Easy to set up TT

[poodlecamper1]

I have severe arthritis, and am looking for recommendations for a TT 20 ft or less, with power stabilizers and a power jack. Thanks!

[myredracer]

I don't know anything about them but they do make retractable power stairs - Kwikee makes them. Not exactly cheap though but sure would be nice not to have to bend down and pull on steps to retract and extend them. If you want fewer stairs, you want to look for a TT that has overslung axles (axles on top of the springs). Stromberg Carlson makes a really nice large (tall) soft grip exterior stair grab handle. We have them on our TT and love them. The typical small plastic handles are far from comfortable to grasp and hold firmly.

If you might be the type of person that is bothered by trailer "bounce", electric stabilizers will likely disappoint you. Scissor jacks are much better for reducing vertical movement and electric motor operators are available for them. Scissor jacks will allow more side to side motion to happen tho. There are a number of stabilizer struts available (BAL Lock Arm for ex.) but require bending over to tighten them when the jacks are down.

Of course, you'll want a power awning. Seems like there's always a downside to something better and with our Carefree power awning, it can't be tilted down like a manual one for cleaning and you'll a stepladder is needed to clean the top side.

There are power operated waste tank valves that can be installed, but these aren't cheap either. Any sewer hose with a bayonet style connection are difficult to connect and disconnect for an arthritic person. There are better types available. A macerator pump might be a good idea and in some cases can be left in place. An ordinary 1/2 hose is used to the CG sewer drain. I'm thinking of getting one as I am starting to find the hose fittings are harder each year to work with.

There are likely some other lesser things to consider. One I can think of is that many RVs require reaching up to a light on a ceiling to turn them on. Sometimes the light with a switch can be in an awkward location. Not sure how many, if any, TTs are made with wall switches. I've installed wall switches for all of our lighting by running wiring 100% concealed in walls and ceilings. Can be done by an electrician or RV tech. but can be labor intensive. Maybe there is a TT manufacturer that could add wall switches at the factory. Or maybe negotiate with a dealer to do it if buying a new unit.

Good luck!

[RVcircus]

I agree with the others. Find the trailer that works for you and the power options can easily be added.

[jmcgsd]

X2 for a drill and adding the electric Jack.
I keep an 18v DeWalt in the TV equipped with the proper socket for the stabilizers and when I first bought my 28'TT there was a hand cranked jack on the tongue. I realized after about two trips that it had to go. I ordered an Atwood power Jack from Amazon and had a mobile RV tech in our area install it. Took him less than an hour and the TT never had to leave the driveway. Now that I've seen the process I could do it myself, no problem.

I wouldn't trade a TT I liked just for those options, it's much easier to just modify.

[Doug33]

Golfcart wrote:


Like said above. even if it doesnt have power stabilizers you can use a drill with the proper bit and make quick work of it

This has made my life so much easier! My dealer actually told me not to get a TT with the power stabilizers because they are not as sturdy.

[poodlecamper1]

SoundGuy wrote:

poodlecamper1 wrote:
I have severe arthritis, and am looking for recommendations for a TT 20 ft or less, with power stabilizers and a power jack.

You haven't said but presumably you're looking for a smaller, lighter couple's trailer than what you have now ... assuming so, I'd point you in the direction of our own Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS ... short, compact, weighs ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, but offers everything we need in a camper. Improvements this year include a 80" full length queen bed and a vent over the main cabin to which one could add a powered vent fan. It's supplied with a power tongue jack and although I don't see any advantage to adding power stabs I'd assume that could easily be added ... I just use a small 12 volt cordless drill to run the stabs up & down. I tow with a Chevy Avalanche equipped with the older 4-spd wide ratio transmission and same 3.42 axle, typically see 12+ miles to the US gallon when towing. It tows well enough but certainly would do better if it had GM's newer narrow ratio 6-speed. BTW, you might want to change your SIG as your Sierra's engine is a 5.3, not a 5.4. 😉

[Golfcart]

there are alot of great options out there for you. just do some simple looking around at your area trailer dealer and find out what fits you well

Like said above. even if it doesnt have power stabilizers you can use a drill with the proper bit and make quick work of it

[SoundGuy]

poodlecamper1 wrote:
I have severe arthritis, and am looking for recommendations for a TT 20 ft or less, with power stabilizers and a power jack.

You haven't said but presumably you're looking for a smaller, lighter couple's trailer than what you have now ... assuming so, I'd point you in the direction of our own Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS ... short, compact, weighs ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, but offers everything we need in a camper. Improvements this year include a 80" full length queen bed and a vent over the main cabin to which one could add a powered vent fan. It's supplied with a power tongue jack and although I don't see any advantage to adding power stabs I'd assume that could easily be added ... I just use a small 12 volt cordless drill to run the stabs up & down. I tow with a Chevy Avalanche equipped with the older 4-spd wide ratio transmission and same 3.42 axle, typically see 12+ miles to the US gallon when towing. It tows well enough but certainly would do better if it had GM's newer narrow ratio 6-speed. BTW, you might want to change your SIG as your Sierra's engine is a 5.3, not a 5.4. 😉

[TomG2]

Both items are great improvements to any travel trailer. Another thing that I do is purchase tow vehicles like my 2500HD which does not require a weight distributing hitch for towing trailers like you are looking at. That can be a huge savings in both hitching/unhitching time and effort.

[Hornnumb2]

Those can be added to any trailer.