Newbie.. Looking for purchase advice on trailer..

[Italfra1]

Howdy.. Total newbie here to the travel trailer world. Years of camping, travelling & road trips but now I want to finally purchase a travel trailer. I own a Toyota Tundra 5.7 V8 4 x 2. So that's what I'll be pulling my trailer with when I finally purchase one.

I live in Sonoma County California. I can see my travels taking me and my family up and down the California Coast, Lake Tahoe, Vegas, Oregon, Idaho and wherever..

I own catering company and I'm a professional chef. So packing, prepping and being very organized is something that I'm very good at. I'm usually packing equipment to remote areas, building a make shift kitchen and pulling off small miracles.

Where I need help is in choosing what type of travel trailer will fit my needs. I don't want something that's huge. I'm thinking a trailer in the 15 to 20 foot size would be plenty. It's me, my wife and our 10 yr old son. I also don't have a huge budget. So I'm ok with something that's a little older, a bit dated or needs some basic TLC. I can handle all that. But I want a trailer that has solid bones. I honestly think my budget is well below $10k. Probably more like $6k - $7k. I know that's not a lot but it's what I have. So I know that will limit me. Is there a certain brand, make, model or year that I should focus on. I see so many brands of trailers. Is there certain trailers I should stay clear from?

I'll probably try to find something off Craigslist. Don't want to deal with a used dealer that's trying to fix something up and turn it for a buck. Appreciate and suggestions..

[Need-A-Vacation]

Welcome!!!

In regards to looking for the right tt for your family, the best thing to do is look at as many as possible, and spend some time if the owners don't mind inside. You can make sure the trailer is big enough for those rainy days when being outside isn't possible. If the model has a "parents bed" (full or queen) and a bunk bed set with at least dinette (and possibly a couch) it saves making the dinette or couch into a bed every night. BUT a bunkhouse is usually a little more in demand, so possible a higher price (at least when we have shopped! Lol).

Make sure everything works on both electric and gas (if the appliance has that option). Look for water stains and soft spots in the floor, walls, and ceiling. Even in the (pass through) storage areas.... Check the propane tanks date code if an older trailer. May need to be re-certified... Also check the rubber propane hoses!!!

Check the tires!!!! Just because they look ok, doesn't mean they are!!! Look for a four digit number indicating the week and year the tires were made: 1413- made the 14th week of 2013.... Plan on needing new tires when you start looking. The average tire life is 3-5yrs depending on how they were taken care of.... Not knowing the previous history: ran with low air pressure, extreme speeds, etc, you should plan on replacing the tires unless the owner gives you the right impression.

While you are currently looking at a smaller tt, don't get caught up in the infamous tow ratings of the 1500/150's!!! They will run out of payload before reaching their max tow rating. There is a yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb of all cars/trucks since '06 (or so). It will state: "All passengers and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs".... Any passengers in the tv, any accessories added: truck topper/step bars/mud flaps/etc, all cargo in the bed: coolers/firewood/bikes/etc, the wdh, AND the tt tw (travel trailer tongue weight) should be below that yellow sticker payload amount....

Follow my signature links to learn about the wdh. You will need to adjust it to your truck once you load the tt up for a trip.

If the wdh is not included with the trailer, look for a good, integrated sway control model. The Reese Dual Cam, Reese SC, and the Equal-I-Zer 4 way system are all very good for the money!!!

Good luck!!!

[tonymull]

Rather than a particular brand just look for something that has been well taken care of. And not being caulked with silicone will save you a ton of work getting it off.

[westend]

Look in your local area for privately owned, used travel trailers. There will not be much difference between brands except for brands like Airstream, Avion, and the fiberglass egg trailers-Casita, etc.