Any RV'ers? I need help...

[TxRVer]

Thank you, everyone, for all the input. I wound up putting the cart before the horse. I *should* have check my towing capacity PRIOR to getting excited.

I can only go up to 5200lbs. And I chatted it over with my wife and the 8-10 is not needed...So we've got that covered. I'm going with the 'Drinks 8, Feeds 6, Sleeps 2 (and a half)' equation. :)

I thought about the 5th Wheel, but I don't want to give up use of the bed of my truck...I use it way too much.

I'll keep everyone updated!

If it's just the three of you, my minimum size recommendation can be lowered. Another important thing to do when shopping...close the toilet lid and sit on it with the bathroom door closed. I've actually been in RVs without legroom when the door was closed. Not a good thing. I always went for RVs with roomy showers too.

[gregthehand]

How do you guys feel about pop-up campers? I just have a half ton and an old Land Cruiser. Now the Land Cruiser is eventually going to get a V-8 conversion so towing with it won't be too bad. Anyhow I just wanted to get something that I could tow and camp out in. I don't need a bath in it either. Just something to sleep in away from the bugs. Would you suggest the pop-up or just get one of those tent things for my Land Cruiser?

[Oldgringo]

How do you guys feel about pop-up campers? I just have a half ton and an old Land Cruiser. Now the Land Cruiser is eventually going to get a V-8 conversion so towing with it won't be too bad. Anyhow I just wanted to get something that I could tow and camp out in. I don't need a bath in it either. Just something to sleep in away from the bugs. Would you suggest the pop-up or just get one of those tent things for my Land Cruiser?

I have very fond memories of my first wife and my two young sons in our pop-up...many, many moons ago.

[bpet]

Pop ups are way expensive for what you get. I looked and gave up on convincing myself that a small trailer with a tent was worth the $5K to $10K they were asking for them. They will get you out of the bugs but are lacking in the area of waterproof and warm in the winter. They make a hybrid with tent pop outs on one or both ends and a real TT in the middle. It is towable with your half ton and won't cost too much more than a loaded pop up.

I suggest that you find an RV show and check options and prices before making a final decision.

[gmckinl]

Pbwalker,

Is the 5200# you mentioned the tow rating of your truck? If not, where did that number come from? In the past I was horrible about overloading a truck, no more. Consider:

> If your family is like mine the TT will be loaded to the bursting point w/ “stuff”
> Tow ratings are often specified under conditions of no cargo, one driver, no passengers, normal temperature and altitude. You have to read all the disclaimers on your vehicle though.
> Exceeding any of those subtracts from the tow rating.
> RV salesman “exaggerate” no less than used car salesman and gun store employees

Towing at 60 mph into a 30 mph wind (not much for Texas) gives you an airspeed of 90 mph; the “wind drag” will be as though you were towing at 90. Here's where the power need comes into play. Think lousy gas mileage on that day.

This is supposed to be fun, not work (the R in RV)

It’s just me, but if the 5200 is what you can tow I personally would want to keep the fully loaded and ready to roll TT weight to 4000# or so to give you some margin. It’s not just how much can you pull, but also (and maybe more importantly) what can you stop and what can you control. Trailer brakes help a lot. If you’re doing fine going down the road at 55 and a semi blows by at 80 you ARE going to be pushed around. There are several nice trailers in the ultra-light models now being offered in the mid-twenty foot range that would be a good fit.

Do check out an RV show. Not as fun as a gun show, but still fun. Probably less beef jerky though.

You’ve gotten lots of good advice on here. Enjoy the TT hunt. Good luck.

[KRM45]

How do you guys feel about pop-up campers? I just have a half ton and an old Land Cruiser. Now the Land Cruiser is eventually going to get a V-8 conversion so towing with it won't be too bad. Anyhow I just wanted to get something that I could tow and camp out in. I don't need a bath in it either. Just something to sleep in away from the bugs. Would you suggest the pop-up or just get one of those tent things for my Land Cruiser?

I have a pop-up camper that I really like. I bought it used, in good shape, for $2500. It has AC on the roof, a gas stove, furnace, and refridgerator. It has 2 King size beds. We have been in some bad weather and never had water come inside. I have even had 6 or more people sleep inside.

[ELB]

... It’s not just how much can you pull, but also (and maybe more importantly) what can you stop and what can you control...

+1+1+1. I have never towed an RV. I have towed three-horse trailers, and farm tractors on trailers and such. Being able to stop when you need to should not be under-rated in the selection process. It's a pretty sickening feeling when you step on the brake and realize you are going to end up well beyond your intended stopping point. Of course adjusting speed for the conditions is important, but the starting point is to have enough brake capacity, which is part of the "towing capacity" equation. For me, "enough" braking capability means "well beyond the rated" capacity.

I hope this all doesn't scare you off, just take it all into account. Good luck!

[Oldgringo]

Our 1998 Alpenlite 34 Cypress RK is in beautiful Lake City, CO and is available for $18 k (+/-). It is a 5th wheel and it:

* Drinks 8
* Feeds 6
* Sleeps 2

And that's "the way we like it...uh huh, uh huh".

I think we sold this rig today along with our Polaris X2 ATV and it's trailer.

Now we can take our 25' TT and go places where we couldn't with the Alpenlite 34 behemoth.

[pbwalker]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Coachmen Spirit of America SE line? We're looking at the 24TB line. The weight is perfect (3,931lbs) and it sleeps enough people (6)...we're just trying to line up a few models to go see in person and I think this is one of the models.

Not sure if this was answered, but does anyone know why there is a substantial price difference for the same model in different states? They've got an 09 model of the 24TB for $13,995 in Ohio but it's over $4,000 more in Texas. That right there would make me take the drive.