abednego
Denver, CO
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Joined: 08/11/2012
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The wife and I are going to get an RV within a few months. We're going back and forth on the length that would be appropriate. Based on our non-negotiables (king sized bed w/bunkhouse) the models that I like are closer to 40'. I am curious as to what I should expect when towing such a vehicle.
Would a 32' TT be easier to maneuver than a 40' FW? I have no experience towing an RV; furthermore, I'll be buying a truck to tow this. I say this to indicate I do not currently own or drive a truck.
Given my lack of experience, is it a bad idea to get a 40' FW? I live in the Denver area and we're looking at local/CO campsites for fun on weekends and longer trips as vacations up to South Dakota/Utah/Wyoming.
I realize that I'll need to practice driving around locally which is not a problem. I can give the wife a walkie-talkie for guidance. Me personally I'm not worried at all. I'll learn. The wife feels a bit different and doesn't want the RV experience to become cumbersome and not fun for the family. I plan on getting a Ram 3500 Mega-Cab SRW with 4.10 gears.
Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
-abe
* This post was
edited 08/12/12 02:01am by abednego *
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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Giving the wife a walkie talkie is an excellent idea. I have found when backing a larger vehicle of any type the headset walkie talkie with VOX works best so I have both hands free. A good policy is if in doubt, get out and walk back to see clearance you have.
The size of your RV will depend on the size you need based on the size of your family etc. Although I have had a 34 MH and a 32 ft 5Ver I full timed in there was just the two of us so it was large enough. Present day on short trips with the two of us a 19 ft TT is large enough. We can get into almost any NF camp site in and around Wyoming. If you get a 40 ft TT I suspect it will be for RV parks only. You have to decide where you want to camp and the size you will need.
Being careful, after a few miles you will start to feel more comfortable with a larger TT. Driving is different with any RV. You have to be more watchful of the smaller vehicles that have no idea of your stopping distance. That means more driving in the right lane, keeping more distance between you and the vehicle in front. It is like learning to drive all over again. You have to anticipate more what the other vehicles are going to do. When you pull in to fuel up you not only have to plan an entrance route but also an exit route before you drive in.
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sharker6
fulltime KY, NC, FL, MA, TN
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"Would a 32' TT be easier to maneuver than a 40' FW?" No, it's more the other way around. After you pull it a dozen times it will become second nature.
"Given my lack of experience, is it a bad idea to get a 40' FW?" Get as big as you can afford and has the floor plan you like. It will save you thousands of dollars not trading in as you move to larger units.
2009 30' Fleetwood Wilderness, 2008 F-250 Super Duty FX4 stump puller
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wbwood
Mooresville/Troutman, NC area
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It's going to be a learning curve for you no matter what. Get what you want and enjoy it!
Brian
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi,
Think about where you wish to park. A 40 foot unit may not fit into places such as National Parks, or State Parks.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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You do need to buy what works for you in the camp grounds you plan to camp in. Check out the camp grounds or RV parks where you plan to camp. Also where will this TT be stored? in your yard? RV storage yard? If in a storage yard what is the cost to store a 40 ft TT?
Too small and you will end up trading for something larger. Too big and you will only use on vacation and hesitate to take it out on weekends.
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craig7h
Marion, Iowa
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Please look at and get the correct truck for your needs. It looks like you are in the right direction for the truck. Look at DRW and exhaust brake with diesel for the great dodge. Now for the trailer, its will be a learning curve as for the driving. Not to worry as long as you are not in a hurry to get anywhere. Pratice your backing up in a large empty parking lot for the day. You can pratice all needed at that time hooking up, setting up. all the things you will be concerned about. Take some lunch stuff and eat there also. The more you pratice the better you will feel about driving. Remember to make large sweeping right hand turns. Start watching truck drivers in the city and see how they handle the roads.
Craig
06 RAM 3500 diesel power
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mguay
Northern NH
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I would find a floorplan that you like and start there. There are many similar floorplans in different lengths. One thing to remember is, older CG's were most probably built to handle RV's in the 30'area. That doesn't mean that you can't get your 40' 5er in there....it just means experience is helpful. Choose CG's with that in mind. The thing that concerns me more than length with a newbie towing is overloading the TV. I think that the pin weight on a 40', king bed, bunk house might be over the payload weight of a fully fueled, kid loaded....SRW. Check your weights!
Real Trucks wear Training Wheels!
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Go Dogs
South of Pittsburgh, PA
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Don't forget about where you plan to park it. Is your driveway big enough? Is there enough room on the street to line it up? Is there a telephone pole on the corner, tree branches, etc.?
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K3WE
Missouri
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pianotuna wrote:Hi,
Think about where you wish to park. A 40 foot unit may not fit into places such as National Parks, or State Parks.
X2...
Remember, 40 and 50-ft semi trucks go almost anywhere (I'm always impressed at some of the narrow delivery spaces that exist in older cities and trucks do great...but the size of your campiste and the size of your driveway is where it will make a difference.
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