Hello all, 1st post on this site. Just sold our Cabin cruiser boat and we are in market for a tow behind travel trailer. I know boats but don't know TT's. We are purchasing for around $10K or less. We are looking for a 26' or larger. We have LOTS of kids. We are also about to purchase a new SUV w/to capacity of about 8500lbs. Most of the time it will stay on site but might do some towing to FL from IL
What brands do we want to avoid? What do we look for on used trailers?
The biggest issue on a used trailer is water damage. Check every nook and corner for any signs of water intrusion. An undetected or ongoing water damage can actually destroy any RV. If the RV is fiberglass sided, look for any bubbles on the side where the fiberglass has come loose from its backing, called delamination which is almost always caused by water intrusion and is very very very expensive to fix. Also check the roof, it will probably be a "rubber" roof and requires very specific materials for cleaning. If any petroleum products were used on it, the membrane will be coming loose from its backing, creating large bubbles. This is also very very very expensive to repair.
Asking a public forum which is the best brand will get you as many different answers as there are people who respond.
As far as trailers go...... looking at used, make sure there are no leaks and make sure you check everything from top to bottom. Make sure everything works the way it should. Talk to the owner and see if he had any issues with it. Open the awning, make sure it works smoothly. Check the tires carefully. If they are over 5 years old, plan on replacing them immediately.
As far as your tow vehicle..... are you going to buy new or used? How many people are going to be traveling in it? You will eat up your tow capacity with people in the TV. Depending on how many people you have you might be better off with a van. Make sure your TT's GVWR is 80% of the TV's tow capacity for a relaxing tow. Suv's are notorious for eating their own tow capacity. Once you figure in your hitch weight, you could possibly be well overweight before you load anything in the TT. Think 3/4 ton SUV or van at minimum. Good luck and happy searching. One thing we found when looking that was helpful.....bring a digital camera and take plenty of notes. Make a list of wants and needs and get as many as you can.
04 Lariat Supercrew 4x4,5.4,3.73, Edge tuner, flowmaster duals
06 Trail Bay 31BH, nicely optioned
Equal-i-zer
Prodigy
Follow vehicle, 05 KIA Sorento EX for the golden retrievers.
Asking a public forum which is the best brand will get you as many different answers as there are people who respond.
Yeah I had a feeling I would get that. I know on boats there are "budget" brands that lack in some quality and longevity as compared to others. I guess that was more or less what I was looking for. There just seem to be soooooooooo many manufacturers of these things and I really dont know very much about them when it comes to RV's.
Thanks for the info on water intrusion that is exactly the kind of stuff I need to know!!!!
* This post was
edited 08/31/08 07:44am by an administrator/moderator *
Trailers are not unlike boats, in that after you look at a hundred, you will have an eye for quality and problems. Just like boats, the least expensive are lacking somewhere. Also if the price is too good to be true, look out. I would walk away from any signs of water leaks or a refrigerator$$$ that doesn't work.
You should have an adequate tow rig first, then don't even look at trailers too large for your rig.
Good luck and enjoy the quest.
2008 Dodge 3500 CTD LB SRW 4X4 6-Speed Auto
P3 Blue Ox Sway Pro
2007 Komfort 212
Even the best manufacturers have lemons although Sunline (who was in my opinion the Best) is no longer in business, so if there were any issues the factory could not help. Other manufacturers who I considered above Fleetwood have let camping friends we know with major workmanship issues and warranty fights from day one, so nothing is guaranteed anymore!
Information already given about checking it from top to bottom and making sure everything is working is a starting point. I would also go through the expense of having a reputable rv dealer's service department also do a complete once over including servicing the bearings and adjust the brakes.
Spending a couple of hundred at a good dealer (do your homework on the dealer - more bad dealers than bad trailers) might save you being stranded on the side of the road or worse if you missed anything.
A good hitch (such Reese Dual Cam, Equal-i-zer brand name, Blue Ox Sway Pro and brake controller Tekonsha Prodigy, P3, Jordan Ultima and a set of towing mirrors depending on your tow vehicle - check pricing on line to keep any dealers mark up honest) are all part of making a great tow package. You can start cheaper but the weakest link of your towing package may convince you that you need to go through the expense of an upgrade that you could have avoided.
Find the trailer that best fits your family and budget and then go from there.
You don't have to buy the first one you see, so be prepared for the hunt.
Not sure where you are located but for us winterizing our trailer is less than a 1/10 of what it cost to have our old boat winterized - not that it makes winter hiatus any less painful.
wayne_tw wrote: snip Also check the roof, it will probably be a "rubber" roof and requires very specific materials for cleaning. If any petroleum products were used on it, the membrane will be coming loose from its backing, creating large bubbles. This is also very very very expensive to repair.
and if it is rubber I would look for one with a TPO roof myself.
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