Anyone RV?

[funksouljon]

So the “tow expert” said I need about 1500lbs cushion to have a safe ride. If that’s truly the case I’d have to get something like I posted above....which turns out to not being a good fit.

We need sliding walls. With my 7 month old and 3 year old, they need the extra space.

Will have to trade in 4Runner for a F150, or will have to wait for the kids to get a little older so that we don’t need the extra floor space.

Going to check out RVrental.com in the mean time. This might actually be the better choice. Was thinking we could load a trailer like Phin and then have the camper delivered....kind of makes sense.

So what if you get something within your tow range, primarily a popup? Softside should be okay in the coldest SE nights you likely would go out in. Not sure about the "older = don't need extra floor space". I feel like now they need even more. So we just gave them their own room with bunk beds.

this is very similar to my old popup, we only sold it as we got snowed on and hailed on one summer several times. Had enough room just wasn't warm enough for Colorado nights in the mtns and bad weather etc. Depending on the price, you likely can run it a couple years and sell for close to the purchase. Just have to make sure it doesn't leak. or https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/rvs/d/2007-viking-pop-up-camper/6439895875.html

Our kids LOVE camping now (5 n 3). Were a pain at your ages. Now they ask to go camping all the time so we just had to turn a corner. We decided to stop using the Suburban and trade my Subaru for a 3500, now there is nothing I cannot tow.

Good luck. if you like the woods, the kids will. Even if you just do tents etc. My wife wasn't so interested in temperatures and sleeping on the ground.

 

[DanC78]

So what if you get something within your tow range, primarily a popup? Softside should be okay in the coldest SE nights you likely would go out in. Not sure about the "older = don't need extra floor space". I feel like now they need even more. So we just gave them their own room with bunk beds.

this is very similar to my old popup, we only sold it as we got snowed on and hailed on one summer several times. Had enough room just wasn't warm enough for Colorado nights in the mtns and bad weather etc. Depending on the price, you likely can run it a couple years and sell for close to the purchase. Just have to make sure it doesn't leak. or https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/rvs/d/2007-viking-pop-up-camper/6439895875.html

Our kids LOVE camping now (5 n 3). Were a pain at your ages. Now they ask to go camping all the time so we just had to turn a corner. We decided to stop using the Suburban and trade my Subaru for a 3500, now there is nothing I cannot tow.

Good luck. if you like the woods, the kids will. Even if you just do tents etc. My wife wasn't so interested in temperatures and sleeping on the ground.

My youngest is still to small. He’s 7 months and needs his excersoucer thingy and room to crawl...mom said no the pop up idea.

Looks like Dads needs a new truck

 

[NoleOne]

Travel trailer camping family here. We absolutey love it. Great way of getting some quality family time.

An F150 or Ram 1500 Supercrew (4 door) will allow you to tow comfortably, and it’ll give you some room to grow when you inevitably upgrade to a bigger trailer.

Pop ups are great to tow, but they can be a real pain because it takes a lot of time to set up and your potty/bathroom options are limited. The hybrids are a good compromise from a weight and space standpoint, but you are exposed to the elements and noise a little bit more while sleeping. If you don’t care about that, then they are a great option.

Jayco is a good brand.

 

[DFSNOLE]

So the “tow expert” said I need about 1500lbs cushion to have a safe ride. If that’s truly the case I’d have to get something like I posted above....which turns out to not being a good fit.

We need sliding walls. With my 7 month old and 3 year old, they need the extra space.

Will have to trade in 4Runner for a F150, or will have to wait for the kids to get a little older so that we don’t need the extra floor space.

Going to check out RVrental.com in the mean time. This might actually be the better choice. Was thinking we could load a trailer like Phin and then have the camper delivered....kind of makes sense.

If you're going to get a truck for towing anyway, get at least a 3/4 ton. That way you won't have to trade it in again if you upsize your camper or worry about the "cushion".

 

[funksouljon]

If you're going to get a truck for towing anyway, get at least a 3/4 ton. That way you won't have to trade it in again if you upsize your camper or worry about the "cushion".

He's right you know....

 

[funksouljon]

My youngest is still to small. He’s 7 months and needs his excersoucer thingy and room to crawl...mom said no the pop up idea.

Looks like Dads needs a new truck

Well if mom said no, you should have explained ALL the rules to us, especially the ones we couldn't break. I get it on the popup, some are bigger than you think, but are definitely not "large". I have done a lot of driving forest roads that go WAY back and have found a bunch of spots I can't get to, but my old offroad popup could. Sometimes makes me sad we got rid of it.

 

[Phinhead]

Just noticed you said “bullet proof”

Is that correct, it can stop a bullet?

bulletproof
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bulletproof
1. adjective Resilient or impervious to bullets, as of fabric or other material. That bulletproof vest saved my life!
2. adjective Resistant to mishandling, abuse, damage, error, or malfunction. Don't worry about breaking the phone,these new models are bulletproof! We've developed a bulletproof computer program that even the most non-computer-savvy person will be able to use!

 

[DanC78]

He's right you know....

Well if mom said no, you should have explained ALL the rules to us, especially the ones we couldn't break. I get it on the popup, some are bigger than you think, but are definitely not "large". I have done a lot of driving forest roads that go WAY back and have found a bunch of spots I can't get to, but my old offroad popup could. Sometimes makes me sad we got rid of it.

We didn’t know that was going to be an issue until we walked through and looked at them yesterday. They looked more spacious in the pics, so it didn’t really cross our minds.

 

[funksouljon]

lol, that's a bit different than what you were asking about earlier.

Here's ours.

Where is this? Do you mostly go to Tahoe / El Dorado forests?

I spent my preschool years in Davis.

 

[BelemNole]

I think both these photos are from our Yellowstone trip 2 years ago.
We drive all over, short trips up to Tahoe NF longer trips to Shasta or down towards Sequoia/ Yosemite. Wife likes the coast, but it's hard to get spots out there and driving those roads is a bitch. Oregon isn't too far either. Still planning this summer's trip.

 

[billanole]

I like those (hard side with bed slides). They really make the camper seem larger. Even a popup with a dinnete slide is a big gain in space.

Jayco is a known brand, produce a lot of campers. Couple Reviews on the Feather. NADA and rvtrader show that as a pretty good price, certainly since it is basically brand new. It should have a Jayco or campingworld warranty for a year or two. Always check the seals on roof and see if water damage exists or could, definitely in the SE, its not a worry for me here. They should know its history but I'd bet it was returned for 1 of 2, 1) decided to go bigger 2) too much camper for their tow vehicle.

I would see if they will let you put it on your truck and tow it down the street to see if you have enough truck. You should, but step 1 is loading for a trip. Step two is driving the trip and if its a struggle to get there, it stresses you out and starts off on a bad foot. I was underpowered for my old race truck/trailer and decided never again. This may seem like overkill, but I love wt distribution bars, make towing much more stable. They might sell you some discounted. I towed my popup with a surburban, did fine. Tossed on bars and it was night and day.

Those bars look pretty low. They don’t give you problems dragging when you are off road? I have never seen them before, but they are interesting.
This thread is a good one. Wifey and I were just talking again this morning about getting a small pop up. We tent and hammock camp, but never have had a camper. She has a Ford Explorer that would drag a pop up pretty easily even with plenty of gear.
Dad pulled our little Apache all over the eastern states when we were growing up. It was just an aluminum base with two slide out beds, a canvas top, and a zip on porch. Even with our gear stored inside, Dad would grab the tongue and have us boys push the trailer into place when we were off road. He had built a plywood “kitchen “ that we would set up on a table. It had the Coleman stove, pots, pans, spices, etc... all contained in a foldout box.
We might go a similar route since I already have tons of gear including stoves and such. I am gonna look around for a used one of these. It is obviously a three seasons rig without heat or air, but so is my tent.
https://www.sylvan-sport.com/shop/sylvansport-go-camper/

 

[billanole]

When we family tent camp and take ErRRRRRRRRTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Phin, this looks right for you. Gear hauler as well as a camper.
https://www.sylvansport.com/shop/sylvansport-go-camper/

 

[jamnolfin]

Jam has a big ole RV.

I do. Email me if you want to discuss. I have been doing it awhile. Currently in a Travel Trailer,2018 Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 35 ft. This will be my last trailer, I will buy a motorhome next. I seem to travel for work in it more than fun these days since all I do any more is work

jwarren@admin.fsu.edu

 

[jamnolfin]

No, lol
But a 15 to 30 year loan on an RV?

I have a 7 year on mine and a 7 year full warranty with Camping world. The rates were the same as a 2-3 year.

 

[funksouljon]

Those bars look pretty low. They don’t give you problems dragging when you are off road? I have never seen them before, but they are interesting.
This thread is a good one. Wifey and I were just talking again this morning about getting a small pop up. We tent and hammock camp, but never have had a camper. She has a Ford Explorer that would drag a pop up pretty easily even with plenty of gear.
Dad pulled our little Apache all over the eastern states when we were growing up. It was just an aluminum base with two slide out beds, a canvas top, and a zip on porch. Even with our gear stored inside, Dad would grab the tongue and have us boys push the trailer into place when we were off road. He had built a plywood “kitchen “ that we would set up on a table. It had the Coleman stove, pots, pans, spices, etc... all contained in a foldout box.
We might go a similar route since I already have tons of gear including stoves and such. I am gonna look around for a used one of these. It is obviously a three seasons rig without heat or air, but so is my tent.
https://www.sylvan-sport.com/shop/sylvansport-go-camper/

Re the leveling bars. I've had 2 sets, one on this bigger RV, 1 on the popup. Towed the popup without a couple times, then tried the leveling bars, were a great improvement. I had an evolution e2 which is heavy and long. You don't need them until you get bigger and heavier, but they do a great job forcing your full tow vehicle frame to support the camper and not just the rear suspension. Have to replace a stock hitch with the one for the bars, but they only sit @ 4 inches below the trailer's frame.

 

[billanole]

Re the leveling bars. I've had 2 sets, one on this bigger RV, 1 on the popup. Towed the popup without a couple times, then tried the leveling bars, were a great improvement. I had an evolution e2 which is heavy and long. You don't need them until you get bigger and heavier, but they do a great job forcing your full tow vehicle frame to support the camper and not just the rear suspension. Have to replace a stock hitch with the one for the bars, but they only sit @ 4 inches below the trailer's frame.

So, they don’t drag when you go over elevation changes? Even when going up some of the steep driveways around us, I have seen the bottom of a regular hitch drag when transitioning from a relatively flat roadway to a steep incline.
I understand the gain from shifting the weight off of just the hitch.

 

[funksouljon]

So, they don’t drag when you go over elevation changes? Even when going up some of the steep driveways around us, I have seen the bottom of a regular hitch drag, much less something lower.
I understand the gain from shifting the weight off of just the hitch.

Sure, you can find a situation to make them drag yes, but not over speed bumps, and I don't recall dragging outside of really steep sharp entrances. Look at this style, it moves all the components ABOVE the height of the receiver. I did drag if I wasn't mindful about my angle when backing into and up my driveway.

If you load the camper on the hitch, the rear squats right? Leveling bars cause the rear to squat less (or not at all) so anything you "lose' from the components, you likely gain from the rear being up. So if you drag unloaded, you will drag with the bars.