What would you do? 24’ or 28’?

[dirtdivaca]

We’re looking at buying our first trailer and a new one. We have rented a 22’-28’ and personally I lik the smaller one since it was nimble and agile to manuever around. However, we are expecting our first child and hoping to have a 2nd one afterwards. We also have two dogs (small and medium). Our original thinking was to start small with 22’-24' TT for a few years then upgrade to 26-28’ later once kid(s) have grown. Looking at costs – it seems we would lose a bit of money and better to purchase a bigger one now. From what I've read, it sounds like TT lost 50% value after just couple years. Going to 28' TT, I worry about biting off more than we can chew for our first TT.

We have 2005 F-150 Supercrew 5.4L with 3.55 axle (not 3.73) which is rated for GCWR 14,000 and Tow Capacity is 8500 (truck’s curb weight 5281). I’m thinking as long as we stay under 5,000lb TT limit, we should be OK?

Also, when I try to view camping and park vehicle regulations, if it says maximum vehicle size 30’ or 40’ – should I be calculating the length of our truck + trailer or is that just pertaining to the TT size?

[Caboose66]

First of all, congratulations on expecting your first child!
Secondly, congratulations on the new trailer! That looks like a nice unit and should suit you well for a bit while you get some camping trips under your belt. I am with the folks that recommended that you consider a bunkhouse or double bunk model, but after thinking about it and taking another look at your tow vehicle, I think you made a wise choice. I had the 2003 version of that same truck but with the trailer tow package and corresponding rear-end. To be honest, it didn't really like towing all that much... And I'm not the only one that felt that way about that model truck with that power train. Great truck, just didn't like to tow as much as the specs would have you believe. I think you will be happier with this lighter trailer. You can re-think the size of the next trailer after you have your second child (God willing) and consider a more suitable tow vehicle for a 6000#+ trailer at tha time.
I wish you and your (growing) family lots of great experiences with this trailer. I PM'd you about my west coast trailer buying experience. Take a look at that PM and see if any of the info/advice might be helpful down the road when you consider your next trailer.

Best,
Dean

[dadmomh]

Congrats! IMHO, you're fine for several years and maybe more. Awesome floorplan....what color interior?? I think a very good choice. Let the planning begin.

[pappcam]

dirtdivaca wrote:
Thanks all - we've went ahead & placed order for the R-Vision 25RKS - Woot! Can't wait to pick it up in a few weeks.

Several of you mentioned some good trailer brands/models except, they not offered in West Coast. We have limited options in CA. Also, hubby was too tall for shower in most of the models we looked at (lots had raised shower floor) so that poses a big challenge. The R-Vision sports models has curved ceiling which is nicer for tall folks and also provides better rain run off. So having a large skylight inside low shower floor makes a big difference!

Looks like a nice trailer but I think you may regret not getting a bunkhouse model a few years down the road.

[dirtdivaca]

Thanks all - we've went ahead & placed order for the R-Vision 25RKS - Woot! Can't wait to pick it up in a few weeks.

Several of you mentioned some good trailer brands/models except, they not offered in West Coast. We have limited options in CA. Also, hubby was too tall for shower in most of the models we looked at (lots had raised shower floor) so that poses a big challenge. The R-Vision sports models has curved ceiling which is nicer for tall folks and also provides better rain run off. So having a large skylight inside low shower floor makes a big difference!

[Bumpyroad]

years back I looked at an Evergreen that had a set of bunks in the rear, the upper one would flip up and the lower one was sort of a couch with an entertainment center (just shelves) next to it. seemed like it would be great for kids.
bumpy

[colliehauler]

I bought a 26' BHSS (bunkhouse single slide) for guests at the seasonal site. With a 12' slide it gives it a lot of room. It has a queen in front and 2 bunks in rear. With the bunks you can use the table or sofa without the the kid having to get up. You can leave the beds as beds instead of converting the sofa or table into a bed each night and putting the stuff away each morning. If you want to watch tv the kid can go to bed. Just something to think about.

[WoodGlue]

Bumpyroad wrote:
one thing I liked about some bunk trailers was the ones that had a lower bunk that could hinge up, and there was a large door adjacent where you could wheel in bicycles, etc. Sort of a mini toy hauler.
bumpy

The Lance 2185 has this feature and it's a nice feature to have. The top bunk stays put for storage while the 2 lower bunks flip up for the storage area (and it's quite large!) Plus it's a hella lightweight trailer, well made etc.

WoodGlue

[dadmomh]

Glad to help...happy camping!

[PAThwacker]

We have a small bh hybrid. Best darn baby specific purchase we ever made. Has rear bunkbeds, side tent (play yard), and front tent. Benefits outweigh the negatives. 5000lb gvw (1600lb payload) carry full water and load it to the gills.


21 foot box, 24 feet tongue to bumper. Works great at small sites, and easy to maneuver.

[CavemanCharlie]

PartyMarty wrote:
The best trailer for me is the shortest one that works .
24 has the same sinks , potty , tanks , stove , refer , furnace , and so on .
we had a 16 , 26 , 36 MH , and now a 21 .
this one has been very good for being on the move and also for dry camping .

I agree with this but, I buy used and know nothing about trade in value. The link you provided for the R Vision will work for 2 kids because one will fit on the couch and the other on the dinette which fold downs to a bed. By the time one of the kids gets so grown that he no longer fits on the couch things in you life may have changed. But, to each his own. I just like shorter units. They are so easy to tow.

[dirtdivaca]

Wow - you guys are all sooooo awesome - this is really helpful! :B

@ dadmomh - thanks I think I'm with you, I really don't want the BB commitment when we don't even know if we'll have 2 kid(s) ...it took us years just to get baby #1 so chances of #2 are slim. I think you bring up some good points about squeezing the kids around. Heck, when I was young we just slept on the floor! I'm very outdoorsy person so I expect to spend most of my time outdoors (not in the RV).

Anyways - I really appreciate everyone' input and it makes me feel better about buying a bigger trailer and thanks for saving me from making a big costly mistake buying one too small!

[jamiet]

i have a2004 chevy 1500 excab and a2013 innsbruck bh 6300 dry and pull it with no problem it is 29ft box 32ft overall and have know prob. parking it i think you would be better buying the bh now rather yhan latter

[dadmomh]

We also tow with an F-150 CC with 5.4 and factory tow. It's an '03 and rated for 8000#. Recently moved from a ROO 23SS Hybrid to a Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604 with GVWR of 6629#. I am just all about the 25RKSS you linked. I'm not a fan of bunkhouses unless you have considerably older children and since you're waiting for #1, you'll not have to worry about that for many years. I would be most uncomfortable with a toddler or very young child having such a great place as a bunkhouse to fall off of. Personal opinion. For your purposes for the next several years, you'll be in the Pack n Play stage, then you can get a child's size sleeping bag for the dinette or sofa to last you a few more seasons. By then you'll likely be doing Pack n Play + the sleeping bag. Normally I would say making up a bed every night is a PITA, but you would not need to actually "make the bed" for a small child, just drop the table or open the sofa. Meanwhile, the 25RKSS is IMHO, perfect. I would not even remotely consider a TT without a slide. Somewhere in the mix, you'll likely add the requisite dog and space will get tight with everyone + the pooch. I think you would be a good 6 - 8 years down the road before you'd need to consider a BH. Opinion? If you can say you LOVE the 25RKSS - get on over and give those folks a deposit. Camping weather is bound to arrive, sooner or later. Good luck and happy camping!

[djsamuel]

Check out the new Camplite 28BHS, dry weight 4250 pounds, 7000 pounds GVWR. If it is anything like our 21BHS, it will be a terrific trailer.

Just CLICK HERE.

[trail-explorer]

Looks all good, until mother nature throws a curve ball and give you one boy and one girl - in which case they won't like sleeping in the same area once they get a little bit older. At some point beyond that they will want their one sleeping areas - bunk model plays in well here.... though most bunk models are long and heavy.

Once the kids hit about 16 years of age, then they will be "too cool" to go camping with mom and dad and will want to stay home, then you will want a smaller trailer.

dirtdivaca wrote:
Thanks - this is helpful! We thought about bunkbeds but they seem so useless until you have someone to sleep in them. We're looking seriously at the R-Vision 25RKS (DVW 4740 and GVWR 6160 lbs) which is pretty light & all aluminum. We can use couch when kid(s) outgrown playard or co-sleeper options. Here's Floorplan URL since pasting the pic didn't work.