What's the learning curve like??

[AllenTC2]

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!

[falconbrother]

Immediately after buying our TT my wife started having some health issues so we haven't used the trailer very much. So, about once a month I go get it and just practice, mostly backing. In the old motorhome I could back it into a site, at night, in the rain, perfectly every time. But, the trailer takes practice. Some campgrounds are tight and don't offer pull throughs. At the storage place the spots are way tighter than a campsite which is great for practice. I prefer the trailer for camping, by far. But, motorhomes are easier to manipulate into campsites. As far as being out on the road its a wash. Towing is no better or worse than driving a motorhome. In fact, I think I prefer towing the travel trailer to driving the motorhome. The only downside is I have to stop when my wife has to pee now. Driving a motorhome pulling a toad or driving a big vehicle towing a trailer..pick your poison. Driving a motorhome with no toad is the easiest till youre at the campground all set up and need or want to go somewhere.

[profdant139]

Allen, lots of good tips above! I would add three thoughts:

The "learning curve" exists, and we discovered (to our surprise) that it is a lot of fun, if you have the right attitude. If you can laugh at yourself, you are all set.

The process of learning is easier if you have a spotter who also can laugh at and with you.

Boondocking is even more fun. If you'd like to see some of the odd places we've gone, check out our trip blog link (in my signature below) and just click around, looking at the photos.

Be sure to ask lots of questions on the trailering forum as you learn, and also come visit us on the boondocking forum!

[TurnThePage]

Just another thought about backing up (which really is easy by the way). Ford markets a backup gadget for their trucks that allows it to do all the geometry and work. You just point with a camera where you want it to go.

[SidecarFlip]

Far as living in a confined space, my wife and I full timed in a truck camper for 5 months while our century farmhouse was being totally remodeled and was not inhabitable. We had no issues at all. It's all about making do with what is available and being able to get along in a confined space.

[AllenTC2]

westend wrote:
There are a few things unknown to the OP at this point. How is the quality of life going to be living in a small space

Well, that is not so much a mystery to me. I pretty much exist in a bed, my bathroom, in my 'man cave', and I generally eat in the latter or at the kitchen counter. While I haven't spent a LOT of time in an RV, the 30' one I was in seemed extremely liveable for just me. I haven't set foot in a TT yet, but those two 25 models from Arctic Fox seem nice.

and what is the best combination for me to drive?

THAT is the big question. LOL I really hope to boondock a lot, and I don't want to stick to the big, well-traveled roads. I have pretty much ruled out a truck camper as the ones big enough to feel 'roomy' are too big to really get off the beaten path. The Class As I've looked at seem okay, but a tad pricey. And they are just as limiting as a big camper. A good truck and a TT might be the ticket......but I will have to try this renting a U-Haul thing first. :B

[westend]

There are a few things unknown to the OP at this point. How is the quality of life going to be living in a small space and what is the best combination for me to drive? The only limit to operating a towed combination is your apprehension. The learning curve is gradual and short. The larger consideration, IMO, is how will you like living in an RV. One should rent the different RV types and travel for short distances to make an informed decision.

[BarneyS]

Learn to use your mirrors when backing and always GOAL when you are not SURE where you are going. Set your drivers side mirror so you can see both the back of the trailer and the wheels. Determine ahead of time exactly where you want the rear corner of the trailer to end up and mark that spot with a rock or something (I have my wife stand there).

Approach the area you want to back into so the opening is on your left and right next to your door. Make a swooping turn to the right and go ahead to the other side of the road and make a swooping turn to he left and pull ahead until you can see the rear of the trailer pointed approximately to the opening. Then you are ready to start backing in.

Once you get the trailer going in the direction of the turn, FOLLOW it in while watching the wheels and rear. Also remember to watch the front of the truck as you turn. Don't wait until the last minute to straighten up the truck. If necessary, stop, pull ahead a bit, and then resume backing. Watch that rock or stick to aim at and make sure the corner heads to that area. As you back in, make small corrections to keep the back corner headed that way. Stop when it reaches your mark.

Always remember to GOAL (Get Out And Look) if you are uncertain about where you are going or what is behind you. Also remember to look UP to make sure there are no branches waiting to get you.:E

After several tries and practices, you will be able to back quite well. 🙂 It really is pretty easy and you will be a pro in no time.:C
Barney

[LarryJM]

DutchmenSport wrote:
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).

Also when practicing in the parking lot get like 4 to 6 of the cheep orange cones or organe 5gal paint pales from Lowes/HD and use them to form a lane a little wider than the trailer and maybe 1.2 the length. Then practice backing into that lane like you might have to do for a campsite. You can also use them a curb markers in an "L" the practice turning and learning how the trailer tracks relative to your TV when turning.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, the PRACTICE more.

Larry

[SoundGuy]

rockhillmanor wrote:
No one standing there yelling screaming, waving hands, walkie talkies....just me and my silent cones. And when I am done they get thrown into the storage bay. Can't do that with the DW. :W

Well, you could but you'd be sure to pay for it later. :W

[rockhillmanor]

Best tip someone told me was:

Always back in on the drivers side. Even if it means going around the block or CG road to come in so you CAN back in on the drivers side.

Makes a world of difference on how much easier it is.

I also carry 2 traffic cones. Get to CG site set a cone on each corner of the back of the site and at how far back you need to be. Simply back in between the cones that are easily visible in both mirrors.

For night parking I place one of those puck led battery operated lights on top of each cone.

No one standing there yelling screaming, waving hands, walkie talkies....just me and my silent cones. And when I am done they get thrown into the storage bay. Can't do that with the DW. :W

[SidecarFlip]

Rule of thumb is... The farther the wheels are from the tongue (hitch ball connector) on a trailer, the easier it is to back up. Short trailers are a real PITA to back. They want to jacknife immediately and need constant steering correction whereas a trailer with a longer distance between the pivot point (hitch) and the wheels will always be easier to back up.

[AllenTC2]

I'm hoping to boondock a lot. So the parks will be for those times I dump/fill. 🙂 And it's just me (as of right now anyway)...so I may be sucking when it comes to having a ground guide. 😄

[rbpru]

Depending on the camping location you can stay a few weeks or months.

We usually stay at State Parks with electric only. They often limit you to two weeks. Some private campgrounds have monthly rates.

We need to dump tanks about once a week and we shower in the wash house or stay with full hookups.

One of the things to remember is, RVing is not a race. I tell folks, I guarantee I can park my TT within the first 12 or 15 tries. 🙂

I discovered that even if I parked it perfectly on the first try: I still paid the same camp fee, no one gave me a metal and it did not go on my permanent record from high school.

My wife is my backup guide and after a while I got down right fussy about how I parked. Then she reminded me we started out with pull throughs.

We found a 25 ft with small slide just right for two adults and a 60 lb. Dog. It is big enough for a rainy day yet small enough to wind through city streets to find quilt shops.

Again rent before you buy, will answer a lot of questions.

[path1]

...If buying new, you'll probably have to travel west to buy (if you're in West VA) Many people do. Arctic Fox pretty good if you need any service where their dealers are not present. But understand all the in's and out's. You'll have traveling forward mastered by the time you get back home:) Just use big truck stops with large turning spaces for re-fueling. Back home when time permits, hook up and find large parking lot and practice. My biggest hassle was getting parked at campsite and forgetting to allow enough room for slide out. Now I have a little broom that doubles as a measuring stick before I deploy the slide out. And carry enough hose as many places the discharge connection is at rear of campsite. And your discharge is just a few feet in front of slide out area. I'm 59 feet overall and most places when checking in or making reservations will know their overall lengths of their sites. Few other minor things Arctic Fox did that you'll get used to after couple trips. Do a very good pre buy inspection. Arctic Fox is very good but they are still put together by humans. Some of them are lazy and take short cuts that is not for you. Like not putting rubber gasket back into elec socket when connecting elec to slide out.

[DiskDoctr]

Tips:

Big and good mirrors.

GOAL- Get Out And Look. If you aren't sure, get out and look. Do it often when you are new.

While sitting in drivers seat parked, have someone walk down both sides of your camper and watch them. Then have them start in the back middle of your camper and walk straight back away from it until you can see them in your mirror. Have them drop a cone there and then go look.

If you are closer than that to something, you should be GOAL 😉

Do a similar exercise when backing up on a turn. How far can you jacknife safely (max turn angle). Realize the HUGE blind area on the wide radius of the turn and how to deal with it.

I often get out and put some kind of marker as a visual reference. I use my wife and daughter out of harm's way (if I can't see them, I stop, period.) and tell them something like, "When the edge of this slide clears this mark on the ground (or this stick or whatever), tell me to stop"

For Towing you want to ALWAYS plan your "escape" before pulling in anywhere. If cars can pull in your way and block you, they will- whether they know it or not. Always point your tow vehicle towards your planned exit. Use extra parking spots when you need them and make sure you account for the trailer and truck swing angles.

I try to park far away from the store or whatever, but that doesn't stop cars from parking right next to me :R

It's like riding a motorcycle- everyone and everything is out to get you. Operate with that in mind and you will be much safer and more successful 😉

Certainly not trying to scare you. I think it is well within most people's capabilities if they use caution. But the "rules/realities" above might help you be more successful and relaxed if you want to start towing a camper.

Good luck! 🙂