Forum Discussion

GaryRay's avatar
GaryRay
Explorer
Sep 21, 2017

new from western Pa

My wife and I are both retired and looking to see this great country. Camped all my life as a kid and still pitch a tent. We are looking now for a T.T. (looked at a few). Were in western Pa and looking to leave early spring. Lot of good info on here. Gary & Deb
  • Welcome, I'm pretty new here myself, seems like a knowledgeable group.
  • Welcome! You should be in for a lot of good times and good memories.

    If by early spring you mean in freezing weather, that may drive some different requirements for your trailer than otherwise (depending partly what direction you're heading). Many travel trailer water systems are not well or at all set up for operation in sub-freezing weather.

    If possible, I suggest having your first camping trip with the trailer in your own driveway. That gives you a chance to figure out how things work and to find the nearly inevitable forgotten important item or two.
  • DrewE wrote:
    Welcome! You should be in for a lot of good times and good memories.

    If by early spring you mean in freezing weather, that may drive some different requirements for your trailer than otherwise (depending partly what direction you're heading). Many travel trailer water systems are not well or at all set up for operation in sub-freezing weather.

    If possible, I suggest having your first camping trip with the trailer in your own driveway. That gives you a chance to figure out how things work and to find the nearly inevitable forgotten important item or two.
    Thanks for the welcome. April/may start. Driveway camping makes sense, thanks. Looking at tow vehicles now. Thinking 3/4 ton
  • Where abouts in Western PA are you from? I'm in Canonsburg, just south of Pittsburgh.

    If you are going to be buying a truck and camper at the same time, I'd suggest picking out a camper you want first, then buying the truck that can pull it. I know you said you were looking at TT's, but until you actually pick one out, you never know. If you do end up with a TT, a 3/4 ton truck will likely be enough. I have a '13 Ram 2500 Cummins and it pulls out 33ft Jayco Eagle (about 10,000#) just fine. But there's no sense buying a 3/4 ton truck, then decide you really like a big 5th wheel and realize you don't have enough truck.
  • Many people are happy with a smaller trailer or motorhome. Less cost, less trouble in traffic and parking, etc can make a more enjoyable holiday. Unless you are fulltiming less could be more for you. Those of us who are used to tenting can enjoy managing with much less.
  • New here too....seems to be quite a few good people here to help out
  • Awhile back I purchased a 3/4T that was perfectly suited to my then TT. I spent quite a bit getting it setup and equipped just the way I wanted it.

    A few years later I decided to upgrade to a FW that was right at the limit for my truck if I loaded very carefully. I ended up replacing a truck I was very happy with that had many years and miles of useful service left in it.

    The moral of the story is; don’t buy a truck for this RV but for the next one.