What_About_Bob
Explorer
Joined 11 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Brake Lines Blown While Towing with Toyota Tundra!!!!
agesilaus wrote: Sorry to hear about this problem. Toyota's don't have a reputation of being a good choice for towing. How heavy is your trailer? I have yet to tow a TT with my 2007 Tundra but have towed my 29 year old boat for the last 7+ years with it without ANY issues whatsoever. I have owned every other truck and SUV you can almost name since my first 1977 Chevy Blazer and will say this Tundra is bullet proof and the most reliable and refined I have owned. It is the ONLY vehicle I have ever had that has NEVER been back to the dealer. I do my own maintenance and have had to replace brakes, oil changes, filters and tires but that's it. All vehicles have had their problems, but this one is a keeper in my eyes.479Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
Thank You everyone for taking the time to respond. Looks like a 5K TT dry limit might be the best target species to aim for. Tatest, you said try one on.........that brought up a interesting thought. Has anyone here had the chance to "try one on" before purchasing. Do dealers allow you to take a trailer new or used for the weekend before buying ? ? ? I have never purchased a vehicle or boat without test driving it first but what about a TT ? ? ? One other question.......several folks here have mentioned light weight or ultra light trailers.....are there pit falls in buying a light weight TT over a non light weight TT ? ? ?355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
jaycocreek wrote: I've full timed in a number of rigs from 42 ft down to 18. The Floorplan is the key. Ours must have a couch and two chairs aka front room. 3 of us and a dog lived in a 24th Beaver class C without a slide for 3 years. Not that bad with a large bathroom/couch and two chairs. All except my current,did not have a slide.Were full timing now in a 26.6 (30ft tongue to bumper) and pulling it with a F-150 without any issues. It pulls as good as any 3/4 ton I have every owned and I've owned and pulled with a bunch of them and still have one at my dispense anytime I want but don't need the 2500 HD with my current travel trailer or the wood trailer (3-cord). Good luck on your trailer choice. So what is your TV rated for....what engine and HP and rear end does this truck have. How far do you tow with it. You must see some steep grades where you are ? Can I borrow that 3 cord wood trailer.....would you mind bringing it to WNY...LOL355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
WayneAt63044 wrote: Read the sticker on your truck's pillar to determine max tow weight and cargo carrying capacity. Shifting to another topic mentioned in your original post, I don't consider central VA, MD, or OH as places I'd want to winter for a few months. (We lived in Wash DC for 8 years,) Temps below 28 degrees forces decisions about winterizing. Most trailers are not comfortable in freezing temps even if you don't have water freeze issues. To my mind you need to get to the southern half of the FL peninsula or the desert SW for comfortable winter RVing. Some like TX. We have departed StL in January with the trailer still winterized and then unwinterized in OK, AR, or TX where/when temps are warmer. Thanks for mentioning winter problems with a RV......when younger we would deer hunt out of my 13' TT and always used portable water. But as far as staying warm the furnace always kept us warm and sometime the mercury was dipping near zero. I agree we wouldn't stay too long in VA.....probably just after Thanksgiving to deer hunt with my son and then hit the sunshine state. Come spring try to pass through my older son's state wherever that may be by then and landing back home no later then May 1st to go fishing on Lake Erie. That sounds so good because I really HATE winter after working in it for over 30 years.356Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
wannavolunteerFT wrote: Bob, to give you some idea on size weight, I will give you info on mine. I have 2011 Jayco JayFlight 24RKS. It has about a 24ft box, and is actually 28ft long, tongue to bumper. It has a dry weight of 5035, which leaves me with just over 1900 lbs of carrying capacity. (Max gross weight is 7000lbs) That being said, I have a 86 gal freshwater tank, so I use nearly half of that if I have full freshwater tank. I don't usually carry more than a little bit of water in freshwater tanks, as most places I camp have water available. My floorplan is one that I could live in fulltime or long term if I needed to. Now not everyone could, as many want much more space. I do intend to go to a slightly bigger RV when I do fulltime, but I also plan to change to a Class A. Nothing wrong with TT, just I feel more secure traveling to unknown places in MH than TT. (I travel aloe, so the secure feeling is important to me and my children.) Whether I go to MH immediately upon going fulltiming or staying in TT for a while will be wholly dependent on real estate market at the time. I can't pay for MH as long as I am making house payments and TT and PU will be paid for. Could you please mention what you are using as a TV.355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
wincrasher65 wrote: Bob, I'd try to keep whatever you buy to around 5000 lbs loaded. The ratings for trucks are kinda mythical at best, as some may chime in. A 1/2 ton gas truck does best up until 5000 lbs and should give you some flexibility. There are many, many trailers in the 25 foot range that can give you enough room, yet are easy to tow and park. I'd recommend that you give aerodynamics alot of weight when you choose a trailer. Look for one with a curved front cap, or a pointed nose front cap. Some trailers also have shaped rear ends as well. A trailer is essentially a big sail behind your truck - a more aerodynamic heavy trailer can be easier to tow that a lighter one with a flat front. Another thing to consider - you are not buying this trailer to be a permanent home, but to travel for a few months a year. It doesn't have to be ginormous to be comfortable and practical. Good luck! Good idea with the aerodynamics that I haven't given a lot of thought until you mentioned it. When you say 1/2 ton truck limit should be 5K is that because of pulling power or the truck handling the tongue weight ? ? ?355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
Terryallan wrote: 6000lb dry is going to be way too much for your TV. you need to look in the minis 5000lb dry range. And there are plenty of them. I agree with needing to be able to use the TT with the slide in. Never know when you may want something , or need the bathroom. What ever you get. Take your time and pick your TT wisely. I am really surprised you mentioned a 5000lb dry range max. I thought dry range at 6k would leave me a lot of weight for this and that. Don't plan on traveling with water being 8.3lbs per gallon but I can see it adding up fast. In 2006 we towed 3K popup trailer with a Ford Escape over the continental divide twice without problems....it was SLOW reaching the top though. We learned on that trip how to skimp on space and weight for 30 days, 6500 miles.355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
guidry wrote: Start up advice; make sure you can get to the fridge and bathroom while traveling (if it has a slideout), if buying used, inspect it well for hidden leaks or damage, do your research (weigh your truck and trailer) for what your Tundra can tow, and don't go cheap on towing equipment. Lastly, find the floor plan that Momma likes. You might want to reconsider a new truck as a retirement present so you can really get the trailer you will enjoy. Good luck You brought up some very good points and I appreciate the tips. New truck, I hope not.....REALLY like this one....it's the only truck / vehicle I have never had to go back to the dealer for anything....the next one might be built on a Friday...who knows...LOL355Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
DutchmenSport wrote: Are you planning on buying new or used? That can make a difference in the weight of the camper. Older ones are heavier (generally). Only you can decide what size of camper is right for you. And what works this year might not work next year. We've been through three travel trailers now, each one as different as an apple to a watermellon. They are all travel trailers, but the floor plans and size changed. Your best bet is to visit as many RV dealerships as you can where you live and physically go inside the campers and what appeals to you and what does not. There's much more to a good choice than just size. Someone may take a smaller camper because the floor plan and interior design is good for them. Someone else, the exact same camper would be a nightmare or a divorce waiting to happen! Just because they are longer or bigger does not make them more comfortable or easier to live in. That's why is so critically important that you actually visit dealerships, RV shows, and if you have friends with campers, look at them with a critical eye. We started with an 24 foot (18 foot floor) for our first camper (no slides). Second was 31 feet long from bumper to bumper (no slides). Third is 35 feet long, bumper to bumper and 3 slides. Which camper was the "right" camper for us? Answer: The one we had at the time we had it! Until circumstances started changing the way we live, and then the existing camper became inadequate. All three campers 24, 31, and 35 foot worked well for us at specific times. That's why, your question is so difficult to answer. You really need to go and start looking. Very quickly, you'll eliminate stuff. Knowing what you do NOT like is sometimes MORE important thank knowing what you DO like! As you expand your list of what you do not like, you are also narrowing the list of what you do like. Then, one day! You'll have the Ah-HA! "This is it!" moment. Sorry I can't be more specific. It' like trying to figure out for you if I think you should live in a town-house, an apartment, a high rise tower, a house trailer, a duplex, a tri-level house, bi-level house, single floor house, basement or a loft? My opinions are not yours. That's why is so important to go and see for yourself. But if you're really asking my opinion, my current Outback Travel Trailer is by far the best we've had. 35 feet and would be great for short term or long term camping. It can do it all. (But not everyone wants to drag 35 feet behind them either!) Good luck. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but hopeful I gave you something to think about. New or used is a very good question. I would really like to get a slightly used one if possible so the previous owner took the big deprecation hit for me....LOL....but sometimes that not always possible.171Views0likes0CommentsRe: Need Advice on TT size for 3-4 months
WOW, I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. Great answers which of course stirred up even more questions. Thanks for taking the time for me. We have a couple of years to go but I'm one to plan and research the heck out of something before I need it or buy it. Bob133Views0likes0Comments
Groups
Travel Trailer Group
Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jul 15, 202544,042 Posts
