Coming back for my second round after 5 years--UPDATE
About 5 years ago I thought my wife and I were close to retirement and I posted here seeking help with rig size, tow vehicle sizing and all the other things somebody new has to figure out. I thought I was within a year or two of having plenty of free time. Unfortunately, life got in the way and we were lucky enough to be "burdened" with a major role in raising a relative's teenaged children.
So now we are looking at retirement again!
Just a brief background so you can understand my knowledge level: I live on a family farm. Most of the land has been rented out since I was young. I've been involved raising cattle and hogs, hay production and just about anything you'd ever do on a farm. Driven everything from a bicycle to a semi. Not trying to sound like I know any more than anybody. Fact is in some ways it might put me at a disadvantage. I'm used to low gears and low speed with the flashers on when things get heavy.
So my wife and I have been RV shopping several weekends in a row. We've generally settled on about a 32' rig that weighs 8500 unloaded with 1539lb hitch weight. 13' tall to figure wind into things. Wife loves the floor plan and the kitchen. Seems like a good settling point for our first rig for one or two week regional trips and maybe a long haul out west. We had decided that a full queen bed, kitchen island, larger than typical refrigerator and comfortable seating were our priorities. Not going to spend months in it. Intentionally not mentioning specifics because I'd like to concentrate on choosing a tow vehicle and not get sidetracked.
So what would you tow it with? I'm not a brand fanboy. I know what the specs say will tow it, but I want to know what I'm going to be happy with towing it. A truck has always been a tool to me, not a club membership. I figure 10,000lbs loaded, but how much will my pin weight go up with the load? Is a gas engine ever an okay choice? What about a hitch? I need a gooseneck ball for farm trailers, so does that push me toward B&W? Is bed length a big deal with slider hitches?
I know I'm asking a lot in a single post, so don't feel bad if you don't answer everything. I'm reading through everything I can to try to come up to speed on my own, but every situation is a little different.
Thanks in advance.
So now we are looking at retirement again!
Just a brief background so you can understand my knowledge level: I live on a family farm. Most of the land has been rented out since I was young. I've been involved raising cattle and hogs, hay production and just about anything you'd ever do on a farm. Driven everything from a bicycle to a semi. Not trying to sound like I know any more than anybody. Fact is in some ways it might put me at a disadvantage. I'm used to low gears and low speed with the flashers on when things get heavy.
So my wife and I have been RV shopping several weekends in a row. We've generally settled on about a 32' rig that weighs 8500 unloaded with 1539lb hitch weight. 13' tall to figure wind into things. Wife loves the floor plan and the kitchen. Seems like a good settling point for our first rig for one or two week regional trips and maybe a long haul out west. We had decided that a full queen bed, kitchen island, larger than typical refrigerator and comfortable seating were our priorities. Not going to spend months in it. Intentionally not mentioning specifics because I'd like to concentrate on choosing a tow vehicle and not get sidetracked.
So what would you tow it with? I'm not a brand fanboy. I know what the specs say will tow it, but I want to know what I'm going to be happy with towing it. A truck has always been a tool to me, not a club membership. I figure 10,000lbs loaded, but how much will my pin weight go up with the load? Is a gas engine ever an okay choice? What about a hitch? I need a gooseneck ball for farm trailers, so does that push me toward B&W? Is bed length a big deal with slider hitches?
I know I'm asking a lot in a single post, so don't feel bad if you don't answer everything. I'm reading through everything I can to try to come up to speed on my own, but every situation is a little different.
Thanks in advance.
