JimK-NY
NY
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Joined: 05/12/2010
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I have no idea what makes sense for your situation and preferences. I will just add some of my opinions for your consideration.
Most RVs, especially trailers, are cheap junk. They are poorly built and not built to last for long. At a minimum start by looking at the load ratings. Many have undersized axles, wheels and tires and can barely carry an empty RV.
Most new buyers buy RVs that are way bigger than they really need for the use intended. RV salesmen do not help in this regard. I recommend you look at the smallest RVs that fit your needs.
Lots of RVs are bought by families with relatively young children. The RVs sit unused for all but a few weeks a year. So the cost of use is high. There is another even bigger issue. By early teenage years, family RV trips are about the last thing the kids want. Many RVs are sold at that point.
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Jebby14
Windsor Ontario
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Joined: 05/12/2015
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thoughts on a popup? great starter, low cost, easy to tow with your current vehicle. lots of room for the 4 of you.
If it moves and it shouldn't..... duct tape
if it doesn't move and it should.....WD40
if all else fails .....BFH
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tatest
Oklahoma Green Country
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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You need to first think about how you plan to use the RV, whether living in it long term, making road trips, camping out on weekends, etc. How you want to use it will determine how big it might be. A couple full-timing might want a 38-40 foot trailer, and I've known many families (including mine when the headcount was 5-6) who enjoyed weekend to week-long camping in a pop-up with a 10-12 foot box. I also know many families that tent camp, with the amount of equipment that packs easily behind the second row seat of a full-size SUV.
To deal with tow vehicle issues, manufacturers today build many lightweight designs in a range of lengths. Lightweights are built by minimizing the size and weight of every component, every piece of building material. This, and efforts to hold down costs, make them look as cheap as they are. A well-built travel trailer of similar length and floorplan might weigh 50% more and cost more than twice as much (or five times as much). There is a market for that, as well, but this is a very small market.
If a travel trailer has to be really big to suit your needs, the Yukon might not be the best, or even an adequate tow vehicle. Escalade with more highly tuned version of the same engine is not likely to be much better as a tow vehicle, because the limiting factor is more chassis stiffness and how much weight you can put on the hitch and in the car, not peak horsepower ratings. But you have to first figure out how much trailer you really need, before you shop for the vehicle that can safely tow it.
There are dealers who rent out travel trailers and other camper types, usually smaller lighter ones, at least in Oklahoma and Kansas; probably also in Texas. That could be an introduction to the experience, and suggest whether or not you need something bigger. A trial or two with rentals might help you figure out whether this is the type of adventure that works for your family.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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My thought is first are you fully committed to buying an RV? If you are get the RV that you love 100%.
It is a domino effect, If you get an RV to fit your current truck don't go too big but be sure you are 100% committed.
Be extremely aware of the costly upgrade game.
It goes sort of like this...Buy trailer to start with, you realize you need a better tow vehicle so you buy a new truck. New truck is more capable which opens the door to buying a new trailer. Each step cost money. Before you know it you spent a bundle figuring things out. People go through this cycle all the time, many don't even realize it.
If you are unsure rent for a weekend. From there make final solid decisions.
Spend your money buying what you really want, don't waste too much of it sorting things out.
RV shows are great for seeing lots of RV's in one location with no pressure.
Used vs. new. If you know what your looking at and are knowledgeable enough to recognize the pitfalls in used units. Then there are bargains to be found in the used market. If you lack the skills to buy used then stick with new.
2019 Duramax w/hips,12 Open Range,Titan Disc Brake
H-head TPMS,BD3,RV safepower
Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps
BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,keyless RV Lock
Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637
Correct Trax,Splendide
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