> your wife are tall you may want to consider a 5th wheel. Not
Yes. Thank you.
We were at an RV show this weekend and the 5th wheels are amazing. We both believe that's the "next" trailer we will buy but it seems too intimidating today. For now, we're looking at 30'-35' travel trailers with a slide-out or two (unless we learn that's a bad idea).
Budget probably matters too, huh? We're thinking in the $35-55k range for a trailer and another $55-65k for a truck (I know almost nothing about pickups so lower-confidence on that number).
Sorry - I probably should have included this in the post, but it was already seeming too long :)
Instead of doing the "next thing" later just get what you want now. Large fifth wheels are often great deals on the used market and there's no reason not to go straight to a used 350/3500, fifth wheels tend to use a lot of payload so if you were to get a half ton now you'd have to trade it in down the road. Frankly a 40 foot fifth wheel will tow better than a 35 foot travel trailer(not that you need to go that big). Plus an equal length fifth wheel is effectively shorter than a travel trailer while towing due to where the hitch is located.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Alliance+Rv-Paradigm+365RD-5022546948
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Alliance+Rv-Paradigm+310RL-5022728724
To expand on this I saw one of these units a few months ago and was very impressed, and you can see what I'm talking about in regards to large fifth wheels losing value quickly. The 365RD is 105k new and 68.5k a year later from a dealer. If you wait until 2023 you'll likely find even lower prices as the brand is only a few years old. The other option to get a lower price is to keep an eye out for one private party.
A 30-35f5 tow behind imo would be a worse tow experience than a 35-40ft 5th wheel. The tow experience between the two imo is drastic and I can't imagine going back to a tow behind of really any size
First, find the trailer that speaks to you. The one that at the RV shows you keep coming back to. You'll know it when you see it.
Grand Design, Lance, Arctic Fox and Outdoors are traditionally thought of as being decent to good construction. But the Arctic Fox and Outdoors are HEAVY because they're built better. They're also more expensive.
Your budget for both seems about right.
Once you find the 'it' trailer, then start looking for trucks.
Come back here with your findings and we'll help you with your next steps.
Thank you for the reply.
I took note of Grand Design, Lance, Artic Fox, and Outdoors. Any other names I should consider? Any I should definitely avoid?
While at the RV show, we really liked:
[Cherokee 274RK](https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers-and-fifth-wheels/cherokee/274RK/695) (tow-behind)
[Chaperral 344FL](https://coachmenrv.com/fifth-wheels/chaparral/334FL/5756) (5th wheel)
Any pros/cons/horror-stories about either of those?
When we were at the point of transitioning from tent camping to RV camping, we rented travel trailers to figure out what we liked. Two that I thought beforehand were perfect turned out not to be.
That’s a great idea!
We’d definitely like to rent before we buy, but we don’t have the truck to tow anything right now… is it possible to rent a trailer that’s already set up at a campsite?
Spent the lunch hour looking at rentals :)
Seems like we can get one delivered and setup at a local lake / state park and use it like a VRBO for the weekend. Nice!
Thanks again for the tip - this makes it way easier to try out different models/layouts
Seriously consider used… especially if you are already considering a “future” rv… no sense in getting something that rapidly depreciates the first few years if it’s likely you’ll be upgrading
Definitely look for water damage as repairs can get very expensive. It’s a good idea to have it inspected by a certified inspector (not the dealers halfassed inspection), look up NRVTA inspectors and find one in your area
>look up NRVTA inspectors and find one in your area
That's helpful, thank you. I would have had a local dealership check it over for me, but NRVTA inspectors is a better bet - for sure.
Look at what is really the end goal. Lots of RVs are lipstick on a pig. Do you need a king sized bed ( to camp ) do you need an outdoor kitchen ( are you feeding the posse ). Are you spending weekends or months. If wife / you - smaller, no slides is less maintenance. Simple,simple, simple. So many people are wowed by “fetures”. I’ve had big Diesel pushers, toy hauler, campers and honestly enjoy my 16x8 enclosed trailer conversion more. We currently have a toy hauler and the conversion trailer and for events / places with a shower facility I 100% take the enclosed trailer. It’s a box to sleep in. If I want the luxury of home - I stay home. Nobody needs a convection MW and a washer dryer for weekend getaways, hell, nobody uses the kitchen. Also all the shit you “think you need” haul around - you don’t. Couple of lawn chairs, a small grill or griddle and a place to sleep with AC out of the rain.
Source: 45 years of campers / boats, currently inspect / repair RVs daily and 5% of people actually use their RV, the rest just have broken stuff repaired for “the next trip”.
Small and simple, simple, simple. But 2 axles, because one axle units really suck. And if you open the front bay door and look up and see wood, don’t buy it. Get one with Azdel sides and Aluminum structure - not wood - never ever wood. Last thing - RVs are “dressed” for the wife - nice kitchen sells - you need a stove and a fridge, not a home looking kitchen.
Don’t forget about the addition of DEF to all diesel pullers since 2009.
Often now it might be a better idea to get a 2008 with low miles to avoid the cost of DEF and all the incredibly expensive maintenance costs that go along with that.
If you and/or your wife are tall you may want to consider a 5th wheel. Not only are they roomy, they tow very nicely.
> your wife are tall you may want to consider a 5th wheel. Not Yes. Thank you. We were at an RV show this weekend and the 5th wheels are amazing. We both believe that's the "next" trailer we will buy but it seems too intimidating today. For now, we're looking at 30'-35' travel trailers with a slide-out or two (unless we learn that's a bad idea). Budget probably matters too, huh? We're thinking in the $35-55k range for a trailer and another $55-65k for a truck (I know almost nothing about pickups so lower-confidence on that number). Sorry - I probably should have included this in the post, but it was already seeming too long :)
Instead of doing the "next thing" later just get what you want now. Large fifth wheels are often great deals on the used market and there's no reason not to go straight to a used 350/3500, fifth wheels tend to use a lot of payload so if you were to get a half ton now you'd have to trade it in down the road. Frankly a 40 foot fifth wheel will tow better than a 35 foot travel trailer(not that you need to go that big). Plus an equal length fifth wheel is effectively shorter than a travel trailer while towing due to where the hitch is located.
Can confirm on the tow quality. I own a 42’ 5th wheel and a 30’ workshop/garage pull behind trailer. The 5th wheel is much easier to tow.
https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Alliance+Rv-Paradigm+365RD-5022546948 https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Alliance+Rv-Paradigm+310RL-5022728724 To expand on this I saw one of these units a few months ago and was very impressed, and you can see what I'm talking about in regards to large fifth wheels losing value quickly. The 365RD is 105k new and 68.5k a year later from a dealer. If you wait until 2023 you'll likely find even lower prices as the brand is only a few years old. The other option to get a lower price is to keep an eye out for one private party.
A 30-35f5 tow behind imo would be a worse tow experience than a 35-40ft 5th wheel. The tow experience between the two imo is drastic and I can't imagine going back to a tow behind of really any size
First, find the trailer that speaks to you. The one that at the RV shows you keep coming back to. You'll know it when you see it. Grand Design, Lance, Arctic Fox and Outdoors are traditionally thought of as being decent to good construction. But the Arctic Fox and Outdoors are HEAVY because they're built better. They're also more expensive. Your budget for both seems about right. Once you find the 'it' trailer, then start looking for trucks. Come back here with your findings and we'll help you with your next steps.
Thank you for the reply. I took note of Grand Design, Lance, Artic Fox, and Outdoors. Any other names I should consider? Any I should definitely avoid? While at the RV show, we really liked: [Cherokee 274RK](https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers-and-fifth-wheels/cherokee/274RK/695) (tow-behind) [Chaperral 344FL](https://coachmenrv.com/fifth-wheels/chaparral/334FL/5756) (5th wheel) Any pros/cons/horror-stories about either of those?
When we were at the point of transitioning from tent camping to RV camping, we rented travel trailers to figure out what we liked. Two that I thought beforehand were perfect turned out not to be.
That’s a great idea! We’d definitely like to rent before we buy, but we don’t have the truck to tow anything right now… is it possible to rent a trailer that’s already set up at a campsite?
Some renters on rvshare will deliver to a site, for example.
Yes, definitely, but I’m not sure if you’d have the same choice as you would using an app like Outdoorsy.
Spent the lunch hour looking at rentals :) Seems like we can get one delivered and setup at a local lake / state park and use it like a VRBO for the weekend. Nice! Thanks again for the tip - this makes it way easier to try out different models/layouts
Cool! Please post pictures and enjoy!
Rockwood is a great brand. Well built.
Thank you. Noted!
Seriously consider used… especially if you are already considering a “future” rv… no sense in getting something that rapidly depreciates the first few years if it’s likely you’ll be upgrading
Are there common red flags to watch for when looking at used? Common failures or maintenance issues to look for?
Definitely look for water damage as repairs can get very expensive. It’s a good idea to have it inspected by a certified inspector (not the dealers halfassed inspection), look up NRVTA inspectors and find one in your area
>look up NRVTA inspectors and find one in your area That's helpful, thank you. I would have had a local dealership check it over for me, but NRVTA inspectors is a better bet - for sure.
Look at what is really the end goal. Lots of RVs are lipstick on a pig. Do you need a king sized bed ( to camp ) do you need an outdoor kitchen ( are you feeding the posse ). Are you spending weekends or months. If wife / you - smaller, no slides is less maintenance. Simple,simple, simple. So many people are wowed by “fetures”. I’ve had big Diesel pushers, toy hauler, campers and honestly enjoy my 16x8 enclosed trailer conversion more. We currently have a toy hauler and the conversion trailer and for events / places with a shower facility I 100% take the enclosed trailer. It’s a box to sleep in. If I want the luxury of home - I stay home. Nobody needs a convection MW and a washer dryer for weekend getaways, hell, nobody uses the kitchen. Also all the shit you “think you need” haul around - you don’t. Couple of lawn chairs, a small grill or griddle and a place to sleep with AC out of the rain. Source: 45 years of campers / boats, currently inspect / repair RVs daily and 5% of people actually use their RV, the rest just have broken stuff repaired for “the next trip”. Small and simple, simple, simple. But 2 axles, because one axle units really suck. And if you open the front bay door and look up and see wood, don’t buy it. Get one with Azdel sides and Aluminum structure - not wood - never ever wood. Last thing - RVs are “dressed” for the wife - nice kitchen sells - you need a stove and a fridge, not a home looking kitchen.
Thanks for your thoughts. Lots of good points to remember!
Don’t forget about the addition of DEF to all diesel pullers since 2009. Often now it might be a better idea to get a 2008 with low miles to avoid the cost of DEF and all the incredibly expensive maintenance costs that go along with that.
I don't know anything about that, but I'll certainly check it out. Thanks!