1st Time Travel Trailer Buyer

[coach4life]

Edited:

I currently drive a 2011 Dodge 1500 with full tow package. Looking for a travel trailer for a family 4 (2 young kids).

1)Any recommendations as the size & weight (dry) of the trailer i should consider for this truck?

2)Any advice as to how to go about what to look for in a trailer? What should I be looking for in a trailer?


Thanks for the input in advance.

[wmoses]

MitchF150 asked some very good questions, the answer to which are needed for meaningful input, IMO.

[JIMNLIN]

Need some tech help here from you.

A '11 1500 Dodge pickup comes with the 5.7 Hemi a smaller V8 4.7 gas and a very small 3.7 engine. Gear ratios are 3.55 or the 3.92. Tow ratings go from 3450 lbs up to 10xxx + lbs.
Witout knowing what size engine/gear ratio/crew cab or std cab/2wd or 4wd we have no idea what size trailer your truck is capable of towing.

[wvabeer]

If you have never camped maybe a pop up may be the ticket. They make some darn nice high wall pop up's

[PAThwacker]

I found a stick and tin that may work for our 04 k2500 sub/ 7600lb tow rating.
my dear wife wants a tt, I am fine with hybrids. Wants: bunkhouse, bathroom exterior door, full bunks, 2 door ward/pantry(week long storage of kids clothes).

dutchmen aspen trail 276 bh small. Kitchen slide/ 6092 alleged dry weight. Low tongue wt.!

[boosTT]

Look at trailers with bunks and a GVWR of under 6500 lbs to not use all of your payload.

[APT]

I have no idea what full tow package means. If you have the 5.7L, towing package with 7-pin harness and transmission cooler, either 3.55 or 3.92 axle, then 6000 pounds dry is a good limit. If you have a crew cab, payload will likely be a limit well under the 8-10k+ tow rating. Check your driver's door for the tire and loading sticker for as equipped payload. About 10% of trailer weight will go on the truck's axles, plus the weight of your family and cargo in the bed.

[ymehp]

coach4life wrote:
Edited:

I currently drive a 2011 Dodge 1500 with full tow package. Looking for a travel trailer for a family 4 (2 young kids).

1)Any recommendations as the size & weight (dry) of the trailer i should consider for this truck?

2)Any advice as to how to go about what to look for in a trailer? What should I be looking for in a trailer?


Thanks for the input in advance.

I like the models with the additional outside bathroom enterance to keep the tracking of the mud & sand etc. to a minimum with the double bunk options; 27DDS. This would be my preference here with the additional bunkroom and awesome outside kitchen but is probally more than you truck maybe able to handle; 31-BHSS?

Goodluck, congrats & welcome aboard!

[Lowsuv]

a 1500 with a full tow package is not as good for towing as the lowest basic 2500 .
inadequate rear axle payload is the limiting factor .
high percentage trailer tongue weight is necessary to stop sway .
most 1500 owners are reticent to load their trailer tongue heavy and will load too much gear behind the travel trailer axle . this causes sway .
at the tire store when i see a 1500 on the lift next to a 2500 on the lift with their tires off and their brake discs and brake calipers exposed it is obvious that a 2500 will handle the significantly higher rated loads .
travel trailer drum brakes fade with extended downhill runs .
this puts most of the braking chore on the tow vehicle. with a 2500 that is okay due to reserve capacity and 1500 lacks that reserve .
consider staying at 21 feet and 5000 pounds .
use your awning . buy a 12x12 EZ-UP / Quick shade or two .
spend more time outside your trailer .
cook outside , relax outside .
a 21 trailer still has a potty , shower , range , refer , holding tanks , furnace , bed , dinette , just as the 31 trailer does .
inside is for sleeping and the worst weather days .
my 21t komfort has 50 fresh , 45 grey , and 45 black .
we replenish the fresh with the ubiquitous 5 gallon blue jug .
why tow more than you need ?

[Kalabin]

They key is to look at the max tow rating of your truck and then compare that to the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of the travel trailer. To keep give you a little head room I have always been told to shoot for 80% of the maximum.

With kid's your most likely going to want bunks for them, with a Queen bed for yourselves. For my wife and myself the bathroom is a big thing for us, we like the bathrooms with the tubs in them, along with a sink in the restroom. The slide out models give a bit more room, but at a price.

I would start looking on Keystone, Forest River, Jayco, Northwood, Outdoorsmfg websites and look up the GVWR for the floorplans you like. Write those down and then if you have a dealer near by actually take the whole family down and go inside and see how it works for you guys. One of our mistakes was looking online and trusting other peoples reviews without really spending a lot of time on the lots testing them when we purchased our first TT. Everyone will have different opinions on what's the most important.

My brother-in-law is constantly fighting fresh water usage with his two girls, they have a 40 gallon tank and are now hauling an additional 15+ gallons of water. Light weight models usually are 30-40 gallon tanks, while the non-lightweight models go up to 80 gallons.

[MitchF150]

Maybe give some examples of what you are looking for in a trailer and what kind of 'camping' are you interested in?

Have you ever camped before? State Parks, National Parks, private/public camp grounds, resorts?

Budget? New? Used?

Mitch