Upgraded trailer for the season, can't WAIT to get out!

[bmupton]

Upgraded this year from a 1996 Mallard 31T to a 2013 Zinger ZT33BH. The family unit grew by one over the winter, and we were having trouble deciding where the new addition was going to sleep in the 31T (without it being a huge pain).

So, naturally, we went overboard!

I take delivery on May 11th, and I'm very excited about the new TT. Anyone else on the forums have one of these, and if so any first impressions to share? My only concern with it is it's a lot bigger than my existing 31T and I'm not sure how well my old diesel will pull it.

[bmupton]

Well, had the dealer orientation on the weekend and will be picking up the new unit tomorrow night. Loading on Wednesday/Thursday and heading to our spot Thursday evening or Friday morning.

A few things I'm really looking forward to:
1.) The trailer is high enough that I can dump septic in to my portable without having to dig a hole for it to sit in
2.) The awning has an LED rope light built in, so I don't have to attach lights to it anymore (And worry about tearing them down if I need to roll in the awning quickly due to a sudden storm)
3.) The extra space from three slides for those days you're trapped indoors
4.) Filling the fridge with cold beer and RELAXING!

[bmupton]

modern family wrote:
I have no opinion on the tt or tv. but, that is an impressive upgrade! I am sure you will enjoy all the new features and amenities these new tt have compared to a 96'... Congrats!

I'm mostly looking forward to the extra space the three slides will provide. The old 31T has no slides, and if we're trapped indoors during a storm or something you can't even walk past each other. Last summer the SU was pregnant, and she couldn't walk behind me while I was washing dishes in the sink. (A lethal combination of her belly and my backside!)

The 31T was a great trailer for the three years we used it though, and the price was definitely right at the time. 🙂

[bmupton]

Rubber Ducky1 wrote:
Your getting a nice trailer, but I'm afraid you'll be wanting a different vehicle to tow it.

I had a feeling this was the case. The van pulls the '96 without any trouble, but it's a couple thousand pounds lighter.

Luckily (for this season anyhow) we're doing the seasonal thing at a CG only 30km from home, so I should be able to get there without too much issue.

If we were doing any real touring with it, I believe you're correct that I won't be happy with it.

[Rubber_Ducky1]

Once you get that new Zinger loaded and ready to go camping, I'm afraid you'll not be happy with your van as a tow vehicle. That new trailer has an unloaded weight of 8455 lbs and a GVWR of 11162 lbs. My son several years ago had a 1994 Chev 1 ton dually 4x4 pickup with that diesel engine. The most weight that 1994 diesel could tow was 8500 lbs. I know this for a fact because I have the 1994 Chevrolet pickup brochure right here in front of me. According to that brochure, the naturally aspirated (not turbocharged) had 155 HP & torque of 275. The turbocharged version of that diesel had 190 HP & torque of 385.
I used my son's truck one time to tow the 1998 Mallard 29F travel traier I had at the time. His truck did NOT do any better than my 1995 Chevrolet 1/2 pickup that had the 5.7 liter V8 with 3.73 rear axle.
Your getting a nice trailer, but I'm afraid you'll be wanting a different vehicle to tow it.

[modern_family]

I have no opinion on the tt or tv. but, that is an impressive upgrade! I am sure you will enjoy all the new features and amenities these new tt have compared to a 96'... Congrats!