Drbolasky wrote: Agree with Skip's advice. A trailer that "sleeps 6" doesn't necessarily "live" 6. Imagine you're cooped up inside for a long, rainy weekend....... IMHO floorplan is a critical issue so be sure to consider how you're going to use this trailer. Weekends at a local CG? A couple of 1-2 week trips per year? Long extended trips touring the country? Once you've answered those questions for yourself you're ready to find a floorplan that suits your needs.
Welcome to the Forum!
Most of our trips would be a few days, maybe two weeks max. Floorplan is key, their is so many to choose from, eek. I like the bunk bed option. I would also like to have a little privacy for me and my wife, the bed at the back seems good for this as well as a rear entrance. No pun intended guys.
Normondgo wrote: That TV is excellent. Make sure, though, that what you buy is safely within your weight limits. One thought: if you're camping with family, take a tent along ... older kids like to be out there and it eases things inside.
Totally plan on bringing a tent. My 3 year old already told me she wants to sleep in a tent.
Hello Chad.
We just bought our first TT and my advise to you is shop,shop,shop and than take the family.
The advise here is top notch with alot great people to help so ask questions. Just be prepared with Tv info and ur TT info. Joe
2011 F150 4x4 6.2 Platinum
2012 ViewFinder 28BHSS
Equal i zer WDH
RedRocket204 wrote: Go to the largest RV dealer, or a RV show is better, in your area and "window" shop by looking at a wide array of TT to see what you like/dislike about certain TTs. You can also get an idea for the room inside based upon how large that TT is. Bring a pad of paper and make a list of likes/dislikes and ask questions. Yes, you are new to RVs but last I knew, no one was born with RV knowledge so it is OK to ask a lot of questions. You will be steps ahead when you finally get serious about buying.
I plan on doing this. Thank you for your encouragement. I love forums and I use them for almost everything I buy. Thank for chiming in and helping.
jassms98 wrote: Hello Chad.
We just bought our first TT and my advise to you is shop,shop,shop and than take the family.
The advise here is top notch with alot great people to help so ask questions. Just be prepared with Tv info and ur TT info. Joe
jassms98 wrote: Hello Chad.
We just bought our first TT and my advise to you is shop,shop,shop and than take the family.
The advise here is top notch with alot great people to help so ask questions. Just be prepared with Tv info and ur TT info. Joe
Sweet! Thanks Joe. What does tv and tt mean?
It took me a while to get the lingo down too. lol
TV = tow vehicle
TT = travel trailer
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2007/2003 Ford Expedition
Nights camped in 2011 21
Nights camped in 2012 16
Ok there are lots of bunkhouse TT's that will fit your needs. many have a separate sleeping area for the adults separated by either a curtain or sliding wood door and entertainment area. You can also hang curtains on bunks. W/ a 2 yr old and a 3yr old, you can put side rails on the bunks so you don't have to worry about them falling out. We started when my DD was 3 1/2 and she fell out of the bunk a few times. We put a cushion on the floor while she got used to it but many use one form of a bedrail or another.
As to wha tyou can tow, this is the biggest and most important question. As stated before, check your payload sticker, from that subtract out the weight of all occupants (and pets) and cargo in the TV (less the 150lb driver). This will give you your available payload. Another way to find out available payload is to load your TV like you would for camping and a full tank of fuel, go to a weigh scale (ie CAT scale at truck stop) and weigh your TV. Subtract this weight from the TV's GVWR and you get your available payload. This will help you figure out how much tongue weight (TW) you can safely tow, as your TW will be subtracted from your payload. You need to understand what your vehicles overall tow capacity is (pay attention to your vehicles GCVWR also) as well as your payload and what your hitch is rated for. Remember that you will never tow an empty trailer so ignore any unloaded or dry weight. It is safer to shop according to the TT's GVWR. The same goes for a trailers tongue weight. THe publized tongue weight is always a dry number. The best thing to do is to do your tongue weight calculations using the TT's GVWR. Figure a worst case scenario of 15% of the trailers GVWR for your tongue weight. This will help you to stay within your vehicles capabilities and stay safe when towing. You will also need to buy a weight distribution hitch (WDH). For the size trailer you want, one w/ an integrated sway control would be best. THis would be something like the equa-lizer, reese dual cam, hensley arrow or propride hitches.
When looking at trailers, make a spreadsheet, list things that are important to you like tank size, bunk beds, kitchen or whatever as well as weight across the top, list trailer make/model down the side. THis will help you to narrow down the field. Sit in the trailer with the whole family and imagine a rainy day, is there room for everyone to play. Practice your daily activities, can mom cook while kids play and dad watches tv, gets up to bathroom etc. Where will you store everything 9ie mom's clothes in that cabinet, kids toys there, pots and pans in this cabinet and so on). Enjoy and happy hunting!
My wife and I looked at almost 200 travel trailers before we bought our old 95 Layton.
We "Knew" that we wanted a bunk house model.
Then folks here on RV.net gave me advice that I am about to get you.
Take your kids "looking" with you and your DW and try to hang out in the TT's for 15-30 minutes just with you and your family.
What you will find is that floor plans that look awesome on paper will not work in reality with YOUR family.
We started looking and "Knew" we needed a bunk house model.
We ended up with a 32 ft, no slide (budget), TT with NO bunks. We have a Dinette and a couch that both turn into beds, plus we have an island queen bed in the back that me and the DW have.
The kiddos are in the front and middle of the trailer and have that area to themselves at night. They watch TV, play games, it is their "Bunk house"
We have a mid bath model so we don't have to walk over each other to use the facilities. It has worked very well for us and we look forward to many many more nights camping.
As far as the bed situation, it takes us less than 5 minutes to go from sleep mode to day mode, including rolling up the boys sleeping bags and putting up the beds.
Anyway, not trying to convince you that you don't need bunks, just that you may find that some floor plans work in reality better than on paper.
You just have to find what works for your family.
Oh, and try to keep the tongue weight around 800-1000 lbs. Front slide trailers will have a much heavier tongue weight and may overload your Suburban. Try to find a trailer that is well balanced.
Also tongue weight, figure it by figuring 15% of the GVWR of the trailer, that way you can make sure that you are under your trucks capacity.
You are going to be a half ton tower like a lot of us. All you have to do is be more mindful of your payload capacity (TT Tongue Weight + weight of passengers and cargo in the Suburban).
I do this by loading the TT, even the boys bicycles go in the TT. The only thing in my truck bed are my leveling boards, wheel chocks, and the tote-n-store.
Good luck and have a great time shopping!
Thanks!
Jeremiah
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
anaro wrote: Ok there are lots of bunkhouse TT's that will fit your needs. many have a separate sleeping area for the adults separated by either a curtain or sliding wood door and entertainment area. You can also hang curtains on bunks. W/ a 2 yr old and a 3yr old, you can put side rails on the bunks so you don't have to worry about them falling out. We started when my DD was 3 1/2 and she fell out of the bunk a few times. We put a cushion on the floor while she got used to it but many use one form of a bedrail or another.
As to wha tyou can tow, this is the biggest and most important question. As stated before, check your payload sticker, from that subtract out the weight of all occupants (and pets) and cargo in the TV (less the 150lb driver). This will give you your available payload. Another way to find out available payload is to load your TV like you would for camping and a full tank of fuel, go to a weigh scale (ie CAT scale at truck stop) and weigh your TV. Subtract this weight from the TV's GVWR and you get your available payload. This will help you figure out how much tongue weight (TW) you can safely tow, as your TW will be subtracted from your payload. You need to understand what your vehicles overall tow capacity is (pay attention to your vehicles GCVWR also) as well as your payload and what your hitch is rated for. Remember that you will never tow an empty trailer so ignore any unloaded or dry weight. It is safer to shop according to the TT's GVWR. The same goes for a trailers tongue weight. THe publized tongue weight is always a dry number. The best thing to do is to do your tongue weight calculations using the TT's GVWR. Figure a worst case scenario of 15% of the trailers GVWR for your tongue weight. This will help you to stay within your vehicles capabilities and stay safe when towing. You will also need to buy a weight distribution hitch (WDH). For the size trailer you want, one w/ an integrated sway control would be best. THis would be something like the equa-lizer, reese dual cam, hensley arrow or propride hitches.
When looking at trailers, make a spreadsheet, list things that are important to you like tank size, bunk beds, kitchen or whatever as well as weight across the top, list trailer make/model down the side. THis will help you to narrow down the field. Sit in the trailer with the whole family and imagine a rainy day, is there room for everyone to play. Practice your daily activities, can mom cook while kids play and dad watches tv, gets up to bathroom etc. Where will you store everything 9ie mom's clothes in that cabinet, kids toys there, pots and pans in this cabinet and so on). Enjoy and happy hunting!
The weight issue is really scaring me. I will post some pictures of my trucks towing ability. I really appreciate all the help. Thanks.
We have a suburban and love it. Have you considered a Hybrid camper? Whatever you get, do take the whole family. Have your wife at the sink, and have everyone pass her. Can you all get through without having to scooch out of the way? Have fun shopping!
Offline
Joe
