TT shopping frustration

wmoses wrote:

Shorteelaw wrote:
We went out today searching for a TT that will meet our needs. We were very upfront with every sales person that we encountered regarding only having 940 max tongue weight available and every one tried to sell us something way heavier than everyone on this site tells us is safe. We found one that we LOVED but then we looked and it was 5300 dry and the dry hitch weight was 800 frickin pounds. Even at camping world they were insistent that we could do 6000 pounds DRY WEIGHT! So so frustrating!

I am the LAST person to defend RV salespersons as they are RARELY knowledgeable about towing and (in my experience at least) are rarely RVers. They are all interested in making a sale no matter the criteria that you walk in with. Even if they start out listening to your wants they will end up spending more than 50% of the visit showing you "something else that you might be interested in". Can't blame them too much for that either because many of the folks shopping for an RV have no clue what they are looking for. Also the more complicated the parameters the more their eyes will "glaze over" and they will not hear all what you are asking for them to meet with their trailer options.

That said, nowhere have I seen in your post (and in several of your past posts; didn't read them all as I have to move on ...) where you mentioned your tow vehicle, or its rated capacities. You stated the limit on tongue weight was 940# and were shown trailers with tongue weights around 800# - what is wrong with that? When the trailer is loaded up most of the weight should be on the axles and it is up to the RVer to balance the weight distribution so that it is 10 - 15% of the total weight. If it is too heavy then it can be shifted backwards by loading more to the rear of the trailer. IOW, the 800# will grow but not necessarily to exceed your 940# limit.

My suggestion in minimizing frustration at the dealership is to go with basic but realistic limits on tow capacity and tongue weight, and then just focus on the floorplans that interest you. Keep it simple.

Good luck.