For those who have gone before us what is a good rig for a couple to run the USA in, as an example to see all the national parks etc? Maybe 2-3 week runs, not sure about timing, just tossing something out for discussion.The flip side is we would use the rig to stay at mostly MN state parks with family and friends, so short 200 mile runs etc. With these run the 2 kids may join, may not who knows, they are college bound. One of the kids says he don't care and would be happy in a tent (I remember being like that 40 years ago!). Don't think I want to get a bigger truck, we are rated just under 10,000# for the little 1/2 ton, based on past experience I don't want to be over 25', lighter the better, under 6,000# seems a good number to shoot for.In the past we have had a couple of pop-ups, TT's, etc. Never had anything real big, always stayed around that 20' mark. Some of the best sites in our state you would never get a large rig in.The above is more of a back story, sorry for making you all read it!If selecting a camper for just in state use its fairly easy, if looking to the run the USA I'm not sure I want to pull a 20' rig around. So for those who have done it what was your weapon of choice for running the country?Maybe a TT is not a great option, but its all I really know, open to options. Would be nice if the TT was small enough that I would not have to mess around with WDH's etc. Just quick hook up an go. I have a little bit of pull from each direction for in state use vs running the country!What say you?Thanks in advanced.

Would be nice if the TT was small enough that I would not have to mess around with WDH's etc. Just quick hook up an go.That's not really an option, my TT is only 18' and there's no way I would tow it without a WDH with sway control. Even behind a 2500 it moved around more than I liked and that was without wind or panic maneuvers. To each their own but I'd never tow a TT without sway control. That said putting the bars on or taking them off takes maybe 30s so it's not like it has any meaningful impact on our setup and tear down time.

I am just 26' and I would not hesitate to go the distance if time allowed. Have been well over 1500 miles from home and close to 4 weeks a few times. Only difference is restocking the provisions and some laundry every 5 to 8 days. Other than that you just keep going.

A power tongue jack makes the weight distribution bars a breeze. Many if not most trailers come with power jacks now too. I am currently sticking with a half ton truck and may never move up. I'm just a few years from retirement and plan to travel fairly extensively. I think the bride and I will be just fine on long voyages as long as we can occasionally put a door between us that's not the bathroom door. I've found a pretty good variety of trailers that are under 30', half ton towable, and still have room and creature comforts. The brands I'm eyeing the most are Lance and Outdoors RV, but I'm open to other brands as well. I'm not a big fan of slides, but may change my mind after a longer stay in the trailer. We'll see. Good luck in your quest.

afidel wrote:Would be nice if the TT was small enough that I would not have to mess around with WDH's etc. Just quick hook up an go.That's not really an option, my TT is only 18' and there's no way I would tow it without a WDH with sway control. Even behind a 2500 it moved around more than I liked and that was without wind or panic maneuvers. To each their own but I'd never tow a TT without sway control. That said putting the bars on or taking them off takes maybe 30s so it's not like it has any meaningful impact on our setup and tear down time.I suppose it depends, our old 20' TT behind the our old 2009 2500hd did not care if the WDH was on or off. With the 1/2 ton we used the WDH half the time, less 100 miles runs I did not even mess with it. Each trailer does pull different for sure. I get what you are saying about the time deal, it just seems like it takes forever when is raining out. I was using a Rigid Hitch and swore getting the bars on took a few minutes by the time I dug out the bar, set the pins, jack the trailer up to get the bars on, etc. Granted this was 7-8 years ago so my mind is foggy:)

TurnThePage wrote:A power tongue jack makes the weight distribution bars a breeze. Many if not most trailers come with power jacks now too. I am currently sticking with a half ton truck and may never move up. I'm just a few years from retirement and plan to travel fairly extensively. I think the bride and I will be just fine on long voyages as long as we can occasionally put a door between us that's not the bathroom door. I've found a pretty good variety of trailers that are under 30', half ton towable, and still have room and creature comforts. The brands I'm eyeing the most are Lance and Outdoors RV, but I'm open to other brands as well. I'm not a big fan of slides, but may change my mind after a longer stay in the trailer. We'll see. Good luck in your quest.Thanks, we are getting close to an early retirement too. Maybe I just don't like pulling big trailers, something long seem like a pain getting through the cities etc. I had a tough time with our 20'tt at some gas station!

Run the USA is what? | Good Sam Community

afidel
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2019
Would be nice if the TT was small enough that I would not have to mess around with WDH's etc. Just quick hook up an go.

That's not really an option, my TT is only 18' and there's no way I would tow it without a WDH with sway control. Even behind a 2500 it moved around more than I liked and that was without wind or panic maneuvers. To each their own but I'd never tow a TT without sway control. That said putting the bars on or taking them off takes maybe 30s so it's not like it has any meaningful impact on our setup and tear down time.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 19, 2019
I am just 26' and I would not hesitate to go the distance if time allowed. Have been well over 1500 miles from home and close to 4 weeks a few times. Only difference is restocking the provisions and some laundry every 5 to 8 days. Other than that you just keep going.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
A power tongue jack makes the weight distribution bars a breeze. Many if not most trailers come with power jacks now too.

I am currently sticking with a half ton truck and may never move up. I'm just a few years from retirement and plan to travel fairly extensively. I think the bride and I will be just fine on long voyages as long as we can occasionally put a door between us that's not the bathroom door. I've found a pretty good variety of trailers that are under 30', half ton towable, and still have room and creature comforts. The brands I'm eyeing the most are Lance and Outdoors RV, but I'm open to other brands as well. I'm not a big fan of slides, but may change my mind after a longer stay in the trailer. We'll see. Good luck in your quest.
jay427
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
afidel wrote:
Would be nice if the TT was small enough that I would not have to mess around with WDH's etc. Just quick hook up an go.

That's not really an option, my TT is only 18' and there's no way I would tow it without a WDH with sway control. Even behind a 2500 it moved around more than I liked and that was without wind or panic maneuvers. To each their own but I'd never tow a TT without sway control. That said putting the bars on or taking them off takes maybe 30s so it's not like it has any meaningful impact on our setup and tear down time.

I suppose it depends, our old 20' TT behind the our old 2009 2500hd did not care if the WDH was on or off. With the 1/2 ton we used the WDH half the time, less 100 miles runs I did not even mess with it. Each trailer does pull different for sure.

I get what you are saying about the time deal, it just seems like it takes forever when is raining out. I was using a Rigid Hitch and swore getting the bars on took a few minutes by the time I dug out the bar, set the pins, jack the trailer up to get the bars on, etc. Granted this was 7-8 years ago so my mind is foggy:)
jay427
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
A power tongue jack makes the weight distribution bars a breeze. Many if not most trailers come with power jacks now too.

I am currently sticking with a half ton truck and may never move up. I'm just a few years from retirement and plan to travel fairly extensively. I think the bride and I will be just fine on long voyages as long as we can occasionally put a door between us that's not the bathroom door. I've found a pretty good variety of trailers that are under 30', half ton towable, and still have room and creature comforts. The brands I'm eyeing the most are Lance and Outdoors RV, but I'm open to other brands as well. I'm not a big fan of slides, but may change my mind after a longer stay in the trailer. We'll see. Good luck in your quest.

Thanks, we are getting close to an early retirement too. Maybe I just don't like pulling big trailers, something long seem like a pain getting through the cities etc. I had a tough time with our 20'tt at some gas station!
TurnThePage
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
My current trailer is almost exactly 24'. I can tow it and place it almost anywhere. It's worked out great for the last 15 years, although it's been pretty cramped a time or two, especially if we had guests. This year I'm optimizing the storage by creating shoe closets out of unused space among other things, and adding netting along unused wall space. I've also added USB chargers in locations that should eliminate cord clutter. Will see how this works out. Maybe we won't need to upgrade after all.
jay427
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
TurnThePage wrote:
My current trailer is almost exactly 24'. I can tow it and place it almost anywhere. It's worked out great for the last 15 years, although it's been pretty cramped a time or two, especially if we had guests. This year I'm optimizing the storage by creating shoe closets out of unused space among other things, and adding netting along unused wall space. I've also added USB chargers in locations that should eliminate cord clutter. Will see how this works out. Maybe we won't need to upgrade after all.

Do you use it for cross country runs?
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Aug 19, 2019
My wife and I are very happy with out 17' Viking which is 20' from bumper to coupler. We like being together so the close quarters don't bother us at all. We have always traveled light and ar not short on storage. We cook most of our own meals, spend time inside and outside. We don;t understand the need for 30' plus trailers for 2 people, but, to each his own. We like the simplicity of hooking and unhooking without the need for a WDH. We can also fit into almost every site designed for tents or pull throughs for monster rigs.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
jay427 wrote:
TurnThePage wrote:
My current trailer is almost exactly 24'. I can tow it and place it almost anywhere. It's worked out great for the last 15 years, although it's been pretty cramped a time or two, especially if we had guests. This year I'm optimizing the storage by creating shoe closets out of unused space among other things, and adding netting along unused wall space. I've also added USB chargers in locations that should eliminate cord clutter. Will see how this works out. Maybe we won't need to upgrade after all.

Do you use it for cross country runs?
Not yet. We've gone on an extended vacation or two that covered 1000 - 3000 miles. We've been through some big cities; Seattle, Portland, etc. The length is easy to navigate. The tough part is trying to live inside with the overlap of clutter, thus all my efforts to optimize storage this year.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Aug 19, 2019
We have a 24 ft TT. Been across country several times. Usually 3 to 4 weeks at a time.
Use a WD hitch all the time

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