Advice on TT please
03-21-2016, 06:07 PM
#21
Senior Member
...
Then there is the issue with trailer design/balance - Some seem to have tongue weights of ~ 10% (according to specs) while others are approaching 13 %. I guess the best thing her to do is pick the highest TT GVWR (of around 7500 as stated above for my given vehicle) and take 13% to get a tongue rating so I know how much my TV's CCC will decrease.
...
Then there is the issue with trailer design/balance - Some seem to have tongue weights of ~ 10% (according to specs) while others are approaching 13 %. I guess the best thing her to do is pick the highest TT GVWR (of around 7500 as stated above for my given vehicle) and take 13% to get a tongue rating so I know how much my TV's CCC will decrease.
...
My last two trailers have had TW around 15%.
Their axles are set pretty far back, but they do tow very well!
03-28-2016, 08:19 AM
#22
Update. With the Freedom Express 322 gone... we have now limited out choices down to either a:
Jay Flight 28 BHBE (http://www.jayco.com/products/travel...flight/28bhbe/)
Dry 6540
Hitch 660
GVW 9250
or
Freedom Express 305RKDS (http://www.camperclinic.com/New-Inve...t-Texas-819986)
Dry - 6776
Hitch - 846
GVW - 9500
Both are very different - bunk vs couple. We do like both options. Since it would be just the two of us, the extra sleeping space isn't a necessity, however it works for our lifestyle. No having to make an extra bed when someone shifts places. The Coachmen does have some nice options too - more living space, great views but a $8K premium.
I am a little concerned with the tongue weight of the Freedom as it looks like it will/might be pushing me toward max CC. Sales rep assures me I don't have to worry the WD hitch will take care of it.
Will we never approach the GVWR of either TT - I'd like to think since it is only the two of us and dry camping isn't in the cards (yet). For the foreseeable future it will be all camp site camping so minimal H2O weight during travel and supplies (food, etc) can be purchased locally as needed.
Here is my follow-up... Will my TV be OK with either? Are the weights still in the "safe" range??
Any additional suggestions are most welcome.
J
Jay Flight 28 BHBE (http://www.jayco.com/products/travel...flight/28bhbe/)
Dry 6540
Hitch 660
GVW 9250
or
Freedom Express 305RKDS (http://www.camperclinic.com/New-Inve...t-Texas-819986)
Dry - 6776
Hitch - 846
GVW - 9500
Both are very different - bunk vs couple. We do like both options. Since it would be just the two of us, the extra sleeping space isn't a necessity, however it works for our lifestyle. No having to make an extra bed when someone shifts places. The Coachmen does have some nice options too - more living space, great views but a $8K premium.
I am a little concerned with the tongue weight of the Freedom as it looks like it will/might be pushing me toward max CC. Sales rep assures me I don't have to worry the WD hitch will take care of it.
Will we never approach the GVWR of either TT - I'd like to think since it is only the two of us and dry camping isn't in the cards (yet). For the foreseeable future it will be all camp site camping so minimal H2O weight during travel and supplies (food, etc) can be purchased locally as needed.
Here is my follow-up... Will my TV be OK with either? Are the weights still in the "safe" range??
Any additional suggestions are most welcome.
J
03-28-2016, 09:42 AM
#23
Hi bexiga
Thanks for the info. Too many choices out there
We went out looking again and are staying below the 7500-7600 GVWR on the trailer. Looked at the White Hawk 27DSRL (nice but storage isn't great and the reclining chairs in the rear are awkward - can really only use one at a time) and the Freedom Express 276RKDSLE (nice but CCC is sitting around 1100 which seems a tad low - not sure if this will be a deal breaker... as mentioned previously it is only the two of us and we'll be park camping so wont be carrying much water, but little concerned if we can't get a ful service site full grey/black tanks will put us over). Just can't catch a break!
Maybe it is time to look at a cottage
Thanks for the info. Too many choices out there
We went out looking again and are staying below the 7500-7600 GVWR on the trailer. Looked at the White Hawk 27DSRL (nice but storage isn't great and the reclining chairs in the rear are awkward - can really only use one at a time) and the Freedom Express 276RKDSLE (nice but CCC is sitting around 1100 which seems a tad low - not sure if this will be a deal breaker... as mentioned previously it is only the two of us and we'll be park camping so wont be carrying much water, but little concerned if we can't get a ful service site full grey/black tanks will put us over). Just can't catch a break!
Maybe it is time to look at a cottage
03-28-2016, 10:58 AM
#24
I hear you about too many choices, I've been looking for a travel trailer since last sept. I really like the Jayco's but ever since I found out about the GD brand, I'm now leaning towards it. They build great units. Another model you may want to check out is the imagine 2950RL. Been on the GD forums, a lot of people pulling these trailers with 1/2 ton f150s with no problems at all. Personally, I'm leaning towards the 2800BH or their new model that is coming out, the 3150BH
03-28-2016, 11:04 AM
#25
Grumpy Old Man
Originally Posted by mjwood
...but little concerned if we can't get a ful service site full grey/black tanks will put us over.
Most RV campgrounds have a dump station as well as sewer connection at the full service campsites. Stick with Good Sam or KOA campgrounds and if you can't get a campsite with full hookups, then dump the sewer tanks at the dump station before you exit the campground. No problem to always tow with empty black and grey water tanks.
We always travel with about one quarter tank of fresh water so we can flush the pottie and wash our hands when on the road. And we also carry a Trailer Life Directory (guide to RV parks and Campgrounds) so we can call ahead and be sure we have a reserved site with full hookups. We don't usually call until around noon, after we're pretty sure how we can arrive by 6 p.m. that day.
Only if traveling on popular holiday weekends have we had any problem reserving a campsite with full hookups if we call by noon. But if you must be on the road on the third of July, then be sure you have campground reservations before you begin the trip.
The Trailer Life Directory has changed names. Here's the latest version:
North American RV Travel and Savings Guide
Last edited by smokeywren; 03-29-2016 at 11:05 AM.
03-29-2016, 06:44 AM
#27
I hear you about too many choices, I've been looking for a travel trailer since last sept. I really like the Jayco's but ever since I found out about the GD brand, I'm now leaning towards it. They build great units. Another model you may want to check out is the imagine 2950RL. Been on the GD forums, a lot of people pulling these trailers with 1/2 ton f150s with no problems at all. Personally, I'm leaning towards the 2800BH or their new model that is coming out, the 3150BH
Thanks for the suggestion.
03-29-2016, 06:51 AM
#28
Most RV campgrounds have a dump station as well as sewer connection at the full service campsites. Stick with Good Sam or KOA campgrounds and if you can't get a campsite with full hookups, then dump the sewer tanks at the dump station before you exit the campground. No problem to always tow with empty black and grey water tanks.
We always travel with about one quarter tank of fresh water so we can flush the pottie and wash our hands when on the road. And we also carry a Trailer Life Directory (guide to RV parks and Campgrounds) so we can call ahead and be sure we have a reserved site with full hookups. We don't usually call until around noon, after we're pretty sure how we can arrive by 6 p.m. that day.
Only if traveling on popular holiday weekends have we had any problem reserving a campsite with full hookups if we call by noon. But if you must be on the road on the third of July, then be sure you have campground reservations before you begin the trip.
The Trailer Life Directory has changed names. Here's the latest version:
North American RV Travel and Savings Guide
We always travel with about one quarter tank of fresh water so we can flush the pottie and wash our hands when on the road. And we also carry a Trailer Life Directory (guide to RV parks and Campgrounds) so we can call ahead and be sure we have a reserved site with full hookups. We don't usually call until around noon, after we're pretty sure how we can arrive by 6 p.m. that day.
Only if traveling on popular holiday weekends have we had any problem reserving a campsite with full hookups if we call by noon. But if you must be on the road on the third of July, then be sure you have campground reservations before you begin the trip.
The Trailer Life Directory has changed names. Here's the latest version:
North American RV Travel and Savings Guide
We are firm believers in planning a head and making sure we have a spot. I don't really enjoy living on the edge and just trying to show up and hoping to have a place to stay - too stressful for this type A personality.
Being completely new to this RV trailer thing, I'd want a pull though for at least the first few years
so advanced planning is a must!!We did a motor home trip (29') from Thunder Bay to Vancouver about 8 years ago and really enjoyed it. Had sites lined up. Some full service others water & hydro only. We stayed in some Provincial/National Parks and may private. Lots of good memories.
Having a guide and the internet sure helped.
03-29-2016, 10:58 AM
#29
Grumpy Old Man
My 2012 edition is a little ratty, so I decided to order a new one. I wasted half an hour trying to determine how to order that Guide from that link. Lousy website design. I couldn't find it in the index, but I finally saw a pop-up that included this link:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-edition/87116
Last edited by smokeywren; 03-29-2016 at 11:06 AM.
03-29-2016, 07:05 PM
#30
Found On Road Dominating
although moving cargo around or in your case adding water helped lower your hitch wt you always want to get as close to the 13% on the that hitch. If the OP was to pile everything behind the axels to lighten the hitch wt he would be creating a potential hazard of severe trailer sway. These new rigs feel like they already have increased sway over my 2012. At the end of the day his TT was just to heavy. He would have been fine if he had the HD payload pkg but most dealerships don't bring them in. At least in Canada where I'm at.
