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Gringo185

2nd Civ Div
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We are considering getting a travel trailer and hitting the road this summer and looking for some (a lot of) information. How many here are into RVing and what forums are you using? This is a fairly new interest, we have no RV experience and are literally at square 1. We are going to rent/borrow a few times first to get a feel for if we like it and what we want in a trailer. I wish we would have started this as a family of 3 and grown into it. But starting as a family of 5 with 2 large dogs has me looking at some pretty large equipment and I don't want to overlook important stuff.
 

SID297

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I can't recommend one (I'm not on any), but there are a ton of knowledgeable guys here.

I don't know how you plan to camp or travel, but one thing I've learned is that I will always want a built in generator with mine. We do a lot of dry camping, and no one wants to be in FL in the summer without A/C.

Something I'm planning on buying before my next trip it this fan setup for the fridge:

https://amzn.to/3g7wDdM

 

Gringo185

2nd Civ Div
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I can't recommend one (I'm not on any), but there are a ton of knowledgeable guys here.

I don't know how you plan to camp or travel, but one thing I've learned is that I will always want a built in generator with mine. We do a lot of dry camping, and no one wants to be in FL in the summer without A/C.

Something I'm planning on buying before my next trip it this fan setup for the fridge:

https://amzn.to/3g7wDdM


So, the plan is to buy a used travel trailer that I can hopefully tow with my existing F150 or new Expedition and use it for 3-5 years while we:

A) decide if we enjoy it
B) use it enough to justify upgrading
C) want to stay with a tow behind (upgrade to Airstream) or want to move to 5th wheel

All of this will determine what tow rig I upgrade to as well.
 

oldstv

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You have the right idea by renting before you buy. That will give you a lot of first hand information. More often than not many people buy and then never use, thus the amount of units for sale. My family has owned a motor home for ever and got out of the RV world a few years ago.
Never owned a trailer but had friends that did. There are pros and cons for both and nothing will give you the information that you need like trying it.
 

SID297

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So, the plan is to buy a used travel trailer that I can hopefully tow with my existing F150 or new Expedition and use it for 3-5 years while we:

A) decide if we enjoy it
B) use it enough to justify upgrading
C) want to stay with a tow behind (upgrade to Airstream) or want to move to 5th wheel

All of this will determine what tow rig I upgrade to as well.

Look into Weekend Warrior toy haulers. Most have queen bunks in the back for the kids, tons of room for toys, and a generator of dry camping fun.


Sent from my iPhone using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

lOOKnGO

Keep'um smiling
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Definitely rent a couple times. Make sure everyone can handle the camping experience. You'll learn fast what you like and don't. Talking with others first hand is a big help also. Enjoy!
 

Blown 89

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The forums are a cluster **** of mediocrity and people that have no business doling out advice. Even the manufacturers are complete dunderheads.

The best thing you can do is rent a few, make a list of your needs and wants from each trip, then start shopping from there. Updating the interiors on two-behinds is cheap and easy. More expensive materials often equals more weight so you'll get steered in the right direction organically.

I agree with Sid on the onboard generator. My other need is solar and, preferably, lithium battery packs as they charge a hell of a lot faster and don't have current drops as they discharge. I've found the boating youtubers to give better advice than RV'ers and forums.
 

SID297

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The forums are a cluster **** of mediocrity and people that have no business doling out advice. Even the manufacturers are complete dunderheads.

The best thing you can do is rent a few, make a list of your needs and wants from each trip, then start shopping from there. Updating the interiors on two-behinds is cheap and easy. More expensive materials often equals more weight so you'll get steered in the right direction organically.

I agree with Sid on the onboard generator. My other need is solar and, preferably, lithium battery packs as they charge a hell of a lot faster and don't have current drops as they discharge. I've found the boating youtubers to give better advice than RV'ers and forums.

A lot of yachting knowlege transfers well to RV, but everything on an RV is 10x simpler than on a boat.

My rig has 4 golf cart batteries and an inverter. We can run all day on battery power, and usually just crank the genny in the morning to make coffee if we aren't having to run it for A/C.
 
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gimmie11s

I Race Pontiacs
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la la land
On board generator is a must.

Most new RVs also come with a solar panel now which keeps your batteries fresh. Our first trailer did not have this feature but our new one does and it’s awesome.

Buy more trailer than you need. You’ll end up upgrading your truck too.

I’ve towed 10k —15k lbs RVs with everything from half tons (10k, not 15 lol) to gas motors and diesels from all brands.

Buy a diesel truck from brand of your choice with enough payload to absorb your hitch weight AND everything you plan to bring with you.

There is a lot to learn but it’s a fun journey.

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635-A2-D85-C70-B-4-E25-8-C20-0-A922-CD55-EBE.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

wizbangdoodle

Inslee is an Idiot
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Check out mygrandrv.com

This is brand specific for Grand design rvs. We lived in our 5th wheel toy hauler for 3 years while we built our house. The trailer worked great. Works for all 4 seasons and never froze up. The company really went above and beyond for us when we had a couple of problems too.

Move on, nothing to see here.
 

KilledbyKenne

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Mountains
Renting is a good idea for sure. We ended up buying a bumper pull trailer that was nearly identical to the one my parents have because we had gone with them multiple times and enjoyed the layout. I missed a large difference however between the two until the first time we went out. Ours was 1 foot shorter total length than my parents. And I didn't realize they took that foot out of the bedroom. With being 6'7" that missing foot was awful. I didn't get a good night sleep once in that trailer and neither did my wife due to me sleeping diagonally with my feet on top of hers. After a year we swallowed the loss and upgraded to a 5th wheel with a bedroom slide out so I would never have to worry about leg room again. Lol
 

Hunter98SVT

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I grew up camping. My dad bought a nice older travel trailer for our first one. Then couple years later upgraded to a 32ft with a bunk house. Then eventually got a 32ft 5th wheel with a bunk house.

I bought my first one a month ago. I have 1 kid and another on the way. It's a small 26ft travel trailer. Probably upgrade to a 5th wheel in a few years when kids get a little bigger.

Definitely rent or borrow one. Make a list, watch some YouTube videos. Even ask a friend or someone you know who camps for some advice. Good luck!
 

nxhappy

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buy slightly used, and have deep pockets. Wax the **** outta it every 3 months or you'll pay a guy like me big bucks to fix it =)
 

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