Poll: Did you go larger?

[bmanning]

I was reading a current "F250 or F350?" thread and whenever those type of threads come up there are always posters who advise to get enough truck for your next RV (implication is that it's inevitable to go larger on your next unit)...

It made me curious as roughly what percentage "went larger," after how long, and the reasons for doing so.

Therefore:

Was the last RV you purchased larger & heavier than it's predecessor?

How long before you got the itch to go bigger?

Reasons for doing so? (family expanded, more elbow room, style of camping changed?)

Anyone downsize or stay the same?

Going larger seems to be a foregone conclusion in my years haunting this forum. I plan to sell or trade my 5.4L F250 this year in favor of a 1-ton diesel (Ram or GM unless I find a crazy deal on a 7.3L lol) and my initial thought was a 24-26ft TT but since I'll have plenty of truck I'm starting to question if I should just "go large" off the bat; we have a 2nd kiddo on the way and fast-forward a few years and they're going to want to bring friends...

[2112]

Pre marrage I tent camped
Took the bride tent camping and didn't make it through the first night (1986)
Rented pup's from 1988 - 1997
Upgraded to renting TT's once I bought a full size truck (F150 4.6L) in '97
Bought our 1st 26' TT in 2003 (3 kids)
Bought a more capable TV (F150 EB MAX) and a larger TT (35') in 2011
TT was stolen in 2012
Replaced it with a SMALLER, Lighter, Less Room 31' 5'er last month

We're empty nesters now so we didn't require the room.
Now we entertain 6, dine 4 and sleep 2.

We plan on keeping this one for some time but I said that about the last one as well

[Hannibal]

Back in the '80s it was a tent tied to a Harley. Then a popup tied to an Isuzu. Then a 19' Aljo TT/F150, 26' 5th wheel/Cummins Ram, 32' 5th wheel/Cummins Ram, 30' 5th wheel, Hemi Ram and F250. I miss the little Aljo. We used to hitch up and go have breakfast on the beach with it.

[allimax]

I bought my truck in '07 before the #%*$ hit the fan in the economy. My plan was to buy a dually because I would soon be shopping for a 5er and didn't want to be too limited by my truck. I had a 3/4 ton diesel which was more than enough for my trailer at the time. Right after I bought the truck, the economy tanked, so the fifth wheel had to wait. And wait it did, until this spring. Though it took a few years, I'm glad I bought the extra muscle at the time, because it made the fifth wheel choice easier knowing I had the truck to handle anything we were looking at. So, yes, it's good to go bigger if you can swing it. The flip side is that this truck is not what you'd call a commuter vehicle or grocery getter. I have a second car that I use to do those tasks. So it is an additional expense to be considered if you're going to buy a large truck. The towing platform of the dually is a strong consideration as well. The stability factor definitely eases the white knuckle effect.

[elkhornsun]

We went small to start with but our friends have gone the opposite route and gone steadily larger though now they are regretting their decisions with the reduced number of campgrounds they can use and the greater depreciation when it comes time to sell.

For the tow vehicle there is a knee-jerk response to tell people to get a F-550 and not worry about what they will be towing. The reality is that more than three forths of the people I see towing 5th-wheel trailers on the highway are doing so with SRW 3/4 and 1-ton trucks.

The bigger the trailer the longer it seems to sit on the market when it is being sold. I have seen some very nice ones that take a 2-ton truck to haul them around and some have been on the market for over two years and still not sold.

If we need something bigger for a particular trip we will fly to the area and rent an RV. No point in buying one and storing it and transporting it a couple thousand miles and back again for a trip of less than a month's duration.

[bimbert84]

bmanning wrote:

Was the last RV you purchased larger & heavier than it's predecessor?

Yes.

bmanning wrote:

How long before you got the itch to go bigger?

1st trip, actually upgraded after 1st season.

bmanning wrote:

Reasons for doing so? (family expanded, more elbow room, style of camping changed?)

Started with a hybrid, didn't like the canvas-sided pullout beds. Didn't like the roaring non-central A/C unit. Wanted more interior space. Needed more storage and gray water capacity.

-- Rob

[jerem0621]

Have a 31 ft no slide TT and a 99 F350. Had a 97 F150 that did fine with my current TT. Upgraded it for two reasons.

1) kids were cramped in the extended cab. We needed a crew cab.
2) wanted to haul a golf cart in the bed while pulling the TT

We are over hauling the golf cart in the bed and I would be very happy with another F150 in super crew trim with an EcoBoost and the Max Tow package.

We know what we want now and they are TT's with a GVWR around 8000 lbs and an UVW around 5500-6200 lbs.

So I guess you could lump me in the I went up but I am looking to go down category.

Thanks!

[aemedic]

1st - 18ft TT with a 1/2 Ton - Too small and no options for toys except the bed of the truck
2nd - 24ft TH with 1/2 ton - Too heavy in the hills - moved to 3/4 ton diesel
3rd - Decided we wanted bigger for the family and a separate garage - 38ft TH with Dodge diesel dually - Truck ate transmissions so we moved up to an MDT, can't get too much bigger or heavier (18k) but the truck can handle it with no trouble now!

[Winged_One]

bmanning wrote:

Was the last RV you purchased larger & heavier than it's predecessor?

How long before you got the itch to go bigger?

Reasons for doing so? (family expanded, more elbow room, style of camping changed?)

I purchased the original truck {f350} used {an 08 in 2011} and misunderstood what I needed. I am about 500 lbs too heavy on the rear axle. Never any problems, truck nice and level. But... we planned on traveling much farther this year.

So I went with a 13 {on order}. Could have gone with another Supercab SRW, but the DRW was only $500 more after figuring in the options. So decided to dive in.

Also, the 6.4 needed a new injector this spring. Though it was covered under warranty, the warranty will be done in a month. I could buy a lot of injectors for the price of the new truck, but it still worried me.

Hoping for worry free miles.

[TomG2]

In the last ten years: A Ford F-150, went to a F-250 work truck, it was good. Next was another fancy F-150, not much better than the first. (I believed the advertising)

Got a 2007 Silverado 2500HD. Good truck but pulling my fifth wheel I wanted a six speed so traded for a 2009. Went back to a TT and thought I would enjoy the ride and economy of a 1500. I did, but I was spoiled by the way a 2500 handles a load. Therefore, I am now driving a 2013 2500HD and will stay with it or bigger until I hang up my keys, no matter the trailer. Every time I look at the frame, brakes, tires, etc. I know I am in the right tow vehicle. For me.

[rhagfo]

Tent camped with the kids.

Then stepped up to an older Caveman drop in camper for several years.

Then Hotel/motel camped for about 10 years (very little free time) camper would have wasted away.

Then got a older King of the Road 5th wheel to see if how we would like it. Loved it!

Then needed a better TV, Bought the Ram in our signature.

Last year stepped up to the 05 Copper canyon, nice rig Big kitchen and lots of space everywhere else.

[deleted-2]

bmanning wrote:
I was reading a current "F250 or F350?" thread and whenever those type of threads come up there are always posters who advise to get enough truck for your next RV (implication is that it's inevitable to go larger on your next unit)...
It made me curious as roughly what percentage "went larger," after how long, and the reasons for doing so.

bmanning wrote:

Therefore:

Was the last RV you purchased larger & heavier than it's predecessor?

Yes

bmanning wrote:
How long before you got the itch to go bigger?

13 years.

bmanning wrote:
Reasons for doing so? (family expanded, more elbow room, style of camping changed?)

Got tired of fixing, repairing old fifth wheel...we jumped up one day and went shopping because the wife got tired of me *****ing about the old trailer.

bmanning wrote:
Anyone downsize or stay the same?

Initially wanted to didn't because going smaller meant losing features.

[lawnspecialties]

Had a 30' Puma TT for four years.
Then got a 32' Sabre TT for a year.
Then started quad racing. Now have a Cyclone that's almost 45' long.
When we sell it, we'll probably get a race trailer and the minimum will be a 48'. Maybe longer.

[T-bones]

It took me 9 months to upgrade from the 23' Outback 230RS single TH to the 37.5' Fuzion 315.
With 5 of us and the dog it came quickly cramped inside the Outback without any side slides and we went from 1 bike to 3. It was a hard pill to swallow trading in that quickly but for the amount we used it there was no other option. We get out I'd say at least 50-65 days in our short camping season and that compared to $200/night for hotels was the deal breaker.

[NeverHome2]

Tent camped hunting and with wife and daughter when we were young. Got an old 16 ft. Scotty and pulled it with '79 f-250 for few years. Stopped camping when our daughter decided she was too sophisticated to go with her parents anymore. Bought a 26 ft. 5ver TH pulled with '99 F-250 V-10. It was OK but we wanted a larger living space with slides and more garage space. Did our homework and bought a new 2011 F-250 SD. 6.7 and Voltage 3200. Now a 2012 Harley Triglide. Life is good!