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.
Ping
Stay in motels that take dogs.
I would stick with the pop-up or maybe a newer one.
If you are going to a travel trailer you would be better off with at least a 3/4 ton.
We pull a less than 5,000 lb GVWR trailer with a Ford flex. Works beautifully. Been doing it for years
Rent first,
What type of drive train do y’all have in the Ford Flex?
Go to an RV show (or a large dog show where there are hundreds of RVs) and just look at the options. How much room do you have at your house to park it, how often do you plan to use it, where do you want to go with it,,,,long vacations or weekend jaunts.
RVing is so much fun so take your time and look at what’s available.
At 5000 pounds or less, most newer half-ton pickup trucks should handle such a trailer reasonably well. But if you step up to a 3/4-ton, you will get a beefier suspension and - perhaps more importantly - bigger brakes.
If there was a perfect RV there’d be a million of them. Ive got a diesel truck and a HR 30ft Presidential 5th wheel, 16,000 miles last winter down in Az, Cal, and Nev, driving in traffic sucks, i chew a lot of gum when towing. A lighter TT and a OHV in the back bed of the truck is attractive. All have their pluses and minuses. Good luck!!
We started out in an Eclipse 17ft Travel Trailer, but God was guiding us all the way because we would need it to spend that Winter in Virginia to take care of a family member. God provided a beautiful Class A for us to come back in, and a wonderful new home for the Eclipse with two people who had actually been praying for one.
For those not walking so closely with Jesus, I would recommend renting a Class C from one of the chains. Take it on the road for two weeks and see if the life is really for you.
I drive a ‘93 Lincoln TownCar and pull an RPod (2800lbs. dry). Many designs/specs., 30gal. fresh/gray/black. 2-7 day boon-docking.
My Lincoln is “rated” to pull 5000lbs. (rear-wheel drive, like the old Lucy and Desi movies)? NO PROBLEM!
rvtrader.com has info.
What fso301 said X 1000! Also, research, research, and research some more. Plenty of resources out there to read by full-timers on youtube and multiple forums.
My experience living in them for out of state work for years.
1. Get a bumper pull. Easiest to tow with smaller vehicles. Powered Rv’s are expensive to maintain.
2. There are many light weight options. My last slept 8 and dry weight was 4k lbs. Pulled fine with a half ton pick up.
3. Keep the waste tanks clean and serviced. The valves are notorious if not.
4. Buying used have it checked out.
5. If it’s a deal at camper world it’s junk.
I concur. Your truck is 1/2 ton payload at best. A small pop-up may destroy your tranny. (Are you going North or South?)
Seriously, find dog friendly hotels and hit the road.
Let those dogs sniff the wind!
Most Extended Stays will let dogs in.
Whatever you do, don’t buy a Gulfstream. New or used.
I’ve never seen anything so insanely wired and plumbed in my life. And they consider their wiring and plumbing diagrams trade secrets and will only release the information to factory authorized repair centers.
I took a top-end one (Diesel Pusher motor home) in a trade a few years ago... Probably the third biggest mistake I made in my life.
Google “traveling in an RV during a pandemic”. Sounds silly, I did it yesterday just to see what came up. Found a number of articles/blogs discussing how people are making it work. We have an RV...haven’t pulled it yet.
Also, if you’re gonna be visiting national parks, how to the national parks site and see if you qualify for the “elder park pass” I forget the age to qualify.
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