During the course of my "full-time RV retirement" project, I've immediately dismissed the notion of towing a travel trailer. The reason for this is that I've never towed ANYTHING in my 50 years on this planet. LOL But as I narrow down what I think might be something that works for me, I can't escape the fact that a TT MIGHT offer me a lot of what I want.If it matters, I've looked mostly at the 'classic' Arctic Fox 25R and 25W models. So just what sort of challenges am I looking at? If I am understanding the whole GVWR and tow ratings, I shouldn't need a monster truck to pull one, an F-250 should be fine. The idea of backing one up give me pause though.Too many people have suggested I explore this idea more, so I reckon I'd be foolish to ignore it. :)Thanks!

Learning curve? It all depends upon how much you do it? Tow your trailer only once a year and you'll probably never figure it out. Tow it every day, and you'll have it down "pat" in no time.When you get your rig, before leaving the dealer parking lot, practice just moving round in the parking lot. Then drive to an empty school parking lot, and practice backing, turning, backing turning and you'll figure it out pretty quick.There again, your learning curve all depends upon how often and how much you actually do anything. The important thing is, don't get overwhelmed, don't get frustrated, and don't let anyone rush you (even after 50 years of towing experience).

my advice..... rent a "u-haul" cargo trailer, a large one... ( once or twice ) as the short ones are HARDER to back up...this will tell you .. if you can pick it up "Quickly" or NOT...a longer truck and a longer trailer is easier to back-up... like anything in "Life"... practice, practice, practice... will get you over the LEARNING Curve.

How is your "learning curve" for anything else? If you never try anything new, then this will be a bit difficult. If you subscribe to the notion that we should learn something new every day, then this will be a piece of cake for you. As a career educator, and a person who has studied the teaching/learning process extensively, I can tell you that humans in general have a remarkable capacity for learning. You should be able to learn this with no trouble at all as long as you're willing to invest some effort.Go for it!-Speak

Backing, heck towing for that matter takes practice. And practice makes perfect. I have seen many people struggle to back into a spot that should be fairly easy. Simply b3cause they do not understand the basics of backing anything. Even a MH you will have to back up sooner or later. So just get some experience. Three things that help when backing. First, learn to watch your mirrors, second, place your hand at the bottom of the stearing wheel and turn the wheen in the direction you want the trailer to go. Last, once the trailer starts to go follow it.

That Arctic Fox 25W would be my choice if/when I replace my current piece of junk. An F250 or F350 SRW diesel would tow it effortlessly. I mention F350 because there is little difference in the truck price and it has stronger springs. After some practice, you will have one nice rig.I like the 25W because of the two doors for easy access and safety. Having the bath next to the bedroom allows you to avoid streaking from one end to the other.

What's the learning curve like?? | Good Sam Community

rbpru
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2017
If you are parking by yourself the "get out and look" method is the best approach I know of.

Unless you are in a hurry or worried about blocking access, there is no reason to worry about how many times it take you to park. I have found that as you get better at parking, you also get fussy about well you did.

Indeed, it is not unusual to see a TT angled on a campsite and wonder why they choose to park at that angle. :)
ken56
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
It really isn't that bad learning. Always give yourself plenty of following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Don't tow at 80 mph. I started out with a 24 footer, a piece of cake to tow. Then moved up to 30 ft. and somewhat different but still pretty easy. Now I have a 37 footer and its a beast. The other 2 I could get in and out of gas stations with. The 37ft. I have to be very careful on finding places I can get in and out of. If you have a diesel truck then you are better off in choices of gas stations. Gassers not so much.

Learning to back it into a site is a lesson in patience. Get Out And Look, GOAL, multiple times if needed. The shorter the wheel base the quicker the reaction, longer wheel base the slower and thus easier to back. Don't be intimidated. Go have some fun.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
AllenTC2 wrote:
Another thing I noticed was the model I was looking at didn't have (at least from what I read) the ability to take a generator.

And I assumed to be a good "boondocker" I'd need to make some mods/sacrifices. BizmarksMom, why did you have to give up a TV for the solar panels?
I didn't have to give anything up. For the list price I could have either the tv or solar panels. (Neither one had been installed) I never use the tv, so I chose solar panels.

Travel trailers need to be plugged into a generator, the same way you plug them into shore power. My trailer has a built in space for a generator to be stowed. I still have to start that generator and plug the trailer into it. It isn't a big deal. I just make a personal game out of seeing how long I can go without plugging in.
LAJMINNIEPLUS
Explorer
Nov 28, 2017
Or, you can buy one of those new Fords that park themselves. lol
AllenTC2
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
Another thing I noticed was the model I was looking at didn't have (at least from what I read) the ability to take a generator.

And I assumed to be a good "boondocker" I'd need to make some mods/sacrifices. BizmarksMom, why did you have to give up a TV for the solar panels?
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
If you are looking at slides...make sure you look at them with all the slides "pulled in".

Many rv slides block access to things like the fridge, bed, sink, toilet.

Which means that if you pull off to use any of the above you will NOT have access to them. Which defeats the whole reason of owning an rv. Even worse on a MH where your partner and family can't use anything inside while travelling.
rbpru
Explorer II
Nov 27, 2017
Access to the TT without moving the slide out is a must for us. Not only the bathroom but the kitchen and table need to be accessible.

We have often stopped at a tourist attraction, a gas stop, or shopping center parking lot for lunch, travel break and of course potty break.

If the OP wants to Boonedock that can be a big step. It looks like fun in all the RV adds but it is a bit more complicated. Many do it, but your "as issued" TT is usually not really set up for it.

Also TT new comers often underestimate the amount of maintenance needed.

That is why the go slow advice when RVing is well founded. Each of us have different priorities and needs.
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
AllenTC2 wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Hate to break it to you but when you get to be my age, the pee issue is always an issue. I cannot always make it to a rest area so I do it discretely... on the side of the road....

One of the reasons I shied away from the truck campers. LOL I assume a TT can be used (in most cases) with the slide outs still "in"? LOL
That's one of the things you'll need to check. You would be surprised at how many trailers are not at all useable with the slides in. For me, that ruled them completely out. I'm a female, and sometimes I need to GO! I've also had a slide on my previous trailer break in a windstorm - I got it retracted, but it was a 2 day drive home and that slide was not coming back out. I was able to use the bathroom, the bed, and open the fridge to make a sandwich for dinner.

I currently own a Nash 22h - another Northwood product. I love the thing. It holds up just fine on dirt roads, and it's a comfy layout for me and my dogs. I was able to buy mine with 280 watts of solar panels on the roof in exchange for the television - which I never use anyway. It was a great option. I haven't had to fire up a generator at all this year.
Reddog1
Explorer II
Nov 27, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
... I cannot always make it to a rest area so I do it discretely... on the side of the road....
I don't know about other states, but about 40 years ago my uncle did that here in California, and was cited by a CHP. He had to go to court and was required to register as a sex offender.

Wayne
TomG2
Explorer
Nov 27, 2017
Towing a travel trailer is something that can be learned in a relatively short time. Generally, it takes six lessons, separated by a period of time, to learn most activities, so allow yourself a few hours for training. Learn "By the book" and not by what some Internet expert says. The biggest thing is to practice and take your time. Occasionally, I still get out to check my progress. If in doubt. Stop and check. I refuse any neighbors that want to wave and holler at me while backing. I travel alone and can put my trailer where I want it without a bunch of drama.