Best Travel Trailer - RV-Dreams Community Forum

ancwonder · RV-Dreams Community Member

Best Travel Trailer

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

You should go to a large RV Show to look at the different floorplans. One persons best may be another person's worst. It's a personal preference thing.

Another consideration would be a toyhauler type trailer. Most have bunk typ beds that fold down or lower down in the garage area. Great thing about the toy hauler is you can carry the kids toys and bikes inside the garage area when on the road.

ancwonder · RV-Dreams Community Member

That's what we are thinking, just not sure what we would be best. We know basically what we want. Just wanting to know which brands are best for full timing.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just go to the show, there are WAY to many variables to answer that question. Everyone has different needs, different uses. See what catches your attention, speak to the manufacturers, take everything slowly, research, research, research....please keep us posted......

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Amanda,

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums. While there aren't a lot of us that have a travel trailer, a lot of us have been looking through a bunch of different kinds, so even if we don't have a travel trailer, we can still offer suggestions. As mentioned, there are a lot of variables to consider with choosing one's RV.

Where might you plan on being with regards to weather? If you will be in cold country, look for trailers that are well insulated, have enclosed underbellies and perhaps also have heated holding tanks.

Will you be boondocking a lot? Boondocking means to be "camping" somewhere that you don't have utility hookups, or are at least limited in what is available. If you will be where you won't be hooked to water, look for an RV that has the largest holding tanks that you can.

Since you already have a truck, you will want to have a Ford dealer look at it and the "data plate" that is on the door post on the driver's side. What you want them to determine is the Excursion's Gross Combined Vehicular Weight (GCVW) rating so you know how heavy of a trailer you can pull. With that GCVW in mind, also weigh your Excursion with full fuel, passengers (and any pets involved) and any cargo that you will be having in the Excursion as you travel. When you have that weight, you can then subtract that from the GCVW to see how heavy of a trailer you can pull.

Keep in mind also that with a travel trailer, you will want to use an equalizing hitch and an anti-sway bar (or maybe two of those) to make the trailer safer to tow. Also keep the weights of those items in mind as well. Do NOT go by what a dealer calls the "towing weight." RV's can be under the "towing weight" but still be over on the GCVW. You will also want to consider what the weight capacities of both the axles and tires are so you don't overload individual components of the trailer.

Watch for plenty of storage, considering that you are a family of four. Also, keep in mind that space for a washer and dryer will eliminate storage space for your personal and family items.

In addition to looking at RV shows, also go to individual dealers to look as well. Do not take for granted what they tell you about an RV. Research what they tell you as some salespeople will not always be honest. If your salesman does NOT ask you questions as to how you will be "camping" and what your needs are, find another salesman or another dealer. A "good" salesperson will ask questions so they will know what features you will want in your RV.

When looking, also consider the size of the frame, the weight capacities of the axles, suspension and wheels and tires. Those things make up the actual "foundation" of an RV.

Good luck with your research and planning.'

Terry

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Open Range has a bunkroom style that has 2 lower bunks and 2 upper, plus its own 1/2 bath. Check out the MR309BHS

-- Edited by Jims carrilite on Tuesday 26th of February 2013 12:40:10 PM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Watch the weight limit for the top bunk if your kids are older and make sure there is a ladder or some way for your child to actually get up on the top bunk. In a washer/dryer are you looking for the single one that both washes and dries, the stackable or side-by-side? Do you have a price range? What about length? Have you seen anything so far that you liked? Is this full-timing going to be more short term or long term?

kb0zke · RV-Dreams Family Member

During our research we visited a large RV dealer near us. The salesperson didn't know anything about any of the trailers on the lot except for the price information on her price list. We found out later that most of the sales staff alternate between the used car/truck side and the RV side. Only one salesman actually knows anything about RVs. We decided not to shop there anymore.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Here is more by Open Range:

Roamer Travel Trailer Floorplans

Check the bottom plan here:

Roamer TT RT331BHS

The Mesa Ridge MR309BHS (Mentioned above)

The Mesa Ridge MR331BHS

The Light Travel Trailer LT308BHS

Terry

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lets See ......We have 2 Children under 5........I would think that you are at this point thinking of fulltiming to do a little exploring and see the sights but at the same time , checking out the job markets and costs of being in different regions before its time to go back to the grindstone.

The best rig for this type of task will be a used unit ....brand is not important, floor plan is......a slide in the living area is a must(kids tend to consume alot of space fast)......a tub /Shower bath a must.kids prefer Tubby Time!!, stand them and spray water on them in a shower and they refuse!!......bunks would be nice....but remember there ages , these are RV bunks they are narrow and tight and at five years old its a long fall to the floor!!

Like most have said a toy hauler would allow you to have a custom kiddie room bunks ,toys ...bikes and be able to make it as you see fit!!