Moving up from PUP to TT, what to expect
After 5 seasons of camping in our little Forest River 176 PUP, we are planning on upgrading to a TT. We haven't picked a specific trailer yet, but most of the units we are interested in are in the 24-...
Forum Discussion
I live in Northern Indiana and there are a few places that will rent TTs. These were not old beaters either. The one I rented was a 26 foot fiberglass with slide, Edge model. I do not recall who the manufacturer.It was two years old and on the lot for $15,000.00.
This was a “no hassle” deal. I backed in and picked it up clean and returned it clean, they did all the dumping, tank refills and hitch set up. The tech went with be on a test drive to show me how to adjust the brake controller and hitch and un-hitch.
The dealer said most of the trailers were rented for Notre Dame football weekends and rarely had over 100 miles on them.
It was not cheap, a bit over $100.00/day but I learned several things.
• Pulling a barn down the road is a lot different than the PUP.
• My F-150 might be rated for the weight load, but it the 200 hp. V6 was not. Max speed was 62 mph. on the flat, 50 to 55 mph. on hills. I needed a bigger engine.
• 8 to 10 mpg was the norm. Backing into a CG spot took a spotter.
Pull-throughs were your friend.
Also getting there simply takes longer, 60 to 65 mph is max. and 250 to 300 miles is a days journey. However,
• Set up was easy.
• There is a lot more maintenance because you are carrying a lot more things.
• Almost any CG can accommodate a 25 footer.
• You crawled out on you own side of the bed.
• The bathroom was nice and convenient.
• Clothing was hung in closets and food in a pantry.
• Microwave, television, oven and other amenities spoil you.;)
In my humble opinion, it is not camping; it is RVing. It took us another year to decide, that for the type of travel we wanted to do, the TT was a better fit. We spent a lot of time checking out A-liners and other such hard sided PUPs.
I would not go back to the PUP and my tenting usually involves a canoe trip.
This was a “no hassle” deal. I backed in and picked it up clean and returned it clean, they did all the dumping, tank refills and hitch set up. The tech went with be on a test drive to show me how to adjust the brake controller and hitch and un-hitch.
The dealer said most of the trailers were rented for Notre Dame football weekends and rarely had over 100 miles on them.
It was not cheap, a bit over $100.00/day but I learned several things.
• Pulling a barn down the road is a lot different than the PUP.
• My F-150 might be rated for the weight load, but it the 200 hp. V6 was not. Max speed was 62 mph. on the flat, 50 to 55 mph. on hills. I needed a bigger engine.
• 8 to 10 mpg was the norm. Backing into a CG spot took a spotter.
Pull-throughs were your friend.
Also getting there simply takes longer, 60 to 65 mph is max. and 250 to 300 miles is a days journey. However,
• Set up was easy.
• There is a lot more maintenance because you are carrying a lot more things.
• Almost any CG can accommodate a 25 footer.
• You crawled out on you own side of the bed.
• The bathroom was nice and convenient.
• Clothing was hung in closets and food in a pantry.
• Microwave, television, oven and other amenities spoil you.;)
In my humble opinion, it is not camping; it is RVing. It took us another year to decide, that for the type of travel we wanted to do, the TT was a better fit. We spent a lot of time checking out A-liners and other such hard sided PUPs.
I would not go back to the PUP and my tenting usually involves a canoe trip.
