Possibly interested in buying a TT. Seeking input

[Coastiebob]

We are considering buying a tt Bunkhouse as we have 3 kids. I have a Nissan Armada that can tow up to 9000 lbs. We are looking to spend under $20k, what are the pros and cons of different models and brands. 4 seasons? Specific issues with makes? Etc

[gmw_photos]

Coastiebob wrote:


GVWR is 7100, GAWR RR is 4200.... I'm jujst trying to educate myself.... i've read several other forums where people are towing 30' gofast boats around 9k with no problem in NC up over the mountains. again, this is curiosity and education i'm seeking!

Bob, if you really want to know how much capacity you have left on the rear axle, you need to weigh the Armada. But here is a guess: my guess is the truck by itself has about 2900 pounds sitting on the rear. If I'm right that leaves about 1300 pounds. If you have 1000 tongue, and add another 100 or so for the WD hitch, you're already within a couple hundred pounds of the axle capacity, and you have not even added any people or luggage.
To me, the axle and tire capacity are two of the most important safety issues to consider.

Like I said earlier, in my mind, a 30 plus foot trailer is solidly in the 2500 series truck class.

[pawatt]

NanciL wrote:
Keep away from any thing by Forest River. They are junk.

From a 2016 bunk house owner

jack L

Had a Forest River Wildcat for 11 years and never had a significant problem

[drsteve]

A boat is a different animal entirely. They are far more aerodynamic than a TT, and pull much easier.

That's a lot of trailer for an SUV.

[Coastiebob]

gmw photos wrote:

Coastiebob wrote:

gmw photos wrote:

Coastiebob wrote:
Any experience with

Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 263BHXL, what I can see I like this layout

That's a whole lot of trailer for an Armada.

What is that based on? it's 5854 lbs, that gives close to 3k (not saying im gonna go that high) for additional cargo..... just curious

Hi Bob,
grab a picture of the two stickers on the door jamb of your Armada. That will tell us what the max allowable weights are. Of particular concern, I'd be cautious of rear axle gross rating.

Regarding the trailer, the actual weight of the trailer is likely more than you think. Factory spec of 5850 pounds may actually be a spec of a "base model" and not include options such as awning, and perhaps empty propane tanks. A usable starting figure is often to add about 1200 pounds to their stated dry number, and that will likely be fairly close to what the trailer will weigh as you pull out to go camping. A good bet is that trailer is going to have an actual tongue weight of approx 1000 pounds.

The last issue is, that trailer is 31 feet long. That is a "long" trailer. Seriously, "my opinion" is that is solidly in the 2500 series truck category.
Others are going to disagree with me here, but I will say this anyway: I'd feel really good with that hitched to our F350 dually. Very long wheelbase, lots of payload and axle capacity, big brakes, plenty of weight to help keep the trailer where it belongs.

GVWR is 7100, GAWR RR is 4200.... I'm jujst trying to educate myself.... i've read several other forums where people are towing 30' gofast boats around 9k with no problem in NC up over the mountains. again, this is curiosity and education i'm seeking!

[michigansandzil]

Whatever you get, remember that your children are growing quickly. Be sure that the bunks will accommodate adult sized people, as some 12 year olds, (mine) will be over 5'8" and 140#. Many of the bunk houses I've seen recently have a short bed that can only hold 100 pounds.

Also, another big factor to consider is length of the trailer. Will you be parking it at one site the entire summer? Will you go to state parks? Longer trailers make finding a site more difficult.

One last word of advise is to consider finding a bunkhouse with a door to the kids room if you have children that still nap. I found it invaluable to be able to close the bunkhouse door during nap or early bedtime. The rest of the family could cook, use the bathroom, etc, and the toddler didn't have her sleep interrupted. Priceless.

[drsteve]

I would never pull a TT that size with an Armada. Or any other short wheelbase SUV.

[Jebby14]

pay attention to payload. I suspect you may not have much left for tongue weight

[gmw_photos]

Coastiebob wrote:

gmw photos wrote:

Coastiebob wrote:
Any experience with

Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 263BHXL, what I can see I like this layout

That's a whole lot of trailer for an Armada.

What is that based on? it's 5854 lbs, that gives close to 3k (not saying im gonna go that high) for additional cargo..... just curious

Hi Bob,
grab a picture of the two stickers on the door jamb of your Armada. That will tell us what the max allowable weights are. Of particular concern, I'd be cautious of rear axle gross rating.

Regarding the trailer, the actual weight of the trailer is likely more than you think. Factory spec of 5850 pounds may actually be a spec of a "base model" and not include options such as awning, and perhaps empty propane tanks. A usable starting figure is often to add about 1200 pounds to their stated dry number, and that will likely be fairly close to what the trailer will weigh as you pull out to go camping. A good bet is that trailer is going to have an actual tongue weight of approx 1000 pounds.

The last issue is, that trailer is 31 feet long. That is a "long" trailer. Seriously, "my opinion" is that is solidly in the 2500 series truck category.
Others are going to disagree with me here, but I will say this anyway: I'd feel really good with that hitched to our F350 dually. Very long wheelbase, lots of payload and axle capacity, big brakes, plenty of weight to help keep the trailer where it belongs.

[afidel]

Coastiebob wrote:

gmw photos wrote:

Coastiebob wrote:
Any experience with

Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 263BHXL, what I can see I like this layout

That's a whole lot of trailer for an Armada.

What is that based on? it's 5854 lbs, that gives close to 3k (not saying im gonna go that high) for additional cargo..... just curious

Tow rating are a fantasy, what matters is payload and to some extent wheelbase. Assuming you have the maximum payload for an Armada of 1,700 lbs and you have 5 people at 140lb a piece you'd be very close to slightly over on payload assuming 1,000lb of gear in the tt, nothing else in the tow vehicle, and 12.5-15 percent tongue weight. If you have a loaded Armada with 1,500lb of available payload you'll almost certainly be over.

[Coastiebob]

gmw photos wrote:

Coastiebob wrote:
Any experience with

Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 263BHXL, what I can see I like this layout

That's a whole lot of trailer for an Armada.

What is that based on? it's 5854 lbs, that gives close to 3k (not saying im gonna go that high) for additional cargo..... just curious

[Gdetrailer]

Dennis Smith wrote:
what ever you buy, take the entire family and go in the unit, close the door and spend two hours in it. real quick you will know what to buy

Nonsense.

Folks now days are just plain wimps..

in the late 1960s, my parents packed us SIX kids and themselves into a STATION WAGON for THREE WEEKS at a time armed with nothing but a tent..

Early 1970s Dad bought a F100 with a CAP on the back, made several long bench seats and a table to make into beds for the nights (use kids rode in the back in of the truck in the cap..

Yep, WE SURVIVED.

Mid 70s Dad found a used 1960s slide in truck camper and yep, WE ALL survived! Use kids rode in the TC also..

Us kids HAD to learn to DEAL WITH EACH OTHER..

Now days we spoil the kids, give them huge amounts of space and their own bunks.. Its no wonder todays kids are so spoiled and have issues getting along with others..

The main idea is CAMPING, not "GLAMPING".

There is no need to double mortgage your house just to camp, buy what you can comfortably tow with what you have and what you can afford (IE DISPOSABLE INCOME) and have some fun adventuring around..

Some of my favorite moments and memories ARE from those days in that small little slide in camper.. We spent the days OUTDOORS and if it rained we had games and books to keep us entertained..

[gmw_photos]

Coastiebob wrote:
Any experience with

Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 263BHXL, what I can see I like this layout

That's a whole lot of trailer for an Armada.

[FrankShore]

Lance's are manufactured/engineered to a very high standard! Finding a used Lance is hard, but not impossible. Lsnce has a great 4 season package, and is sturdy, - having owned a Nash (Northwoods) there is no comparison. A Lance will be within the towing weight of the OP's standards

[jmtandem]

Wow... $44,000 for a 21ft trailer? and it's not an Airstream? Guess I've been out of the market for a long time!

I guess I also have been out of the market as well. I would think $22,000 would be a decent price for a new non- full time coach by Lance. For $44,000 I would go pre- owned Airstream, that has had all it's initial depreciation, aluminum sides and roof (no delam), torsion bar axles, and it will last 30 or more years with care. The $44,000 Lance will be worth around $7500 in ten years.

For around $44k new several Northwood manufacturing trailers could be purchased, they are often full time rated, have a far greater CCC, bigger tires and axles, stouter frame, often bigger tanks, and an excellent reputation for handling cold and hot temperatures. And $44k will likely purchase Northwood trailers that are 25-30 feet long, substantially larger than 21 feet for a family that is looking for a bunk house.