Brand New Buyer Looking for Sound Advice
Hey everyone! My family has grown to the point that tent camping just isn't feasible and I am looking to buy my very first travel trailer in the next year or so and I am looking for advice from ex...
Forum Discussion
Welcome!
With a family of 5, guessing 3 growing kids (1 still on the way) and a F150 the biggest challenge you will be facing is the available payload of your truck, regardless of what the inflated tow rating is. There is a yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb stating "All passengers and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs". This number is the max the weight of all the passengers (including the driver), any cargo (coolers, bikes, firewood, etc), the wdh, AND the tt tw (travel trailer tongue weight) can weigh.
Keep in mind the trailer manufacture "brochure" weights do not include options, even those options which may be "mandatory". The "dry" tongue/hitch weight does not include the weight of the propane tanks or a battery either. That can add ~120lbs for 2-20lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery. Your trucks receiver hitch also has a max tw rating.
Brand wise, pretty much all the manufactures make great trailers, and they all can make the worst.... The best thing to do is to go through the trailer before signing any papers to make sure all is correct.
One thing I came across when we were shopping last year is some manufactures do not use as high of a rated axle as other manufactures do for comparable models. One brand we looked at that was the same floorplan as our Jayco had 2-4400lb axles, but a 95XXlb GVWR. They added the tw that is "carried" by the tv to the axle rating for a higher GVWR. Yes, the tv does carry the tw, but my crazy thinking is the more reserve capacity (within reason) the better. As a comparison, our Jayco 32 BHDS has 2-5000lb axle, with a 99XXlb GVWR.
Gear wise, there are the basis you will need, and then there is the like to have. Lol I would bet you already have some stuff from the tent days.
Should have:
2x8 (or 10) boards or Lego blocks for leveling the trailer side to side. Boards/blocks for under the tongue jack and stabilizer jacks.
Wheel chocks.
30amp extension cord.
Fresh water hose.
Sewer hose, one that is better than what a dealer may include.
Pots/pans for cooking.
Awning mat (?).
Camp chairs.
Grill.
Optional:
Ez Up.
X-Chocks.
Folding table. We have 2 of the Aluminum roll top tables. Store just like a bag chair.
Gravity chairs.
And the list could go on. The biggest thing is storage space, and available payload of the trailer.
When shopping, as hard as it may be try to take the whole family once you have an idea of a few different models, and spend some time inside each one. See how it is to move around inside while "cooking" on a rainy day with everyone.
Once you get a tt home, try Camp Driveway the first few nights. That way anything you think of you can run inside and grab from the house. Also have a pad of paper and a pen/pencil to write things you need down as you think of them.
Hopefully this gets you started.
Good luck!
With a family of 5, guessing 3 growing kids (1 still on the way) and a F150 the biggest challenge you will be facing is the available payload of your truck, regardless of what the inflated tow rating is. There is a yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb stating "All passengers and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs". This number is the max the weight of all the passengers (including the driver), any cargo (coolers, bikes, firewood, etc), the wdh, AND the tt tw (travel trailer tongue weight) can weigh.
Keep in mind the trailer manufacture "brochure" weights do not include options, even those options which may be "mandatory". The "dry" tongue/hitch weight does not include the weight of the propane tanks or a battery either. That can add ~120lbs for 2-20lb tanks and a battery, or ~160lbs for 2-30lb tanks and a battery. Your trucks receiver hitch also has a max tw rating.
Brand wise, pretty much all the manufactures make great trailers, and they all can make the worst.... The best thing to do is to go through the trailer before signing any papers to make sure all is correct.
One thing I came across when we were shopping last year is some manufactures do not use as high of a rated axle as other manufactures do for comparable models. One brand we looked at that was the same floorplan as our Jayco had 2-4400lb axles, but a 95XXlb GVWR. They added the tw that is "carried" by the tv to the axle rating for a higher GVWR. Yes, the tv does carry the tw, but my crazy thinking is the more reserve capacity (within reason) the better. As a comparison, our Jayco 32 BHDS has 2-5000lb axle, with a 99XXlb GVWR.
Gear wise, there are the basis you will need, and then there is the like to have. Lol I would bet you already have some stuff from the tent days.
Should have:
2x8 (or 10) boards or Lego blocks for leveling the trailer side to side. Boards/blocks for under the tongue jack and stabilizer jacks.
Wheel chocks.
30amp extension cord.
Fresh water hose.
Sewer hose, one that is better than what a dealer may include.
Pots/pans for cooking.
Awning mat (?).
Camp chairs.
Grill.
Optional:
Ez Up.
X-Chocks.
Folding table. We have 2 of the Aluminum roll top tables. Store just like a bag chair.
Gravity chairs.
And the list could go on. The biggest thing is storage space, and available payload of the trailer.
When shopping, as hard as it may be try to take the whole family once you have an idea of a few different models, and spend some time inside each one. See how it is to move around inside while "cooking" on a rainy day with everyone.
Once you get a tt home, try Camp Driveway the first few nights. That way anything you think of you can run inside and grab from the house. Also have a pad of paper and a pen/pencil to write things you need down as you think of them.
Hopefully this gets you started.
Good luck!
