Travel Trailer suggestions

[Shan-man]

I'm a motorhome guy. I have a motorhome, and love vacationing in my motorhome, and never thought about getting any other kind of RV except a motorhome... until now. You see, Tuesday I bought a new (for me) sleigh... err, truck, and simply love driving it. It's a 2008 Toyota Tundra Crewmax Limited (the one with the HUGE cabin) and it is loaded. First task after rolling off the dealer's lot was to drive home 210 miles, and it was a pleasure! Driving my motorhome is lots of things but a 'pleasure' isn't one of them. The cabin of the Tundra is just so comfy and quiet, especially with the heated seats and lumbar support. Plus, the ease of servicing a pickup (any shop can work on it) as opposed to an RV. And, we have never used a dingy so we have always had to break camp to go touring which of course isn't an issue with a travel trailer. These are adding up to a compelling case!

So, the thought of a travel trailer has started to percolate in my wee little brain and I thought I would ask what advice my esteemed Fiends might have to add. Yes, I will research this on RV.net and elsewhere as well, but I want the opinions of those I esteem first...the gearheads and load-master leagalists can wait! Frankly, I've never even walked through TTs at the many RV shows I've been too because I never thought about buying one, so any info would be helpful. I would certainly be buying used (and I know all about inspecting used RVs for repairs and water damage, so no lectures on that please) but I know very little about which TT brands are better made, and which mfgs might have good plans for our types of use... which is almost always just the wife and I and 2 little dogs. So I don't want a TT that sleeps 8, I want one that is particularly comfortable for 2 with maybe an option to sleep another 2. The truck has the 5.7L and is rated for 10,800lbs towing, so I have plenty of capacity for the size rigs I'm liable to be looking at. I am not agin' hybrids, but I'd prefer to only have to extend a canvas expansion to buy that 'surplus' sleeping capacity. I'm also not adverse to looking at fivers, but the Crewmax does have a short bed and I'd be a bit concerned about turn radius.

Oh, that's another question... can you carry a golf cart in a 5.5' bed, or it that too much weight to rest on the tailgate, I'm guessing it is, nevermind...

Do most TTs have a place to install a generator? I know most come without them, but are they pre-wired for them? We often will make stops during our trip and need to leave the dogs in the camper for a couple hours and would need to run the air. Just wondering how our travel habits might have to change with a less-than-totally-self-contained unit. Anyway, I look forward to hearing y'all's opinions. Thanks!

 

[Dizney_Luver]

Can't help you with Trailer suggestions, but Congrats on the new truck!

 

[mnsprk]

Shanta, Congrats on the new wheels.

I am very prejudiced towards Starcraft and Jayco products, have been buying them (new) since 1977 and have never had any major problems or concerns. There are so many available floor plans that I would not know where to send you. I know that both Jayco and Starcraft have links on their web-sites that show previous years floor plans.

On Jayco's site you have to select a type TT, FW LITE WEIGHT etc then on the left will be an archive link.

Starcraft has a brochure request link at the top of their web site that has brochures from 2005 and newer 2004 and back only has owners manuals.

As to a couple specific questions. "Golf cart" It would be almost impossible to tow a trailer with the tailgate down since you wouldn't be able to turn.

As to the short bed and fifth wheel, there are several, auto-slide hitches designed for short bed towing (not sure however about the 5 1/2)'..That would take some research.

Very few, except "toy haulers" are pre-wired for a generator but that would also give you the ability to haul the cart.

Hope that helps..Good luck..

 

[ElementCamper]

Try looking at some of the Toy Hauler type trailers with the garage in the back. I've seen some really nice ones and the golf cart pulls right inside.

 

[jriae2000]

If you can go w/o the golf cart then you may look at hi/lo. Travel trailer feel with pop up milage.

 

[auntie]

We have our Jayco Eagle for ten years now..and it still looks relatively new. We're the types that take off our shoes before going in..that sort of thing. We've had minimal problems with the unit. We did have an issue with the refrigerator..that was our costliest fix. Had a slight leak (and thank goodness damage was only to an interior closet)..again, something we repaired ourselves..and was due mostly due to the fact that we weren't able to check on it while leaving it over the winter in a a resort we were seasonal in. Wouldn't do that again. For the most part, we've been very happy with our choice. While I'd love a new floor plan as the kids no longer camp with us. My feeling is IT"S PAID FOR! and we know what we've got!
For the amount of camping we do now....we're gettin our monies worth and then some.

Congratulations on the new ride...LOVE that truck!

 

[Shan-man]

Well, that's already some good feedback! Thanks Fiends. I would not have made the connection between generators and toy-haulers. Keep it comin!

 

[stacktester]

Well, that's already some good feedback! Thanks Fiends. I would not have made the connection between generators and toy-haulers. Keep it comin!

Shan, there are still some nice Weekend Warrior toy haulers on Ebay that might be a good unit for you. They have carpets precut for when you don't have the cart in there and still plenty of space for your dogs and an extra guest or 2. I know you're gonna have the cart at FW so go ahead and get a toy hauler and don't make the same mistakes Lonestar and I have. Buy what you need the 1st time in other words. Yamaha makes a nice 2400 genny that will do the trick.

 

[Disbuf]

When I bought my Tundra, the dealer told me I would not be able to tow a fifth wheel with a Crewmax so that is why we went with the double cab. I am not sure if it could be accomplished with a sliding hitch or not but I wanted to at least share that with you.

I can tell you however you should be able to pull just about any travel trailer you want though. Our tundra has no problems pulling our fifth wheel either with power or breaking.

Congrats on the new truck! I would rather drive my Tundra than a car any day.

 

[Jack Rabbit Run]

Hi Shanta
Congratulations on the new Tundra. I have a 2008 myself and love it. We just bought our first TT ourselves, so, I can't give you much of an input. But, I can tell you the experience was fantastic. We bought a 2010 Keystone Sprinter from rvwholeslaers.com. It has all the bells and whistles and it was alot cheaper than the dealers we went to see. They have both new and used and they deliver it right to your door.
This is a small world after all. We met you in Fort Wilderness last December. We stopped in front of your site admiring your homemade sign.
Congrats again,
Rick

 

[auntie]

how about a picture of the new sleigh..errr truck?...

 

[Shan-man]

how about a picture of the new sleigh..errr truck?...

I would have preferred it in crimson, but it was just too good of a deal in slate. I look happy, don't I?

 

[auntie]

Yes you do!...very nice..enjoy!

 

[Shan-man]

When I bought my Tundra, the dealer told me I would not be able to tow a fifth wheel with a Crewmax so that is why we went with the double cab. I am not sure if it could be accomplished with a sliding hitch or not but I wanted to at least share that with you.

I have done some research on this and yes, there are a lot of folks pulling fivers with the Crewmax and a sliding hitch. But some of the dimensions have to be checked against the actual RV to make sure there are no pinch points. Also, most use airbags to lift the rear a bit since the pin weight makes the rear slouch some.

 

[Shan-man]

This is a small world after all. We met you in Fort Wilderness last December. We stopped in front of your site admiring your homemade sign.

Good to see you again! Welcome to the DISboards!

 

[mnsprk]

I have done some research on this and yes, there are a lot of folks pulling fivers with the Crewmax and a sliding hitch. But some of the dimensions have to be checked against the actual RV to make sure there are no pinch points. Also, most use airbags to lift the rear a bit since the pin weight makes the rear slouch some.

You may be able to add an extended pin box along with a slider to help get a little more clearance as well if you decide to go that route. You also look right at home in the pic.

 

[LONE-STAR]

I have owned a 5er (was not a toy hauler) Then we went to a toy hauler (bumper pull) 2009 wolfpack 30wp we love the trailer even if we didn't have toys we would still buy a toy hauler. Its just so nice to be able to load and un load everything going up and down a nice ramp instead of 3 steps and small door. Its also nice to drop open the ramp and let fresh air come in the trailer. We almost bought a wolf pack 27dfwp but since I had a 1 ton truck we went for the bigger one. But I should have stayed with the 27dfwp because its light weight. The wolfpacks due come generator prepped. But if you do go with a toy hauler like this get a elec. cart not gas if you plan on over nighting
in the trailer with out unloading the cart. I know you said don't go gear head on you but I have noticed that with toy haulers the hitch weicht is some times double compared to the same size TT. So just check the max hitch weight of the truck. Hope that helps. Have fun shopping. Wolf Pack is made by Forrest River and the few problems we had they honored there warranty very well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-C...ZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item3efd9613bc

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/27DF...ZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item5190eca67c

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cher...ZViewItemQQptZRVs_Campers?hash=item25593940a9

 

[kc5grw]

Shan,
I think your best bet is to go with a bumper pull. Your truck only has a 1740lb max payload capacity. Once you have fuel, people and other stuff on board, you're not going to have a lot of capacity left for the pin weight of the trailer. With just fuel (170lbs) and 2 185lb people you've reduced your payload capacity to 1200lbs. If you figure a 20% pin, then your 5er can only be 6000lbs max.

This is only my opinion so take it for what its worth. I'm a fifth wheel guy and drove a tractor trailer for a while. If I were going to by a bumper pull toy hauler, I would most definitely be getting a Hensley Arrow or ProPride hitch rather than a standard weight distribution hitch. My family's safety is definitely worth the extra cost for the hitch. JMHO.

 

[des1954]

Congrats, Shanta!! You are lookin' mah-tee fine in that new set o' wheels!!

I'm just confused as to why LarryJ hasn't been all over this post sharing his wisdom and telling you how to forge your own hitch in order to save $10.00 over the cost of buying one & having it installed.

Seriously - I'm very happy for you. Our 1st class A was a '78 Southwind "Bread Truck on Wheels", and it drove you - you didn't drive it. So I hear ya loud and clear on that one.

I would love it if Rick would consider a 5'er - but he is a 100% Class A kinda guy. There are just so many versatile and beautiful 5'er options out there!

Half the fun is the "hunt" - so I hope you have lots of fun pickin' & choosin'!

 

[Shan-man]

I think your best bet is to go with a bumper pull. Your truck only has a 1740lb max payload capacity. Once you have fuel, people and other stuff on board, you're not going to have a lot of capacity left for the pin weight of the trailer. With just fuel (170lbs) and 2 185lb people you've reduced your payload capacity to 1200lbs. If you figure a 20% pin, then your 5er can only be 6000lbs max.

Thanks for the feedback. I have been doing some research on toy-hauler fivers since first posting and found this fellow with my exact truck (even color!):

...and his setup (with toys in the rear) results in a 10,000lb trailer with an 800lb pin weight. He claims to conquer hills without a pause. He did add bags to create a level appearance (which I realize does nothing to increase payload capacity... his springs are as flat now as they would be without the bags!). My biggest concern would be how the pin weight would fluctuate if we were traveling without toys... that might add 400+ to the pin I would think. We don't own a golf cart (yet) so most of our use would be without (heavy) toys, except when coming to the Fort and borrowing Mom's GC. Anyway, fodder for thought.

BTW: Thanks for the generosity... "2 185lb people"