looking to buy appropriate travel trailer

I'm a newbie. I've been reading many posts in the towing thread to help me make a decision on a purchase of a travel trailer. I've been reading the towing bible. looked at a used dutchman sport today. 05, 26 ft 4300uvw. It seemed a bit much for the truck. I've been looking at a new Grey Wolf or Salem in the 17 to 19 ft range, both in the mid to high 3000s. Seems more reasonable so as the towing guru says. I can enjoy the camping trip, not worrying about the day I have to hitch up and drive. Comments welcomed

 

A couple of months ago I was in the same place. I ended up buying a 22ft Starcraft Hybrid 21SS0. (27+ft when beds are folded out front/rear). It's under 4k dry and around 5k wet. Sleeps 6 comfortably. Says 8, but that's a joke.

After my first few tows I feel like I made a good decision. The truck tows it well, but with the family and all my gear loaded I don't think I'd want to go any bigger with this truck.

I've seen posts of people with larger trailers behind a Tacoma here, but it's gotta be scary and feel quite heavy. I guess if you live in flat country with no traffic a little heavier is doable...

 

Thanks,that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

 

Your rationale is the exact reason I went with a 21 ft trailer. My friends have large travel trailers and boats, and they bitch every time they have to hook up to tow them. Mine is 3700# dry. I tow in "4" and get about 10 mpg.

 

I sometimes like to leave flat Fl and go to the mountains - Tenn. way. Fall Creek Falls is a family favorite, but it is a climb.I don't want to hurt the tranny getting there. I figure with trailer, people and gear to still leave myself an extra 1000lbs wiggle room. So 4000 - to 4300 true uvw is as high as I want to go. replies welcome

 

Post some pics when you get it. Check rvtraderonline.com and you can see alot of different floor plans, prices, etc.

 

I've looked at about every model rv there is. Most have the same few floor plans. I wanted something that had a bed and dinette and couch, but under 4000 and not to long. That really narrowed my search to three Salem cruise lite, grey wolf and jayco. All three have a model that are about 4000, 22ft long, with couch dinette bed plus b-room and kitchen.Found good pricing at PECO in Atlanta,a firm in hamilton Ohio and Direct RV. So that's where I am know.

 

more pictures!

 

checked rvtraderonline. Think some of the other dealers I've found have better pricing then what I saw on this site. There were a lot of TT to review!

 

I found a TT, 3600 uvw, 22 ft, sleeps 6 under $13000 has lots of options. Got a very satisfactory price in PECO Atlanta. Now all I have to do is find a way to pay for it! Even my wife likes it!

 

I think Rv's have a 10 or 12 year loan. My payments were under $200 a month for the first year, then I refinanced my house and paid it off.

 

My plan is to pay cash. I don't lke payments. Still figure I'll be able to tell I'm towing something when I have the rig loaded. Fortunately, most of my trips will be in state in ole flat Florida.

 

I just bought a Crossroads Sunset Trails 17CK. The beauty of a hybrid is the large amount of floor space, at a reasonable towing size. I traded our popup, it was too much work, and too much hassle from rain.
Oh Yeah - UVW of 2900#, GVW 3500#

 

Congrats! They're nice campers. Looked at some while shopping for mine.

 

Wow great thread! I'm interested in the same thing, i've been looking at some trailers and was wondering what the taco would pull too. My only concern was that i can't bring the quad with, and I think the toyhaulers are to heavy. Thinking on a motorhome!!

 

Fleetwood E3. Not a motorhome but you can bring your 4 wheelers. Nicest pop-up imo.

 

u need this

 

I thought about the hybrid, looked at many models went to rv shows and got price quotes. I liked the Starcraft 19 ft model. They do have many great features, but there is a common issue of leakeage in the front bunk that seems to occur on some. If I could have found one with a rear bunk and no front bunk, I would have grabbed it. The Salem Cruise Lite had the same low weight, sleeps 7 (if three are short), and wasn't too long though it is three feet longer than a closed hybrid,and several feet shorter than an open hybrid.

 

x2. Would look sweet being pulled by a tacoma!!

 

Hey thanks I'll check it out!