newstome2
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Re: New to travel trailers
Hello, Franbak13: I have read your comments and those of others on this site. I am about to purchase my 2nd larger trailer and have done a LOT of research and examination of various sizes. My opinion is the same of many here: Do NOT do it! Your trailer choice is far too big to learn with as a 1st time trailer. Further, you face a lot of issues you are not aware of yet. Among these is the type of vehicle you need to pull this unit; the weight factors involved and hitch systems you need to safety proceed. You also face an issue where the size exceeds what some RV Parks will allow into their sites. They will also charge you more due to its length and weight. Dry camping in the woods will present problems of their own, in particular locations that have tight roads and no areas to turn around. Backing or turning such a rig requires a lot of training and skill. On a roadway, you often will not have 2nd chances. Without being rude, I would comment on a 25 year old driver who has perhaps never towed before. It is an art, trust me, and must be learned over many months of focused training, being careful to learn as much as you can about towing such rigs. I followed the best advice of this group year ago: I bought a 22 foot trailer (interior space) with an overall length of 26.5 feet. It has been perfect to both learn in and to drive as a new owner. Now I am ready for a larger trailer, but I will not exceed 28-29 feet maximum based on my recent research for the past 8 months. You are taking on way too much if you do this, frankly. Take your time, evaluate everything and speak with others who have various size trailers. Make sure you fully understand what it take to tow such a rig. Understand weight ratings, vehicle types and additional equipment such as Weight Distribution hitches plus steering such vehicles. Once you sign on the dotted line, it is too late. It may prove dangerous for you in the end trying to tow this unit without experience or the right equipment. Start smaller and buy a excellent used rig, not new. You will save thousands. Good Luck to You! newstome2@live.com Saturday _______________________303Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2011 Tundra reduced max tow capacity, options?
HELLO, JMB667: I am newstome2 and I have read your request and the comments made by others on this site. My main observation of your situation is to stop guessing! Trailer loads are far too dangerous to fool around with and you need to calculate hard data to come to the proper answer. I faced the exact same situation you are a few years ago and made sure I did a lot of research before I purchased my trailer and tow vehicle. As such, I have detailed trailer load calculation sheets that I have sent to members of this forum. It was drawn up using a lot of personal research and expert instruction on trailer loads and the calculations needed to arrive at a proper answer. It has served me well. If you wish, I can send it to you via a PDF file. You simply put in your information via your tow vehicle specs and those from your trailer. Be CAREFUL relying on comments or advice from others who are not sure of what you are asking. They mean well, but you are responsible in the end. Once you work the figures yourself, then you will know the proper answer without issues down the road. Make sure you obtain the actual specs on your tow vehicle from the WEB and the same from the sticker that came with your trailer. Under no conditions rely on what a dealer or salesman tells you at a lot. I have heard many tall tales personally from them and they were often wrong or misleading me to make the sale. Also remember that 'Dry Weight' often does not include the air conditioning units attached to trailers, nor water or propane. It also does not include loads you add. My sheets explain all of this along with a legend that explains terms used in the industry. Another great source that I use is a video instruction series called 'RV Education 101' by Mark POLK, a recognized national expert on RV systems, loads, weight ratios and types of vehicles to match all trailers. He is on the WEB and featured in Good Sam Magazine and writes for many RV outlets. The best thing is that this series is FREE via YouTube. I later bought his best CD's for my library. Simply type in his name or RV Education 101 on YouTube. I used his information and more before I bought my new truck for my RV. Good luck and take care, newstome2@live.com (Tim) Saturday526Views0likes0CommentsRe: Am I getting too much trailer??
Hello, Coacher: I am newstome2 out of Oregon. I faced the same situation you are in a few years ago when I first purchased an RV and a new truck. I did extensive research as you are doing, but in a different way: I will save space by telling you this: ONLY go by the manufacturers recommended weight rating as posted on their official web sites or specs for your specific vehicle. In fact, print them out and save them on your computer. Do not pay attention to what ANY dealer or salesman tells you. Do not go by 'articles' you read. You are safe when you go the specs and only the specs as posted by the maker of your vehicle. The same is true with your trailer. The sticker which comes with the trailer will give you that information. Again, trust only that sticker and ignore comments or suggestions made by others. Why? Because after 30 years in law enforcement and countless hours of testimony in courts, I can tell you that the only thing that will matter under a warranty OR in a court of law due to an accident while towing is that YOU followed the recommendations of the manufacturer to the letter; Not what someone told you at the time of purchase. Let me assist you if I can: I use a formula sheet and an information packet which I assembled on my vehicles. I researched everything about my trailer and new truck. I then made sure I calculated the numbers before I bought my truck. I also made sure I had at least 1000+ pounds of spare tow weight available before I bought the truck. That was to cover any unknown extra weight while loading for a trip. Also make sure you pay attention to the Ball Hitch Weight. Mine is rated at 1000 Pounds tongue weight along with an 10,000 pound tow equalizer bar system. This is a very important device for towing. Also make sure you have a sway bar with your kit. Mine came complete with my equalizer bar. It is called EAZ-LIFT. In my case, I also purchased video tapes called RV-101 by Mark POLK, a nationwide expert on RV tech information, sales, repair and weight ratings. You can find his tapes and books online via GOOGLE. I highly recommend them. Go to your truck manufacturer web sites and load the vehicle specs for your trucks. Follow them. Your Spec Sheet on new trucks should also list this information at the dealer. If you wish, send me your E-Mail address and I will forward my documents to you. Remember that my information applies to my vehicle and trailer, but you simply plug in your numbers for weight and calculate the proper ratings. You can also find this information online as well. It appears this may reach you too late to be of any service, but you can use it to assist you in making load calculations when traveling. Final comment: Make sure you go to a Weigh Station in your area for both of your vehicles WHEN LOADED. I went to our local dump which weighs all vehicles on a large electronic scale. I wrote this information down and put it in my computer. Best of all, the weighing is free! Good luck to you, newstome2@live.com June 22, 2013106Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 21, 202544,029 Posts
