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?

[tomkaren13]

Looks like the Keystone Springdale BH that Curveballer98 has weighs about 6800 pounds. Not to bad for a BH with a super slide. But it is over what I would tow with anything less then a 3/4 ton TV.

Enjoy your R-Vision 25RKS. good size for a TT and think you will like the rear kitchen. Always like a rear kitchen gives you more counter space.

[CKNSLS]

curveballer98 wrote:
I would suggest the bigger one...with a super slide. We bought our first TT..which was 26 foot, but no slide out and we had just us and a large dog, which was cramped...then came the first baby...even more cramped...especially when you wish to use a pack and play...so off to the lot we went to trade up. We stayed within the rough length, moved up to a 28 footer, but with a large slide-out. Now we have 2 dogs and two kids and it's comfortable. for while we had both a large dog kennel and a pack and play and there was still room. we got lucky and actually got more on trade than we owed from our first trailer. but i think that's a huge rarity. Also...dump the ford and get a dodge 😉

Now your talking weight with a super slide..........

[curveballer98]

I would suggest the bigger one...with a super slide. We bought our first TT..which was 26 foot, but no slide out and we had just us and a large dog, which was cramped...then came the first baby...even more cramped...especially when you wish to use a pack and play...so off to the lot we went to trade up. We stayed within the rough length, moved up to a 28 footer, but with a large slide-out. Now we have 2 dogs and two kids and it's comfortable. for while we had both a large dog kennel and a pack and play and there was still room. we got lucky and actually got more on trade than we owed from our first trailer. but i think that's a huge rarity. Also...dump the ford and get a dodge 😉

[cacoon]

I started with a 24ft then a 28 ft now a 31 ft. I had absolutely no trailer experience when I bought the first one. 8 years later i have no fear in towing. I say buy the biggest and most you can afford and safely tow.

[CKNSLS]

johndeerefarmer wrote:

I don't think you will find many 28ft TT's that weigh in at 5,000 lbs. Our ultralight 27ft has a dry weight of 6,000 lbs. Around here the size limits for campgrounds pertain to the trailer, not the TV. Every site we visited (not all that many, but a nice sample for Washington) had the ability to handle the TV and the TT, though maybe not hitched. At some sites we had to park the TV next to the TT.

My 29'9" Surveyor Select weighs 5124 lbs dry with a hitch weight of 623 lbs

+1 John Deere. There are plenty of Ultra lights at 28-29 feet around 5,000 pounds. Seattle Lion-there are many that are-maybe not in your state but elsewhere they are reaily available.

[ls1mike]

Seattle Lion wrote:

I don't think you will find many 28ft TT's that weigh in at 5,000 lbs. Our ultralight 27ft has a dry weight of 6,000 lbs. Around here the size limits for campgrounds pertain to the trailer, not the TV. Every site we visited (not all that many, but a nice sample for Washington) had the ability to handle the TV and the TT, though maybe not hitched. At some sites we had to park the TV next to the TT.

I camp all over WA, Idaho and Oregon. Have not had any trouble with my 32 footer. It is 7400-500 on the scales loaded for camping and 6340 with batteries, full propane, and various other small items. So my experience is similar to yours.

I see the OP got a trailer looks very nice.

As to size a wise old man at a campground once told me when I had my old 25 foot no slide 5er, "Buy your second Trailer first"

[johndeerefarmer]

I don't think you will find many 28ft TT's that weigh in at 5,000 lbs. Our ultralight 27ft has a dry weight of 6,000 lbs. Around here the size limits for campgrounds pertain to the trailer, not the TV. Every site we visited (not all that many, but a nice sample for Washington) had the ability to handle the TV and the TT, though maybe not hitched. At some sites we had to park the TV next to the TT.

My 29'9" Surveyor Select weighs 5124 lbs dry with a hitch weight of 623 lbs

[wrvond]

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!

Congratulations on your new camper! At 6'4", I know how he feels.
It occurs to me that you can simply remove the dinette table and fasten a net across the open end, creating a "play pen/bed" for your baby. Of course a foam pad is a must, but it's safer (can't fall off the floor) and no more difficult to set up/take down than using the table top to make a bed.
It's a great looking camper. Enjoy!

[dodge_guy]

A 28ft will be the perfect size! we had a 28ft TT that had a dry weight of 5100lbs. it had a super slide and bunks. with the kids and dogs get the 28ft.

[dirtdivaca]

CKNSLS wrote:

A 6,000 pound trailer is not an ultra light IMHO. There are plenty of true ultra lights that weight in at less than 5,000 pounds dry. Hre is mine-clicky

Nice TT. It wouldn't work for us because hubbie's too tall for queen bed so with a walk-around bed, his feet can hang off instead of sleeping in fetal position. Dry Weight on our trailer is 4740 so it's still under 5,000 lbs.

[CKNSLS]

Seattle Lion wrote:

dirtdivaca wrote:
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?

I don't think you will find many 28ft TT's that weigh in at 5,000 lbs. Our ultralight 27ft has a dry weight of 6,000 lbs. Around here the size limits for campgrounds pertain to the trailer, not the TV. Every site we visited (not all that many, but a nice sample for Washington) had the ability to handle the TV and the TT, though maybe not hitched. At some sites we had to park the TV next to the TT.

A 6,000 pound trailer is not an ultra light IMHO. There are plenty of true ultra lights that weight in at less than 5,000 pounds dry. Hre is mine-clicky

[dirtdivaca]

Caboose66 wrote:
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.

Thanks! 😄 We are very excited too! We will probably have to upgrade the tow vehicle at some point but I'm hoping to get a couple years out of it before I have to change it since I have only had it for a year.

[dirtdivaca]

dadmomh wrote:
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.

Thanks - we got the tamarack color because that comes with leather sofa. I figured that'll be easier to keep clean! I agree, I think we will work it out really well. Maybe we'll wish we got bunk beds but it's such a long ways off and who knows, as someone said, our lives might be so different that it might not matter. I'm just hoping our kid(s) enjoy camping as much as I do! 😄

[PAThwacker]

With 2 daughters of our own, our next trailer will most likely be the aspen trail 2760 2 door, shallow slide, full over full bunkhouse. Stick and tin 6000lb to 7800lbs....

Biggest likes......ground clearance and tanks! We are state park campers, lugging aquatainers back and forth is not fun. We have some serious off level sites, and a sloped driveway. We had a popup, hybrid, and have been camping since 1976. I have been camping in pups, class c, bunkhouses, air streams, Gulfstream and Beaver DP, of my parents. They now do it style with a 40ft Prevost.