Unique Usage -- Looking to Buy

[abimarye]

Good evening,

New to the forums.... so thanks in advance to everyone.

I'm an insurance adjuster who travels 200 plus days out of the year that recently did the math and figured out how much she can save with a trailer rather than hotels. Looking to buy a small trailer and saw one I really liked today, a Jayco 2016 White Hawk 23MRB. I"ll be in this thing for a majority of my year, and am looking for a solid investment. I know a lot of people have concerns about ALL types and brands, but is there anything in particular I should be aware of? What are comparable models to this for me to look into? A lot of the advice I've read so far is the dealer is more important than the brand, but since I travel so much all over the nation, I really have to be hopeful that I would find help wherever I might find myself.


Really, any and all insight is helpful. My dad and I just want to make sure I make the best possible decision I can make before dropping 20k+ and we just know so little...

[2012Coleman]

RoyBell wrote:
It's a half ton truck and has been stated many times. Any half ton truck should have a payload of 1400-1800 lbs without even looking at the sticker.

So what? What is the point of ignoring the numbers with such a blanket statement? The OP asked for help - I'm giving it to her.

[RoyBell]

It's a half ton truck and has been stated many times. Any half ton truck should have a payload of 1400-1800 lbs without even looking at the sticker.

[2012Coleman]

abimarye wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

abimarye wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
So, what are the specs on your truck? Don't stick your head in the sand on this.

I haven't by any means!

Max trailer weight can be 9100#
GCWR 15,000#
GVWR 7,200#

Brake assist and transmission cooler came with the tow package on the truck so are covered by the bumper to bumper warranty

Also have checked the axle weight and hitch weight and I'm well under if I proceed with the Grand Designs 2150 with the Equalizer hitch. Just don't have those numbers memorized. Both Chevy and the RV dealer gave their approval and ran all the calculations at my request.

Getting closer and closer!!

I asked about the info on the door jamb sticker - any reason you can't give that? Is 9100 the tow capacity?

Make and model of the truck? Engine displacement? Look at the receiver and see what it is rated for. Above all, the dealer wants to make a sale.

Only in bizzaro world would they tell you that your truck could not tow the TT you are interested in.

Nice TT though - hope it works out.

9100 is the tow capacity. It's a Chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab standard bed with the tow package, 5,3 engine and 3.48 axle

Payload of the truck will be exceeded before you reach tow capacity. Do you know the trucks payload?

Need the info from the door jamb sticker - specifically this:


Need the info from the hitch receiver sticker/plate:



Not trying to talk you out of anything, but this is information you really should know, and how well your chosen TT matches up to it.

[abimarye]

2012Coleman wrote:

abimarye wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
So, what are the specs on your truck? Don't stick your head in the sand on this.

I haven't by any means!

Max trailer weight can be 9100#
GCWR 15,000#
GVWR 7,200#

Brake assist and transmission cooler came with the tow package on the truck so are covered by the bumper to bumper warranty

Also have checked the axle weight and hitch weight and I'm well under if I proceed with the Grand Designs 2150 with the Equalizer hitch. Just don't have those numbers memorized. Both Chevy and the RV dealer gave their approval and ran all the calculations at my request.

Getting closer and closer!!

I asked about the info on the door jamb sticker - any reason you can't give that? Is 9100 the tow capacity?

Make and model of the truck? Engine displacement? Look at the receiver and see what it is rated for. Above all, the dealer wants to make a sale.

Only in bizzaro world would they tell you that your truck could not tow the TT you are interested in.

Nice TT though - hope it works out.

9100 is the tow capacity. It's a Chevy Silverado 1500 crew cab standard bed with the tow package, 5,3 engine and 3.48 axle

[2012Coleman]

abimarye wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
So, what are the specs on your truck? Don't stick your head in the sand on this.

I haven't by any means!

Max trailer weight can be 9100#
GCWR 15,000#
GVWR 7,200#

Brake assist and transmission cooler came with the tow package on the truck so are covered by the bumper to bumper warranty

Also have checked the axle weight and hitch weight and I'm well under if I proceed with the Grand Designs 2150 with the Equalizer hitch. Just don't have those numbers memorized. Both Chevy and the RV dealer gave their approval and ran all the calculations at my request.

Getting closer and closer!!

I asked about the info on the door jamb sticker - any reason you can't give that? Is 9100 the tow capacity?

Make and model of the truck? Engine displacement? Look at the receiver and see what it is rated for. Above all, the dealer wants to make a sale.

Only in bizzaro world would they tell you that your truck could not tow the TT you are interested in.

Nice TT though - hope it works out.

[RoyBell]

I would think any half ton truck could pull a 25' or smaller trailer. I like how large the fresh and grey tank is on those models.

[abimarye]

2012Coleman wrote:
So, what are the specs on your truck? Don't stick your head in the sand on this.

I haven't by any means!

Max trailer weight can be 9100#
GCWR 15,000#
GVWR 7,200#

Brake assist and transmission cooler came with the tow package on the truck so are covered by the bumper to bumper warranty

Also have checked the axle weight and hitch weight and I'm well under if I proceed with the Grand Designs 2150 with the Equalizer hitch. Just don't have those numbers memorized. Both Chevy and the RV dealer gave their approval and ran all the calculations at my request.

Getting closer and closer!!

[ppine]

Since there is no perfect RV, and you have no experience, I agree with the idea to buy a used rig. It makes the inevitable selling and buying of the next rig much less painful.

[2012Coleman]

So, what are the specs on your truck? Don't stick your head in the sand on this.

[webwrangler]

pianotuna wrote:

Once you have had the "rental" trip under your belt and have purchased an RV, I strongly recommend you add a modest solar system. A 400 watt system may nearly eliminate generator run time, other than for operating the roof air conditioner.

X2!

[RoyBell]

Lot of good advice here. I would seriously consider a class C and small suv toad or your truck if possible. You could still carry your 20' extension ladders to sites or whatever you need. Most should have a generator bay which would be important when you have no hookups and it's 100 degrees out.

I feel like a motorhome would live up to daily living much better than a travel trailer personally. Much easier to just park anywhere and not need to setup. Insides a little more robust. Even when I go to camping show and look at 80K dollar trailers, they are built the same as my "30K" rv. Aka, cheap.

You should be able to find a pretty good shape class C for mid 20s that suits your needs that will hold up well.

[abimarye]

patperry2766 wrote:
Lance 2212

Have you considered a small toyhauler?

Is there a unique advantage to a toy hauler over the small travel trailer? I don't particularly know much about them, my research has been focused on travel trailers

[patperry2766]

Lance 2212

Have you considered a small toyhauler?

[pianotuna]

Hi abimarye,

I full time and often use the trip planner at this site:


https://freecampsites.net/

You can add filters so if you want a site that has power or other amenities only those will show.

KOA are generally "sardine" campgrounds, not to mention pricey for what you get.

Once you have had the "rental" trip under your belt and have purchased an RV, I strongly recommend you add a modest solar system. A 400 watt system may nearly eliminate generator run time, other than for operating the roof air conditioner.

abimarye wrote:
What did you do for basic deployments like normal wind/hail? Just find a KOA or good sam?