My future plans...another question...

[Redetotry]

What about a small '22 ft Class B+ or C like the Born Free model that Janet has. That way you wouldn't need a toad. That is what i wish I had.

[MelissaD]

Mitch. That has to be a typo. No way you'd put a 2043# axle on a 3,335# GVWR trailer. The math just does not add up. If you want to solve the mystery, there should a tag on the axle which will state the axle manufacture, serial number and weight rating. Sometimes it's in the middle and other times its by the tire, no standard location.


Back to the original thought:
SUV's which the Jeep is, tend to have a higher center of gravity which makes them great for some things but poor at towing. If the Jeep is a keeper, I'd look at towing it behind the Class C. After living for years in a 8x8' truck cab, I'd want some room if I was living on the road. It's a personal balance point but it will be your home and you should be comfortable in your home. If your not comfortable you will come to dislike the adventure. If it's too small, all it's good for is sleeping. I like being able get up, take a shower in the morning (use the toilet, without getting dressed to find the outhouse), have my coffee, check my email and eat my breakfast before dressing and venturing out to meet others. The people we routinely camp with don't even look for us before noon. When the weather is not conducive to being out doors you need some space to enjoy the day reading or watching a movie, maybe with a friend. We are use to performing certain tasks or routines in our homes. Often times, the better you can keep that routine or lifestyle, the more likely you will be comfortable in your camper.

Good luck

[BarbaraRose]

My Jeep isn't really a keeper per se, but I do like Jeeps in general. One of the things I would like to do while on the road is to go rock hounding/gem hunting which usually includes driving on dirt roads to the middle of nowhere. So would need something to get me there safely.

I assume it is easier to tow, hook-up and unhook a toad than a TT? Just can't back up with a toad.

What I need in a TT/RV is a bathroom with a shower, a couch rather than a dinette, and a separate bed. Maybe a slide to make more room (I know they add weight). So I don't need anything too big. Either a 18-20ft TT or about a 24-26ft Class C.

If we end up selling the house if my dad goes into a nursing home permanently, I would maybe find a small, lightweight trailer to pull with the Jeep for short 2-3 day jaunts up north in the summer, just to get a feel for it and see how I like that. However, I don't see him leaving the house unless something really serious happens that absolutely forces him out of it. Wild horses couldn't drag him out of that house right now.

[BirdbyBird]

An observation and something to think about. If you decide to go with a Class C and a vehicle to two think about the age of your current vehicle and if it has enough "life" in it to invest in the baseplate costs, etc. Some here have purchased used vehicles that already have be equipped to be towed. I purchased and equipped my Honda with the thought that it should have a long life and that I should be able to use it for many, many miles and years.

[Redetotry]

This topic has made me think a lot about my choice. From the beginning I want a class B after seeing one in a parking lot at Giant City Lodge. Many years later when I started looking I did look at a beautiful 22' or 23' BT Cruiser that was almost new and very well kept. But when I looked at it from the outside I was a bit overwhelmed by the size so inside I think I didn't look at the right things as I kept thinking it was sooo big, plus I think the dream of the class B was just too strong by that time. I looked at several new Roadtreks and Pleasure Ways at a show in STL and decided I preferred a Pleasure Way. When I found one in my price range, I loved it the moment I stepped inside. But now there are many things I don't like, it is way too small for me to be comfortable for anything but sleeping. I have almost no counter space so cooking is a balancing act. Also the enclosed bath is very tiny, I have no idea how anyone much bigger than I am could take a shower, not even sure if I could. It is a trick just having enough knee space to stand up from the potti and I am only 5'4 and under 130 pounds. It has plenty of storage inside, for short trips, but only one very small outside storage. I do love the way it drives, and is easy to park.
But, it's like Melissa said If your not comfortable you will come to dislike the adventure. I loved the idea of the Class B but it didn't take long to figure out for me it isn't comfortable. So maybe we have to think of our first rig as a bicycle with training wheels, it's a learning experience and you go from there!

Of course if Elsie had a better record of staying out of the repair shop I might be a whole lot happier! Oh, another thing, the Cruiser was a lot newer and less $$ than I paid for Elsie. I know several people have good luck with older models and I expected to also as she is 2002 model on a Dodge Ram 3500 chassis and only had 63,000 miles. Inside and out she looked brand new and drove well. I bought her from a respected dealer that was highly rated in the RV.net class B forum.

[Bethers]

My two cents - when I started looking - I quickly came to realize I didn't want to have to leave my vehicle to get into my home - especially when stopping for short breaks - potty breaks, lunch, etc. When it's hot out, my little rig stays cool enough (not cold as I don't run it's air, just the cab's ac) that I am not setting foot in a hot box. I just step back, go potty, grab something from the fridge, etc. To me that is a big plus.

As most of you know, I started out my first few years just the rig, no toad. That is still my favorite way to travel, but became unreasonable with my workamping - therefore I finally got a toad. I bought used, low mileage, and set it up as Tina says, but will drive that little pos into the ground lol. I'm so looking forward to dropping it off for the Baja trip and traveling a few months without. It has it's place, but it was so much nicer to travel without - for ME. And I saw everything, went everywhere - and it actually cost me less than it does to have the toad and use it. I planned better.

So read what we all say, and think about what will work best for you. There are times I look at some of the little tt's and know I'd love the tt, but if a truck or car for my daily drive, I want a car and good gas mileage - although I'd like to have 4 wheel drive - cuz I do like going places it can take me.

[mitch5252]

IF you are talking about your rig pictured in your blog, something is off. The camper only has 1 axle in the picture. If its GVWR is 3,335# it should have at least a 3,000# axle.

..
Further research has shown that the 2,043 lbs. is the weight is on the axle when the trailer is empty, not its rating.

This morning, I crawled under the trailer (in the rain) and looked at the axle - it's a Lippert with a rating of 3,100 lbs. Tires have a rating of 1,760.

Glad that's solved.

..

[MelissaD]

IF you are talking about your rig pictured in your blog, something is off. The camper only has 1 axle in the picture. If its GVWR is 3,335# it should have at least a 3,000# axle.

..
Further research has shown that the 2,043 lbs. is the weight is on the axle when the trailer is empty, not its rating.

This morning, I crawled under the trailer (in the rain) and looked at the axle - it's a Lippert with a rating of 3,100 lbs. Tires have a rating of 1,760.

Glad that's solved.

..

Very good. Glad the mystery has been solved. Read the thread on Good Sam's (RV.net) and that makes sense. Never seen it listed that way before. Manufactures must have changed how they list the specs.

[dayspring39]

WOW I am simply awe struck at how much you ladies know. I have a class c and only tow my trike!
Thanks ladies for sharing so much.
Kathy Kathleen

[mitch5252]

WOW I am simply awe struck at how much you ladies know.

..
I know I, for one, would be a blithering idiot without the internet!
It is quite the educator.
I can't imagine life without Google.

..

[Cudedog]

Life without Google? I hope never! Google is the world wide "how to" manual. I don't leave home with out it!

[BarbaraRose]

Another question for those of you who have smaller RV's and don't (or didn't) pull a toad....

how easy is it to just take off to go sightseeing for the day? Do you pack up everything each time you go (even if you are staying at the same campground for awhile), or can you leave stuff behind (chairs, etc) and hope no one takes them? If I put up my screen room and had my chairs, etc in there, would that be OK or would I have to take that all down and pack it up just in case...?

I know Beth and Liz did this for awhile before towing...any thoughts?

[JudyJB]

I think stuff is usually safe. One problem is that unless it is really obvious you are just going off for a day, some unknowing campers think you have abandoned your belongings and help themselves. I have a neat sign that Sue from Michigan made me that says "Campsite Occupied" that I put up. I tend to not leave a lot of stuff outside anyway. I would think a big screen room with chairs inside would be safe because it would be obvious you had not forgotten to take something small like a water hose.

I have no toad and it is often a pain in the neck to go out sightseeing because I have to unhook and take my whole vehicle. My electric bike does help so I don't have to unhook so often.

[Liz]

Another question for those of you who have smaller RV's and don't (or didn't) pull a toad....

how easy is it to just take off to go sightseeing for the day? Do you pack up everything each time you go (even if you are staying at the same campground for awhile), or can you leave stuff behind (chairs, etc) and hope no one takes them? If I put up my screen room and had my chairs, etc in there, would that be OK or would I have to take that all down and pack it up just in case...?

I know Beth and Liz did this for awhile before towing...any thoughts?

Most places things would be safe. I never had a lot of stuff outside. Once had my leveling blocks removed....probably by kids, but later found them at another site.

[Deeann]

Some trailer hitches can weigh over 50#. Whatever you buy, make sure you can hitch it up by yourself. This includes hooking up the sway bars and the load equalizer. A load equalizer can break your wrist if you don't know what you're doing when you attach it or remove it. Personally, I wouldn't want to tow a trailer with a Jeep Liberty. Too small. You need a full size vehicle to tow well. Also, a trailer with 2 axles will tow better than a trailer with just one.