Tips Needed for Buying first Travel Trailer

[endsoftheearth]

My husband and I are in the market for our first travel trailer. This decision is mostly the result of several recent tenting expeditions in the cold and rain. We were overwhelmed by the variety and size of the RV's in the campgrounds we stayed at. After much research and visits to a couple of local dealers we've narrowed our search down to a particular model as our "trainer rig".

We have found a new 2014 Skyline Nomad 183 Retro (also known as the "couple's camper". It has all the basic criteria we listed on our wishlist when wanting to upgrade from a tent: queen island bed, A/C and lite weight for our Ford Ranger. We plan to travel in a 3-state area of northern Wisconsin, U.P. Michigan and Minnesota. Usually just the two of us for 2 or 3 days at a time. We like quiet private camping sites near a body of water where we can relax and enjoy the outdoors.

This TT has a warranty included and the standard propane tank, battery, hoses etc. It is in our budget of $10k with affordable monthly payments.
We are looking for some input on first time purchasing and wondering if this is a good model for first time??

[endsoftheearth]

re: views on single axle 20' TT. We just returned from our first road trip with the new Nomad 183 Retro. It is a single axle and weighs 2450 ---rated to 3450 GVWR. Our tow vehicle is a Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 with a weight dist. hitch. We bucked a stiff wind the entire trip, but it towed like a charm. We didn't have any sway problems either. The brake control is nice to have if you do get a little sway, but mostly, we believe the right "equalazer" hitch made all the difference.

[justALnow]

We have some small Coleman and Starcraft travel trailers here on our lot with the smaller, wall-mounted A/C units. One nice thing is that they only draw like 5 amps, so will easily run with a 2000 watt generator. Seem to do a pretty good job of keeping up, even in Florida in the summertime. There's not a lot of cubic feet of air to cool in these small trailers.

[Bumpyroad]

mileshuff wrote:
What are peoples views on single axle TT's vs twin axle even for smaller TT's? I was always told to stay away from single axle except for very small such as popups. We had a 20' TT that was twin axle and pulled great and always assumed twin axles pull straighter, less waging, sway etc. Not just a weight issue that requires 2 axles.

I just bought a single axle 17 foot TT weighing 3500 lbs. or so. two less tires to have to replace and worry about.
bumpy

[mileshuff]

What are peoples views on single axle TT's vs twin axle even for smaller TT's? I was always told to stay away from single axle except for very small such as popups. We had a 20' TT that was twin axle and pulled great and always assumed twin axles pull straighter, less waging, sway etc. Not just a weight issue that requires 2 axles.

[Chock_Full_o__N]

wintersun wrote:

I was surprised initially when looking at used RV's how lightly used the majority were that were for sale. Often people would only use them 2-3 weeks out of the year and quite often had not used them at all for the past several years. I saw numerous ads where it stated that the stove had never been used or the toilet was never used by the owners. I know people, including my wife and I, who have never used the shower in their RV's preferring to use the ones at the campgrounds and parks.

I would agree with this. Our first TT was a little 19-ft, no slide model, brand new. It was great, but within 18 months we knew it was too small for 2 adults, 2 teens and a standard poodle. It was just about immaculate and we got almost what we paid for it on trade. Our next one was a well-cared for 30-ft with a huge slide. It was a great trailer, but too big for our SUV.

When we were looking for our current trailer, we knew we wanted to downsize to something similar to that first one. Our kids are grown and no longer camp with us, so we didn't need the bunkhouse and we don't care for the slide and it's upkeep. So we found a nice 25-ft, no slide, about 5 years old in near-perfect condition. It even had that new trailer smell--it couldn't have been used very much. We are loving it and we can put it into practically any site. I think we finally got it right!

I prefer well-kept, used TTs--no water damage, no odors, very clean--but I can see why people like new. Our first trailer had no problems at all. We never had to use the warranty(although we did have to use the insurance when I hit the awning of a restaurant because I was looking at Mt. Shasta :R )

[wintersun]

Something few people seem to do but would be first on my list would be to visit campgrounds in my area and talk to people about their current trailer and what they had before and what they plan to get next. You will learn about all kinds of things that would not otherwise occur to you as of importance in terms of the use and maintenance and other concerns.

I have found people to be very eager to talk about whatever RV they have and what they like and dislike about it and to compare it to what they had before. One couple had a 28' 5th-wheel which they replaced with a 35' 5th-wheel and now have a 32' motorhome. They regretted selling the 28' and getting the longer 35' trailer as they found that many of the places where they had been able to squeeze in the 28' were too small for the 35' trailer with their tow vehicle.

The smaller the trailer the more I would want to learn about how the space is used and what is provided for storage. Airstream trailers have lots of drawers which makes it easier to find things than having a large cabinet area into which you have to put plastic bins.

I agree with the post on buying used but you do need to be sure that the trailer has not had any water leakage anywhere or has other problems. More than half the RV manufacturers went out of business between 2007 and 2008 and the resale value of their products dropped greatly as a result. If it is a quality trailer it may be selling for the same or less than a lower quality trailer from a company that is still in business.

There is another factor that also comes into play in the new versus used RV and that is that the prices for new RV's has jumped considerably over the past 15 years to where people are paying double the price for the new ones being sold in 2013 as compared to the same make and model when it was sold in 2003. If the person selling their trailer bought it new in 2003 for $20,000 they are happy to get $10,000 for it used and that can compare to the same trailer model selling new for $40,000 today. The difference can cover the cost to replace a AC or furnace or fridge or bed mattresses and still have a huge savings.

I was surprised initially when looking at used RV's how lightly used the majority were that were for sale. Often people would only use them 2-3 weeks out of the year and quite often had not used them at all for the past several years. I saw numerous ads where it stated that the stove had never been used or the toilet was never used by the owners. I know people, including my wife and I, who have never used the shower in their RV's preferring to use the ones at the campgrounds and parks.

The one advantage of some of the newer trailers is that they may use metal framing and better insulation and have slideouts. Slideouts is what is inducing many people to get a new trailer. You can get more interior space without needing to tow a longer trailer. Slidouts are point of failure as you can readily find many posts regarding various problems people have experienced.

[westend]

Up in the UP of MI or in the Boundary Waters, an AC is probably going to go unused. Low temp of 37f, Up North, last week. Nice to have it when you need it, though.
The advice to look at used has a lot of merit. You can save thousands from buying new.

Make sure you have the towing weights nailed, nothing worse than fighting what's behind you all day driving. You'll arrive at camp exhausted and it can ruin the experience. There is, always, truck upgrade. I see a lot of folks on the Forum take that route.

[Ron3rd]

If you like the trailer and it's in your budget, go for it. Sounds like you found the perfect rig for your needs.

[Grit_dog]

1st time buyers, on a budget, shopping at the end of "camping" season.......I'd look for used. First, you pay a premium to buy anything new. Provided this is a starter camper, why take the depreciation hit until you are sure what you really want. Second, everyone I know that bought a new RV has had several issues that needed to be addressed, under warranty of course, but nonetheless, the hassle of multiple trips to the dealer or mfg to work the bugs out of it is something I do not like doing. (That said I do all my own work to everything I own, so the peace of mind may be worth the extra $ to buy new for you.)
GLWS

[Bumpyroad]

gcloss wrote:

Tvov wrote:
I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.

I was at an RV show last February and many of the small TT had wall mounted A/C units, including some Jaycos.

yep, years back when I looked at Casitas you could either get a roof mounted AC or one low under the closet area. if you wanted a full length wardrobe closet you had to get the roof one. also very common in popups.

one piece aluminum roof. looked like AC was controlled by a wall mounted thermostat.
bumpy

[gcloss]

Tvov wrote:
I don't think I've ever seen a wall mounted AC unit. Why would it run any different than a roof mount? It certainly will be much easier if maintenance is needed. I can see that maybe a fan might be needed to move air around.

I was at an RV show last February and many of the small TT had wall mounted A/C units, including some Jaycos.

[Winged_One]

endsoftheearth wrote:
Do most RV'ers store their TT in garage for winter???

I would say most do not. But they would if they could.

Get an indoor winter storage if you can.

[endsoftheearth]

Thanks for all the great advice. We are just so excited and yet cautious to make this purchase!

The Ford Ranger is 4x4 and tow capacity is 5,000. We are really researching this topic fully. Plan to look into getting an equalizer and brake controller installed. We are short people and travel light and mostly cook outside with coleman cookstove and won't be using the air too often, but glad to have the option if we need it.

We plan to call the dealer today, about 1 1/2 hour drive away and ask to do a walk through. Do most RV'ers store their TT in garage for winter???

[CincyGus]

Snowman9000 wrote:
What is the towing capacity of your Ranger? You don't want to be maxed out with a travel trailer. Towing a low profile boat at the max is one thing, but towing a big box behind you at max weight is pretty darn miserable.

See nothing wrong with the trailer for your stated needs. It will be quite the step up from your tenting experiences. Make sure it's within the towing rating of your truck and by that, I mean do the research, don't take the salesman's word for it. Payload and max towing ratings and payload is the one I would be most concerned about as that's the one that usually is the problem getting under with small trucks. Most ranger size trucks are limited to popups from what I have seen at campgrounds but you'll need to do the math.

The window air unit will be plenty for that size camper.

I would ask for a better battery capacity since your likely to be dry camping (two class 27's or two 6v) as part of the deal. this will give you the 3 days or so of power your looking for without recharging with a genny or solar if your conservative with your furnace use.

Good Luck and check back in if you need help!