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Help choosing our first travel trailer

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by YotaFan05, Sep 14, 2020.

  1. Sep 14, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #1
    YotaFan05

    YotaFan05 [OP] New Member

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    We are looking to purchase our first travel trailer and are looking for brand or model recommendations. I have been looking on rvtrader and it can be overwhelming as there are so many different models, floorplans etc. I'm hoping you guys can help steer us in the right direction.

    We are both new at this. She has to have a comfortable queen bed with at least a "roomy feel" bathroom. Stand up shower is fine. No bunks are needed. Preferably at least one slide out. Price close to $20k.

    Any suggestions on where to begin?
     
  2. Sep 14, 2020 at 8:47 PM
    #2
    19crewmaxTRD

    19crewmaxTRD Tundra Enthusiast

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    What kind of camping are you looking at doing? Off grid or full hook up parks?
     
  3. Sep 15, 2020 at 3:48 AM
    #3
    YotaFan05

    YotaFan05 [OP] New Member

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    Mostly full hookup state parks.
    The option for off the grid is nice though. I see some brands come with solar panels.
     
  4. Sep 15, 2020 at 4:23 AM
    #4
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    There are so many options available. We have a Coachmen Apex made by Forest River. Check out some of the camping forums as well.. There are alot of helpful people in there. Forest River has their own forum as well.

    https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers
     
  5. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:15 AM
    #5
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Eibach Pro Truck Stage 2 suspension, HD RAS, 285/75-18 Nokian Outpost AT, LoPro bed cover, TRD rear sway bar, DD 10 inch exhaust, and various other goodies
    Don't fall for the salesman BS. They will try to sell you the largest most expensive trailer you can afford. Narrow your choices based on the payload/tongue weight of your truck and the trailers.

    Tundras pull well but like any 1/2 ton truck, available payload runs out before you ever hit the max tow weight. So, check your door sticker for available payload so you have a starting point. Then add up the weight of whatever you will be carrying- passengers, coolers, luggage- whatever will go in the truck or truck bed. Subtract that weight from the payload and that will give you an idea of the max tongue weight that the truck can handle- use that weight as a guideline when choosing your travel trailer. Do that and you should have an enjoyable RV package that will not end up in a scary white knuckle ride!

    There are some nice smaller to mid size travel trailers in your price range, so you have some good options. This is a fun thread to look at some of the combos from other members of this forum- however, make your choice on your truck and payload vs. what someone else has and pulls. https://www.tundras.com/threads/what-camping-setup-do-you-have.72845/page-6#post-1905705
     
  6. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:23 AM
    #6
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    ProComp 7" 35/12.50/18 -11
    The bigger they are the more they sit...This trailer gets the dog shit worked out of it! Lol
    bghtfd.jpg
     
  7. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:28 AM
    #7
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    There are alot of options, but once you start looking there are pretty much only a few different types of floor plans. They seem to all be rebrands. I was told to go a little bigger than what I was getting and should have listened. The kids outgrew mine in 2-3 years and we had to sell it. Most people I know go a little bigger after about 3 years.

    For the tundra, I’d look around the 3500-5000 range. That will keep you in payload with tongue weight and you’ll be able to carry stuff.
     
    Cpl_Punishment and YotaFan05[OP] like this.
  8. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #8
    MKKnuds

    MKKnuds God, Truck, Guns, Beer

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    This is the exact size I want to get for my family. I'm torn between a trailer or a really nice canvas tent. We are a tent family but with two kids under 3 the trailer would be easier to set up/take down after a camping trip.
     
  9. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #9
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    Agree 100%. The purpose of camping is to spend time oudtdoors. Getting too big of a trailer lets the kids sit inside
     
  10. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #10
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    I should mention that this trailer will only sleep 2 regular size adults and a small child on the "bench bed". We are empty nesters so it works well for us.
     
  11. Sep 15, 2020 at 6:57 AM
    #11
    YotaFan05

    YotaFan05 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the replies! I have got some research to do. Going to review some of the other camper threads on here.

    The Wolf Pup is one that has caught my eye. Though it doesn't have a slide, it seems nice for the cost. Just not sure on the murphy bed and how comfortable they will be. I could live with it....but I can sleep on nearly anything lol.

    We are definitely prioritizing the bed and bathroom over a large kitchen, dining and other seating as most of our time is spent outdoors.
     
  12. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #12
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    We compromised on a hybrid trailer.....wife likes to tent camp but my back can’t take it after three surgeries. Best of both worlds. Don’t count out used.....people often buy these and literally never use them. The depreciation is insane. Good luck
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2020
    YotaFan05[OP] and WFD473 like this.
  13. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:19 AM
    #13
    19crewmaxTRD

    19crewmaxTRD Tundra Enthusiast

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    A couple things to look for is a bed that’s always set up, we came really close to a trailer with a Murphy bed and I’m so glad we didn’t. Anything that makes set up and take down longer will be a buzz kill. We also opted to go with a little longer trailer without a slide for simplicity, one less spot for leak and maintenance issues. Another problem with the sub 24’ trailers is the tanks are usually pretty small, for 2 people that might not be a big deal but an empty fresh tank of full black/grey can put a damper on a fun trip.
     
    YotaFan05[OP] likes this.
  14. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:22 AM
    #14
    Hondoman

    Hondoman New Member

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    I'd recommend one that has tandem axles as they tow smoother and may help avoid damage in the event of a blowout. As others have said, light weight and low tongue weight are preferable for any half ton. Slides, outdoor showers and awnings are nice, but not always needed. Plan on upgrading the mattresses since most suck.
     
    Cpl_Punishment and YotaFan05[OP] like this.
  15. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:26 AM
    #15
    Raidercat

    Raidercat New Member

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    I’ll recommend the Grand Design Imagine XLS series. I have a 22RBE and my Tundra just drug this thing over 3K miles round trip with zero issues. I have a good WDH with bars and had no sway, drive with one hand on the wheel no issues. Has a huge bathroom, queen bed, 2 grey tanks, theater couch with recliners. Great 2 person camper.
     
    YotaFan05[OP] likes this.
  16. Sep 15, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #16
    2scars

    2scars New Member

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    When my wife and I switched from a popup to a Travel Trailer we went to the dealer and roamed around looking at different layouts. WE wound up with a smaller travel trailer because I had not yet bought my Tundra, I was driving my 1st gen Double Tacoma and we were going to tow with my wifes 4runner. I would rather have a little more trailer now, with a better layout, sometimes you have to get in there and live with it a while before you really find out what you want.

    My .02
     
    YotaFan05[OP] and shawn474 like this.
  17. Sep 15, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #17
    YotaFan05

    YotaFan05 [OP] New Member

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    Great feedback everyone! I had thought about used, I do check rvtrader and craigslist. I'd assume if you buy used you will want to make sure to have someone familiar with rvs to go with you to inspect?
     
  18. Sep 15, 2020 at 8:36 AM
    #18
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    yes definitely at least somewhat familiar. I have repaired and flipped many pop ups. If you’re handy you can absolutely haggle with the dealers (once they sit for awhile they will unload them) and fix them and make a buck or two. Our hybrid is twelve years old, still had all stickers on appliances and showers but the back third had a soft floor. Offered the dealer half of asking price and they accepted. Turns out they had the tanks filled over winter and burst a toilet diaphragm and got under the vinyl floor. Ripped out the floor, took up the subfloor, dried it, replaced the foam, reskinned the subfloor and replaced the vinyl. cost me $300 to fix and could probably sell for original dealer asking price now.

    B11AA085-10D2-4F49-909E-EA7F7F60BADC.jpg
     
    YotaFan05[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  19. Sep 15, 2020 at 8:40 AM
    #19
    Charvonia Design

    Charvonia Design Enthusiast-Owned Small Business Vendor

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    Just checked these out and they are prefect for a Tundra IMO. We have two boys so the 21BHE would be ideal for us, small enough to pull but big enough for the whole family with the Murphy bed and bunkbeds.

    [​IMG]
     
    omgboost and Raidercat[QUOTED] like this.
  20. Sep 15, 2020 at 9:08 AM
    #20
    Raidercat

    Raidercat New Member

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    They are great little campers and the Tundra pulls it very nicely. I actually loaded some water to mine just to see how it handles and it did even better hauling water. No sway worries and light enough to not tear your truck up.
     
  21. Sep 15, 2020 at 9:49 AM
    #21
    omgboost

    omgboost The Accountant

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    How are the forest river rpods?
     
  22. Sep 15, 2020 at 10:27 AM
    #22
    Ericbike6

    Ericbike6 So we're doing this shit today?

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    Air bags, ARK liners, misc bullshit added also
    OK, the system wouldn't let me quote your signature.

    Just read the full write up on your Kaiser. I am fully impressed Sir. Great looking car also!!

    If you haven't spent 45 minutes of your life reading it, its well worth the read peoples!!!


     
  23. Jul 7, 2023 at 6:25 PM
    #23
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    Bumping an OLD thread.

    When we are camping I always look around at what others have and take notes.

    I like the look and specs (for our needs and wants) for the Coachman Apex Nano 16R for my wife and I. Small trailer gets us into tight spots on the water, away from people. Don't need beds for the kids as they often tent on the site and may not be coming every year now as they enter adulthood.

    Do you still have your Apex and how has it held up in terms of durability?

    https://coachmenrv.com/travel-trailers/apex-nano/16R/5341

    Currently in a used Hybrid (Trail Cruiser 17R) with two pop out canvass ends, that has also been used by us, our two kids now teensgers, 2nd dog, has broken stairs, soft floor, no AC, mice repaired, broken everything at this point, but it gets us out camping every year...currently in ON on the water.

    PXL_20230708_012853223.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2023
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  24. Jul 29, 2023 at 12:05 AM
    #24
    SD Surfer

    SD Surfer Globe Trotting Bon Vivant

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    I did a ton of research, convinced the CFO to spend WAY more than we planned on, and bought our third RV first. (So many people buy something then decide it's too small, too big, too something.

    Going on 7 years of ABSOLUTELY trouble free fun. More boondocking than campgrounds and I've literally had ZERO problems.

    Lance was bought by REV group in 2018 (Mine's a 2017.5) and I've heard of some problems with QC but I think most of that has been worked out.

    20161125_171213.jpg

    DSC_0314.jpg

    DSC_0118.jpg

    DSC_0258.jpg
     

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