Finally taking the plunge and buying a trailer!

[peg110]

Oh I LOVE the snow! I'm the one who obsessively watches the weather when there is any chance of snow and practically tries to will it into happening! Lol! When we lived in Maryland there was a year that we got three blizzards and I think I was the only adult in my circle of friends who was still smiling in the snow. I've just never lived anywhere that gets anywhere near that much on a regular basis, and many people have told me the UP is surely going to cure me of my snow crush. We'll see.

Love Snow, Can deal with Cold, Hate and Abhor the wind (when it's Cold, especially if it's a cold rain, freezing rain or similar.)

They do increase sleeping area without extra length to tow. But, having 'everything' accessible while traveling is a 'must' with us.

That's the same with us. We sleep in Rest stops. It's not considered polite (or even allowed) to "Extend" campers which might include the side canvas areas, so it's really not an option for us.

 

[Boopuff]

We pulled at 32BHDS Jayco Eagle behind our Suburban for over 8 years. Never had a problem. Retired (traded) our beloved Eagle just a few months ago. We had a popup, and a hybrid before. Now we have a bus. Easy peasy.

PS - love staying at the fort!

 

[dmaxphil]

Congratulations. How excitng.

Not to throw any doubt in your purchase. But please understand the mentality of the fine folks at rv.net. Its amazing how many people go to great lengths to get people to downsize their camper choice. Some appear to only be at peace if you're using a dually to haul a pop-up. Much too overkill over there.

I don't want to confuse you. But this is a big decision.

Going to have to +1 this. Most of the folks on RV.net are idiots. (My opinion)

Here's and example for you on a trailer I recently came across. A 2015 Innsbruck 295SBW.. I once sold these brand new. Well, the original owner had the factory upgrade the axles to 6k lbs for overkill purposes. The GVWR on this trailer was 12k+. The trailer had a dry weight of 7k lbs. So I should only pull with a truck that can safely tow 12k lbs? Or would it maybe be a better idea to consider the weight of what all I might potentially load in trailer and tow vehicle and use that as a determining factor?

My 2 cents

 

[dmaxphil]

To be honest, it's all a little confusing to me in regards to towing capacity, but the basic gist did seem to be that you need a semi to pull a pop-up! Lol! I'll admit that their advice did freak me out and was the initial reason we jumped ship from the Jayco to a hybrid or ultra-light, but now we are both finding appeal in something that is in-between a tent and a TT. We also will be traveling from Michigan to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California often, so I think being way under our tow capacity will be a benefit there.
I'm sure in a few years we'll be joining ranks with those that trade in their starter camper for something bigger and better though! And by then hopefully we'll understand a lot more about campers in general!

Being way under your tow rating is always better than the alternative.

 

[bjschil]

d

Lucky are you to move to the UP. Love it there. No, you are not crazy, and SHOULD be excited to move to the UP. So many beautiful places to see and do, a "welcome back" attitude. We live in lower Wisconsin, but love to venture "up nort" to the Lake Superior Shoreline, relax, spread out, snore, people watch, and all the amazing wealth of love and kindness you will ever find. Find those little out-of-the way towns, as you will surely find something delicious, with a whole lot of local culture. And.... If any of you DISers ever get an itch to see a working 700 cow dairy work, come on down to our farm. We have a full 50 amp hookup, not too far from the strange and eclectic House on The Rock, an hour sw of Madison, about 35 minutes from the Mississippi, and all the UTV/ATV trails you would want. The upper Midwest has many secrets, from spring through fall, and most people would be willing to show you their lives, love, and hospitality. And then comes old man winter, and he cleans it up a bit, makes us stay put and rejuvenate, all ready for a do-over in spring. Serious about any adventures on the dairy farm, a site set up, and also a beautiful family campground with lots of wildlife. Good luck in your many different camper/RV choices. You have done lots of research, and so many have lots of advice.

 

[peg110]

Or would it maybe be a better idea to consider the weight of what all I might potentially load in trailer and tow vehicle and use that as a determining factor?

I agree this could be a huge consideration, especially if the GVRW is on the edge of what your TV can tow and even more so if you are planning in the nearer future to upgrade your TV. That said, people aren't always good at estimating weight. A bigger camper (whether it be a hybrid, Full on TT or a 5er) for most would look at it as (Well I have the space.....) and fill it up without really considering the overall weight. So this is a "Use caution" comment

We have a full 50 amp hookup, not too far from the strange and eclectic House on The Rock, an hour sw of Madison, about 35 minutes from the Mississippi, and all the UTV/ATV trails you would want. The upper Midwest has many secrets, from spring through fall, and most people would be willing to show you their lives, love, and hospitality. And then comes old man winter, and he cleans it up a bit, makes us stay put and rejuvenate, all ready for a do-over in spring.

I am so envious of this. I'd love to have a small farm (nothing like 700 Dairy cows though), and 10 (or more) acres of "Country" to enjoy and relax. I'd love to get back to more of a country (less technological) life style, but doing that is difficult without the money to begin with. It's difficult to run a small farm (more for self sufficiency then for profit) without money. Even a small farm demands a lot of time that would prevent me from working full time at a job to pay those bills.

Alas... maybe someday my dream for that will come true. (If I could only convince the DW too!)

 

[monkeybug]

Lucky are you to move to the UP. Love it there. No, you are not crazy, and SHOULD be excited to move to the UP. So many beautiful places to see and do, a "welcome back" attitude. We live in lower Wisconsin, but love to venture "up nort" to the Lake Superior Shoreline, relax, spread out, snore, people watch, and all the amazing wealth of love and kindness you will ever find. Find those little out-of-the way towns, as you will surely find something delicious, with a whole lot of local culture. And.... If any of you DISers ever get an itch to see a working 700 cow dairy work, come on down to our farm. We have a full 50 amp hookup, not too far from the strange and eclectic House on The Rock, an hour sw of Madison, about 35 minutes from the Mississippi, and all the UTV/ATV trails you would want. The upper Midwest has many secrets, from spring through fall, and most people would be willing to show you their lives, love, and hospitality. And then comes old man winter, and he cleans it up a bit, makes us stay put and rejuvenate, all ready for a do-over in spring. Serious about any adventures on the dairy farm, a site set up, and also a beautiful family campground with lots of wildlife. Good luck in your many different camper/RV choices. You have done lots of research, and so many have lots of advice.

We do feel very lucky to be moving to the UP! And I can't wait to explore the upper midwest and Canada! Beyond a doubt my favorite part of military life is the opportunity it gives us to see new things and meet new people.
Your farm sounds lovely! I might just have to take you up on that offer one of these days!

 

[monkeybug]

Thank you everyone for the great replies!
After much deliberation we decided to buy the Starcraft Hybrid! It's a great price, and it will give us the chance to experience the RV lifestyle and see if we use it as often as we think we will without going into a lot of debt. (more money for trips to the Fort!)
We pick it up tomorrow and my husband wants me to book The Fort for the first week of May! (miracle of miracles because that man has NEVER spontaneously suggested a Disney trip without some not-so-sublte hint dropping on my part.)
I'm so excited!

 

[tigger92662]

Congrats on the trailer

Post pictures when you can so we can all see your new Palace

 

[monkeybug]

Congrats on the trailer

Post pictures when you can so we can all see your new Palace

I will! We brought it home today and are taking it out for our maiden voyage tomorrow! (just one night and close to home)

 

[Pstecker]

I will! We brought it home today and are taking it out for our maiden voyage tomorrow! (just one night and close to home)

Excited to hear how it goes, where in VA are you going to test it out?

Always looking for more places to camp!

 

[Teamubr]

After much deliberation we decided to buy the Starcraft Hybrid!

Congrats!

My first trailer ever was a TravelStar hybrid.

Have fun!

j

 

[jeffrey1966]

Congratulations on the Hybrid! Would like to see a picture of it set up on the maiden voyage.

 

[monkeybug]

Excited to hear how it goes, where in VA are you going to test it out?

Always looking for more places to camp!

We just went to a local military campground. We wanted to be close to home for our first trip.

Congratulations on the Hybrid! Would like to see a picture of it set up on the maiden voyage.

Thanks! We had a lot of fun!
We even met some fellow Disers who were so so kind and helpful to us newbies! They gave us a sewer coupler thingy! (the technical term I'm sure)
I didn't catch their usernames, but I hope they see this and know that we think they rock!
I'll post pictures soon!

 

[peg110]

sewer coupler thingy! (the technical term I'm sure)

Well what do you know, it is the "Technical Term"

Just google Sewer Coupler thingy and see all the results.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sewer+coupler+thingy

 

[FtW Mike]

Well what do you know, it is the "Technical Term"

Just google Sewer Coupler thingy and see all the results.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sewer+coupler+thingy

Peg, DooHickey and Thingamajig work too

 

[peg110]

My mom called SOOOOO many things DooHickey as I was growing up. Talk about being confused.

 

[North of Mouse]

My mom called SOOOOO many things DooHickey as I was growing up. Talk about being confused.

I think all those words are 'universal' mommy talk!! LOL
My Mom used them too, so did I! Still do!

 

[FtW Mike]

Well what do you know, it is the "Technical Term"

Just google Sewer Coupler thingy and see all the results.
https://www.google.com/search?q=sewer+coupler+thingy

Just don't confuse them with the Whooseitwattsit and never the WATCHAMACALLIT

 

[peg110]

Confusing a Sewer Coupler Thingy

with a WHATCHAMACALLIT


Could have very VERY bad results!