I just happened to be checking my email address and saw that people had replied. A lot. You guys are awesome!
Where have I been? RV'ing, of course! Although I think the term should be "glamping", not "camping". ;)
Ended up going big on the truck but not so big on the trailer. Got an F-450 and a Cherokee 294BH, which is a 37' trailer. Altogether I'm 62' from bumper to bumper. It has a king bed, but not walkaround. The TV is a joke, but it's there if we want to come in from outside and watch a movie. I wish they'd get rid of the couch and shorten the whole rig because I find the two-person couch to be pretty useless. But, watcha gonna do? It was relatively cheap! :)
I've been really fortunate with the towing, parking, and maneuvering. I just take it slow and be patient. I picked up some Cobra walkie-talkies but for the most part I just need someone to tell me if I'm going to back into something. I have a very clear view of the sides of the RV, and I'm getting better at backing up but I can always use more practice. I always look up.
The very first trip we took was to South Dakota. I stopped in Cheyenne to refuel and weigh the rig. Came in just under 19,000 pounds, including the truck of course. There was only one really close call when I turned around in a relatively small parking lot, but, no damage, no scrapes, and one very big sigh of relief!
I realize the F-450 is overkill for that trailer but at the time we were still considering a fifth wheel, and the truck was a longer delivery, so I had to go ahead and pull the trigger. I am in no way shape or form sorry I got the large dually. It's fantastic, and I use it for Boy Scout trips as well.
Just put in a Line-X bedliner, and I'm thinking about a combo tool box/fuel tank for the bed so we don't have to refuel until I drop the trailer. We'll see.
Thanks for the advice folks! Do appreciate it!
