Complete Newbie to TTs Here. First-time Buyer Advice

[Xanthais]

Good morning!

First time TT buyers, looking for advice on brand, etc. We live in Riverside, CA., and have been to about 5-6 different places, and have a decent idea on what we think we need.

We have a 2017 Nissan Armada 2WD, with a max towing capacity of 8,500 lbs, so we're thinking a 6,000 lb. TT max.

Family of 5, with two oldest boys being 17, and probably off to college and jobs within a year or two max, but right now we do need to sleep 5. Looking at bunk floor plans with pull-out dinette. I know you can sleep 5 without bunks in many floor plans, but it seems a hassle to break down the dinette table every night, or convert a couch and put sheets on it, etc. Then un-do it all again the morning. We want beds ready to go.

Preferably new, and the wood-frame TTs are our price range ($19-$24k)

Our driveway parking location is 30 feet, sidewalk-to-roof overhang, so that needs to be taken into consideration. Ideally I'd like the tongue of the TT to not be sitting literally on the sidewalk line.

So far we've looked at the following, with their factory listed dry weights:

Aspen Trail 2340BHS (5,599 lbs.)
Coleman Lantern 244BHWE (5,500 lbs.)
Jay Flight SLX 242BHSW (5,335 lbs.
Salem CruiseLite 241BHXL (5,165 lbs.)

Anything I've found online in regards to most TTs, has been from dealerships, so looking for actual user-based experience with those brands, or even those specific models.

Thanks! 😄

[PAThwacker]

Most likely camper to fit your tribe is a three tent hybrid. Crappy tanks but fully utilized sleeping areas x 3 queens. I have always owned canvas either in pups or hybrid and never have to worry about bears. Black bear a plenty in my region of PA.

Most of the 3 bed hybrids are 23 feet bodies with gross weights at your sweet spot 6600 pounds Gross. Another spec is your storage space and hybrids meet that requirement. Less than 30 feet bumper to hitch. I'd upgrade vehicle to 3/4 ton truck as kids go off to college. I use a k2500 Suburban which is 2405 pounds of payload and 7600 pounds of towing. Purposely built to beat the piss out of towing campers/boats.

[ppine]

coolmom42 knows what she is talking about.

[rbpru]

You can do what we did, we looked at the size TT we needed. Then rented a similar sized model.

With just dumb luck we had chosen a TT that kept us within our max cargo capacity. Max cargo is on the door jamb and It is lot less than the towing capacity and will fill up easy with kids toy and other must haves. We learned that a bit late in the game.

Finally by renting we learned a lot about RVing, mileage, performance and most important Floor Plan. Then we could walk away and think on what we learned before we spent the big bucks.

Since the TT we rented was two years old and in excellent condition we decided that there were probably other used one we would like.

We ended up with a three year old model and have not found anything we like better in the last four years.

[Xanthais]

2012Coleman wrote:
As for advising you to tell the older ones to sleep in a tent, I'm sure you know how that will go down. People give that advice a lot - but most likely never followed it. So you big kids - were going to buy this new camper and go on great trips, but yea, your going to have to sleep in a tent - if you could do that, it would be great. Sounds like a line from Office Space...

Exactly. LOL

As to the Armada tag, here it is.

[2012Coleman]

So normally, I'd say phooey to buying used for a first timer. I bought my first one new - no way would I have considered a used TT. And my first one was a Coleman. Agree withe the comment made that this is a entry level trailer. and the fit and finish was cr@ppy, but better than others I looked at in my price range.

But you stated that you won't need the extra sleeping room after the oldest move on - then you will be stuck with bunks your not using. so either buy a used bunk house that you won't take a deprecation hit on when you sell it due to not needing bunks. Or suck it up and find a new one and break down/set up beds. It's not a big deal.

As for advising you to tell the older ones to sleep in a tent, I'm sure you know how that will go down. People give that advice a lot - but most likely never followed it. So you big kids - were going to buy this new camper and go on great trips, but yea, your going to have to sleep in a tent - if you could do that, it would be great. Sounds like a line from Office Space...

You need to figure out the payload capacity of your Armada. Look at the door jamb and post the number where is says weight of cargo and passengers not to exceed xxxx lbs. Tow capacity is a fantasy. don't rely on it.

[searfoss]

gbopp wrote:
Buy used for your first RV. You may be selling or trading it in a year or two.
Yes, setting up and taking down a dinette/couch every day gets old, real quick. It's okay for occasional use, just not all the time.

Don't be in a hurry to buy. Look at everything and ask lots of questions BEFORE you give a seller any money or sign any agreements.
Salesmen are not your friend. Their only goal is to sell you something. You'll find that some of them know less sbout RV's than you.

Someone on the forum will have an answer to your questions. Don't hesitate to ask.
Enjoy your travels.

I absolutely agree, our first was a brand new 2005 Palomino 21SD, awesome rig. But it got small as our kids got big. We went that small because of towing capacity (92 Chevy Conversion Van which struggled on every hill). I originally had my eye on something 2 feet bigger which in hindsight would have served us longer but was 500 lbs heavier so had to pass. 13 seasons later we have a 28 ft rig (our third).

You may not be able to plan 10 years out for your needs but look at the next 5. Age and size of the kids, any pets going.

Think it through, RV are always "on sale" somewhere. Don't shy away from used if the price is right. We've had one ordered from the factory (1st HTT) one used off the lot and one new off the lot. On getting used, my advice is this, if you smell mildew or mold when you walk in then walk away.

And the sales person is not your friend, he/she is focused on earning a commission check to put food on their table. Once you leave he/she is on the next buyer.....

[ppine]

It is difficult to chose the right RV the first time. I would definitely plan on a used unit and one that is not too big. There are some great RVs now under 5,000 pounds or even under 4,000 pounds. They make everything easier and still have room.

[coolmom42]

I would let the 17 yr olds sleep outside in a tent, and not buy a trailer specifically big enough to sleep them. If you do buy a bigger trailer to accomodate them, buy a used one, so you can downsize in a few years.

[BizmarksMom]

The Nash 22h was mentioned above. I own one, and love it.

But... I normally camp solo with my 2 dogs. When a friend and I went on a 2 week desert road trip last year, I got the bed and she slept on the sofa we kept extended into a bed for the entire time. It worked well after stopping at Wal-Mart and buying a cheap foam topper to put on the sofa. It was plenty of space for 2 ladies who come from a backpacking back ground. (Compared to a sleeping bag on the ground covered by a tarp, any RV is a palace.)

Also, I primarily boondock and dry camp - so a trailer that can hold up on dirt roads and is completely self-contained was my priority.

In a nutshell, what kind of camping do you like? If you are towing on good roads to a paved full hook-up site, you will probably do fine with a nicer looking ultra light trailer. If you go to more primitive places, you will want a better built trailer to handle that. I bought my Nash after trashing the suspension on my first trailer - a Keystone Bullet, never meant to leave pavement.

[gbopp]

Xanthais wrote:

As for cost, depreciation, and buying used, is that primarily in case we don't like it, or figure something out and realize we need to sell that one, and get something different? Makes sense. I've always been a little wary of used, though.

Yes, you may realize you don't like the RV life. (I doubt it).
But you may find out that you don't like the floor plan, want a larger bathroom, more kitchen counter space, etc..
Buying used will result in less of a depreciation hit if you decide to sell or trade.

If you're more comfortable buying new, that's okay. Just make sure everything is working before you buy. Being new does not mean it is trouble free.
Don't fall for the 'buy it today and we'll fix it tomorrow' tactics used by some dealers. Remember, their goal is to sell you something.

If you're not able or chose to not do the inspection, consider hiring a mobile RV Tech to do the inspection.
Don't listen to the dealer if they tell you they will inspect the unit. Do your own inspection.
I'm not saying all dealers are bad. Just do you homework.

[handye9]

Xanthais wrote:
We have a 2017 Nissan Armada 2WD, with a max towing capacity of 8,500 lbs, so we're thinking a 6,000 lb. TT max.

Family of 5, with two oldest boys being 17, and probably off to college and jobs within a year or two max, but right now we do need to sleep 5. Looking at bunk floor plans with pull-out dinette. I know you can sleep 5 without bunks in many floor plans, but it seems a hassle to break down the dinette table every night, or convert a couch and put sheets on it, etc. Then un-do it all again the morning. We want beds ready to go.

So far we've looked at the following, with their factory listed dry weights:

Aspen Trail 2340BHS (5,599 lbs.)
Coleman Lantern 244BHWE (5,500 lbs.)
Jay Flight SLX 242BHSW (5,335 lbs.
Salem CruiseLite 241BHXL (5,165 lbs.)

Anything I've found online in regards to most TTs, has been from dealerships, so looking for actual user-based experience with those brands, or even those specific models.

Thanks! 😄

Here's a link to a calculator that may help you with the weights. Your tire / loading sticker is located on your drivers door post. It will give you a number for "max occupant / cargo weight" (AKA payload).

The calculator will give you a loaded trailer weight that will put your tow vehicle close to it's max.

Things to remember:

1. Your max towing capacity was calculated without passengers, pets, aftermarket accessories, or cargo of any kind. As you add weight to the vehicle, it's towing capacity and available payload are going down, pound for pound.

As you are loading up for a trip, your tow vehicle's available capacity is going down, while the trailer is getting heavier.

2. On average, the load of dishes, pots and pans, utensils, bedding, BBQ gear, camp chairs, groceries, and water, etc, weighs 800 - 1000 lbs. Add this to the trailer's dry weight, plus weight of propane and any dealer installed options, to get a ball park of loaded weight.

3. Tongue weight averages 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight, and it is not a constant number. It fluctuates up when you load water and groceries, and down as you use them up. Also, holding tanks can have a significant impact on tongue weight. If the tank is forward of the trailer axles, it adds tongue weight, and, if the tank is behind the axles, it takes off some tongue weight.

4. The weight of your weight distributing hitch (about 100 lbs) and trailer tongue weight, both count as cargo weight on the tow vehicle.

[normal_dave]

So you've been warned about the weight, do your homework, but don't despair.

-Where do you plan to camp most of the time? (state parks, backwoods/off-grid, or more resort-style).

-What activities do you enjoy while camping? (do you need space for gear? bikes, kayaks, etc.).

-Do you envision cooking outside mostly, (i.e. are you moving up from a tent)?

Make choices based on reality, don't avoid used if it's a good fit and passes inspection. Hire a local RV tech to do a pre-purchase inspection on your behalf.

With the existing tow vehicle, resist the urge to get as big a trailer as you can on paper. Bigger "ultra-lite" often translates to ultra easy to damage, or more fragile construction. With 3 kids, it wouldn't hurt to have a tough trailer.

Anyhow, take a look at this, a big difference in toughness and quality vs. what you've mentioned.
Northwood Nash 22H

22H walk through

Found a new 2017 not too far from you. Take a long hard look at this before you pull the trigger on the others.
2017 Nash 22H

The 7K GVWR is high in part due to the heavy frame and suspension, so don't let that throw you. The "full featured" dry weight of 4,727 is remarkably close to reality vs most manufacturers.

With our family of 6, most of the time the kids stayed outside, and the camper was just that, a base camp, a place to sleep, change, re-group. We most always cook outside anyway.

We couldn't find anything in budget or in the market to suit us so we converted a cargo trailer. If you're handy with building, give it a look. Keep in mind we went from two tents, and our activities were hiking, biking, paddling, so we needed a toy hauler and a camper in one. Here's ours for an idea:
7x16 Cargo Camper Conversion
Here it is unloaded and setup with our bunkhouse. Us old folks use a Serta click-clack sofa in the front of the trailer.


Welcome to the madness, and good luck.

[SoundGuy]

Xanthais wrote:
First time TT buyers, looking for advice on brand, etc.

We have a 2017 Nissan Armada 2WD, with a max towing capacity of 8,500 lbs, so we're thinking a 6,000 lb. TT max.

You should be thinking 6000 lbs max fully loaded & ready to camp. That in turn means a trailer with a UVW under 5000 lbs at most, especially for a family of 5 who would load at least 1000 lbs into any trailer.

Xanthais wrote:
Family of 5, with two oldest boys being 17, and probably off to college and jobs within a year or two max, but right now we do need to sleep 5.

Sorry, but with 2 of your 3 so close to leaving and likely not camping with you much longer IMO it's silly to be buying a family trailer with bunk beds that are going to end up empty very quickly. It won't kill these 2 older ones to sleep in a tent and that in turn will allow you to consider couple's trailers that will obviously serve you much better for a much longer time. You may not care for the idea of having the 3rd younger child sleep on a sofa or dinette converted to a bed but that's far better than dragging around bunk beds you don't use.

[George3037]

I also agree to buy used for a first timer. There are many well taken care of TT's out there. After you have bought and used a TT you will probably find out you'd like a different floor plan or more storage area, maybe it doesn't feel right towing, or you'd like more features. As a first timer you may put dings in it while backing up or turning / parking. Then if you decide to upgrade in a year or two you won't have to absorb the big depreciation hit and maybe get close to what you paid for the used one.