So, I bought my first travel trailer and...... questions...

Ya completely understand. Some people have fantastic units no issues. Hope you enjoy your trailer buddy! Have fun in it.

 

Those must be the ones that you personally built, right?

 

Exactly, just fit and finish stuff that is easily fixed by the owner because its easier to fix it than to hitch up and take it to the dealer for a few weeks for very minor things. All said, I have been really happy with my Forest River products.

As you say, all part of the journey and glad you're having a good one so far! I sleep better in my pop up than in my home

 

I'm looking to buy a used travel trailer to live in for ~6 months this spring/summer while building a 2nd house 2k mi away...just me, no gf kids or pets.

I've got 2 Tacos, both 4WD - a '07 V6 TRD (6,500lb max tow), and a '17 i4 (3,500lb max)...one of them will stay where I currently live, the other comes-with.

Really want to take the '17...looks like a Jayco 195RB, or maybe a Forest River R-Pod 171 could fit the bill, my only concern is just how stout is towing with a hitch ball on the rear bumper, instead of a bona fide steel hitch receiver bolted into the frame.

Anyone got some simple advice here? (e.g. "don't do it, take the V6 ya dumbass")

 

Towing with that I4 is gonna suckkkkkkkkkk.

But if you’re dead set on doing it, install a receiver. You’ll want a weight distributing/anti sway hitch.

Edit: take the V6, ya dumbass.

 

I kinda figured it will, even if the trailer is several hundred pounds under max and I first pick it up within 150 mi or so of the destination...driving through the Rockies with a 4 banger towing a trailer, very derpy.

Looks like the 6; thanks for straightenin me out

 

Through the Rockies with the i4 would not be my definition of fun.

 

If you're picking it up 150 miles from destination... just rent a truck for a day once you get there. Or heck, pay the owner to deliver. That way you have the truck 'you really want there'. Unless the issue is moving the trailer significant distances afterwards. That could be a downer.

But maybe I'm biased. In Texas, 150 miles is just 'one big city away' unless you're counting El Paso that is.

 

Y

Re: rent a truck, yea that's what I'm figuring. I read somewhere else on TW that in addition to UHaul, Home Depot has rental trucks at some stores. Also read that travel trailers on the lighter end of weight spectrum (i.e. < 3,000 lbs) have a 2" hitch socket whereas the heavier ones have 2-5/16".

 

I have a Jayco 195RB. I tow it with my 2017 v6. Dry weight for the 195 is nearly 3000 lbs.

I use the Fastway E2 WDH and (as seen on page 3) a Tekonsha P3 controller. Not much margin for the I4, but probably do-able DRY with a WDH and brake controller. As others have said though, it won't be fun.