The Girlfriend and I have decided to purchase a TT to live in part time, in the country where the horses live. When I say part time, I'm saying 3-5 days a week.
We are having a difficult time deciding if we want a 5th wheel or a bumper pull. Bumper pulls appear to be cheaper but I'm reading 5th wheels are more desirable? If so, why is that?
I also need some advice on what to look for when looking at used TT's. There are tons for sale and the prices vary wildly. From what I understand (was told) is the earlier model TT's with slides have a tendency to leak. What year/years was this corrected if true? What other general problems/quirks, goodies should I be looking for.
There will be 2 adults and an 11 year old. We would like it nice and spacious but we're not looking for fancy or enormous. Our TV is a 2001 2500HD with the 8.1 liter which is currently used to pull a 26' gooseneck horse trailer.
I have many other questions but I'll do a bit more research first.
I would go to a large dealer near you that sells used trailers and go inside and look at the floor plans. Look at where the three of you will sleep and eat, I would suggest a bunk-house model only because you won't have to setup/tear down the childs bed everyday.
As far as 5th wheel versus trail trailer depending on the size 5th wheel you end up looking at you may overload your truck so a larger travel trailer may be better suited for you. To really answer that question you need to know the payload capacity of your truck and then you'll know the weight of either trailer you can tow.
Keep reading and searching, there are lots of threads that will answer your questions.
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2004 GMC Sierra 3500 D/A DRW CC, Banks IQ w/Econominder, Speedbrake & CAI, Curt Q5 20K
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You will find the fifth wheel will give you a more "house" like feeling and more privacy on some models. Since there is a child you may want to look at bunk house models so that he or she can have there own room.
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 CTD SRW, Pullrite Superglide 18k.
2012 Komfort 3530fbh 5th wheel with Ground Control
TylerC wrote: From what I understand the 2500HD can tow up to 16,100 pounds and the payload capacity is 4,058 pounds. Since it's a 4x4 that drops a couple hundred pounds right?
Depending on what rear axel ratio you have, reg cab, ext cab or crew cab a 2001 can tow a 10,000 to 15,700 pound trailer. But there is no way you have 4058 lbs of payload. Check your Mfg door tag for GVWR and then subtract the weight of the truck, that will be your payload. That includes fuel, people and cargo.
The 5er will usually give you more space for the over-all length of your tow.
Ceiling will be higher in the 5er also, so it will appear larger too. Go to a Show or Dealership, and compare them.
I don't know about the slides leaking? Leaks are pretty much a part of owning an RV, so you need to do maintenance on them all....
If it's really raining out, and you worry, pull the slide in for the time being, but I think you'll find that if you check the unit, you will be fine.
You will need to figure what size trailer (ether TT or FW) your truck will tow, and what the limitations are. Do you plan to tow it to a location, and then park it for the season, or tow it back and forth? Will you be bringing extra stuff (horse feed) along when you go? (calculate that into your weight equation)
Best suggestion I can make, is to look at several floor plans, and find the one you like the best for your needs. Then look for an RV that has a similar floor plan. You will find that they are pretty much the same over the years. We looked at a 2010 MH that has the exact same floor plan as our 2000 rig, and we saved tons of money with the older (though very well kept) RV.
Good luck
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2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
From what I understand the 2500HD can tow up to 16,100 pounds and the payload capacity is 4,058 pounds. Since it's a 4x4 that drops a couple hundred pounds right?
ETA: If I remember correctly, I read the towing capacity increases if your towing a gooseneck or 5th wheel. Not sure if that's true or not.
* This post was
edited 02/20/12 11:53am by TylerC *
TylerC wrote: From what I understand the 2500HD can tow up to 16,100 pounds and the payload capacity is 4,058 pounds. Since it's a 4x4 that drops a couple hundred pounds right?
Depending on what rear axel ratio you have, reg cab, ext cab or crew cab a 2001 can tow a 10,000 to 15,700 pound trailer. But there is no way you have 4058 lbs of payload. Check your Mfg door tag for GVWR and then subtract the weight of the truck, that will be your payload. That includes fuel, people and cargo.
It's a crew cab but I'm not sure of the gear ratio. This is what I found on Wikipedea (for what it's worth). I will look at the sticker tonight to confirm.
"Towing capacity for the 1500HD is rated at 10,300 pounds (4,700 kg), and can haul 3,129 pounds (1,419 kg) in the bed. The 2500HD ups these ratings to 16,100 pounds (7,300 kg) with the 8.1 liter engine or 10,600 pounds (4,800 kg) with the 6.0 liter engine, and 4,058 pounds (1,841 kg), while the 3500 can tow 16,700 pounds (7,600 kg) and haul 5,511 pounds (2,500 kg). The addition of 4 wheel drive tends to reduce the towing and carrying capacity by 200 to 400 lb (181 kg), depending upon year and model. Other factors, such as options, can also affect these numbers."
Don't use Wikipedea for this kind of data. Find the year 2001 in the Trailer Life Towing Guide Towing Guideand find your truck with your 8 litre engine. There are different towing number for bumper versus 5er towing. Look at both. The payload capacity only comes from the sticker on the driver door frame. That number is based on your truck as built with factory tires.
Back on topic, are there certain problem areas I should be looking for in a used TT. For example, how does one verify the plumbing is in tact (hasn't froze) or if there is mold growing in the walls? Should I try to stay away from certain manufactures etc.
Problem areas are the roof (leaking or needs new covering), sidewall delamination if not tin sided and floor rot. All are water related which in turn could be precursers to mold. If mold is present then water was present.
Brands are pretty much then same when you are looking at used because the warranty is gone but I would decide for or against after you find the one you like and then search online for issues. Too many rigs out there for you to keep track of all the bad ones.
Jayco and Heartland makes good quality trailers across the board but that is the only brands I can say that about. There are more but I'm coming up with any at the moment.
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