do you have kids and how old are they? Older teens might get tired of camping or getting ready to move out and then you have a monster camper that you may not need. Also, Buy it for yourself. Dont worry about bringing freinds and family if youre not absoloutly sure theyre gonna come with you all the time. Make sure you are comfortable with what you buy. Last years model is usually a better deal and its brand new too. A used one will be more more open to haggling. Your Ram should be able to pull up to around 9000 lbs but there are sites out there that will tell you just what youre specs are. #1 key, figure out your mission and buy what will accommodate it. MHO

Cantilli wrote:
We have a Dodge Ram 150.

Stay below 6,500 GVW on the trailer. That means the trailer dry weight, plus the rated cargo carrying capacity. Also look at your trucks max cargo carrying capacity. You need to understand what the weights mean for your truck, then you start to look at trailers.

Cantilli wrote:
We have a Dodge Ram 150.

We still need more info. Particularly for 1/2 ton pickups, their capabilities can vary wildly depending on how they were outfitted at the factory.

If you look on the door jam, there should be a yellow sticker with the capabilities for the truck...as it left the factory.

Tow rating is only one item to look at...and often is not the limiting factor.

The most common limiting factor is payload. You have to include passengers, any after market add-ons (ie: hitch, running boards, truck caps, etc...) along with any cargo in the truck. What's left of payload left to support the hitch weight.

Assume 15% of the GVWR of the trailer as the hitch weight is a good starting point. Get too low and you can get handling issues.

So if you have a 2000lb payload and the truck starts with 400lb of passengers and 600lb of cargo...that leaves 1000lb for hitch weight. At 15% that's about 6600lb trailer max...so even if the tow rating is 8000lb, the truck will be over limits.

Since you are new to this I recommend that you look at good condition used units that are of a size that your tow vehicle can handle have have a floor plan and features to your liking. After you have some use time under your belt, you will find that some of the things you felt were important are not and vice versa.