We always have choices , wether we like them or not. Buying the biggest trailer someone can, regardless of the towing capacity, is bad advice and a bad choice. Just because someone doesn't like smaller trailers doesn't really mean they don't have a choice. Choose safety !

 

A truck that new should be good for pads for awhile; about the only things you can do are take it easy on your speed and make sure the trailer's brakes are adjusted and maintained properly. Watch out for drivers in front of you to do dumb things and be ready for them.

Steve

 

Thanks to everyone that helped, so far I am satisfied, and looking at new Ford diesels that are running about 45 grand is out of the question.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

And Steve, my wife has a Explorer and this last trip we took my 18 foot Ranger bass boat and it towed that fine.

WE have had our trailer 5 weeks and have been camping everyweekend with it.

 

Glad to hear you've been goin' for it; a lot of folks wish they could get out every weekend!

Steve

 

A few points.....

1-Most new dry weights are with minimum options. I am guessing that a TT of that size and price comes with the fridge, a/c, microwave, and furnace, stereo, and awning standard. In that case the dry weight would include all those items. For examples look at NADA.com. and find the newest year you can of the brand and model trailer you are looking at, it often says what is included in dry weight.

2-How many people carry anything in their water tanks? fresh or waste? I am willing to guess he is using the trailer at parks with freshwater available, and a dump station available, and thus would never be hauling with more than the few gallons of water in the water heater and lines.

3-even including the water tanks, someone really thinks he is gonna have 2200lbs of gear? thats a lot of gear. and a lot of food.

4-the tow ratings of vehicles are based on what the want to warranty the vehicle to pull. Over the years you can find identical vehicles have grossly different tow ratings. Prime example is the V8 Crown Victoria. The latest model is rated to only pull a small pop-up. (1500 lbs.) the equivelant vehicle 20 years ago was rated for 5000 when equipped with the right rear end, and the trans cooler. The 80% or 90% safe zone that keeps getting quoted here is backwards. do you really think they are gonna give no margin for error? they find the reasonable safe tow mark, and rate it for 80-90% of that. same with hitches. If a class 1 hitch is rated at 2000 lbs, do you really thinks it broke in testing at 2100 lbs? Of course not. It probably failed at 26-2800 lbs.

5-and d-hol, you have found out by now how conservative the views of some are. that works for them, and that's fine. But I am certain you are having very good luck towing your new trailer. And if a school bus stops abruptly in front of you, what are the chances your truck empty would stop in time? you can't have a failsafe setup for every situation.

6-lastly, I am jealous as hell that you have been out so much, lol, I have only been able to get out memorial day weekend.

 

Hey thanks cougar, we have been out every weekend. Funniest thing about it we have been to three different parks, and the one we like the best is 11 miles from my house. On Memorial day we had rain three or four days before. The campground I had reservations at called and told me our site was under water. The site we reserved was litterally 6 feet from the water. We were desperate to not stay home during Memorial day. We called this state campground like I said 11 miles from our house. They said yah come on down. Since it was memorial weekend we were put in this type of overflow it was like in a big circle more of a parking lot then a campsite. We enjoyed the heck out of it, we have been back one other time and got a "normal" site and like I said it so far is our favorite right now. With gas at almost 3 bucks it is a nice get away without spending too much on fuel. We love our camper and camping. We are heading out again Friday after work, why the heck stay home????