new to rv life

[jadams04]

Hello forum!, after a lot of research and looking my fiance and I purchased a travel trailer...My job forces me to spend a lot of time on the road, considerable time at each location. We are committed to become full time rv'rs for a year at least and from there who knows...neither of us has experience with the new trailers, we've both been weekend warriors in tents and pop ups and what not, but nothing like the adventure that is before us. We joined the forum to learn and share experieces, to help make this transition as easy as possible. This month we will be making our way from Texas to California (Fresno) area (which will be location of my first project. I would imagine we will break the drive up perhaps in Arizona and spend a week. I would welcome any recommendations to help us find routes, parks, etc...We are both excited about this new adventure and hoping to learn and share as much as possible on our way...We are open to any and all advice and hope contribute some lessons learned as we go :/...thanks all in advance!

[jadams04]

wow very nice to find all the comments, recommendations and towing considerations..very helpful!! Our trailer is expected later this month, getting very excited! Thanks again for the comments!

[Ron_Gratz]

Jason,

As you probably have learned from your research, you need to consider both how much weight the TV can PULL and how much it can CARRY.

How much the TV can PULL is defined in the owner's manual:

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight – is the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of 10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lb. {68 kg}).

This means the loaded trailer weight must be limited to (in your case) 10,500# MINUS the combined weight of: driver in excess of 150#, weight of other occupants, weight of optional factory-installed equipment, weight of after-market installations, and any other cargo carried in/on the TV including weight of a WDH.

For example, if the combined weight of the items listed above is 800#, Ford is saying your TV can PULL 10,500-800 = 9300# which is 89% of the published MLTW.

However, what the TV can PULL is only part of the towing criteria.
For most TVs, there is a maximum tongue weight limit for the TV and/or receiver.
The max TW limit might be listed in the owners manual and/or printer on the receiver's weights limit label.
In some cases, the TV/receiver determines the TT's max TW.
In other cases, the amount of vertical load imposed by the TT, is limited by the TV's maximum payload and weight of the TV's occupants and cargo defined above.

The maximum payload minus the weight of occupants and cargo is the amount of remaining payload available for vertical load imposed by the TT.
If your maximum payload is, say, 1700# (actual value is "COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO" printed on the Tire Label on the driver's door edge), that means the combined weight of occupants and cargo listed above PLUS the vertical load imposed by the TT cannot exceed 1700#.
If the combined weight of items listed above is, say, 800#, then the maximum vertical load imposed by TT cannot exceed 1700-800 = 900#.

When using a properly sized and adjusted WDH, the vertical load imposed on the TV typically is equal to about 80% of the TW.
This means, for the above assumptions, the TT's TW (based on payload consideration) could be about 900/0.8 = 1125#.
If the receiver's TW capacity is greater than this value, the corresponding max TT weight (assuming TW% of 13%) would be about 1125/0.13 = 8654#.

The factory-delivered "dry weight" for the 30WRLIKS as listed on two dealers' web sites was 7435# and 7428#.
Therefore, it seems you would not have a problem staying below the hypothetical value of 8654#.

The foregoing is a realistic (IMO) procedure for estimating TT loads versus TV ratings. You can substitute you own estimates and known values.

Of course, the best way to know where you stand on loaded weights versus ratings is to weigh the loaded TV and TT.
You also should compare the TV's rear axle load with the rear GAWR. If you're really close to the TV's GVWR, you might be exceeding the rear GAWR -- depending on how the payload is distributed in/on the TV.
For the 2011 F-150s with MAX Tow Package, the available rear axle load capacity tends to be about 300# less than the maximum allowable payload.

Ron

[dennisgt60]

Enjoy your adventures!

[Caveman_Charlie]

Welcome

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Rv'ing.

I full time. I take one day off per week from cooking, and eat out that day.

I visit a hotel at least once per month, too.

If your fiance is not working outside the home (trailer) then she will need a vehicle to keep sane.

Here are another couple of sites that are useful for finding low cost or free places to stay.

Bob's Cheap or Free Campsites

not necessarily boondocking

[westend]

I'd suggest to have a "Steamblower" plan in place, especially for the first few weeks. By that, I mean a plan that will get you and the future Ms away from the trailer for a day or two. Life on the road and living in close quarters can wear on even the closest relationships. A night in a luxury Hotel with a hot tub or a stop at a resort may offer a break from the usual.

Good luck on your trip and best of luck with your new living arrangement.

[wmoses]

jadams04 wrote:
Thank you all for the welcomes, advice and links. I should clarify the towing situation, I researched this issue and tried to be careful in my selection...my job forces me to be at a single job site for a long period of time, anywhere from 4 months to 12 months...considering, we plan to tow as light as possible to each location, once we get settled we will load up with water, food, etc... It is nice to hear the positive compliments on the flagstaffs!

-cheers

Good plan Jason. Do yourself a favour, though. Load up the trailer in your 'light' condition then head to the scales. Paper weights are just guidelines at best and are in many instances very 'ballpark'. Once you' baseline' the rig on the scales you will have a much better picture of where you stand and if / how weights need to be shifted.

You want to shoot for a tongue weight that is 12% or thereabouts of the total trailer weight, which itself should be (prudently) list than 80% of the truck's capacity.That way you have some margin for non-flat terrain and heavy head winds, etc.

As for fuel economy - this is far removed from pulling a popup (more frontal projected area) and 10 mpg seems to be an often-quoted number. The V-front does not significantly alter that despite what the marketing departments say.

Good luck, have fun, and stay safe. 🙂

[jaycocreek]

I spent most of my working life in an RV of some sort. I loved it and still do. Your truck will do just fine on that unit, by the way, that's on my short list for a new travel trailer.

Modern 1/2 tons are very capable tow vehicles..... As you can see by the 2011 HD 2500 listed below although that is just one configuration of it butttttttt.:B

Silverado 2500 HD, crew cab, long box, 4WD (6.0 and 3.73:1 axle) 9,300 (9,300)*

[rbpru]

As hard core canoe and tent campers, my wife and I can say that the RV life is completely different. With stove, microwave, hot and cold water, beds and full bath, heater and AC available with little setup or packing; It is like having a small version of your house with you.

My nephew is a Glazer and with his kids on their own he did the same with a fifth wheel for many jobs away from his home.

Good Luck sounds like fun.

[jadams04]

Thank you all for the welcomes, advice and links. I should clarify the towing situation, I researched this issue and tried to be careful in my selection...my job forces me to be at a single job site for a long period of time, anywhere from 4 months to 12 months...considering, we plan to tow as light as possible to each location, once we get settled we will load up with water, food, etc... It is nice to hear the positive compliments on the flagstaffs!

-cheers

[wmoses]

Jason, Welcome to the forum and to RVing. There is LOTS to learn and there are many knowledgeable folks on these fora, who are willing and able to assist in a positive way. You may also find more direct input on the Flagstaff Travel Trailer forum.

Your new Flagstaff 30WRLIKS is surely a beautiful trailer and you will be very comfortable full timing in that florplan. But then I am biased since my RV is a cousin of your RV's. 😉

AllStays Camp and RV has a great app for either iOS or Android and Microsoft Streets & Trips works well for routing. These are what I use. RV Park Reviews website can be useful also.

My only concern, though, is the payload capacity of your truck in light of the likely tongue weight of your fully loaded trailer, especially where you will be full-timing. The likely GVWR of his trailer is 8850# (which could be achieved if full-timing) which would mean a desired hitch load of 1062#. Don't know if your truck can handle that when freely loaded and camping-ready.

l don't mean to dampen your spirits at this time but would be interested to hear how this would be addressed.

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum. There is a lot of information available. Use the search block or just ask. Someone will have an answer for you.

In addition to Free Campsites, there is:

Free Campgrounds

Casino Camper

and a few others, just do a little searching.

They're not really campgrounds, just places for an overnight stop.
But, they come in handy when you're traveling and just need a rest or resupply your RV.

Enjoy your new lifestyle.

[Ron3rd]

Jason, you're gonna love your Flagstaff V-hull. We've got the sister brand Rockwood Windjammer and love it. The v-hulls tow like a dream.

[jadams04]

Yes Artum, we are very excited and trying to get as prepared as possible. Since this will be home for awhile, we wanted to be as comfortable as possible. Went to a local RV show and spent a couple days looking, asking questions, etc...In the end we bought the flagstaff v-lite 30WRLIKS, 3 slides, dry weight 7200lbs. Towing vehicle is a 1/2ton 2011 Ford FX4 with tow package, eco boost engine and transmission cooler. Max towing weight is 10,500lbs.