Shopping for 1st TT. What should I consider?

[bernercamper]

Hello, I'm new to camping other than tent camping. I'm looking for something used, it needs to sleep at least 6, and I would like the weight to be less than 5-6000lbs. And my dh wants length as short as possible.

So I know that these criteria are probably unfulfillable in one camper!

I have 4 young children under 11. I have 3 teens but if they join us they will be able to tent camp I think. And maybe drive separately too!

I have a 2007 expedition that says it can pull up to 9200lbs.

The biggest limiting factors will be price - under $10k and hopefully used for under $5k! AND my driveway is so steep - we aren't sure we can get a trailer up the driveway without getting hung on hitch or rear bumper! DH thought he could back up at an angle. I thought of ramps. I think however that we should just go for the shortest wheelbase we can! Is there a formula that would help us narrow down what to consider?

I had ruled out pop-ups because I've had negative experiences in them. So I'm hoping to find a used hardsided 20ish footer with bunks and maybe a slide?

I'm guessing trailers with more clearance will manage the driveway better.

I'm reading that Lance and Jayco are good brands. I'm afraid of floor and ceiling problems and water leaks in a used camper.

Any pearls of wisdom or suggestions? Thank you!

ETA: wanted to add that dh grew up camping all over the US and Canada in a popup. So he's fine with that. I grew up tent camping and now that I'm older I know I'm not interested in tents anymore. We both think if we have something small that we can keep in the driveway or backyard we'd be much more likely to do weekend trips regularly. We don't want to pay to store it bc money, and then the spontaneity will be more difficult imo. If anyone has ideas about economical places to store an RV though, I'm interested, because I'm slightly scared we won't be able to get one up the drive.

[bernercamper]

Thanks - I like it and the 23tqs as well.... and I've been looking at the comparable models. We're totally on the hybrid train now. Trouble is there aren't many late model used. We now realize we'll be spending a lot more than originally planned! May have to buy a 2016 or 2017 if can find it.

[SoundGuy]

Here's a Coachmen Freedom Express 21TQX in mid-state Georgia, clearly out of your stated price range because of the year but pics will give you an idea what this model looks like. 🙂

[SoundGuy]

bernercamper wrote:
And I was dead against pop ups but the hybrid mentioned makes a lot of sense. Can you give me some brands to search? The size and weight would be better.

A number of different manufacturers offer triple bed hybrids but as a Coachmen Freedom Express travel trailer owner I'd suggest one you consider is the Coachmen Freedom Express 21TQX. I've seen several myself in person and although as I said I'm not a huge fan of hybrids this is a really nice, well appointed model that would serve your needs quite well and be an easy tow for your vehicle. Although Coachmen has had this popular model in the lineup for a few years now I can't say if you'd find a used one in your price range ... you'd have to look to see what might be out there.

[valhalla360]

$5-10k is not unrealistic but you will likely have to do some searching, throw out some offers and be willing to walk away if they aren't ready to deal. You are probably looking at the 8-10yr old range but that's OK.

Don't get hung up on a "better" brand. They all use the same mechancials and construction techniques (particularly in small family campers).

While you want everything to work, getting a dry unit is your first priority. If you aren't sure, check out the rigs yourself and when you think you have one that is a good deal and looks in good shape, pay a moble RV tech to go over it with you as a contingency on the deal. There's no guarantee the tech will find everything but they should find more than you will.

At 5-6k lbs, you will probaly be fine but run the numbers specific to your truck and the trailer in question. Make sure to add in the weight of the kids and other stuff packed in the truck...and assuming you will continue to travel, make an estimate of how many extra pounds the kids will add in the next 5yrs. The weight you pack in the truck is subtracted from the load capability.

[bernercamper]

Can I just say that the hybrid idea is brilliant. I think I found the one linked. A rock wood roo? Can you have the pop outs replaced when worn or damaged? This seems like the perfect compromise. Someone probably suggested one in my last thread but I probably wasn't ready to hear it!

I think this could be perfect - I get my own bed, a bathroom and kitchen, dh gets a smaller tt and the benefits of that. I've read so much negative about pop ups I just hope that hydrids dont have all the same negatives.

Lastly is there an all hard sided hybrid? I notice rvtrader doesn't list hybrid as a searchable canper type.

[bernercamper]

Thank you for the advice! Yes I am already stepping up to looking at $9-12k. That jayco is great looking but my dh would not go for it yet... if we could find somewhere to store thatcwas under about $40/mo we could consider that. I guess I'll put the word out among acquaintances maybe someone would be willing to store on their property in exchange for occasional use.

So I understand about the tow vehicle. But short of paying exorbitant prices for a later model excursion, what better choices do I have? We thought about a crew cab but we'd be packed in with 6 and having a child in the front middle seat isn't great for longer trips.

And I was dead against pop ups but the hybrid mentioned makes a lot of sense. Can you give me some brands to search? The size and weight would be better.

I've been scouring the forum for steep driveway issues and it seems the best thing is a ramp or similar at the lowest point between street and drive, "flipping" the axle(s), and looking for the rv with the most ground clearance.

[SoundGuy]

bernercamper wrote:
I have 4 young children under 11. I have 3 teens but if they join us they will be able to tent camp I think. And maybe drive separately too!

I have a 2007 expedition that says it can pull up to 9200lbs.

4 kids means quad bunks which in turn pretty well means a 30'+ trailer, the limitation then being your Expedition's lack of payload capacity, especially because it would be expected to carry the weight of not just 2 adults but also those 4 kids PLUS any tongue weight transferred from the trailer to the TV. Having once owned one I'm not a big fan of hybrids but in your case I'd be looking at triple bed hybrids which will be much shorter and lighter than any 30' quad bunk bed travel trailer. An example ...

[theoldwizard1]

Lwiddis wrote:
"The biggest limiting factors will be price - under $10k and hopefully used for under $5k! AND my driveway "

Your price points are unrealistic but you might get lucky. Regarding your driveway, find an optional storage location before you buy.

CONCUR ! Even used, it will likely be well worn !!

With kids your age (< 11) they will fit in double beds, but in a few years they won't ! If this is a "let's see if the family likes camping", then double bunks are a good place to start. You will probably have to move up to separate bunks eventually.

My daughter's family has 4 kids < 9 and they have a Jayco 28bhbe. Far for small or light, but lots of interior room. While they have space to park it in a side yard, they choose to store off site. As you said it ruins spontaneity.

IMHO, outdoor kitchens are a waste of space and money.

Make sure you can all be comfortable eating dinner together. I recommend a u-shaped dinette.

An outdoor shower is nice for rinse offs after swimming.

[kerrlakeRoo]

bernercamper wrote:
I'm looking at rvtrader. I can't figure out eBay motors. Craigslist seems full of fake ads. Not sure what's up with that. Dh wants to stop by some rv dealers on his next work trip. Any other potential sources?

RV trader and
www.rvt.com
Ebaymotors do a search for
ebay motors rv
and you will find it.
sorry on a tablet so I cant do links

[bernercamper]

I'm looking at rvtrader. I can't figure out eBay motors. Craigslist seems full of fake ads. Not sure what's up with that. Dh wants to stop by some rv dealers on his next work trip. Any other potential sources?

[bernercamper]

Lwiddis wrote:
"The biggest limiting factors will be price - under $10k and hopefully used for under $5k! AND my driveway "

Your price points are unrealistic but you might get lucky. Regarding your driveway, find an optional storage location before you buy.

yes I am seeing I'll realistically be spending $9-12k I think. 😞

Regarding storage, the prices here are high. Someone quoted $70/month. So that's another reason to go smaller and park at home.

To the previous poster I'd ideally love triple bunks but those seem to only be on the longer travel trailers.

[bernercamper]

kerrlakeroo wrote:
Jayco's will be a possibility, Lance will likely not be out there at the price point your talking about.
N. Georgia,
mostly staying in RV parks? or
running west for boondocking times?
Bunks and kids, looking for two double bunks or 3 singles? You will still have a dinette and maybe a sofa
All are things to consider at the ages you mentioned.
That said, there are plenty of TT's out there, but you will be looking at 3-7 yrs old, and they will usually show some wear. Look for signs of water intrusion first and then do it again, It is the destroyer of trailers, If you find one that appears to have always been dry then look to how well the floorplan can meet your needs and how can you work with it. Your families size makes that the most important issue after water. If you cant find a way to work within the space it will quickly become untenable.
Your Excursion will allow for a 20-25' trailer but when counting the weights add all the kids to the TV weight limit, they count there also.
Finding this in the 5-10K price range isnt impossible, but you will have to put some time into it.

I found a lance for $12k but not the best floor plan. We need a 30+ footer but it's just too big for us. I imagine sometimes dh plus a couple boys would go and he's not as keen on hassle.

We are thinking frequent weekends at the coast from SC down to northern Florida. Yes, rv parks. Also there are many state parks in the ga mountains we've tent camped in that a smaller tt would fit.

[bernercamper]

Second Chance wrote:
What a vehicle can pull and the true payload available for loaded pin weight and cargo in the trailer are two different things. Search the forum and you'll find many threads with lots of detail on this topic. With almost any 1/2 or 3/4 ton vehicle, you will hit the limit on payload (read tongue weight, people, fuel and gear) long before you hit the maximum towing capacity. When making calculations, use the gross weight rating of the trailer off the sticker rather than empty or published weights.

After that, on a used trailer your main concerns should be tires, wheel bearings and water integrity (roof, leaks, previous water damage, etc.).

Rob

Yes, I read that about gvwr vs dry weight. Thx for the short list. I don't know how to tell if wheel bearings are good or bad... water I'm guessing I inspect roof and floor... why does it sound like every TT gets reroofed and/or refloored? Are they all doomed to fail? I'd consider spending more money if I knew the basic construction was more durable.

[Lwiddis]

"The biggest limiting factors will be price - under $10k and hopefully used for under $5k! AND my driveway "

Your price points are unrealistic but you might get lucky. Regarding your driveway, find an optional storage location before you buy.