Posted on 07/16/2020 5:20:43 PM PDT by CTyank
Newbie to RV's weighing the pros and cons of tow behind(5000lb or less), or Class B/B+/C vehicle.
I camped all across Canada and the US towing a Nimrod pop up as a kid.
Have a 4 runner and don't want to upgrade to a dually just to pull a mansion around.
Me, the wife, 2 big dogs, 2 small. Look forward to your suggestions and experiences.
But a used F250 superduty with a rebuilt engine, turbo, and oil cooler. Install the necessary 5th wheel and add ons. Find a used 5th wheel trailer around 25ft and go see the country. You can do it for about 20k..
Yellowstone limits you to 25ft so stay away from the class A. The benefit of a 5th wheel is stability. The 250 will give you diesel torque and Engine braking capability. All the rest is gravy.
post 5 sounds good.
economical, easy vision, you have experience
have seen them recently with wc and shower.
new trailers are so light weight they would seem to be suseptable to damage.
If youre going to travel with four dogs be sure to get something with enough floor space to share with the dogs.
In order to move around in one of our rvs when traveling with only two dogs I had to invent impromptu ballet moves.
It wasnt pretty.
:-)
You owe me a keyboard and a beer...lol!
Just Damn!
That’s Route66 material!
Awesome
The big issue with smaller vehicles, like the 4Runner, is their V-6 engine. When you're pulling at or near 5000 lbs, it's not going to be a comfortable drive. That engine will be straining any time you go up a hill or mountain. Even my Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V-8 struggled pulling my 5000 lb trailer in the mountains, and it came with a factory tow package. My new Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L engine, 10 speed automatic and max tow package pulls that same trailer easily, even in the mountains. Pulling a trailer that's in the middle of your tow capacity is much more relaxing and easier on the nerves than when you're right up at the limit.
Take them for at least a two week spin.
Try out at least three before deciding.
We sold our starter trailer and got a 26 foot with 1 pull-out, about 6800 lbs dry. This one is 10 feet longer than our first trailer but we have taken it on short trips (3 hours each way) to try it out and it works well. We like that we can unhitch the truck and still get around. We are starting a 6 week trip around the country to visit relatives.
I have heard great things about fifth-wheels, but they are out of our price range.
Thanks!
I recall our little Nimrod trailer blowing a tire somewhere in Kansas in the late 60’s. We were towing with 60? Bel air. Still dont know how my Dad kept it straight.
Anyway, thanks for the info. I looked at a couple Rockwoods and Aliners. Both >3000lbs dry. I cant imagine I’d load those over 4k.
“Rent first.
Take them for at least a two week spin.
Try out at least three before deciding. “
Yeh, don’t buy a big RV until you really know what you want. The layout seems to mean almost nothing in my experience unless you try it out. Everyone is different but some layouts work and others don’t, at least for me.
The Basecamp seemed to fit those needs but I got sick of hitting my head every time I turned around.
Thank goodness we were just borrowing it.
And now we have no time to go RVing anyway.
yes - much cheaper.
Or camp in campgrounds that have camp cabins. You get to sleep indoors while having all the outdoor effects and acutriments.
And buy an F150 4 door with 6 1/2’ bed. Get a camper shell so the dogs have a place all their own. Put the important stuff in the back seat area but also install a shelf in the shell for more stuff.
You can stay in lots of motels for what youll pay for an RV. If you like camping, then just get a tent.
A tent doesn’t drive....doesn’t have an a/c, oven, plumbed toilet, kitchen AND bathroom sink and a shower w/hot water.
Can you tell I love NOT camping :-)
(Camped many a time, in the mountains, as a kid. Loved it. Not anymore.)
Yeah, I shoulda leased a F-150 with the longer bed. My total bad.
I have a long history of wilderness [mostly canoe transport] camping in tents.
My SO is no longer interested in sleeping on the ground. So, way fewer nights out in da Voods.
I mentioned that 6 1/2’ bed becuase I too screwed up badly buying the shorty.
My condolences...;)
He traveled all over the USA in his RV then upgraded to a bus.
Ernest Borgnine Gives Tour of His Bus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3QQpS2QzA0
If you're gonna go class B, good luck with room for the dogs.
Regarding class C's, driveability is the key. Under 30 feet, you'll be fighting that steering wheel constantly. AKA "White Knuckling"...
Buy the extended warranty.
I did like than the bathroom had a separate shower, where the shorty had the toilet actually in the shower. It wasn't really that bad, but it is just easier to take a shower without a toilet in the middle of your space.
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