OK, looking at possibly getting a TT but I have no idea what are good brands and what, if any, are the avoid brands. I'm thinking probably ~25-30', probably will see all types of weather and eventually have kids and dogs in it. I'm looking for any advice. Thanks.

 

My wife and I go to the RV shows here every year, and have looked at many brands as well as owning two. The TT was a NOMAD by Skyline, and the quality and durability were excellent. Our current trailer is a 5er, 28' Sprinter by Keystone. It is good, but there are better out there. Nash nad Artic Fox by Northwood are really good from what I've seen, and our next trade will probably be a Rockwood (5er) by Forest River. Due to sway in the wind and tounge weight considerations, my personal preference when going over 25' is to go to a 5er (fifth wheel), as the hitch weight is directly over the drive axle, providing a lot of stability in side wind and bumps, and a better ride in the truck. Another advantage is the reduction of overall length since part of the trailer is over the truck bed.

 

My current trailer is a Forest River Salem, and I am not happy at all with the fit and finish, or the noise of the appliances.

I second the idea of going with a fifth wheel, we will be unloading ours soon for a yet undetermined model. With a TT the measured length of the trailer is tongue to bumper, so you waste about 4 feet of advertised length. With the 5th, you get all of the length advertised, and can have a longer trailer that does not extend any further behind your truck then a shorter TT.

My advice, and what I will do before my next purchase, is to sit in the trailer that you think you want to buy, have it powered up, and try everything as if you were using it. Run the air and sit at the table, run the heat and lay down in the bed. Sit and stare at the corners and walls as if you were stuck in the rain camping bored out of you mind. Pay attention to those little things that are really going to bug you later, and either get them fixed before buying, or go look at another trailer.

After all, this is not a small investment, the dealer should let you spend as long as you want trying out the trailer on the lot and deciding if this is what you want. And if they don't let you, go find another dealer.

Also go to a few RV shows to look, rather than a dealer, the selections will be greater. Then when you find something you like, do a google search on that brand a model to see what current owners are saying.

-Greg

 

[quote author=sdscuba link=board=11;threadid=19980;start=0#msg188142 date=1064331369]
With a TT the measured length of the trailer is tongue to bumper, so you waste about 4 feet of advertised length. [/quote]

Not necessarily true. This may depend on the manufacturer. My Komfort 25' TT actually has a 25' coach. The bumper to tongue measurement is 28'. But, however you measure it, with a TT, you will have to pull additional length over the living space that you get.

Check the vehicle specs for actual measurments, or better yet, bring a 30' tape with you when comparing trailers. I'm not sure my neighbor's 26' is any longer than my 25'.

I have been very happy with my Komfort trailer. I would be willing to buy this brand again. But I have heard that some other Thor products are not necessarily as quality oriented. Many of the big manufaturers own a bunch of small plants. Quality can vary a lot from one plant to another.

 

1) Kids and dogs? Bunkhouse for sure. Bunkhouses with doors are better than ones with curtains, IMO
2) Go to campgrounds in the area and look for families like yours. Ask them what they have and if they like it.
3) Ditto on observe from every angle. Salesmen thought I was crazy for standing in the shower. Amazing how many of the smaller trailers have small showers that I couldn't stand up in and I am only 5'11". We were ready to buy a trailer, actually getting ready to sign the papers when I went for one more look. Pulled out the sleeper sofa and realized it touched the kitchen counter. So, from the front bedroom you couldn't get to the outside door w/o going over the bed. I am always out roaming early when camping, that would have been a real inconvenience.
4) Make a list of everything you think you will want to store in the camper, double it (trust me) and then see if you can ID a storage space for it.
5) We have a Laredo that we are pretty happy with. On fit and finish I would give it a 7. But, I looked at other brands by the same manufacturer and they were pretty lame.

 

If you have kids and dogs you will probably have some toys to take along too. If so you might consider a toybox. They are so spacious and convienient. I have a 32' Weekend Warrior and we can drag 5 quads and a motorcycle in it. When the toys are out you have a huge open trailer with room to sleep 8 adults. With the rear ramp down and the rear screen installed you have a huge picture window. (The wife loves that) You can put stands under the rear ramp and set up a picnic table off the ground. The fit and finish on the Warrior is fantastic.

 

Don't underestimate the amount of "things" a family can pack into a camper.....and the weight of it all. Be sure the gross weight rating of the trailer and tow vehicle are not exceeded.
I was shocked at what it all added up to when I weighed the trailer. All the food, toys, bicycles, clothing, tables, chairs, tools, pots and pans, etc. etc. etc. adds up!

 

Ive got the model 27bh from Timberlodge and am very happy with it


www.adventuremfg.com

 

I have looked at the high priced, middle and low versions. Thought the Holiday Rambler was a sturdy platform and the airstream was too(if you like feeling like your in a airplane). Saw the keystones and shastas(sounded hollow) I would look at what type(Manufacturer) of appliances it has. Are the cabinet doors solid wood or fiber. What type of frame and insulation comes with. Is the A/C and heat ducted or do I need a fan to push the conditioned air into the sleeping quarters. What size grey water, black water and potable water tanks. Does it have self flushing tanks or will I have to get dirty. Where does the cable hookups come in and is the installed stereo cheesy. Can I sit on the crapper without putting my feet into the shower. Can I get some privacy with the missus and still have the kids afely tucked away in the front of the trailer. How is the roof sealed, seamless or drip in time sealed. Oh, ditto to what everyone else has already said. Sorry I didn't to much more than confuse the subject but TT's deprceiate quick and I'd rather buy something that will fit my needs and for along time, like my truck.

 

This may sound like something of an ignorant question but do any fifth wheel campers hookup with gooseneck hitches instead of the large fifth wheel hookups. I have been debating a TT versus a 5th wheel but I need to conserve bed space. I only have a 2500 short bed. Thanks.

 

Ditto to everything above.
What kind of camping do you like to do?
Do you want slide outs?
Can the campground take slide outs? There are some campgrounds that won't allow slide outs. :-
Here is a site that can offer some more help http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/cfo....cfm?site=MHM. Before you buy check to see if there is a forum for the brand you like and ask them how they like their's.
Ditto on the 5th wheels. We have a 27RL Forest River Wildcat 5th wheel and we love it.
Good luck in your search there is a lot to choose from.

 

[quote author=Citizen link=board=11;threadid=19980;start=0#msg199661 date=1066829274]
This may sound like something of an ignorant question but do any fifth wheel campers hookup with gooseneck hitches instead of the large fifth wheel hookups. I have been debating a TT versus a 5th wheel but I need to conserve bed space. I only have a 2500 short bed. Thanks.
[/quote]

Hi Citizen Noobie,
Welcome to our little party. We have fun and learn a lot from one another.
Most fifth wheel trailers are set up for the standard fiver hitch. If you try and use the gooseneck on them, it extends the hitch down so far it exceeds the limits of the frame to handle the stress due to the longer lever effect. The best thing to do is use the fiver hitch that goes into the gooseneck coupling. B&D makes one (boy, I hate to mention that - - we will get Cummins Luke in here hawking his product ) that works really well. I do not know if they have a slider hitch like you should use with the short bed. That way, you can set the fiver hitch in whenever you want to pull the fiver, then remove it the rest of the time.
Good luck.
Bob

 

How much do things like that usually run?

 

I sure second the issue of recommending a fiver over the travel trailer. If you can afford it, the fiver pulls much better on the road. It is a little more difficult to drive in town (swings wider), but storage is better, more stable and you can have a 30'er but only have about 25' past your rear bumper. You will not get the sway from wind gusts and trucks passing you. It will not fishtail like a trailer. And, the bunkhouses are great for the family.
Another feature inside is sit on the potty and see if you can complete the paperwork. Pretty important when you are 6'4" tall. Also, get the porcelain potty with the sprayer.
Check out the new line from Carriage - - excellent manufacturer with a new entry level unit. Very nice for the money.

 

Citizen,

Pullrite (http://www.pullrite.com/SuperGlide.html) has a slider hitch that mates up with their super rails. When you pull the hitch out, all you have left are 4 1 1/2 holes in the bed and you can cap those.

I have the B&W setup. Works like a champ and best of both worlds. The B&W setup was about $1100.00 installed for the hitch and companion 5er. I think the Pullrite is close to the same, maybe a little more.