Forum Discussion

TNrob's avatar
TNrob
Explorer
Jun 01, 2016

Keep old TT for backwoods?

We're learning about and planning to get a small 5th wheel in the 26-30' range. We currently have a 19' tandem axle TT built in 2008 It has a 6800# GVWR but only scales 5600# loaded for long weekends. It seems like it might be a perfect fit for boondocking with plenty of capacity for mods and updates.

We haven't done any dry camping yet, as we're fairly new and are only just beginning to explore the more isolated areas. We tend to set up at a state park or small private campground and then go out each day for adventures. We take some of the old forest roads from time to time and have found some places we might like to camp.

My question is, if we have a place to keep it, should we keep our little camper for trips to the boonies, or just make sure to search out only place we can get a 5th wheel in and out of? The little TT is sort of a "nothing" pull for our 4wd 3/4 ton, but the 5th we eventually find will be much closer to the truck's limits. We're middle class and can afford to keep it, but I'm not sure about having to maintain both. I could see having to update suspension on the little camper to get it enough ground clearance for some of the places we've been. At present it has a tongue height of 17" when running level, with under-hung axles at maybe 11.5". Is that even a worry for national and state forest road? Is the smaller, "older" TT better suited than a still smallish 5er with newer and lighter construction?

Thoughts?
Boondocking
Dry Camping
Public Lands
  • TNrob's avatar
    TNrob
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2016
    Yeah, the little 45w is enough to keep them float charged day to day, but if we were using it we'd have to run the gen. I've got a good 10,20,40 amp charger that could top them off to 90% or so pretty quickly. Maybe I can get the batteries up far enough each morning that the solar can top them off. I'm going to add a meter of some sort soon, and do some experimenting with power just to see. I'll check current with the fridge and water heater on DC next time we turn them on.

    Trouble with adding more is the silly way I wound up with solar in the first place. I was given a 20 watt panel, I bought a 5-45 watt battery tender to go with it, then broke the free panel and bought a 45 watt to max out the charge control. To add more I be starting over. If we wind up with two campers the small one will almost certainly be outfitted with more than the bigger one. None of the existing solar stuff is permanently mounted so it could move to the 5er to float it and I wouldn't feel so silly starting over on the little one.

    We've got all LED lighting so that helps. There's a nearby park that she wanted to camp at until she heard it had no hookups. I'll get her to go for a short weekend this fall before the time changes and takes away evening daylight.
  • avoidcrowds's avatar
    avoidcrowds
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2016
    After seeing what you have for power in the old TT, you will be using the generator daily. The solar won't recharge your batteries each day, especially if you use the inverter. They will be sucked-dry quickly by the inverter. Also, if you use the heater, it will draw the two batteries down quickly.

    We only dry camp. We go to some remote spots that a 5th-wheel would not fit down the road (overhanging/leaning trees are the biggest challenge to full-height trailers). Two 110ah batteries, 200w solar, no generator. No problem doing 9 nights in a row.

    I would keep the second trailer, just as you indicated. But, be sure to have enough fuel for the genny, as I believe you will use it daily. You may soon decide you don't want to use the genny if you are out in the boonies with all the silence. If that happens, two larger batteries and at least 200w solar (more, if you really want to use the inverter for a while) are in your future, if you want to invest in that.

    There are many Forest Service roads in the west that you could get your fiver down, with pull-outs to camp in. But, many of the roads are fairly rough, and you may not want to pull the fiver too far on them, due to the beating it would take. Not sure about Forest Service roads in the east, though.

    Good luck on getting the DW to go dry camping! My wife prefers the boonies, and doesn't like campgrounds when we have the need to use one.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2016
    I know other people with 2 trailers. You would not be the first. No reason why you can't keep it if you want to, since you can afford it. Best way to avoid deterioration of that TT is to make sure you store it under cover.
  • TNrob's avatar
    TNrob
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2016
    I think I'll wind up keeping it when we finally buy a 5th, and then sell it myself if the new camper proves to make the old one unacceptable even for quick excursions to the weekend outbacks. She isn't currently inclined even to make reservations at campgrounds that don't have hookups, but I think I can get her on board once I get her out one time.

    We have 45g fresh tank, 60 grey, 30 black, 45w solar, two 80Ah 12v, 500w inverter with a single surface mount outlet pair hardwired, and a 3200w inverter generator for the current rig; if I can get her out one time away from it all I think she'll love it.

    If we decide not to keep it I can find it a good home and give them and myself both a much better deal than any dealer would if I traded it.

    Cheers..
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Jun 01, 2016
    You are correct that your old trailer will fit a lot of places that a much bigger 5th wheel won't. Obviously the length is less, but height is a major consideration too. Lots of great national forest campground or dispersed campsites will have plenty of length, but trees overhanging that are a hazard to 5th wheels.

    Your trailer is already depreciated out. So far as costing you money to maintain, it will of course need the basics like tires and insurance, plus caulk for maintaining it leak-free. What you choose to spend on it otherwise is totally up to you. You will not need a lifted suspension to get into MOST national forest campgrounds.
  • Golden_HVAC's avatar
    Golden_HVAC
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2016
    I would sell it.

    You will find that the sales value drops a lot once it is 15 years old, and not able to be in many campgrounds with a age limit. While the roof is still only 8 years old, in a year or two, you probably should consider coating it with a layer of EPDM if you did keep it. This will prevent leaks, and give the coating a solid surface to adhear to. Mine, I waited until it was about 12 years old, and wish I Had done it sooner.

    I think you will find that the replacement fifth wheel will have a larger fresh water tank, better capacity of the grey and black water, so dry camping in it would be more comfortable. Why store and maintain two trailers when you can only camp in one at a time?

    I could understand if you have a old beater trailer for use as a hunting cabin, they tend to smell like the deer that you bring home inside it, and mom will hate camping in the new fifth wheel if it smells like that! But I would not invest more than about $2,500 in a hunting trailer.

    It sort of reminds me of the 4 year old van that I used to have. When I bought a new Honda CRV to tow behind the RV, the wife wanted to drive that car daily, not the older one. I think you will enjoy camping in the fifth wheel a lot more than the travel trailer.

    Good luck!

    Fred.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2016
    When huntin' season comes around each year, I get a kick out of seeing the trailers that are being pulled. Yes, they are specific for the back woods and high desert areas. The axles are flipped, and ready to follow the big truck where ever it goes.

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