1st time buyer (TT)

[Bammer4]

My wife and I are looking at buying a new TT this weekend and I wanted to know from experienced RVers what kind of little things we should look for in the TT. Ya know like things only ppl who have done this for years would know to look for.

Also anyone know a good site where we can find a lot of detail about the TT we are looking at? (Construction type, frame spacing, etc.)

In case anyone wants to know we are looking at"
~Alpha Wolf 26DBH-L
~Tracer Breeze 26DBS
~Sunset Trail Super Lite SS262 BH
~Revere 27BH


Thanks in advance,
Overwhelmed Newbies

[Bammer4]

Thanks everyone for the great info. We ended up getting a KZ Connect C261RL at the RV show. We should be getting it end of April/ beginning of May. Very excited

[bikendan]

Bammer4 wrote:
I do have tow package but no electronic braking system

Then you'll need to install a brake controller.

[Bammer4]

I do have tow package but no electronic braking system

[Tvov]

bikendan wrote:

Tvov wrote:
I'm assuming here (which is always a good thing to do, lol!), but if your truck has a "tow package", it should already have a built in brake controller and larger transmission cooler. If it doesn't have the built in brake controller, you may want to look at slightly lighter trailers, to give yourself more "cushion" in regards to weight capacities.

A built-in brake controller has nothing to do with weight capacities.
It's a convenience feature.

Not all tow packages include a controller. They do include pre-wiring for a brake controller.

It is just a very easy way to start out when figuring out your truck. When I bought my F250 in 2008, the built-in brake controller only came on Ford trucks that had a "tow package", which included some other features for towing.

That's all.

[Mortimer_Brewst]

Bammer4 wrote:
I kinda get what the tongue weight refers to little bit but I guess what I'm not sure of is what does it affect? Cause someone said add 100 lbs fire the distribution hitch. Is tongue weight for RAWR or something else?

The quick answer is that too little tongue weight can lead to trailer sway, which can be extremely dangerous. Too much tongue weight can cause handling problems. It’s important to know how to react to it should it happen to you.

[bikendan]

Tvov wrote:
I'm assuming here (which is always a good thing to do, lol!), but if your truck has a "tow package", it should already have a built in brake controller and larger transmission cooler. If it doesn't have the built in brake controller, you may want to look at slightly lighter trailers, to give yourself more "cushion" in regards to weight capacities.

A built-in brake controller has nothing to do with weight capacities.
It's a convenience feature.

Not all tow packages include a controller. They do include pre-wiring for a brake controller.

[OldShu]

troubledwaters wrote:

Bammer4 wrote:
I kinda get what the tongue weight refers to little bit but I guess what I'm not sure of is what does it affect? Cause someone said add 100 lbs fire the distribution hitch. Is tongue weight for RAWR or something else?

Your best bet is to start here clicky. You'll have a much better understanding what it all means and how it affects you if you read through all the stuff on there.

That is an excellent source!

[troubledwaters]

Bammer4 wrote:
I kinda get what the tongue weight refers to little bit but I guess what I'm not sure of is what does it affect? Cause someone said add 100 lbs fire the distribution hitch. Is tongue weight for RAWR or something else?

Your best bet is to start here clicky. You'll have a much better understanding what it all means and how it affects you if you read through all the stuff on there.

[Bammer4]

I kinda get what the tongue weight refers to little bit but I guess what I'm not sure of is what does it affect? Cause someone said add 100 lbs fire the distribution hitch. Is tongue weight for RAWR or something else?

[Go_Dawgs1]

Bammer4 wrote:
Thank you. We have been looking around for about 5 months and the RV show is in town which is the main reason we are looking to buy this weekend (good prices). We have checked the weight several times to the point that we started doubting ourselves. I have a F150 that has a 7500 capacity. So we have been looking at 6000 UVA and under.

Don't look at unload or dry weight of any trailer. Look for the GVWR (max load) of all trailers. You won't be pulling it unloaded except to bring it home.

[Tvov]

I'm assuming here (which is always a good thing to do, lol!), but if your truck has a "tow package", it should already have a built in brake controller and larger transmission cooler. If it doesn't have the built in brake controller, you may want to look at slightly lighter trailers, to give yourself more "cushion" in regards to weight capacities.

[kerrlakeRoo]

A few other items I'll add;
Try to get enclosed underbelly and heated tank pads. That far north they will extend your season quite a bit.
If you will be travelling very far with that truck, add a tranny cooler and brake controller.

As general items to consider
Everything in the truck beyond a full tank of fuel and yourself, count against the payload capacity. Add for your wife and any other passengers, gear in the bed, a 100lb weight distributing hitch and the trailer tongue.
Trailer tongue should be roughly 15% of total trailer weight so 6000 lb trailer will have a 900 lb tongue weight. They will look lighter in manufacturers literature but those weights are without Propane, batteries and even the power tongue jack. The 15% is real world.
Happy motorin

[Bammer4]

Thanks everyone for the input, and by all means keep it coming.

[Grit_dog]

Agree, you'll add 1000lbs minimum to the empty trailer weight loaded up to enjoy the great outfdoors!
Seems strange but trust us, it will.
Good luck camper shopping!