First Timer seeking advice.

[RBPerry]

Wife and I will be going to the Sacramento RV show tomorrow to hopefully make a decision on what TT we want, and the more I read, the more confused I become. We will be pulling it with our F150. My wife likes the Heritage Glen, and I’m more drawn to the Jayco models. I have read every FAQ on the forum.
We are moving from motorcycle travel and camping to a TT, I prefer the motorcycle but wife says enough is enough. We plan to travel a month to two at a time, and have two small dogs; we have even considered being a camp host for a couple of months. My F150 the way it is set up is good for 8800 pounds, and the trailers we seem drawn to once loaded will hit around 7500 gross.
Any advice before we head off for the show tomorrow would be greatly appreciated.

[Tax_Man]

RBPerry wrote:

I do have one other question, some of he sliders I have looked don't seem very well built other than Jayco seems to have a nice worm gear. Have there been issues with sliders failing?

Short answer is yes, there have been issues with slide failing. Mine has one slide and I have only had it one year without problems. I did look very close at all the working parts while on the lot and did not see anything looking more worn and the slide moved without binding up.

My first trailer was a used 32 footer and had to fix a fitting on the water pump on the first night out. The next one (a couple months later, spouse wanted it) was a brand new one and had to fix a couple of things on it after about a month. So, if you shop right, go for whatever makes your spouse happy.

[RBPerry]

Thank all of you so much for your advice, it is truly appreciated. We had no intentions of purchasing from the show, but get a better feel for what we want. All your advice on purchasing used sounds like a good way to go, as for dealing with sales people, well if their lips are moving.
I'm a retired truck technician but have no knowledge of RV rigs other that what I have leaned here over the last couple of weeks. The only concerns I have about buying used is ending up with something else to work on.

I do have one other question, some of he sliders I have looked don't seem very well built other than Jayco seems to have a nice worm gear. Have there been issues with sliders failing?

[goducks10]

RV dealers will sometimes raise the MSRP and then sell the trailer for less, but that less price is higher if you weren't at the show. We went in a TT a few years ago. It had the sale price hanging on a cabinet door. I did the usual looking around and when I opened one of the kitchen drawers, low and behold there's an MSRP sheet in there with a lower price than the MSRP listed on the sheet of paper hanging on the door.
RV shows are great to get a good look at lots of trailers at one location. Problem is there's a ton of people looking as well. It's really hard to actually spend time alone in one and get a good feel for the trailer.
A good thing to do is go to the RV show and look at all the trailers you're interested in. Get some brochures so you remember which ones you liked the best.
Then go on the internet and spend a few weeks researching the ones you like.

[TNGW1500SE]

donn0128 wrote:
Forget shows. Buy used as your first trailer. Let someone else take the financial hit if you end up not liking trailer life. Or worse yet, decide next year you love it and want more.

Good advice!

[coolmom42]

A RV show is the worst place possible to make a decision. It is a decent place to look at what's available and see features you must have or would not have.

Decide on a budget, make decisions about features, pick you maximum gross weight (do your reading here on that, for sure) and then start shopping for a good used model that fits your needs. Don't worry overly much about the brand at this point.

Do your reading on here on what to look for and avoid in a used trailer, and then start shopping your area. There will be lots of trade-ins available, mostly from people who want a different size.

IME about 26' is a good size for a couple with pets.

[PatRenee]

Check out Open Rande light... they are very well built...

[horizon36]

I also suggest a lite model and something used for your first RV. Keep in mind that this will be your FIRST RV and your learning rig. You will discover what you like and dislike and therefore what you really want. Use it for a year or so and then start shopping for your next used rig and you will know much better what you want.

[IdaD]

If you get a good deal on a used model you can turn around and sell it for what you paid and only be out tax and registration fees. On a new model you lose your butt when you drive it off the lot. If you're careful you can save a lot of money with a used unit.

[the_bear_II]

Go with the TT that your wife is happy with. Try to stay as close to 7000 lbs as possible to provide a good safety margin.

Getting a used unit is a good idea to ease the cost burden at purchase. Also if you decide trailer life isn't right for you you're not taking a big hit.

[LynnandCarol]

Try and stay with a lite model. Our TT is about 6300 (see pic in profile) and we have towed all over the country with no problems with a F150. Also, you have to consider the weight in your truck also (Bed and inside cab).

[donn0128]

Forget shows. Buy used as your first trailer. Let someone else take the financial hit if you end up not liking trailer life. Or worse yet, decide next year you love it and want more.