My family and I are tent campers, and the addition of children have made that more "interesting". We have seen the benefits of a bit more creature comforts in the form of a TT when being with friends and are in the process of looking.
Based on our budget, we are faced with two choices. The first is to get an inexpensive, experienced TT as our first, then be able to upgrade in a couple of years when we will have a better idea of what we truly like/dislike in a TT.
The other choice is just to wait and save up some more money (we don't borrow money) for a less used TT but have to wait a year or two before getting one.
We are definitely leaning towards getting an older one sooner. I am a research junkie and I love the process of becoming "informationally armed"
It seems unlike other consumer items there are no CLEAR best manufacturers of TTs. I've seen some opinions, but most of them are for newer used brands. I've loved the info I've gathered so far from this site and still have some questions. Here are the facts:
TV - 2001 Tahoe 5.3L
Family - Me, Mrs, 8yr old, 18mo old and one in the oven
Budget - $5k (prefer less to be able to cover the "other" costs)
We would prefer to have BOTH a seperate sleeping area for the kids (bunks) plus a bed for us. But if we have to choose one, seperate for the kids takes priority (that way we can still hang out after they go to bed)
It seems like a good time to buy and have seen some out there that peak our interest. Being that we are buying something used, it would seem high quality construction would be important and that is where I am at a standstill.
Now for the questions:
How do I determine the gear ratio of my truck. It changes the towing capacity for sure
Opinions on maximum length of a TT considering the shorter wheelbase of the Tahoe
What Manufacturers should I be looking at or any I should avoid?
I've see the PDI checklists, is there any suggestions to look for just when checking out a used TT?
Thanks everyone for all the effor you put into this forum to help noobs like me.
1). You should have a sticker on the door that gives the towing capacities.
2). You would be ok up to 28ft (IMHO)
3). Jayco, StarCraft and KZ are three that have good reputations that I know of. The dealer is also very important. KZ makes a ultralight weight trailers.
4). You should be able to find some PDI lists on this blog, or google for one. If your going with a used TT, look for any signs of water damage and avoid that like the plague.
Here is a good website that will help you determine weight and length considerations. RV Towing Tips
Most likely you have a 3.73 rear end but there is a code either in glove box or door frame that will clue you in. A call to a dealership will be of assistance. Better hope it is a 3.73 as their other standard is a 3.42 and that is not a good ratio for towing.
You will definitely enjoy a bunkhouse and a slide, even if only a sofa slide. The additional space certain is good when you have kids in the household. Having separate beds for the kid certainly make life better too. Certainly helps in my family.
Given the engine you have and assuming you have the 3.73 you will need to stay around 5000#'s or less given my experience with a 1500 suburban with this engine rear end configuration. Despite what the towing capacity states, you will find yourself in second gear a lot with engine screaming even on small inclines. Just does not have a lot of guts. I also felt the suspension was not sufficient for the tongue weight when combined with the family and gear. Watch you GVWR and GCVWR as you will find yourself bumping these ratios quickly.
Lenght is another consideration and will greatly impact sway. With the Tahoe's shorter wheelbase I think maybe 24 - 26 feet is all you would want to go with. There are bunkhouse in this range so don't feel you cannot get the floor plan you want with a shorter trailer. Little more cramped but still very doable.
We love our Jayco and they do have a lightweight model, the Feather that comes as both a hybrid, hardsided with pull outs like a popup, as well as fully enclosed models as well. Think I recall they have a Jay Feather or JayFlight in the 26 foot range which is a bunk. Lots of manufactures out there and best thing to do is visit some dealerships and see what is out there new and then look for a used one of similar models etc.
RV Trader Online is a good source of used trailers. Ebay can have some decent deals as well but I like to do the toughy feely thing before making any purchase. On RV Trader you and be more specific of what you are looking and radius to where you live than you can ebay.
Good luck with you purchase. Do the research on lenght and weight up front, don't listen to the dealer when he tells you your Tahoe will pull anything on the lot, and have fun with your new to you RV.
There are some good deals out there at this time.
David,Wife,4 kids,SIL,1 foster child,1 grandchild
2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer 7.3 PSD w/3.73 rear end
Jayco Kiwi Too 30T bunkhouse w/triple bunks
Prodigy Controller
Reese Dual Cam HP
Michelin LTX M/S
2001 F150 SuperCrew
I should have added that I will not be going to a dealer in effort to stretch my limited budget. Good info so far. I have to go start looking at some and checking them out in detail. I'm sure there will be more questions soon. Keep the opinions and help coming!
I am a former tent camper myself, and a very happy used TT owner. Your budget and space needs are going to put you--like me--in the market for a "fully experienced" model. This means that the specific brand is not going to be nearly as important as the condition of the trailer you're looking at, and the implied upkeep it's had.
Others mentioned running away from water damage. But I would add that while water damage is a royal PITA to remedy, it's a fairly low cost undertaking. Appliances, however, can equal the replacement cost of your trailer. So verify that EVERYTHING works, and if it can't be verified (sorry, no LP handy), consider it dead and adjust the price accordingly.
If you're the least bit handy with light carpentry, plumbing, etc, owning an old TT will go fairly smoothly. if you're not, you will certainly become so.
I originally bought my TT as a "project" and a place-holder for a future MH. But the costs of renovation have been so low, and the experience so much fun, and the darn thing is turning out so spiffy (IMO), that I have definitely delayed purchasing the "big iron" for a couple of years at least.
So have fun with the TT. It's a heck of a lot easier to set up a trailer camp than a tent, and aluminum siding puts up a considerably stouter defense against bears and wolves than ripstop nylon does, which is the last straw that had me running for a trailer.
Thats some great advice Green! Puts me at ease in my search to evaluate each potential TT and not be too concerned about who made it. Now I'm more excited!
I'd say go for it but like buying anything used-buyer beware. I have bought from both private parties and dealers and had more luck with private parties.
1 was given to me, 3 from dealers and 1 private. yes, more from dealers but I really had to look and travel to find anything good. I couldn't believe what they try to sell and what they ask foe em. if you are there at the right time or the dealer has an idea what you want you may get lucky. took me a pup and 3 TT's to figure out what we wanted and could afford in a TT. went to alot of shows(still do) and was always looking for the next one. present one we looked for almost a yr b4 we took delivery(ordered new-but took 4 used to get there)
happy hunting, it'll be a give/take process and only you can decide on 'must haves' and what is negotiable
like others have said-watch for water damage, soft spots in floors, any thing receintly fixed and that ALL appliances work-they are usually more costly than home units to replace
2004 silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 long bed 8.1L gas hog
2006 skyline nomad 3260 platium edition, prodigy, reese dual cam
1 very part time camping son and 3 full time camping, 4 legged fur balls
1 SU (spousal unit) who loves rv'in as much or more than me
Start looking on RVtraderonline.com to see what is in your budget. You may have to save just a little bit more, but it will pay off for you in the end. Happy Hunting!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Another happy Jayco owner. We recently purchased our first TT at a local auction house for not much over your budget plus taxes and fees. Got real lucky on a 2000 25' Qwest 3 bunks in the rear and all bases covered for a good size family. Trailer is in such good shape we think we got a steal. Dry weight is 4400 lbs. Good luck in your search.
I took some of the checklists from the RVing FAQ's at the top of the page, some of them are for new RV's but they gave me some of the things to look at and put together my own checklist when we bought our used TT. What it did was gave me a method for looking over things. Good luck with your search.
1993 Chevy K1500 4X4 5.7L V8 141.5 inch Wheelbase & 3.73 Gear Ratio
2004 Skyline Nomad North Trail Model #2480 UVW 4385, GVWR 6500.
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