Looking into getting first TT

[jaydoh]

Hello All and hope everyone is safe,

I am looking into getting my first TT. I have to buy a used (but recent) SUV (3-row seating) to pull the TT. SUV is for comfort as I have a large family. So the TT will have to sleep 6 or more (preferably with bunkhouse room with a closing door) and master that has doors for privacy.

My kids ages: 15 year old girl, 14 year old boy, 8 year old boy, 4 year old boy, 1 year old

This is what I found so far:
1-ASPEN TRAIL 2910BHS...6639 lbs
2-Aspen Trail 3210BHDS...7794 lbs
3-ASPEN TRAIL 3230BHS...8034 lbs
4-ASPEN TRAIL 3280BHS...7190 lbs
5-Heartland Travel Trailer RV Prowler 271BR...7880 lbs
6-Keystone Rv Travel Trailer RV Hideout 318BR...7686 lbs.
7-New 2022 Forest River RV Cherokee Alpha Wolf 30RDB-L...7002 lbs
8-Coleman BH322...7436 lbs
9-NEW 2021 KEYSTONE BULLET 330BHS (has 2 bathrooms)...7032 lbs


So if you can please answer these questions below:
1) What is a GREAT SUV to pull any of the TT above or any that you know would fit my needs?
2) Which from the list #1-9 above would be the best overall TT in your opinion? and please list reasons that would make it the best fit for my large family? (Additional info: Me and my two oldest are 5'5", others are smaller)
3) Are there certain TT companies to stay away from? (maybe due to toilet, plumbing, electric, issues, etc)
4) For #9 above, should I avoid a 2 bathroom TT?
5) Any additional info you can add would be greatly appreciated because this is my first and I want to get the right TT that we will not grow out of to quick??

Thank you and God Bless. Stay safe and healthy,
James

[Unobtanium]

Having been looking around the current crop of what sits on dealers lots, good luck. The build quality went from bad to exceptionally bad in the last 18 months or so. What was junk before is now, hell I don't know, worser exponemtially. I don't even know an accurate word to describe it, garbage maybe, and the prices are through the roof. You may as well take all the money in your wallet, weave a rope with it, and hang yourself. The brands you list were bottom of the line junk even prior to the current foolishness in the RV Industry.

[Skibane]

wing_zealot wrote:

Skibane wrote:
You don't need 4 tons of trailer to sleep 6 people.

There are much smaller, lighter trailers on the market that will also sleep 6 people.

Another option is to put several people in a tent next to the trailer.

Yea, the first time it rains everyone is going to find out that tent option sucks. Good way to turn off someone on camping.

Yea, if you can't handle rain in a tent, you're probably best staying at a Motel 6 instead. Good way for your kids to find out that you don't know squat about life outside of a Nintendo.

[wing_zealot]

Skibane wrote:
You don't need 4 tons of trailer to sleep 6 people.

There are much smaller, lighter trailers on the market that will also sleep 6 people.

Another option is to put several people in a tent next to the trailer.

Yea, the first time it rains everyone is going to find out that tent option sucks. Good way to turn off someone on camping.

[rexlion]

Previous posters are correct. If you want a 3 row SUV, get a popup trailer (sleeps 6 easily enough) or a hybrid (pop-out bunks).

Keep in mind that the goal is to get out there and enjoy the outdoors together as a family; anything that enables you to do that will let you build the memories. Even a whopping big tent will do that. Think of whatever you pick out as, primarily, a bedroom on wheels. If you're looking for a complete house away from home, you are likely to be disappointed no matter what you buy, because (1) the quality isn't there and (2) it's going to be crowded as heck inside that trailer.

[2112]

We, a family of 5, had some of our best camping fun in a popup when the kids were young. The girls loved sleeping in tents with their friends, my youngest son not so much. He's 32 now and still calls camping 'crapping'.

If you want to experience sitting around a campfire toasting marshmallows, many campgrounds also have cabins. Rent a cabin and a camping spot. Hang out at the campsite with your lawn chairs, cooler and firewood. Head back to the cabin to sleep. Or pitch a tent there. That's certainly cheaper than a new truck and trailer.

[wowens79]

Think about a popup, Ours had a king, queen, the table made a short full, and the couch made a twin, so lots of bed space, not much walking around room.
We really enjoyed ours for 9 years, and in someways liked it better than our TT.

[toedtoes]

What is it you want to experience? Do you want to travel and see the sights? Or do you want to camp and enjoy the outdoors?

If the former, you are going to be limited. As mentioned, no suv will tow a trailer that size. You don't mention a spouse, so using a second vehicle may not be practical, even if you would want to on long road trips. And many RV parks don't allow tents. So you really have to do your research.

An option may be to look at a motorhome. But you need to make sure of seatbelts, etc. You could tow a smaller vehicle behind and with your older kids reaching driving age, they could sometimes drive that car in tandom.

If the latter, then looking at a hybrid or even a tent trailer is a good option. Using a tent or two for the older kids. Most campgrounds will allow an RV and tent on one site as long as you are a single family unit.

You really don't need all the bells and whistles to enjoy RVing. And honestly, privacy with 6 people in an RV doesn't exist regardless. So I would not worry so much about doors and separate spaces and focus more on the weight.

[Lwiddis]

Your comment, wing, isn’t stupid. I just disagree with you. An RVer can always find an adequate tow vehicle but there is no need to buy a Ford 550 for a 9000 pound max weight TT.

[wing_zealot]

Lwiddis wrote:
Follow the rule! Buy or select the TT first. Then buy a tow vehicle that can comfortably pull and carry the TT’s weight.

Well that's a stupid rule. Can't hardly buy a TT than not be able to find a vehicle to handle the TT with enough seats for all the butts going camping. Seems to me you should work in parallel; buy a TT and TV that meets all the requirements.

[valhalla360]

Lwiddis wrote:
Follow the rule! Buy or select the TT first. Then buy a tow vehicle that can comfortably pull and carry the TT’s weight.

But the devil is in the details:

Assume the GVWR for the trailer...not the empty weight. Then figure 12-15% will be hitch weight that counts against the truck payload.

Also estimate the weight of passengers and gear that will be in the truck. 6 humans (maybe 8-10 if they bring friends) can weigh quite a bit.

Too many people use the empty trailer weight and assume 10% on the hitch then totally ignore people and gear in the truck...only to find the truck is struggling with being overloaded.

[Lwiddis]

Follow the rule! Buy or select the TT first. Then buy a tow vehicle that can comfortably pull and carry the TT’s weight.

[APT]

I have said 2500 Suburban. Some of the TTs on your list would push my comfort limit even though I have plenty of suspension. 7k dry TT means 8500-9000 pounds loaded with a larger family and all their gear, with 1100-1300 pounds of loaded TW.

If you are open to full sized vans, the Nissan NV3500 and GM Twins (Chevy Express or GMC Savana 3500) would all work for most on your list.

If vans more not an option for you, are you planning on more short trips (<2h each way) or longer ones (5+ hours)? The last 2 seasons we have been driving two vehicles on most of our camping trips. My wife or daughter drive it, which helps limit load on the tow vehicle as well as ability to take more stuff, like bike rake, kayaks, PWC, boats, etc. If driving 2 vehicles is an option, then I recommend any 2011+ 3/4 or 1-ton crew cab pickup and whatever current vehicle you have.

[Dadoffourgirls]

I own a 2017 3500 Express 15 passenger van to tow my trailer. Although my youngest turns 21 in a week, I still enjoy the van for family towing.

I will admit that since I have had the Express, the most passengers I have had while towing is 2 people or 2 dogs.

I took my camper to Iowa this summer, and averaged 8.9 mpg. I added a wind deflector to the roof the day before I departed. There was only one passenger, and I kept my speeds below 65 mph.

The Express is not a daily driver, but does great service when taking day trips to wineries or breweries or weddings. I have not had issues in the snow, I have a dedicated set of wheels/tires that I install, and add 200lbs to the rear (or add passengers).

Vans are not as cool, but the pricing had been fantastic. I bought my 2014 in 2015, and my 2017 in early 2019, and both were under $24k used with less than 20k miles.

[jaydoh]

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I have lots to think about

I just getting overwhelmed because I want to experience this with all my children before my older ones graduate HS.