I went to my first RV Show ....... 'help' ....

[Coosa]

I knew when I started out that I wanted a trailer. Didn't want two motor vehicles to have to maintain and being I love to sightsee etc. knew I was going to need a vehicle free to do that. Being single, I also didn't want a big trailer. 18-20 ft was big enough, so that narrowed my choices down considerably. Started looking at dealers around northern Michigan and fell in love with an 18 ft. Rock wood Mini Light with a slide that made it so much more roomy. It also had a front window which I loved as made it much more light too. I had that trailer for a couple years before selling it due to financial constraints. 3 years ago, I bought a 19ft. Sportsman Classic and love this trailer. It's lightweight (GVRW) 3500 lbs. and has a ton of storage. Bathroom is a little small, but don't live in there. No slide but it has enough room. Plenty of Windows including front one. These are more entry level bare bones models so to speak, but with some imagination you can really trick them out with the money you save buying more epensive rigs. I have not, knock on wood, had one problem with it in the 3 years I have had it. And I have hauled it out west to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and back. So I am a happy camper. There are pics posted in the Show Off Your Rigs thread of some of the upgrades I have done. I tow with a Chevy pickup.

Very helpful. I've about narrowed it down to a similar rig, but of course, options, options, options. And since I probably will not be 'boondocking' a small bathroom isn't much to pay in exchange for kitchen counter space and a 'real' oven. [I know, laugh! "What's counter space?"]

I notice that some manufacturers have different " standard options" for the region a person lives in. Would it be better to buy a "western" [supposedly more rugged] Travel Trailer or should I stick to the local guy.

I stayed up way too late last night and found that Lance trailer ... it's weatherized and a 'tad' over the 75% GVWR of the Tacoma with tow package. It's Double Axle. Is that better than single axle. I tend to be over cautious with tires and replace them 5000-10,000 miles before their manufacturer's life-time rating. [Another round of laughter?] The smaller, lighter one does have the STOVE option but only has one 5 gallon propane tank.

If the oven is 'three way' ... and I'm only baking when I have electricity ... I just need to actually walk into one and look at storage, etc.

And do some googling for Reviews of this particular trailer manufacturer!

Thanks again ........... I stayed up too late packing up Mom's apartment and I'm tired. But I will go to the RV show and look for 'the' items on my list.
1- Storage
2- Oven
3- Under 5100 GVWR
etc.

Thanks again for the input. I won't feel so intimidated when I look up and see the roof of an RV covered in clouds ... [inside the pavilion]

Coosa

[MelissaD]

Make a list of things you need, want and don't want. Need to figure out how you want to use it. If boon-docking solar and/or generator is a big concern. Boon-docking and state parks you holding tanks are a concern as the larger they are the longer you can stay. Many cut weight by installing small tanks. Water at 8# per gallon adds weight fast so they install small FW (freshwater) and waste tanks. A/C is normally a function of plugging in other than running a generator (loud and fuel consumption).

Due to health issues we tend to stay at commercial CG's or ones we can get full hookup. While 30 amp service will do, we run best on a 50 amp connection as A/C is a must for health reasons. We tend to go somewhere and sit for a few days. For us, a trailer gave us the most room and a 5th wheel is my preferred towing method for ease of hookup and how the weight is carried in the bed and not on the bumper. No WDH (weight distribution hitch) required for a 5th wheel. Scamp ( http://www.scamptrailers.com/ ) makes some easy to tow and maintain trailers. They even have a small (19') light weight 5th wheel (actually, it's a gooseneck hitch in the picture which is great if you get of the main road). Which when you tow is like pulling a 15" trailer since overhangs the back of the truck. Down side to 5er is you loose storage space in the truck bed. I know you have a different tow vehicle in mind but something to consider.

Import thing is to spend some time inside and try to live your day. Can you reach things, is the toilet comfortable to "take care of business" and the shower useful. Can you make the bed and comfortable get in and out. Do you need a night stand for a CPAP machine? Many with smaller rigs tend to use the bath house. We needed to avoid the bath house so a large bathroom was important for us and lead to a larger 5er. We also needed a bunkhouse for our 5yo grandchild. We found the 1/2 bath with it's own outside door useful while traveling. A Class A/B or C would also meet this need.

I don't have any 12 volt DC outlets. We don't need them but there are others who rely on them. If your new rig fits you, then its the right one.

Best of luck.

[Bethers]

I spent months looking for my first rig. After about the month I ruled out tt's and 5th wheels and concentrated on C's, the smaller the better. I never regretted that decision... for me. And the day I stepped into the used C I purchased, I knew I was home. When they accepted my offer, it was a reality. I didn't have this group and learned a lot on the road, but if that rig had aged better (roof damage will haunt for a long time), I'd still have it. But I do love my new C... a tad longer... went from 22 feet to close to 26 feet.

All this said, the tt might be perfect for you. It's important you realize we all love different things, one reason they make so many different things. I cook, but make my own counter space to do so, usually using my dinette.table. Having specific counter space would have cut down on my living area, and I like my longer couch I can comfortably lie on. Figure out what you need most. And then, one day, you'll walk in one and say, ahh, it's home.

Most important, in my opinion, are knowing where hookups are and that they are reachable and easily doable. I, also wouldn't be without a generator unless I had a robust solar system. I have both solar and a generator now. My last rig came with a problematic generator and I ended up going with enough solar on that rig to ditch the generator.

Enough, lol, but keep looking. Keep thinking. Go with what feels right to you. And lots of extras? Well, you'll learn the hard way that many won't get used. So wait on many and see how much you miss them. I have some I need to get rid of as they simply take up my limited storage space.

[MelissaD]

Found this today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rZY5uotKI on solar A/C which it appears is now doable but you need the right equipment from the soft start A/C unit to some high grade converter and batteries. Not to mention some large solar cells.

I've enjoyed many of their videos.

[BarbaraRose]

Also, when looking at lots of rigs, remember to take pictures of each one, things you like, layout, etc. Once you get home, it is hard to remember which rig had what features, etc, I take photos of the rig inside and out and one photo of the name of it so I know which one it is.

I am still going back and forth on what I will want for me in the future. Pros and cons to each kind (trailer vs RV). Good luck and have fun!

[Coosa]

The Travel Trailers were not so imposing this time. Since I got the "3 day" ticket, I may go back next Sunday.

Some prices were marked down to 29% of MSRP.

I knew what to look for, so it was an enjoyable trip, even if I am exhausted.

The search continues ....


Coosa

[Colliemom]

Also, be sure,, that if you get a TT, that you don't get the GRVW too close to the tow vehicles towing capacity. Those towing capacities are empty truck with no cargo. driver, passengers etc. For every pound of weight you add to the truck itself, it reduces the amount you can tow. So keep it down. My trailer weights 3500 fully loaded as I said, my trucks towing capacity is around 9600 I think might be a bit more, too lazy to go out and read the label If you get a 5th wheel, the you have to keep the weight of the hitch in mind as well as it will reduce the trucks towing capacity as it adds payload to the truck.

[MelissaD]

Actually you can tow a heavier trailer with a 5th wheel since it's over the axle. The problem is the truck has to have the cargo capacity to carry the heavier "hitch" weight.

As Sue said though the vehicle will tow better is you don't max out the towing capacity of the tow vehicle. You also have to keep an eye on the trailers tongue (hitch) weight. You vehicle's owners manual should list it. TT's about 15% of the trailers loaded weight is carried on the tongue. 20-25% on a 5th wheel. So a 5,000# TT will have aprox. 750# hitch weight and you'll need a WDH.

[BirdbyBird]

And about those MSRP......when I was initially out researching and hunting through rigs.....I was told (not by the dealers, of course) that most rigs can be had at 20-30% off MSRP. You should be able to get most everything for much less than the dealer's initial sticker.....

Another strategy that others have used is to purchase a well maintained but used unit and begin your adventures. After traveling the roads for a bit you will sort through the reality of day by day life on the road and in the campgrounds. It takes the fog and mirrors away from the purchase of the unit you really want.

[Pooker]

Adding to Tina's & others' posts - buying used is a tad easier on the wallet because RVs depreciate faster than a speeding bullet. Take a new one off the lot and it's already worth less! Also, some add-ons are pricey. It's nice to let the first owner take that hit. In years and years of RVing, the only new rig for us was the first tt. Reality struck when we then had to add the extras we wanted (window awnings, etc.). All the others have been used with as many whistles and bells already installed as possible.

Keep in mind when you crawl over, under and through any rig you are serious about: You will never get everything you'd like. The perfect rig hasn't been built yet. But you can find one that fits most of your wants and needs and realize you may have to compromise on the rest. I know it's hard to believe us when we say you know when you walk into the one that's perfect for you. You feel comfortable and at home. That is hard to explain. And, just like buying a starter house, don't think the first one has to be your forever rig. Wants and needs; likes and dislikes change over time.

Keep searching. The downside to finding the one you love is that you don't have the fun of shopping any longer! Although that hasn't stopped most of us!!!

Pooker

[BarbaraRose]

Yes buying it is half the fun, but fixing it up the way you want is even more fun! I had fun fixing up my popup with new covers for the cushions and new curtains, etc. Made it look so cute, bright, and updated. That is one advantage to buying used is being able to decorate and "remodel" the way you want it. Altho, some like to just buy it all done and not have to worry about all that. To each her own!
Good luck!

[Coosa]

Yes buying it is half the fun, but fixing it up the way you want is even more fun! I had fun fixing up my popup with new covers for the cushions and new curtains, etc. Made it look so cute, bright, and updated. That is one advantage to buying used is being able to decorate and "remodel" the way you want it. Altho, some like to just buy it all done and not have to worry about all that. To each her own!
Good luck!

I saw your photos.. You made the pop up look like a welcoming home.

Coosa