TT Guest House
Hello RV folks!
My wife and I are considering the purchase of a TT to use as a guest house at my parents' place. The plan would be to set it up and park it there for the foreseeable future, but I'd like to have the option to take it elsewhere if need be. Elevations would likely not exceed the Texas Hill Country.
I've done some research, but would like to get advice related to my specific situation from people with experience.
Everyone loves numbers:
- Tow vehicle is a '13 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with 5.0 V8, 3.55 axle ratio, built-in trailer brake controller and aux transmission cooler.
- Base curb weight is 5586#, GVWR is 7350# and GCVWR is 13500#
- Max payload (from the sticker on the door) is 1586# including passengers, etc.
- Receiver hitch is rated just north of 1,000# with WD hitch
- Assuming 450# for myself, my wife, our 2-year-old and misc cargo (and taking into account a 15% safety margin) I calculate I'd want a max tongue weight of about 900# and a max trailer weight of about 6900# (at 13% tongue weight.)
Question #1 - Does this math sound realistic or optimistic?
As for trailers, I'm thinking queen bed, bunk beds (for our toddler and perhaps another kiddo in the future), slide out for breathing room and a tub instead of shower. We'd like to find a decent used trailer in the $10-$15K range. Something like a 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHS (dry weight 5215#, GVWR 7500#.)
Question #2 - Does this size/configuration sound appropriate for a family of 3-4 using it for long weekends?
Hookups: My parents plan to install a 30amp outlet and I can get fresh water from their hose bib. I think we can just dump gray water in the pasture (they're on 75 acres.) Not sure about black water. I've read mention of mascerating pump to deal with solids, but I'm foggy on the theory behind this.
Question #3: Can anyone point me toward a resource to learn more about dealing with black water when a dump station is not available? Would it be best consider the TT a poop-free zone?
Purchasing: I'm a residential home inspector by trade, but I'd like to know what to look for specific to used TT's.
Question #4: Is there a checklist out there on the web? Any tips as to problem areas to inspect (roof, tires, floor, walls, plumbing, electrical?)
Operating and maintenance: Having never owned any type of RV before, I'm not familiar with the systems and procedures involved with keeping one in good running order.
Question #5: Do most TT's come with an owners manual that provides all of this info? Is there a resource online that people find helpful?
Thanks in advance!
My wife and I are considering the purchase of a TT to use as a guest house at my parents' place. The plan would be to set it up and park it there for the foreseeable future, but I'd like to have the option to take it elsewhere if need be. Elevations would likely not exceed the Texas Hill Country.
I've done some research, but would like to get advice related to my specific situation from people with experience.
Everyone loves numbers:
- Tow vehicle is a '13 F150 Supercrew 4x4 with 5.0 V8, 3.55 axle ratio, built-in trailer brake controller and aux transmission cooler.
- Base curb weight is 5586#, GVWR is 7350# and GCVWR is 13500#
- Max payload (from the sticker on the door) is 1586# including passengers, etc.
- Receiver hitch is rated just north of 1,000# with WD hitch
- Assuming 450# for myself, my wife, our 2-year-old and misc cargo (and taking into account a 15% safety margin) I calculate I'd want a max tongue weight of about 900# and a max trailer weight of about 6900# (at 13% tongue weight.)
Question #1 - Does this math sound realistic or optimistic?
As for trailers, I'm thinking queen bed, bunk beds (for our toddler and perhaps another kiddo in the future), slide out for breathing room and a tub instead of shower. We'd like to find a decent used trailer in the $10-$15K range. Something like a 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHS (dry weight 5215#, GVWR 7500#.)
Question #2 - Does this size/configuration sound appropriate for a family of 3-4 using it for long weekends?
Hookups: My parents plan to install a 30amp outlet and I can get fresh water from their hose bib. I think we can just dump gray water in the pasture (they're on 75 acres.) Not sure about black water. I've read mention of mascerating pump to deal with solids, but I'm foggy on the theory behind this.
Question #3: Can anyone point me toward a resource to learn more about dealing with black water when a dump station is not available? Would it be best consider the TT a poop-free zone?
Purchasing: I'm a residential home inspector by trade, but I'd like to know what to look for specific to used TT's.
Question #4: Is there a checklist out there on the web? Any tips as to problem areas to inspect (roof, tires, floor, walls, plumbing, electrical?)
Operating and maintenance: Having never owned any type of RV before, I'm not familiar with the systems and procedures involved with keeping one in good running order.
Question #5: Do most TT's come with an owners manual that provides all of this info? Is there a resource online that people find helpful?
Thanks in advance!
