New Years Trip

[Vicky_Moss]

This is my first trip in a trailer and is rented is 191/5
We are traveling from DEC 27 to Jan 4 2014 throughout the south of the united states Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana .
My biggest concern is the cold weather even tough is not freezing this time of the year it may get really cold at night.
any suggestions as how to sleep warmer at night should we take sleeping bags? heater blankets ? a heater and if so what kind.
The link will take directly to the pics of the one I am getting but it has a pop out that looks like canvas and I am not sure how to deal with the cold and all.
www.traveltrailerrent.com/CAMPER_6__PICTURES_INFO.html#
Thank you all very much
Vicky

[dadmomh]

Excellent idea and the OP has experience driving an RV. Would also let everyone be together and comfortable while on the road.

[rexford]

If this is a round trip and you don't need your truck I would suggest renting an RV rather then a TT.
I feel this would be a much easier introduction vs. a travel trailer where you would have to make sure
you have the appropriate hitch, electrical and break controllers. RV would probably be less money
considering the truck upgrades you might need.

[gmw_photos]

Given the general overall lines of this discussion, I would strongly recommend purchasing any available collision damage insurance from the rental company. It will cost you some extra dollars per rental day, but could save quite a bit more than just a few dollars if something gets damaged.

[dadmomh]

DH reminded me of something else you're going to need before you head out....a brake controller. Again, suggest you check with the rental company to see what, if any of this, they're including in your rental.

[Ken_O]

The furnace will be just fine for the weather you should have. As others have said, if you are going to a place with hookups (at least electricity) a quartz heater from a big box store will heat for free.

Have the rental place show you how to adjust the brake controller towing in a parking lot. Its simple, but something you need to have "hands on" to learn.

Stop back and give us a report during or after your trip.

Good Luck and have fun!

[Opie431]

We use electric blankets when we are camping in cold weather. I take an extra comforter alone in case it really gets cold. Have not needed to use it but do not want the electricity to go out and not be prepared.

[NinerBikes]

Vicky Moss wrote:
Can you tell me why ?

Why don't you do a search in your Florida Dept of Motor Vehicles code book to find out why.

[dadmomh]

An RV is more like driving a car/truck. Usually just 4 wheels and it goes where it should. Towing a trailer means turning corners differently or you'll be up and over the curb - and the light pole - in a split second. Getting gas means you plan your exit strategy before you pull in. Most likely the RV you drove did not have the length that your Tahoe + a trailer will have. Backing up is a challenge....or not, but it's totally different than backing an RV. Having driven an RV, you know that you'll need mirrors that let you see at least partially behind you...the standard ones on your Tahoe are likely not going to do that. WDH with sway is an important part of towing safely and it's more than just a quick snap to hook up and unhook, so you need to have a lesson in doing that.

I don't mean to discourage you, but towing is more than just getting into the vehicle and heading out. Just want you to be safe and have a great trip - not one you're sorry you ever got involved with. You need some advance planning. Strongly suggest you check with the rental company and find out about some time to go over exactly what you'll be getting and time to learn how to use it.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Vicky Moss wrote:
Can you tell me why ?

I assume the practice suggestion above is what you are asking about.

I pulled various trailers on and off all my life - but never a travel trailer.

I found some things out when I finally bought one.

Backing up takes practice. I had to learn exactly how that trailer backed up. How it turned. When you start trying to back into a parking space / campground spot - you don't have much extra room most of the time.

When I got my new trailer last month - I had to start over learning how that specific trailer turns and backs up.

Pull thru spots tend to be saved for big Class A and 40 ft + 5th wheels. Us trailer folks get back-in spots.

I also had to train my wife how to spot for me. What she needed to watch and how to communicate with me.

Turning short on corners and going over curbs is not fun - but worse it risks damage to the trailer tires - and it also risk bending the axles or knocking them out of alignment.

You also need to learn how much that specific trailer cuts inside your vehicle turn. TT are less than 5th wheels - but they do cut inside the TV tire tracks on turns.

Another issue is the pivot swing of the trailer. As you turn to the left, the back end of the trailer will swing out to the right, pivoting on the axles. And vice-versa.

While not an issue, in a tight place, you can snag a car on your off turn side.

I've seen that happen at a red light where the fellow in front of me had gotten too close to the car in the center lane. He swung wide enough to clear the curb with the trailer - but ended up buying a front fender for a Chevy Malibu.

I've seen people take out parking spot signs in RV parks for the same reason as the pulled out.

And of course the ultimate nightmare is backing your trailer into the power pedestal in the park, and blowing the entire park's electricity - along with frying the A/Cs on several RVs in the park.

[NinerBikes]

Vicky Moss wrote:
Hello to all the campers I hope you are having a great holiday season .
One more question !
Can i drive while other people are inside the trailer ?

Never. Not safe for humans, not safe for pets either.

[Vicky_Moss]

Thank you for your input I drove an Rv in europe before
but never in a trailer,
You are rigth, the advantage is that i will be driving in flat land.

[Vicky_Moss]

Can you tell me why ?

[dadmomh]

I'm getting the feeling that you've never towed before. If that's the case, you need to allow a few hours in a parking lot, then into light traffic, make some corners, back up, pull into a gas station, etc. Towing is not hard, just somewhat different. What about mirrors? Can't remember, but is the place you're renting from incuding a WDH?? What size trailer?

Don't want to be a party-pooper, but there may be more to this than you're anticipating. BTW, salesmen will ALWAYS tell you that you have plenty of vehicle to tow whatever they're trying to get you interested in....not always so. The good news is that you'll be on flat land with no hills, so that's good.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Vicky Moss wrote:
Can i drive while other people are inside the trailer ?

Trailers have no seat belts. They have no way for the person in the trailer to anticipate curves, stops, starts and brace themselves. They would be thrown around which would likely break bones.

In the event of an accident, being in a trailer would be no protection at all, likely more dangerous than being in the open bed of a pickup truck.

Trailers come apart when they are in an accident.