p40whk
Explorer
Joined 10 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Floor Plan vs mechanicals vs brands (Newb questions)
Yeah, I'm not expecting any of these trailers to pass an FAA inspection but I have been comparing the quality between brands. For the price that they are asking for these units comparatively to other types of recreational vehicles like boats I'd say the quality matches the prices. I'm still kind of hung up on the whole tandem axle thing though. I used to have a 19 foot boat that weighed similar to what these trailers do and had two blow outs with that. The tires on that trailer weren't even tow rated so the dealer had to eat the cost for those. The boat didn't sway when it happened either, just dropped to the ground and it was noticeable in the cab. Drug it off to the side of the road and changed it. My new boat has a tandem axle trailer and I've had blow outs with it as well however you can go further with that second tire supporting the weight. I do think that if you put good quality tires on a single axle trailer then you should be fine. I guess that's something I need to check.425Views0likes0CommentsRe: Floor Plan vs mechanicals vs brands (Newb questions)
Good points Bob and rbpru, I looked at the Surveyor 192T which has the identical floor plan as the Jayco and it does have tandem axels. It's also over 300# heavier and 1-1/2 feet longer so I'm guessing that the 191T was below their standard weight/length for adding tandem axles. Cost isn't an issue for me and I am looking at TTs in this weight range for a number of reasons, tow vehicle capacity being one of them (the other being storage). Floor plan is my big sticking point right now, if I didn't mind the the tighter space and layout of the 192T it would be a non issue. The Jayco and 192T are both at 3600+ pounds where the 191T is 3300+ pounds, that's over your 2500# weight preference for tandem axles Bob.424Views0likes0CommentsRe: Floor Plan vs mechanicals vs brands (Newb questions)
Thanks guys, I tow a boat with tandem axles and know exactly what you're talking about in regards to side load. Hadn't considered the blow out potential. My gut is still telling my I'd be happier with the floor plan I like. The tandem axle is definitely a positive feature but so is the $3k I'd save. Still researching so all opinions welcome!425Views0likes0CommentsFloor Plan vs mechanicals vs brands (Newb questions)
Hi all, I've been trying to educate myself as much as possible before making my first purchase and have finally narrowed down my search to a specific type of TT and a general floor plan. I have found two brands that (through my research) seem to have decent and similar reputations; Jayco Jay Feather and Surveyor Expandables. Obviously floor plans are a personal preference and my favorite so far is the Surveyor 191T. Jayco has their X19H which is almost identical to Surveyor's 192T but even though you get a sofa sleeper with these last two models they seem to be a bit more cramped and I prefer the side bunks of the 191. My biggest question is the axles; the Jayco has tandem axles and the Surveyor does not. Quality between the two trailers looks like the surveyor is slightly better (I noticed much better hardware used in the Surveyor) but I'm not sure if switching floor plans just for a tandem axle is really worth it on a 19 foot trailer? I also noticed that the frame on the Jayco wasn't as stout and neither was it's CCC. I've tried to compare the two brands and find pros/cons for each so there isn't a real winner in customer satisfaction. Being an aircraft mechanic I tend to get a bit nit picky about construction and mechanicals but find different plus's and minus's for each (none enough to sway me towards one brand over the other). Both the Jayco and Surveyor Dealer have a very good sales reputation but the Surveyor Dealer sells primarily to out of state people and there aren't many reviews on after the sale service. The Surveyor is $3K cheaper as well. 1) How much better is that tandem axle over a single? 2) After the sale service, how hard is it to get service from a dealer that you didn't buy from? 3) Does anyone have any experience with both brands that can provide feedback. Thanks and I appreciate your patience with the newb questions!2.8KViews0likes13CommentsRe: Things to do in Cincinnati OH
Cincinnati has one of the best Zoos in the country, they also have one of the best fine arts programs in the country and the museums are very good. The symphony is one of the best as well as a lot of local places that are family friendly for music. Coney Island has a small section with rides and one of the largest fresh water pools in the country. Grade school kids would love Kings Island and the Airforce Museum in Dayton is a great attraction but close to 2 hours from Big Bone Lick. Newport Aquarium as mentioned before is pretty cool and there are plenty of places to eat there. The Natural History Museum is great in an old dome shaped train station, there's an I-max theater there that usually has good movies and they have many children's programs. You have to let me know what you think of the Creation Museum and Ark, I live in KY and many are not too happy that tax payer dollars were spent on it. It's a pretty sore spot with many residents in the area and I'm curious to hear what someone not from this area thinks about it. Lots to do around here, If you do decide to head towards Lexington and the KY Horse Park, about an hour further south east from there is Red River Gorge, Natural Bridge and Daniel Boone National Forest, absolutely gorgeous area and plenty of camping available.515Views0likes0CommentsRe: Can you fold up bunk ends with made beds?
pitch wrote: great answer theBear2!!,you addressed absolutely nothing that the OP asked about. ;) Thanks for the replies, I actually am looking at a Surveyor 191T or an R-Pod 179 (both made on the same assembly line). I've read through countless pages on why or why not you should own a hybrid or a TT and really it comes down to how I plan to use the RV that will influence my decision the most. I was kind of hoping you could leave the bed made so that when you were tired and on the road it was one less step you had to do to go to sleep. Not really an issue if you leave the dinette made up though. I'm not as concerned about security as I've always taken my valuables with me and there are usually other high dollar campers in the area that thieves would target first. The bed issue isn't a deal breaker, but it was one I hadn't seen an answer to. Thanks!204Views0likes0CommentsCan you fold up bunk ends with made beds?
Hi all, I'm in the market for a new RV and I'm torn between a TT or HTT. The pros and cons have been debated extensively for both in other forums/threads but what I haven't found is any mention of stowing the bed ends with the mattresses made. Was wondering what most owners do?6.8KViews0likes21CommentsRe: Which part of campground should I park in
downtheroad wrote: Camp in the best site you can get. Doesn't matter if you are in a $3500 pop up or a $350,000 motor home. Whether I'm tent camping or looking for an RV site I try to use Google Earth or any satellite views I can find that will show the layout of a campground I've not been to. There are also my private websites that rate and show pictures of different campsites that you can get a good idea. We typically look for sites close enough to a bathroom but not too close, has plenty of trees for wind/sun protection and privacy, and isn't right on top of the site next to it.82Views0likes0CommentsRe: Light Weight Trailer
#1nobby wrote: I'm a mechanic / millwright by trade. Spotting junk is second nature to me......it won't be like that for everyone. I, too, am new to RVing....I looked at "new" in my budget and found. a lot of junk....mostly junk, actually. If you want any semblance of quality....you have to have a larger budget. I'm also a mechanic by trade and am in the market to buy my first RV. So far I've only looked at one brand, the Palomino Palomini and what I saw was short cuts in construction just about everywhere (I'm also a wood worker). The problem with increasing your budget is that you may or may not get better quality. My biggest prerequisites for an RV is the floor plan and it's weight (my tow capacity). What I've found is in my weight range and floor plans almost all TTs look to be the same configuration and I'm concerned that the quality will be the same. Increasing my budget gets me a bigger unit but may not be better quality. I'm looking at an R-Pod and Surveyor this evening (TT and HTT) so that will give me something more to compare. What I'm finding is that the majority of these brands are all made by one or two manufacturers, can the quality be there in one line like the Surveyor and not another like the Palomino (both made by Forest River)?339Views0likes0CommentsRe: Tarps that will hold up over time
Or, if you can sew, another good option is to order used Billboard vinyl (google it). It's dirt cheap, ripstop, UV resistant, made to stand up to extended outdoor conditions and it sews easy. I've made quite a few covers with this stuff and if you don't mind a black or white color (there's an advertisement on the other side) then you can get them pretty cheap. For instance, I ordered a 12' X 48' piece and shipped to my door was only $56. I'm still using pieces from it.193Views0likes0Comments
Groups
RV Newbies
We all start out new. Share lessons learned or first-time questions!Jul 30, 20244,030 Posts Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jul 15, 202544,042 Posts
