Using an older travel trailer

[br549redneck]

I have a 97 Tahoe Lite 21 foot, I generally camp with in 100 miles or so of home. I am wanting to pull it to Colorado this summer a 650 mile trip one way. I do all the regular maintenance on the trailer, brakes, repack bearings and ect. The trailer is in good condition but, I am hesitant in pulling a trailer of this age that far...Should I be worried ( I worry about everything that could go wrong) or is anyone on the forum pulling old trailers around the country? Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.
Thank you

[stufarmer]

I didn't see mentioned, but the Electrical System might be worth looking over.

[fallsrider]

I would have no reservation whatsoever about pulling our '95 Sunnybrook cross country. Now my TV, that could be another story!

[BubbaChris]

Sounds like you have a very capable tow vehicle, so I agree with the rest of the folks saying go for it if the TT is well maintained and the tires are good.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

OP what exactly are you worried about?

I have an older TT and I trust it more than a newer one. Why?

Because it has American bearings in the axels packed by me so I know it's correct. The Frame is not made of paper thin metal like the new ones. It's low slung so the CG is way in the weeds so it tows like a dream. The axels are heavy duty and not some thin junk like they have now days. It has Maxis tires on it.

Those are a few of the things I trust more than a newer TT.

[Oaklevel]

OkSixpack wrote:
I must be getting old, because I wouldn't consider a 1997 model old yet....
Jim

REALLY ??? 🙂
Ya I thought the op was talking about an old TT ........... 1997 is new...... saw a 1940s - 1950s towed from Idaho to the East Coast no issues.


A 1997 is probably more trailer than a 2016 but if the frame has no rust issues the bearings are repacked & good tires etc. I would say go for it. I have a 1980 and a 1994 trailers I pull all over the Mid Atlantic areas.

[br549redneck]

OK thank you for the responses. And tires are 2 years old under 500 miles on them all the other running gear is in good shape. Bearings repacked last year and new seals, brakes adjusted . Trailer is solid and everything works as it should. I will be pulling it to South Fork Co last part of Aug. 🙂

[westend]

Muhahhahahhah..:B

[RVcircus]

As long as you keep up with maintenance and the trailer is solid I wouldn't hesitate to tow it long distance.

[colliehauler]

If it is in good condition I would not worry about pulling it anywhere in the country. Maintaining the trailer is the key, If it was a unmaintained trailer that would be different.

I agree with OKsixpack that 97 is not that old.

[OkSixpack]

I must be getting old, because I wouldn't consider a 1997 model old yet....
Jim

[Sondy132001]

Our TT is a 1982, we got new tires (spare included) and repacked the wheel bearings. Checked the leaf springs etc to make sure she could go on long trips. We'll see how are pre-gaming goes this summer when we head out on the open road 😉

[69_Avion]

The trailers are much more reliable than people give them credit for. If the bearings are packed properly, the brakes are serviced, and there is no major rust, and the tires are in good condition there shouldn't be any major issues. I wouldn't be afraid of towing a 1950s trailer for 3000 miles, if it is maintained properly.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF you pull it 100 miles 6 times you have already made the trip one way......:B

In other words, IF you take it on 100 mile camping trips and all's well(tows good, good tires, items function etc) then go and enjoy trip to.from CO

[jerem0621]

Depends on the condition of your unit.

There are five year old units in disrepair that I would not feel comfortable pulling across town...let alone across country.

Tires, brakes, suspension, coupler, vent covers, spare, hitch, brake a way switch, deep cell battery, and marker/tail lights. .

As long as all are good I would pull without hesitation