What hard lessons have you learned with your camper?? Comment below! Also check out the full video with more details about our camper here: ruclips.net/video/RkCDv4NcMWc/видео.html
Everything i know now is from watching three youtubers. Finding our Someday FOS, keep your daydream KYD, and working for the wild. The first two are seasoned full time campers. The last one was full time until they got sick of it i think. The last one also will give u a good idea of how excited u get at first then evolves to where u are getting now. Im not full timing but what these three teach you is everything you need. Of course there are others that concentrate on how to fix or nice upgrades but check these three out
Welcome to the 'club.' 🫤You hit on everything we ran into when we bought our camper trailer. Tow ratings are a mysterious form of Sanskrit, and when you add vehicle load capacity to the equation, you change the scenario and have to recalculate. We wanted a small camper, under 20 ft, so we could easily meet any campground size and length requirements and we wouldn't have to upgrade our truck; I have a Ram 1500 4x4, and its towing capacity (officially) is 6,250 to 7,520 lbs. and a load capacity of 2300 lbs. With those numbers, we assumed we had plenty of options; nope! The original plan was to load my motorcycle and our electric bikes in the truck bed and haul the rest of our gear in the trailer. When we started looking at the smaller trailers, we saw immediately that the build quality standards were horrendous. We did find a camper we liked and had better quality and overall aesthetics. The problem is we totally blew our budget; the better, more acceptable quality standard came with a much higher price tag and killed our towing capacity because instead of a 4500 to 500. trailer we were now towing a 6500 lbs. trailer that pushed my 1500 to its limits. It is fun, but it is expensive. If my wife and I were younger we would go back to camping in tents, which we really liked.
I've been giving this trailer thing a lot of thought. Got it down to this. There are no motor homes or trailer companies that produce products under quality standards like the automotive industry. After purchasing an rv, most people have them tied up for repairs most of the time within the first couple of years. They usually only have a couple of guys smart enough to repair them, ? And good luck on that. I'd rater have a 3 to 5 year old motor home and pul a real trailer for heavy weight. Ford had a great gas engine back in the day. Diesel engines pull very well. The Ford engine can be repaired almost anywhere you go. That's an advantage. Breaking down the money for repairs is about the same. Gas more maintenance. Diesel is very expensive when things go wrong. It's very expensive to stay in rv camping. Most of the folks that traveled and RUclipsd for a living got out. They sold their rv for as much as they paid for them new. As for my traveling with my wife now that we are retired. We were always active and enjoyed the camping and traveling. But it's turned into the hogeist money 💰 grab ever. So we get reservations at high end hotel's . Same thing with pickup trucks. It would take a Dooley to pull what i want. If you checked the wrecking yards for RV's , you should be surprised at the many fires that put them there. If you put a camera in your RV you would see how violently gnarly it was inside during the pull. A lot of people were upgrading the suspensions and smoothing things out . When I was young I worked at a proto shop for Fleetwood corporation. All Sadly constructed. There are some quality builders. They are vary, vary expensive. Someone could run you off the road. And who knows how much the insurance would cost. I'm a retired professional tradesman . Union 433 L. A. I can build anything. Could build a very quality trailer. And it's crazy expensive. No advantage to it other than quality. Hope you and yours think everything way ahead. You don't want to be a pore person whenever you need to retire. Thos that don't plan, don't 🏆 win. As for my honey and myself we can enjoy the hotel's near the beach ⛱️ 😎 or anyplace we want. You ever see someone running 🏃♂️ and there slow. They need to loose the trailer if they want to win
Hi Jess, We also had a tow behind for a couple years and quickly realized this was not a great option for motorcycle lovers. So we invested in a class A. We Love it.
This video just popped back up in my news feed and I thought of something very disturbing.. It's important to have a decent amount of tongue weight and have your load properly balanced. If a trailer starts swaying something ain't right. Every year I see two or three trailers mangled upside down that could have been fine if they would have slowed down and or balanced their load. There is a great towing RUclips video on it using a model.
It was affordable until everyone wanted to do it. Use to be what lower middle class did to get out for vacation. Spots always available and cheap. But on the flip side most campgrounds are nicer/upgraded since more people wanna go. So that is kinda nice too
We have been RVing for 35 years; riding motorcycles for over 50 years. My wife hooked me on the idea of RVing by saying "We could haul the bikes south in the winter." You are learning lessons that every RVer discovers when they get into it. You have to pay more to get something with a good build quality. Over the years, we have had: 3 diesel pushers, one Class A gas, a toyhauler, 2 Class B campervans, a high-end 5th wheel, and currently have a low profile Class C (our downsize RV). And 31 motorycles/scooters over the years. The toyhauler was the worst build quality. We towed the the 5th wheel and toyhauler with a 3/4 ton diesel pickup... that one RV salesman said, "That truck will tow anything on the lot." In the words of the philosopher Maury Pauvich: "That was a lie!" Most of those BIG 5th wheel toyhaulers need a one ton diesel or a dedicated medium duty truck (like a Freightliner). It isn't JUST the weight - you also have to consider the pin weight (5th wheel) or tongue weight (travel trailer), and the cargo carrying capacity. For the last decade or so, we've hauled the bikes in a FeatherLite cargo trailer (excellent build quality) behind the RV. We generally go out for several months at a time. At times, we have double towed, with the cargo trailer behind our crossover SUV behind the motorhome. That is not legal in some states, so we occasionally have to unhook and drive separately. You have to research the double towing laws in each state you will pass through. And the maximum length allowed. If you don't have a generator in your toyhauler, boondocking is going to be tough. Additional batteries won't help you if you have no way of charging them - might extend your time between plugging in by a day or two. $400 a week at a state park seems unusually high. We have stayed at very nice upscale RV resorts for less than that, and generally around $800/month plus electric. We are not fans of boondocking. Oh, it sounds like an inexpensive way to travel, but the key to being happy when RVing is living comfortably in your rig... and boondocking doesn't work for the way we like to live while out. We boat cruised for a few years - we understand how to conserve battery and water usage with daily life onboard. Your RV story is common - you don't know what you don't know. You will learn what to look for - and what to look out for - with your RV journey. The saying is common with full-time RVers: "buy your 3rd RV first." It often takes getting to the 3rd RV to understand what you want from it. I knew what to expect when you first posted about this toyhauler. Good luck with this journey - there is more to learn compared to buying bikes. Captain Jim and the Blonde
Buddy, whatever you do for a living you must do it well I am envious of all the toys that you’ve had. I’ve had multiple bikes but just bought one flatbed trailer from a custom builder which I can haul 4000 pounds no problem single axle. And then I have a single axle 6 x 10 covered trailerthat I can put two electric glides in no problem and never had a problem with them even with a half ton truck although it will suck the gas. Much better with the three-quarter ton or one ton.
But once you've done the RVing thing for a couple decades, you learn what is the best for you. It's tough when someone first gets into RVing and finds that the reality doesn't match up to the expectations.
I can't recommend triple towing enough, toy haulers are heavy mother f'ers, require 3/4 or full ton trucks, your RV always smells like gas, rubber and oil, and the furtniture sucks, not to mention the toy hauler upcharging, I have a '16 Ram 1500, and 28' ultralite trailer towing a 3x motorcycle trailer, all within California standards,a lthough I did get my CDL, just follow height/weight whatever, stay in the west and you're fine, I go to Cal, Az, Colorado, montana, Idaho, my motorcycle trailer I got used for $700, and my trailer was $20,000, I figure I'm just as functional with about $100k less in investment
That is why after years of RV-ing, we now pull a 5th wheel with a diesel Dually 3500. lightweight RVs are made like crap because they have to be made with the absolutely lightest materials so they can market them to people trying to get away with pulling it with a 1500. and NEVER EVER trust an RV sales guy EVER...
Never trust a sales rep... period hahaha. I went shopping for a Mazda RX8 when they first came out in 2004. The salesman told me it had a V6. I learned to drive on a first gen RX7. I know all about the Wankel rotary. I looked at the sales rep with disappointment, said the word "Wankel" and walked away.
@@matthewmansfield2384 They were hard to find for us as well. Funny, I just looked earlier today to see what our 2017 Ram Laramie longhorn would cost today, and there are dozens of duallys for sale online. And all the ones I found similar to ours were all more money than what we paid in 2019.
Had a toy-hauler years ago for my '03 883 Sportster and '05 Ultra Classic. Used it for trips allover the eastern US. 1/2 ton trucks usually can't efficiently or sometimes safely tow a reasonably large trailer. The more weight you have at the BACK of the trailer, the more unstable it can be on the road. ESSENTIAL to have a good anti-sway hitch truck-to-trailer. WiFi? I traveled 28 days last summer SE to NE to W & back and occasionally used hotspot from my AT&T iPhone, otherwise mooch-docked at friends/relatives or campgrounds for Internet. Total camping cost for that trip was $590.25 for 16 nights, 1 night hotel and the rest boon or mooch-docking (Cracker Barrels overnight & relatives for longer stays). Brought a good and quiet portable gen that I already had and only one, 80 AH marine battery. 2x30 gallons of propane were more that necessary. The 2021, 21' mini-lite trailer worked well with my 20 year old 1/2 ton Silverado (11 MPG average for the trip). Can't wait to get back on the road again. No longer riding but son is a H-D salesman with a 10 bikes/month average turnover.
I am a 30 year over the road trucker, so a little experience driving and towing. Also a 5th wheel owner, after 2 years of searching, I completely gave up on a decent price with any quality at all. Now in the process of building out a cargo trailer. Plain and simple rv's, campers, and even motor coaches are cr'p.
I can't speak for all toy haulers but mine has sticker that breaks down total load dry and full of water and them max with cargo. Also a good rule of thumb would be to just check the axel load per axel. 5 lug, 6 lug or 8 lug being the strongest.
Living is learning. After owning two toy haulers pulled by both gas & diesel trucks, I've settled on leaving my existing t/h camper at a storage facility near our favorite bike week destination. We haul our bikes in a dedicated trailer behind my 1/2 ton, then pay a resort 'hauler' to bring it to the site. We've found that this is the most economical & least stressful way to go. To each his own. Ride safe!👍
I dreamed about combining two things I enjoy for years....camping and motorcycles. Did ton of research but can only get you so far. Decided to rent before we purchase and happy we did. Since we owned a 3500 Ram DRW we rented 45 ft Cyclone toy hauler. Had an awesome trip with kids. However quickly realized a trip axle 45 ft trailer is just too big. Settled on 40 ft Grand Design 349mr with upgraded truck F450. Perfect combination IMO (for us at least). So while I agree do your research don't wait too long to pull the trigger on something you love. Tomorrow is never promised for anyone. Get out there and enjoy!!!
It definitely sucks towing sometimes. I hauled from western PA to the Keys and it wasn’t fun around Miami. The truck salespeople will say the truck can haul anything you want and the trailer people will say your truck can pull these huge trailers. Guys like big truck big Rv and Josh the rv nerd are great. I have Verizon for my cell phone and now home Wi-Fi. They have this white box that does my whole house. $20 dollars a month, I plugged into my inverter in my truck and my granddaughter used that Wi-Fi from pa to SC without interruption. Hope this helps. If you are in western pa south of 80 swing by.
I have a toy hauler 4500lbs dry. I added 2 batteries to the A frame. 2 propane tanks to the A frame. I also added 2 100watt solar panels on the roof. The tongue weight without any fresh water or grey or black water is 700 lbs. That’s high for my tow vehicle which is a Colorado 4 cylinder diesel. Add food and a small amount of fresh water. 2 dogs and fencing. All our clothes, a small generator ect ect. Then my Victory Vision 900lbs. Riding gear ect ect. I keep my speed down around 60 mph 65 max. Take your time. It’s safer. My total trailer weight is around 6000-6500 lbs. loaded.
I couldn't stress enough that you need to secure your motorcycles in the trailer and transfer the center mark of the wheels directly to the exterior of the trailer and add support gussets at those locations to reduce floor flex, especially when having 4wheelers loaded into them because their wheels tend to be closer to the walls and extend past the exterior part of the frame. Also, if you're using weight distribution devices on the tongue be sure to remove them when driving on dirt roads that have deep ruts or dips unless you want to have your frame buckle or frame twist which causes wall and window blowouts. One of the most important things that often is overlooked in maintenance is to frequently check your lugnuts torque and maintain your wheel bearings, a lot of heat is generated there and too much or to little grease causes them to get hot and fail or transfers heat to everything around it like brakes and tires which causes premature failure. You are correct that they are made like junk.
The cost of the RV parks is why I am selling my trailer. Between the gas, park fees and truck payment (moved up to a 2500) it is cheaper to stay in hotels. With that said I had some cool experiences boondocks but the badlands.
Love the topic! I think a lot of us end up feeling this way about the overall cost of toy hauler traveling like you guys are doing. I have always wanted to do exactly what you're doing. I finally gave up on the idea of it all. I'm going to use my half ton truck with 9 foot ramp to load my bike and go. Camping with occasional hotels and a variety of eating out and cooking while camping. I make good money at what i do for a living and I still can't make sense of what it costs to travel. Great vid and thanks for sharing!
One more thing to think about, trailer tire max speed rating. Depending on tire size, max (not sustained) speed is either 65 mph or 75 mph. If you maintain/travel at those speeds, keep an eye on maxing the tire psi, and tread wear.
An all aluminum travel trailer will last much longer than a stick build and requires far less roof and outside maintenance. Each year a traditional build roof requires self leveling sealant around all vents and seams and needs to be cleaned. roofs require recoated every few years. Water intrusion is the enemy of any stick build camper so, use a silicone caulk every spring or fall around the windows and doors etc. With an all aluminum trailer, if water gets in there is nothing to rot. They are also much lighter than a similar sized rig. We tow a 8.5x26 box 30' overall with a 1500 GMC diesel Sierra with weight distribution hitch and airbags with ease. We carry 3 sport bikes and a scooter and travel up and down the east coast on all types of elevation. Toung (hitch weight of trailer) and payload capacity (all weight inside truck) equals your total GVWR.
I got my first to my hauler camper two years ago as I race motorcycles and got tired of hotels so now I stay at the track. It was a learning curve for sure. I have 3.5 ecoboost F150 which is very capable of towing my Forest River Wildwood 190RTX. It took me months to figure out what I could actually tow as there is information overload out there. Well I digress. I believe you toy hauler is made by Forest River as mine is, the one thing I have learned as you have, they are very much junk. Although I still like it, I'll do better at looking at the quality before or if I buy another one. Oh and as far as Wi-Fi get Verizon wireless internet. It's cheaper and even though your not supposed to you can take it with you. Stay safe.
When I saw the title of this video I had to watch to see if what you said is what we went through as well. I agree with everything you said, especially the associated costs of RVing. I always assumed it was cheaper to travel with a travel trailer than staying in hotels and didnt find out other wise until we were in the middle of traveling. The other big thing I learned is that you can't rely on the RV dealers when it comes to towing. We were very explicit with the dealer that we had 1/2 ton vehicles and were sold a trailer that barely came in under the towable weight, totally empty. It's only going to be empty once so that was a hard lesson. The last thing I will say is we also under estimated the cost for all the necessary accessories we would need for traveling. We still love traveling with our travel trailer though. Enjoyed hearing your learnings, makes me feel better about the things I learned after the fact!
Get two 6v batteries and a portable solar “for now” then decide on a permanent solar setup. We went with zamp solar and have both a permanent and portable set up, with this setup you can run your propane furnace over night and charge battery during the day.Then get a 2000 to 3000 watt inverter with true sign wave power, xantrex makes a good setup and they have 15amp micro switches that transfer power when on to send power to outlets inside the camper. With this set up you can make coffee and charge batteries for computer and cameras
65MPH is the absolute max you should be driving towing a Travel trailer, Look for state parks if you can find them where you are as there much cheeper. Owing a RV is not cheep if your going full time as you are. Also your unit that you have is not designed for full time use and will not hold up very well as you are seeing. I would look for a good used 3500 Dually, and a Grand Design Toy hauler 5th wheel if you're going to be camping full time in the winter and part-time in the summer. Most private campground are terrible internet. FYI I have owned Pop up's, Travel Trailers, 5th wheels and Now a super C So I have a lot of experience doing this. I don't know it all but I have a pretty good handle on this subject. Also I have a Can Am Spyder that I tow also. Good luck to you both.
You may not remember, but we discussed this all at Forgotten Angels before you bought your RV. In time you will get into a rhythm with RV'ing. As for boondocking, more batteries will not help you and just cause more weight. A good quiet generator will help you out tremendously. In regards to tow vehicles, I learned that you purchase the RV first, then the tow vehicle. Have the tow vehicles that you want in mind. Just wait to pull the trigger, in case you end up with a heavier RV. Good luck, travel safely and Happy New Year. 🤙🏼
I spent four winters on the road, mostly between AZ and FL. The gas truck had to go, a used diesel Duramax was night and day better. Campgrounds weren't too expensive back then, but I spent most nights in parking lots (rest stops, Cracker Barrel, Wal-Mart etc). I used campgrounds when tanks needed empying, and FW. Its hard to believe your rig didn't come with a furnace, I've had tiny TTs that always had one. Its been a while though, I bought a house in Florida during the great recession, sold the trailer. Now I'm six months in Florida, and six months northern Michigan, the best of both worlds. A bike at each place, only have to get my body back and forth.
I'm a RVer and everything you are going through I went through. Family and I love to RV so much I had to learn on my own also. When it comes to a tow vehicle and knowing what trailer can be towed with a specific tow vehicle the most important number you need to know is "payload" (cargo carrying capacity). I now have a F-350 dually and my "payload" is 5500lbs. My "max tow" is 27,000lbs. Payload is the weight of stuff that can be loaded in your tow vehicle including the weight of driver, passengers, cargo in bed/trunk and the tongue weight of a trailer. Most 1500 pickups have a payload of 1500-1700lbs. Some trailers have a tongue weight starting at 500lbs. If your truck has a payload of 1500 and the trailer tongue weight is 500 you have 1000lbs of payload left. The lower the payload the less you can carry and the smaller you can tow. I learned a lot from KYD, Big Truck Big RV, Changing Lanes and other RVers about towing and RVing in general. Hope your not discouraged keep camping and riding it can come together and hopefully you can find the fun in all of it. Thank you for sharing your video and I hope I helped a little.😊
Thanks for making this video! It was painfully relatable unfortunately lol. 2023 was my first year of full time travel. My setup was a little different: Silverado 1500, 6x12 enclosed tandem axle trailer with 2 Harleys and I moved around to lower-cost Airbnbs because my job as a physician has strict IT requirements for wired, secure internet. That being said, it was an adventure! A lot of what you said hit too close to home and I definitely got myself into some sticky spots along the way. I completely agree though that you don't know what you don't know when it comes to trucks, trailers and actual capabilities. After the season ended last November, my biggest takeaway from it all was EXACTLY what you said: start with the truck and worry about the trailer after that. Even just hauling a 6x12 enclosed with two Harleys, my 1500 was pushing it on the highway trips from coast to coast. Gas mileage was horrific. Mountain passes, struggle bus. If your goal is to stick with bumper-pull or 5th wheel, I think the truck is the bigger factor! As always, lesson learned. Again, thanks for making great content. Safe travels this season and ride safe :-)
We sold our TT after 5 years. They are built very cheaply. Fortunately I can fix almost anything that goes wrong but way more upkeep and repairs than it’s worth. We are now back into tent camping!
Thanks for your honest review. I seriously looked at motor homes until a refrigerator door handle came off in my hand when I tried to open it. Sticker price was somewhere around $100,000 for this model with the poor quality. After that I decided I would rather take my motorcycle, car, or truck and tent camp or motel for the night. I do wish you the best with your experience and at least Jordan can fix most problems. Ride Safe
You have a great point. For the cost of a nice sized camper and truck big enough to pull it you can rent a lot of hotel rooms and tow a couple bikes with a small utility trailer behind it with just about anything. I'd miss the sitting around the campfire and stuff but wouldn't miss emptying the black tanks, the bugs, and high price to camp anymore. Almost as much as a room in some places.
I've owned and towed campers for 50 years, started with a little 18-footer to the toy hauler that is almost 45 feet we have now. It's been a learning experience the whole time. I can't imagine starting out cold with some of the rigs out there now. Trying to learn all of that stuff in a short time would be difficult. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things though so hang in there. Our toy is a side by side , gave up motorcycles 24 years ago when we hit a deer (and survived).
My husband has talked about getting a camper, as he used to have one when his kids were younger. I told him with buying a camper plus all the other expenses of camping, it would be more cost effective, for us to just stay in hotels.
I think there is more to the equation than just fuel and hotel cost. What about the cost of eating out 3 meals for a family vs cooking at camp? Not to mention the intangibles of family time at camp vs crammed in a hotel room.
Happy New Year! Yep, travel trailers can be a money pit. You have to really love it to have one. Plus if you can’t do the maintenance yourself it can be costly for that too. Just remember they have to keep it lightweight so you don’t have to use a Mack truck to haul it. Also when you are towing it down the road it’s like putting it through both an earthquake and a hurricane at the same time. Btw, we were in Savannah right after you were. Happy travels!
Another thing besides tow rating is load capacity on the tow vehicle. That sticker on the camper that shows weight is empty weight, load up your camper and go to the scales and weigh it. You will be surprised and what it actually weighs and what the tongue weight is. Another thing is air drag, it is going to take a lot of power to move that RV down the road through the atmosphere. The faster you go, the required power increases exponentially. Been pulling trailers and RVs for 20 yrs, and it surprises me that people think they can tow some of these RVs with a 1/2 ton gasser. Those 1/2 tons are not made heavy enough to tow what they are rated for at highway speeds for long distances. Remember, Real Trucks don't have spark plugs! Get a heavy 3/4 ton with a diesel to pull that toy hauler, you won't regret it.
Jess, the most important thing to look at is on the driver's door on your truck. Look at the decal that gives you the Vin number and tire size and air pressure, now look for the GVW RATING FOR YOUR PART ICULAR VEHICLE, THAT PARTICULAR NUMBER IS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT which is the maximum load for your truck including all weights on the truck and trailer combined
Yeah, I am semi-retired and I tow the brand new RVs (travel trailers and 5th Wheels) from the manufacturer area in Northern Indiana to dealerships all over the US and Canada and I can tell you that your experience is the norm. More than 95% of the RVs built are low grade materials with slap and stick construction (as you found out by needing to re-hang most of your wall boards already). On the maiden voyage of these trailers I take, a full third have something falling apart because screws come out or were not glued well and at least half of the trailers have some damage (cabinets flapping open and breaking, closet doors banging and getting scratched, TV mounts coming loose, etc.). Only the remaining 5% are built well with quality materials and as you can guess, they can be incredibly expensive (as if $35K to $75K for a travel trailer is not expensive enough but think 5x to 10x that price range or more). When anyone asks what I would choose for a trailer (and I too take my bikes along) I reply with: have a quality all aluminum car hauler built then outfit it they way you want. The base trailer will probably be $20k to $25K (for the size of the toy hauler you show in your video) then another $10k to $20k for the interior and cargo fitment (there are plenty of YT videos showing just that). This way you have what amenities you want at the quality level you want and save $20k to $40k by doing the labor yourself. For the truck: 1/2 ton trucks are really not meant for the weight and distance hauling of this type. Yes, they can do it but this puts a lot of extra strain on all of the components of the truck and can considerably shorten the service life of individual parts (especially the expensive ones like engine, trans, transfer case, diffs) or the entire truck. Think of trucks like this: 1/2 ton are like homeowner/hobbyist power tools (think Black & Decker, Ryobi, etc.), 3/4 Ton trucks are like serious DIYer/Jobsite power tools (think Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, etc.) and 1 Ton trucks are like industrial power tools (think Hilti). For the most part, the difference between 3/4 to and 1 ton trucks is the heavier suspension parts in the 1 Ton (translating to heavier payload capacity) although sometimes you can only get some options for the 1 ton trucks not available on the 3/4 ton trucks (such as more HD trans and dual rear wheels). Mine is a Ram 2500 Megacab, 6.7 Cummins diesel, Mopar 6 speed auto, Timbren overload springs and I installed a 80 gallon diesel transfer tank in the bed. I would think something this (the Chevy version) would be overkill for you unless you truly did transition to full time RV life or close to it like one or more distance trips a month. In your current case, I would highly recommend some overload springs like the Timbrens (these do NOT increase your payload capacity just make the truck ride level when loaded, meaning no tail squat), weight distribution hitch/bars with anti-sway control (if you don't already have these), and when you are driving on the highway use the tow/haul mode (if your truck has it - or just make sure it does not go into and out of OD a lot, called shuttle shifting - this can damage the trans quickly) just set the cruise on 64 to 67 and leave it (your truck will show you what speed works best by good towing MPG, decent power, and steady trans gear). Yes, I know it seems slow but this makes a big difference in the MPG and the wear and tear on the equipment. For payload capacity, this is usually pretty straight forward based on the truck wight class (1/2, 3/4, 1 ton) with some variances and this is stated in the owners manual. Just note, these will probably state a gross weight so remember to calculate everything the truck will carry (passengers, fuel, gear, trailer tongue weight, etc.). For the Tow capacity: Unfortunately for each model of truck there is usually several tow capacities (sometimes quit a a few) since optioning the truck effects this number. Adding some options add weight without adding anything to the tow function (cab size - standard, extra, crew, extra fuel tank, second alternator, etc.) so they can reduce tow capacity where other options add capability to towing (additional engine coolant and/or oil cooling, large capacity trans cooling, diff gearing, etc.) will increase rated tow capacity. Many times it is difficult to find the actual tow capacity without digging and knowing all of your specifics. The internet is a good place since many online owners groups do the research and post for fellow owners where you can enter the VIN and it will provide you with an options build sheet for your specific truck. For the camping: Yes, private and public campgrounds can get expensive quickly. If you do really enjoy it, look at installing a solar system so you can boondock and check out federal lands (BLM and National Forests) where there are free places (14 day limit) and look into the site 'boondockers welcome' where individuals allow fellow campers to stay on their private property. Some have hock-ups some not, some have single night some multiple but they are all over. Several apps will show county parks all over the US with camping where there are some free or low cost spots (again, check out YT videos). Finally, I would recommend you find an RV scale to check you your set-up when loaded and ready to go (Good Sam is a resource - and again, YT videos showing how it is done). This is different from the truck scales at the truck stops or the DOT scale houses along the freeways. The RV scales will weigh each tire (truck and trailer) individually and show how the tow vehicle and trailer weights are from front to back AND side to side. This way you can see if anything is out of balance in any direction as well as the weight distributions to make sure you are not getting into dangerous situations unknowingly.
I've learned a lot from owning a camper. I now know there will always be something that needs repaired no matter what you buy. My wife and I bought a 1978 coachmen 20' bumper pull camper. I didnt know what I was getting myself into but I ended up having to replace most of the wood framing in the walls due to rot and so so much more. At least the trailer frame was still good. lol!!! Four months later after 250+ hours of time & having some regrets along the way; We pulled it to Galveston for it's maiden voyage with no problems & have had a blast with it ever since but I have some repairs to do before spring. lol
One lesson that I learned when we use to have a camper, is always check your water lines inside after connecting to city water connection. One night while camping, I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and put my feet on the floor and it was like walking on a sponge. The water line that was under the couch that my daughter was sleeping on came apart in the middle of the night and ran for hours. When I went outside to shut the water off, the water was just running out of all the walls onto the ground. Luckily we were able to get use of a large shop vac, it took hours to clean that mess up and than it smelled bad for awhile until we got home and let it air out. After that I never left the city water supply turned on when I wasn’t at the camper.
On top of the things you mentioned, I would love to say it is super important to understand your electrical needs and what works off the batteries and what doesnt. For example, water pump, awning, interior lignts and vent fans will ALWAYS run from the battery, yes, even when you are on shore power. Some fridges even will draw off the battery a little bit too. Also for boondocking knowing how you want to use the electrical in your rig is key to having it set up correctly. For some reason manufacturers dont normally include inverters and the proper converter to change from a lead acid to lithium battery. An inverter is necessary so you can use outlets without being plugged into shore power. understanding wattage usage per appliance for what you need to run is necessary to know what size inverter you need. Ask a knowledgeable person and do a lot of youtube research, so you are informed. Lead acid batteries actually require maintenance (never knew) they need to be the same or an older one that doesnt hold a charge can drain a newer one. They are heavier, need to be vented and maintenance requirements to refill them. Lithium batteries such as LifePro4 can be moved to an inside cabinet and save on weight (check that the charger is rated to support Lithium), but lead acid are heavier and need to be vented so, usually are outside
I went full time 2 years ago with a truck bed camper, and let me tell you, finding the right truck to carry the load was the biggest challenge. I ended up with a dually Silverado, but the payload, once loaded up was right on the bubble for the limit. I also ride, and have lately been considering a toy hauler for my bikes, but honestly the quality of most stuff these days is lacking IMO. I'll probably just end up going with a cargo trailer because I LOVE my camper, and the Duramax won't care a bit.
Yes, trailer towing is definitely learning curve. Luckily my husband had a truck driver licence, so he knew everything about towing loads (he still has his knowledge of course, but had to give up his license as he is now over 50. German law). We started out with a very solid towing vehicle - a Diesel with tons of power in the low revs (Opel Frontera 2.8l), which is very important for easy manouevering in tight spots and for ease of tow at inclines. This fantastic vehicle was followed by a petrol-fuelled SUV with less towing capacity. It still has a permanent 4 wheel drive and reduction, but the power now is in the upper revs. Which is not as great, but we have to live with it. Before we hauled my horse around, so comfortable towing was paramount (particularly if you tow two of these guys. You must not make any compromises regarding safety and comfort here). Nowadays, it is just out trailer with camping gear and/or two motorcycles. The horse trailer was also much easier to tow, as it had much less wind resistance. Our current trailer when the tall cover is on is square shaped, so it wants to be towed. We feel our vehicle really struggle with this on the Autobahn, it is no fun. But I am sure it will get worse in the future, when we have to replace this car (a Subaru Forester). I know of no electric car which has even this towing capacity. But we shall see...right now it runs great, and boxer engines are known for longevity.
I've seen a lot of good things about Ecoflow batteries. One thing you can do for your truck is upgrade the gas tank to a bigger size assuming that works with your current weight limitations. It would help some with gas stop planning.
We bought our first toy hauler (A Forest River Grey Wolf 22RR) last year, and have used it to take our two bikes to various track events in our area. We use a F-150 with a towing package to tow it and it seems to do fine. You are correct about the learning curve - you learn about dumping the tanks, that there is never enough power when boondocking, the costs of traveling in a RV, and the build quality - there is no way to learn about RV life but to just get out there and jump in. The build quality on our RV is not the greatest, but we haven’t had any issues with the electrical, plumbing, or HVAC so far. It is my understanding that the RVs built pre-pandemic have a better build quality than the ones built during the pandemic, so if you are looking at used RVs a pre-pandemic model might be better. We just towed our RV half way across the U.S. because my partner got a new job opportunity in another state. The RV is currently located in a RV park with monthly rates, and she’s going to live in it for a few months while she settles in. We hope to buy a house here in the next few months. And yes, we brought two bikes with us 😊 This is our first extended trip and we’ve really enjoyed getting to experience a bit of the RV lifestyle. It was helpful that we had done several shorter trips to the track before this trip which helped us learn the ropes. The RV didn’t come with any instructions and you are basically on your own to figure things out.
If you spend time in florida for the winter then buy your own piece of land in an area that has little to no restrictions and set it up then save yourself all the money paying to park somewhere...areas around ocala and Putnam County and areas in Sebring FL land costs aren't bad or can be financed with a small monthly Payment unless you just buy it...saves a ton a money in the long run
Life on the road is just something you kind of learn along the way. My wife and I thought we had researched things pretty well before we purchased our first Class A and lived for a few years, bouncing around the US. Internet connectivity was a must with our jobs and most places were lacking, some even lacked sufficient cell coverage. With that in mind, we have Starlink, Verizon 5G cube, and our phones along with beefy laptops and multiple monitor setups. We have since upgraded our rig and only live in it part-time, but after the last few years the road is calling again. Part of what we are figuring out this time is how to bring my motorcycle along. I also highly recommend New Mexico, probably my favorite state for campgrounds and boondocking, especially near ABQ during the Balloon Fiesta. All of the hot air balloons are amazing. Happy New Year to you and your hubby.
Depending on the type of camping you want to do from long trips, boon docking, or parking in a camp ground there are campers to suit your needs however for long haulers who boon dock and want to bring their toys (bikes, jeeps etc) a motorhome is one of the best options. For instance most motorhomes have an onboard generator, these are great for boon docking but if you also have a solar system with a couple batteries it can also charge those up as well. The motor home can also be used to charge solar batteries when its being driven via the vehicles altenator. Most motor homes can easily tow a small 12ft enclosed trailer for your bikes and this gets them out of your living space but still protected from weather and theft when camping. You also have the option of diesel or gas powered motorhomes and there is a wide....wide range of sizes and classes but most Class C's (van front) will easily tow a 12 ft enclosed trailer and I doubt you could pack enough to overload its weight rating. Most dont actually use the tow vehicle (inclement weather aside) when they bring toys like Motorcycles so often times a truck is not required once you get where yor going until its time to leave. Motorhomes are not made for speed though you wont get where you are going any faster and size is an issue (bridges etc) but no more so then you are already dealing with the plus though is you can get up and go to the bathroom (if you trust your husband) while on the road or make a sandwich or go take a nap without pulling over. My 2 cents.
Boondocking is the only affordable way to camp. Some solar and batteries.. 12v ac and a diesel parking heater. A small 2000 generator to charge when you need and you're good to go
Thanks for your honesty. FYI, your learning curve ain't over yet. We towed a sizable sailboat all over the country. We also did a lot of boondocking. We started snowbirding when we were in our early 40s over 20 years ago. I could work from a laptop and my wife would just quit her job for the winter. To save money I would drain the plumbing at our house and shut off all utilities. It's easier to reduce and balance your power usage than to keep adding solar panels or a bigger generator.
A truly great video Jess, explaining to your followers what the perils of the new type camper/toy haulers trailers is all about and the expense of this activity. I knew these trailers were mass produced, (many in northern Indiana) with lightweight and inferior materials and workmanship. A close friend your age has bought two in the past 3 years, and alarmed us, his friends of the same problems you mentioned. A person may be better off, shoping for a higher quality, slightly used one from the latter 1900s. My parents owned 2 different ones in the 1970s and 80s and never experienced the problems you state, and we used it a lot.
My wife and I bought a 41 foot 5th wheel to live in and we did for 5 years but the price of living in parks long term kept going up and pretty soon we were paying as much as I was for the house I sold. So it definitely wasn't worth it!
Honestly, for all the "good" that is possible by owning an RV, every time I hear what I would consider a horror story (then find out is pretty common), I couldn't imagine dropping that amount of money on one. A moto-journalist explained on a podcast - remember, you're not buying a vehicle, you're buying a house that has the ability to be mobile. Regardless of the brand on the RV, it is constructed from numerous sub-contracting companies that rarely collaborate to ensure all components work seamlessly and often maintain individual varying warranties.
I feel your pain with this same issue. I’ve owned all types of trailers and still to this day haven’t found a nice well built toy hauler/camper. Having owed a farm for years and many ag trailers I’ve come to this decision. The aluminum horse trailers with living quarters are actually built the best. The gooseneck trailers are easier to maneuver in tight spots but heavier in most cases. While your down south consider looking at a bloomer or platinum brand horse trailer or similar. They aren’t cheap but well built and can haul heavy loads and last a lifetime. They also hold a much better resale value on the quality brands. You can do a conversion yourself or buy one with living quarters already installed. I think you will find these much better built for loads and quality is so much better. Happy Travel and Happy New Year
I think we all been there done that. I am having problems not with tow ratings but the GWVR. You might confirmed you are not overweight with the motorcycles in the trailer, you may be surprised. Go to the CAT scales at Loves or Flying J. You might install SUMOs on the axles.
i drove buses for 7 years. big box going forward. can back up the big box too. drove some articulated buses and that was easy. could not back them up. drove a penske truck with a car trailer and realized some major shortcomings. i could not back that thing up to save my life. i actually used a skateboard to maneuver the trailer....
Your journey sounds perfect to me. Basically everyone starts work a camper that is too small and once you prove to yourself that you'll use it, you will be shopping for a bigger truck and trailer. We have a 35' 5th wheel toy hauler and 1 ton srw and our next truck will be a dually to ensure we can safely tow nearly any trailer.
About camping cost. You might want to look up camping memberships or passes that include unlimited camping. Right now I'm down in New Mexico for the winter in my toy hauler on their annual state park camping pass for like $250 for unlimited camping. If Florida is your one and only pick to stay the winter 1000 trails membership may be something to look into.
Jess and Jordan check out Cheap RV living. Bob Wells has video's on all the things you talked about in this video. If you have not figured it out yet people are building out cargo trailers because it is cheaper and far more reliable than current trailer or RV's .Gone Again on RUclips is a older couple that travel all over off grid in a kited out cargo trailer. They have reviews on solar and gas generators and lot of other stuff. E trailer also has video's that would be helpful about towing as well as part's.
I use a tandem tow trailer to take my motorcycle(and car) with me RVing. Internet I have T-Mobile. Just unplug from the 110 out let, move then plug in. I travelled from AZ to GA. No issues with internet. GA to Northern NY. NY to SD stopping at RV parks all the way and no problems from T-Mobile. One NRA RV park in NM we had low signal strength, but it was out in the middle of nowhere.
Welcome to the rv life, trial by fire for most everyone getting started. Don't worry too much, just keep in mind what you need only, very few thills with the light weigh. I have found even the bigger heavy duty rvs are built like crap. Dad and I have a 17 work & play and we could tow it with a half ton, but it was a challenge, never got above 55 and never passed a gas station. Upgraded to a 1 ton gas, then 3/4 ton diesel. Just got to find what works and make it your own. You will do fine.
You may already know, but you can pause your cable service billing which I have done in the past. This will save you from paying for WiFi when you’re away from home. I am sure not all cable companies are the same but may be worth a call to save $$. Very informative video, thanks for creating and sharing your experience.
If you decide to upgrade your truck I would recommend looking at ATC brand of toy haulers. we tried class C Jayco, class A Thor, and a forest river Vengeance 5th wheel all CRAP! The ATC has been amazing in comparison ( still a camper) but much better than anything else not cheap but comes ready for boondocking. good luck happy trails.
Hiya Jen, Belated Merry Christmas and wishing you both a very Happy and healthy New year! So good to hear from you and learn about the trial and tribulations experiencing towing the toy hauler. Also appreciate your descriptions of the expenses incurred while camping. I noticed a previous reply regarding the type of truck you actually need to safely haul these trailers and it sure is eye opening to say the least. I know someone who just invested in a dually diesel to haul a multi horse trailer camper. Upgraded from what you have just to be able to level out the load. She had to talk with a professional trailer truck driver to get the low down on what she actually needed. It really is a shame that these dealers have minimal knowledge about such things with regard to weight capacity and safe hauling. Or perhaps just want to sell a particular truck off the lot. Sorry to mention, but noteworthy the following - The catalyst for the upgraded truck purchase resulted from seeing a very unfortunate accident of an overturned trailer similar to her own, also carrying precious cargo. 😢 You are very wise to be sharing your observations and own experiences during this trip. Be safe and enjoy your travels.
Something worth looking into if you haven’t yet is a torsion/load leveling hitch. It distributes the weight of the trailer better and makes it more stable. It doesn’t help with capacity, but it will feel easier to tow the camper
I agree. Most toy haulers are built way too cheap. They're not made the hall motorbikes they're made to haul bicycles. I ended up buying a car hauler and building my own camper out of it. Good luck!
If you don’t have stabilizer bars on your trailer hitch, get them. He will be able to drive faster. And make sure the ball on the pickup is adjusted high enough so both pickup and camper are level. If your pickup is lower in the back than normal,and you can’t get it to set level, you need a bigger pickup. The stabilizer bars( sway bars) will also help it keeping both level also.
Your right Start your purchasing with getting correct truck. Always bigger than you think you'll use plus diesel for torque and pulling. We all discover as we grow... be safe
Great video, and thanks for sharing. You hit the nail on the head with this one. My experience was pretty much the same as yours. I purchased a Class C to trailer tow the bikes and work on the road. I sold it two weeks ago at a huge loss. The last straw for me was Sturgis 2023: I towed the bikes and stayed at a campground. Even though it was nice, the trip cost twice as much as it did when I have ridden there and stayed in hotels, etc. I completely agree with you on the repairs; even though I had a warranty, it either didn't cover repairs, or the dealer couldn't get to it in months, or I was in the middle of nowhere, and I had to complete repairs to continue the journey. Thanks for sharing: I hope that folks that consider purchasing a RV or travel trailer watch your video and do the research: I know I wish I would have done a lot more research before purchasing mine.
We have been Towing campers for 5 years now and each year we find the need for even more space in the camper. In addition, we also tow a 24-ft boat to various beautiful lakes as well as the Intracoastal waterway. All that requires a towing vehicle that can meet our needs. I finally threw into town and got rid of my 1500 and now proudly drive a 2500 diesel with fifth wheel capability which means I am now looking for a toy hauler because I also ride motorcycles. Thank you for the information you have shared with us and safe travels.
Harvest host saved us a lot! The stays have been great. Stay away from big cities. Another good camp ground to stay is Army Corps Engineers located all over the country. Hope this helps some.
I hear ya on how confusing tow ratings and whatnot can be at first. I had to do a lot of researching before I bought my toy hauler and deciding on what kind of truck I would need to tow it safely and comfortably. (I ended up buying a 2500 to tow my 34' toy hauler) The number that is more important to pay attention to instead of max tow rating is your max payload capacity. You may run out of available payload capacity before you hit the max towing capacity, depending on your truck and what options it is equipped with. This number should be on your door sticker. Your truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the max your truck can weigh. You take your curb weight and subtract that from your GVWR and you have your max payload. Curb weight is the weight of the vehicle, including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include the weight of any passengers, cargo, or optional equipment. So if you have a truck with a payload rating of 1500 lbs, add 300 lbs for 2 passengers, 100 lbs for your hitch, you are down to 1100 lbs of available payload left, assuming you have not added any other aftermarket items to your truck, and you are not hauling anything else in your truck. Now if you have an 8000 lb travel trailer, the tongue weight would be in the neighborhood of 1100-1200 lbs, and you are now at your payload limit. And that is only with an 8000 lb camper, and nothing in the truck but a driver and one passenger. I have also learned that when towing, slow and steady wins the race. I set my cruise control at 65 and just enjoy the ride. I seem to get better fuel mileage at that speed too. Anyway, enjoy y'alls trips and keep the shiny side up!
A lot of Moose lodges have camping for free for their members. There are over 1500 lodges in the USA. Our dues in your hometown is $50 a year. That would help on camping park fees. Plus you would be helping children, seniors and your community by being a Moose member. Have a great winter.
I would recommend a generator vs solar and battery’s likely will be more reliable and can power everything with less overall expense. Can also be more versatile with the generator being able to be moved from that travel trailer to another one or even used at home for small things.
I had THEE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE AS YOU! Purchased a Toy hauler because me and my wife enjoy our Side by side and wanted to see more places other than what Michigan offered. Long story short, Trailer dealerships only care about the sale! And now we are trying to figure out how we could afford a 3/4 ton truck!
Yeah , Great Video !, I know the new trailers are built like crap ! We bought a new 23 model bumper pull and enjoy it but every time we go something breaks , frustrating thinking how much we spent . I’m so glad I kept my 2002 2500 truck with its eight foot bed cause it can hold a big bike or two smaller ones , If you can find a good truck with an eight foot bed maybe put a bike in the truck ? Happy Freakin New Year , Thanks for what you do 👍😎
I've been cross country 4times. It's probably good that you started small so you can check to see if it works for you. Between 2 bikes and the RV there is ALWAYS something that needs attention. It's all part of the adventures of camping!
Owned both a toy hauler (23ft Weekend Warrior) and a 32ft Jayco Class C and towed my HD Road king behind it. I liked the Class C by far and didn't boondock but it had the capabilities with the generator. I stood at Coyote Creek RV park which sits on an Arnold Palmer golf course in Morgan Hill, CA for three months cost was $700/mo., but that was back in 08' it's now almost quadruple that depending on the site. This was a luxury spot with full hookups, Wi-Fi, pool, spa and I had my portable DirecTV satellite, I also had my two dogs a little Jack Russel terrier Ralphie and chihuahua Poncho ($10 more per pet). It was great and got to do some fishing, tent camping and mountain biking in addition to riding the CA PCH highway on my Road king. Good luck down the road, hope things get better for you and the hubby.
We travel full time with 2 bikes also Just fyi your furnace runs off 12v and the battery should keep you warm over night and truck should charge that battery during the day
Jess the rule of towing a trailer you have to Realize the more weight you put in the trailer and full of water in the trailer puts alot of strain on your trucks transmission and drive line and brakes and all round Maintenance. and if you decide yo get solar or a Generator has more weight to the trailer. You might have to upgrade to a bigger truck like a 250 or 350 to be able to handle the weight but then you will be limiting your living place so might have to trade that trailer in and get a larger trailer To accommodate for all the things that you are wanting to do with the trailer also when your not able to use those extra things you might need for boomdocking hope you and jordon have amazing time down there in Florida and have a safe new year
Flex-Seal is a true modern miracle! I painted an entire 24' yurt with it hoping it would slow down thr solar UV damage. The results are fantastic, I believe the yurt will outlast me! If you're using it in quantity, be aware it comes in quart and gallon cans and can be applied with a paint brush or roller, which is much less expensive than spray cans.
Hi, You could look into a diesel heater for the cold nights. Bluetti power banks seem to be a good product with the solar panels. When towing up slight hills make sure the transmission is in the gear below the overdrive which you should change manually before the climb as this is the strongest gear and will reduce the transmission from straining while waiting for it to change automatically. Make sure you always keep an eye on the tyre pressures as this will reduce your fuel economy if there is resistance due to low pressure in lieu of correct pressure. Make sure you have the weights in the van mostly up the front to reduce the chances of the van fish tailing and causing an accident. Otherwise enjoy your travels and stay safe.
I can definitely relate. I bought a camper towards the max tow rating on my 2019 Ranger, which would be with my motorcycle loaded in it about 7200 lbs. Soon after buying the camper, I quickly learned that while I probably would be okay pulling this rig, it wouldn’t be an enjoyable experience. So I ended up buying a 2007 F250. Now I kind of wish I would have bought a larger camper, something in the 10000 lb range.
@@maddog7999 not really. Even if I went 10k dry weight, with bike plus other stuff, I’d probably be in the neighborhood if 11.5k. That’d still leave about 1k margin below the tow rating of the F250. While with the Ranger, I was about 300lbs from tow rating.
@@bigj200016 yes. you can go bigger. what i am saying is; if you do, you will be slowly working your way back to issues like you had with the ranger. its nuance. not absolute zero.
FYI the only difference between a f150 truck and a F 250 truck is 500lbs rating. I know because we have several hundred of each vehicle and have to conform to the DOT regulations every day
Highly recommend if you guys love the vehicle camping idea, ditch the truck and trailer and buy a class a motorhome with a garage. Tons of places have long term hookup pricing that's much cheaper than state parks
What hard lessons have you learned with your camper?? Comment below! Also check out the full video with more details about our camper here: ruclips.net/video/RkCDv4NcMWc/видео.html
Everything i know now is from watching three youtubers. Finding our Someday FOS, keep your daydream KYD, and working for the wild. The first two are seasoned full time campers. The last one was full time until they got sick of it i think. The last one also will give u a good idea of how excited u get at first then evolves to where u are getting now. Im not full timing but what these three teach you is everything you need. Of course there are others that concentrate on how to fix or nice upgrades but check these three out
Welcome to the 'club.' 🫤You hit on everything we ran into when we bought our camper trailer. Tow ratings are a mysterious form of Sanskrit, and when you add vehicle load capacity to the equation, you change the scenario and have to recalculate. We wanted a small camper, under 20 ft, so we could easily meet any campground size and length requirements and we wouldn't have to upgrade our truck; I have a Ram 1500 4x4, and its towing capacity (officially) is 6,250 to 7,520 lbs. and a load capacity of 2300 lbs. With those numbers, we assumed we had plenty of options; nope! The original plan was to load my motorcycle and our electric bikes in the truck bed and haul the rest of our gear in the trailer. When we started looking at the smaller trailers, we saw immediately that the build quality standards were horrendous. We did find a camper we liked and had better quality and overall aesthetics. The problem is we totally blew our budget; the better, more acceptable quality standard came with a much higher price tag and killed our towing capacity because instead of a 4500 to 500. trailer we were now towing a 6500 lbs. trailer that pushed my 1500 to its limits. It is fun, but it is expensive. If my wife and I were younger we would go back to camping in tents, which we really liked.
I've been giving this trailer thing a lot of thought. Got it down to this.
There are no motor homes or trailer companies that produce products under quality standards like the automotive industry.
After purchasing an rv, most people have them tied up for repairs most of the time within the first couple of years. They usually only have a couple of guys smart enough to repair them, ? And good luck on that.
I'd rater have a 3 to 5 year old motor home and pul a real trailer for heavy weight.
Ford had a great gas engine back in the day. Diesel engines pull very well. The Ford engine can be repaired almost anywhere you go.
That's an advantage.
Breaking down the money for repairs is about the same. Gas more maintenance. Diesel is very expensive when things go wrong.
It's very expensive to stay in rv camping. Most of the folks that traveled and RUclipsd for a living got out. They sold their rv for as much as they paid for them new.
As for my traveling with my wife now that we are retired. We were always active and enjoyed the camping and traveling.
But it's turned into the hogeist money 💰 grab ever.
So we get reservations at high end hotel's .
Same thing with pickup trucks.
It would take a Dooley to pull what i want.
If you checked the wrecking yards for RV's , you should be surprised at the many fires that put them there.
If you put a camera in your RV you would see how violently gnarly it was inside during the pull.
A lot of people were upgrading the suspensions and smoothing things out .
When I was young I worked at a proto shop for Fleetwood corporation.
All Sadly constructed.
There are some quality builders.
They are vary, vary expensive.
Someone could run you off the road. And who knows how much the insurance would cost.
I'm a retired professional tradesman . Union 433 L. A.
I can build anything.
Could build a very quality trailer.
And it's crazy expensive. No advantage to it other than quality.
Hope you and yours think everything way ahead. You don't want to be a pore person whenever you need to retire.
Thos that don't plan, don't 🏆 win.
As for my honey and myself we can enjoy the hotel's near the beach ⛱️ 😎 or anyplace we want.
You ever see someone running 🏃♂️ and there slow. They need to loose the trailer if they want to win
Hi Jess,
We also had a tow behind for a couple years and quickly realized this was not a great option for motorcycle lovers. So we invested in a class A. We Love it.
This video just popped back up in my news feed and I thought of something very disturbing..
It's important to have a decent amount of tongue weight and have your load properly balanced.
If a trailer starts swaying something ain't right.
Every year I see two or three trailers mangled upside down that could have been fine if they would have slowed down and or balanced their load. There is a great towing RUclips video on it using a model.
It was affordable until everyone wanted to do it. Use to be what lower middle class did to get out for vacation. Spots always available and cheap. But on the flip side most campgrounds are nicer/upgraded since more people wanna go. So that is kinda nice too
We have been RVing for 35 years; riding motorcycles for over 50 years. My wife hooked me on the idea of RVing by saying "We could haul the bikes south in the winter." You are learning lessons that every RVer discovers when they get into it. You have to pay more to get something with a good build quality. Over the years, we have had: 3 diesel pushers, one Class A gas, a toyhauler, 2 Class B campervans, a high-end 5th wheel, and currently have a low profile Class C (our downsize RV). And 31 motorycles/scooters over the years. The toyhauler was the worst build quality. We towed the the 5th wheel and toyhauler with a 3/4 ton diesel pickup... that one RV salesman said, "That truck will tow anything on the lot." In the words of the philosopher Maury Pauvich: "That was a lie!" Most of those BIG 5th wheel toyhaulers need a one ton diesel or a dedicated medium duty truck (like a Freightliner). It isn't JUST the weight - you also have to consider the pin weight (5th wheel) or tongue weight (travel trailer), and the cargo carrying capacity.
For the last decade or so, we've hauled the bikes in a FeatherLite cargo trailer (excellent build quality) behind the RV. We generally go out for several months at a time. At times, we have double towed, with the cargo trailer behind our crossover SUV behind the motorhome. That is not legal in some states, so we occasionally have to unhook and drive separately. You have to research the double towing laws in each state you will pass through. And the maximum length allowed.
If you don't have a generator in your toyhauler, boondocking is going to be tough. Additional batteries won't help you if you have no way of charging them - might extend your time between plugging in by a day or two. $400 a week at a state park seems unusually high. We have stayed at very nice upscale RV resorts for less than that, and generally around $800/month plus electric. We are not fans of boondocking. Oh, it sounds like an inexpensive way to travel, but the key to being happy when RVing is living comfortably in your rig... and boondocking doesn't work for the way we like to live while out.
We boat cruised for a few years - we understand how to conserve battery and water usage with daily life onboard.
Your RV story is common - you don't know what you don't know. You will learn what to look for - and what to look out for - with your RV journey. The saying is common with full-time RVers: "buy your 3rd RV first." It often takes getting to the 3rd RV to understand what you want from it. I knew what to expect when you first posted about this toyhauler.
Good luck with this journey - there is more to learn compared to buying bikes.
Captain Jim and the Blonde
As they say " there is no perfect rig"
Buddy, whatever you do for a living you must do it well I am envious of all the toys that you’ve had. I’ve had multiple bikes but just bought one flatbed trailer from a custom builder which I can haul 4000 pounds no problem single axle. And then I have a single axle 6 x 10 covered trailerthat I can put two electric glides in no problem and never had a problem with them even with a half ton truck although it will suck the gas. Much better with the three-quarter ton or one ton.
But once you've done the RVing thing for a couple decades, you learn what is the best for you. It's tough when someone first gets into RVing and finds that the reality doesn't match up to the expectations.
I can't recommend triple towing enough, toy haulers are heavy mother f'ers, require 3/4 or full ton trucks, your RV always smells like gas, rubber and oil, and the furtniture sucks, not to mention the toy hauler upcharging, I have a '16 Ram 1500, and 28' ultralite trailer towing a 3x motorcycle trailer, all within California standards,a lthough I did get my CDL, just follow height/weight whatever, stay in the west and you're fine, I go to Cal, Az, Colorado, montana, Idaho, my motorcycle trailer I got used for $700, and my trailer was $20,000, I figure I'm just as functional with about $100k less in investment
That is why after years of RV-ing, we now pull a 5th wheel with a diesel Dually 3500. lightweight RVs are made like crap because they have to be made with the absolutely lightest materials so they can market them to people trying to get away with pulling it with a 1500. and NEVER EVER trust an RV sales guy EVER...
the dually really is the ticket. That's what we wanted but when we bought our diesel, they were very hard to come by - especially 4x4...
Never trust a sales rep... period hahaha. I went shopping for a Mazda RX8 when they first came out in 2004. The salesman told me it had a V6. I learned to drive on a first gen RX7. I know all about the Wankel rotary. I looked at the sales rep with disappointment, said the word "Wankel" and walked away.
True, that's why I bite the bullet years ago with a F350 dually.
Buy once, cry once.
5th wheel tows do much better too.
@@matthewmansfield2384 They were hard to find for us as well. Funny, I just looked earlier today to see what our 2017 Ram Laramie longhorn would cost today, and there are dozens of duallys for sale online. And all the ones I found similar to ours were all more money than what we paid in 2019.
Find old diesel good condition without DEF my 05 dodge 2500 gets 20mpg pulling what ever I ask it to
Had a toy-hauler years ago for my '03 883 Sportster and '05 Ultra Classic. Used it for trips allover the eastern US. 1/2 ton trucks usually can't efficiently or sometimes safely tow a reasonably large trailer. The more weight you have at the BACK of the trailer, the more unstable it can be on the road. ESSENTIAL to have a good anti-sway hitch truck-to-trailer. WiFi? I traveled 28 days last summer SE to NE to W & back and occasionally used hotspot from my AT&T iPhone, otherwise mooch-docked at friends/relatives or campgrounds for Internet. Total camping cost for that trip was $590.25 for 16 nights, 1 night hotel and the rest boon or mooch-docking (Cracker Barrels overnight & relatives for longer stays). Brought a good and quiet portable gen that I already had and only one, 80 AH marine battery. 2x30 gallons of propane were more that necessary. The 2021, 21' mini-lite trailer worked well with my 20 year old 1/2 ton Silverado (11 MPG average for the trip). Can't wait to get back on the road again. No longer riding but son is a H-D salesman with a 10 bikes/month average turnover.
I am a 30 year over the road trucker, so a little experience driving and towing. Also a 5th wheel owner, after 2 years of searching, I completely gave up on a decent price with any quality at all. Now in the process of building out a cargo trailer. Plain and simple rv's, campers, and even motor coaches are cr'p.
I can't speak for all toy haulers but mine has sticker that breaks down total load dry and full of water and them max with cargo. Also a good rule of thumb would be to just check the axel load per axel. 5 lug, 6 lug or 8 lug being the strongest.
Living is learning. After owning two toy haulers pulled by both gas & diesel trucks, I've settled on leaving my existing t/h camper at a storage facility near our favorite bike week destination. We haul our bikes in a dedicated trailer behind my 1/2 ton, then pay a resort 'hauler' to bring it to the site.
We've found that this is the most economical & least stressful way to go. To each his own. Ride safe!👍
I dreamed about combining two things I enjoy for years....camping and motorcycles. Did ton of research but can only get you so far. Decided to rent before we purchase and happy we did. Since we owned a 3500 Ram DRW we rented 45 ft Cyclone toy hauler. Had an awesome trip with kids. However quickly realized a trip axle 45 ft trailer is just too big. Settled on 40 ft Grand Design 349mr with upgraded truck F450. Perfect combination IMO (for us at least). So while I agree do your research don't wait too long to pull the trigger on something you love. Tomorrow is never promised for anyone. Get out there and enjoy!!!
40ft is still way too big
It definitely sucks towing sometimes. I hauled from western PA to the Keys and it wasn’t fun around Miami. The truck salespeople will say the truck can haul anything you want and the trailer people will say your truck can pull these huge trailers. Guys like big truck big Rv and Josh the rv nerd are great. I have Verizon for my cell phone and now home Wi-Fi. They have this white box that does my whole house. $20 dollars a month, I plugged into my inverter in my truck and my granddaughter used that Wi-Fi from pa to SC without interruption. Hope this helps. If you are in western pa south of 80 swing by.
I have a toy hauler 4500lbs dry. I added 2 batteries to the A frame. 2 propane tanks to the A frame. I also added 2 100watt solar panels on the roof. The tongue weight without any fresh water or grey or black water is 700 lbs. That’s high for my tow vehicle which is a Colorado 4 cylinder diesel.
Add food and a small amount of fresh water. 2 dogs and fencing. All our clothes, a small generator ect ect. Then my Victory Vision 900lbs. Riding gear ect ect.
I keep my speed down around 60 mph 65 max.
Take your time. It’s safer.
My total trailer weight is around 6000-6500 lbs. loaded.
I couldn't stress enough that you need to secure your motorcycles in the trailer and transfer the center mark of the wheels directly to the exterior of the trailer and add support gussets at those locations to reduce floor flex, especially when having 4wheelers loaded into them because their wheels tend to be closer to the walls and extend past the exterior part of the frame. Also, if you're using weight distribution devices on the tongue be sure to remove them when driving on dirt roads that have deep ruts or dips unless you want to have your frame buckle or frame twist which causes wall and window blowouts. One of the most important things that often is overlooked in maintenance is to frequently check your lugnuts torque and maintain your wheel bearings, a lot of heat is generated there and too much or to little grease causes them to get hot and fail or transfers heat to everything around it like brakes and tires which causes premature failure. You are correct that they are made like junk.
The cost of the RV parks is why I am selling my trailer. Between the gas, park fees and truck payment (moved up to a 2500) it is cheaper to stay in hotels. With that said I had some cool experiences boondocks but the badlands.
Love the topic! I think a lot of us end up feeling this way about the overall cost of toy hauler traveling like you guys are doing. I have always wanted to do exactly what you're doing. I finally gave up on the idea of it all. I'm going to use my half ton truck with 9 foot ramp to load my bike and go. Camping with occasional hotels and a variety of eating out and cooking while camping. I make good money at what i do for a living and I still can't make sense of what it costs to travel. Great vid and thanks for sharing!
One more thing to think about, trailer tire max speed rating. Depending on tire size, max (not sustained) speed is either 65 mph or 75 mph. If you maintain/travel at those speeds, keep an eye on maxing the tire psi, and tread wear.
An all aluminum travel trailer will last much longer than a stick build and requires far less roof and outside maintenance. Each year a traditional build roof requires self leveling sealant around all vents and seams and needs to be cleaned. roofs require recoated every few years. Water intrusion is the enemy of any stick build camper so, use a silicone caulk every spring or fall around the windows and doors etc. With an all aluminum trailer, if water gets in there is nothing to rot. They are also much lighter than a similar sized rig. We tow a 8.5x26 box 30' overall with a 1500 GMC diesel Sierra with weight distribution hitch and airbags with ease. We carry 3 sport bikes and a scooter and travel up and down the east coast on all types of elevation. Toung (hitch weight of trailer) and payload capacity (all weight inside truck) equals your total GVWR.
I got my first to my hauler camper two years ago as I race motorcycles and got tired of hotels so now I stay at the track. It was a learning curve for sure. I have 3.5 ecoboost F150 which is very capable of towing my Forest River Wildwood 190RTX. It took me months to figure out what I could actually tow as there is information overload out there. Well I digress. I believe you toy hauler is made by Forest River as mine is, the one thing I have learned as you have, they are very much junk. Although I still like it, I'll do better at looking at the quality before or if I buy another one. Oh and as far as Wi-Fi get Verizon wireless internet. It's cheaper and even though your not supposed to you can take it with you.
Stay safe.
When I saw the title of this video I had to watch to see if what you said is what we went through as well. I agree with everything you said, especially the associated costs of RVing. I always assumed it was cheaper to travel with a travel trailer than staying in hotels and didnt find out other wise until we were in the middle of traveling. The other big thing I learned is that you can't rely on the RV dealers when it comes to towing. We were very explicit with the dealer that we had 1/2 ton vehicles and were sold a trailer that barely came in under the towable weight, totally empty. It's only going to be empty once so that was a hard lesson. The last thing I will say is we also under estimated the cost for all the necessary accessories we would need for traveling. We still love traveling with our travel trailer though. Enjoyed hearing your learnings, makes me feel better about the things I learned after the fact!
Get two 6v batteries and a portable solar “for now” then decide on a permanent solar setup. We went with zamp solar and have both a permanent and portable set up, with this setup you can run your propane furnace over night and charge battery during the day.Then get a 2000 to 3000 watt inverter with true sign wave power, xantrex makes a good setup and they have 15amp micro switches that transfer power when on to send power to outlets inside the camper. With this set up you can make coffee and charge batteries for computer and cameras
65MPH is the absolute max you should be driving towing a Travel trailer, Look for state parks if you can find them where you are as there much cheeper. Owing a RV is not cheep if your going full time as you are. Also your unit that you have is not designed for full time use and will not hold up very well as you are seeing. I would look for a good used 3500 Dually, and a Grand Design Toy hauler 5th wheel if you're going to be camping full time in the winter and part-time in the summer. Most private campground are terrible internet. FYI I have owned Pop up's, Travel Trailers, 5th wheels and Now a super C So I have a lot of experience doing this. I don't know it all but I have a pretty good handle on this subject. Also I have a Can Am Spyder that I tow also. Good luck to you both.
You may not remember, but we discussed this all at Forgotten Angels before you bought your RV. In time you will get into a rhythm with RV'ing. As for boondocking, more batteries will not help you and just cause more weight. A good quiet generator will help you out tremendously. In regards to tow vehicles, I learned that you purchase the RV first, then the tow vehicle. Have the tow vehicles that you want in mind. Just wait to pull the trigger, in case you end up with a heavier RV. Good luck, travel safely and Happy New Year. 🤙🏼
I spent four winters on the road, mostly between AZ and FL. The gas truck had to go, a used diesel Duramax was night and day better. Campgrounds weren't too expensive back then, but I spent most nights in parking lots (rest stops, Cracker Barrel, Wal-Mart etc). I used campgrounds when tanks needed empying, and FW. Its hard to believe your rig didn't come with a furnace, I've had tiny TTs that always had one.
Its been a while though, I bought a house in Florida during the great recession, sold the trailer. Now I'm six months in Florida, and six months northern Michigan, the best of both worlds. A bike at each place, only have to get my body back and forth.
I'm a RVer and everything you are going through I went through. Family and I love to RV so much I had to learn on my own also. When it comes to a tow vehicle and knowing what trailer can be towed with a specific tow vehicle the most important number you need to know is "payload" (cargo carrying capacity). I now have a F-350 dually and my "payload" is 5500lbs. My "max tow" is 27,000lbs. Payload is the weight of stuff that can be loaded in your tow vehicle including the weight of driver, passengers, cargo in bed/trunk and the tongue weight of a trailer. Most 1500 pickups have a payload of 1500-1700lbs. Some trailers have a tongue weight starting at 500lbs. If your truck has a payload of 1500 and the trailer tongue weight is 500 you have 1000lbs of payload left. The lower the payload the less you can carry and the smaller you can tow. I learned a lot from KYD, Big Truck Big RV, Changing Lanes and other RVers about towing and RVing in general. Hope your not discouraged keep camping and riding it can come together and hopefully you can find the fun in all of it. Thank you for sharing your video and I hope I helped a little.😊
Thanks for making this video! It was painfully relatable unfortunately lol. 2023 was my first year of full time travel. My setup was a little different: Silverado 1500, 6x12 enclosed tandem axle trailer with 2 Harleys and I moved around to lower-cost Airbnbs because my job as a physician has strict IT requirements for wired, secure internet. That being said, it was an adventure! A lot of what you said hit too close to home and I definitely got myself into some sticky spots along the way. I completely agree though that you don't know what you don't know when it comes to trucks, trailers and actual capabilities. After the season ended last November, my biggest takeaway from it all was EXACTLY what you said: start with the truck and worry about the trailer after that. Even just hauling a 6x12 enclosed with two Harleys, my 1500 was pushing it on the highway trips from coast to coast. Gas mileage was horrific. Mountain passes, struggle bus. If your goal is to stick with bumper-pull or 5th wheel, I think the truck is the bigger factor! As always, lesson learned. Again, thanks for making great content. Safe travels this season and ride safe :-)
We sold our TT after 5 years. They are built very cheaply. Fortunately I can fix almost anything that goes wrong but way more upkeep and repairs than it’s worth. We are now back into tent camping!
Thanks for your honest review. I seriously looked at motor homes until a refrigerator door handle came off in my hand when I tried to open it. Sticker price was somewhere around $100,000 for this model with the poor quality. After that I decided I would rather take my motorcycle, car, or truck and tent camp or motel for the night. I do wish you the best with your experience and at least Jordan can fix most problems. Ride Safe
You have a great point. For the cost of a nice sized camper and truck big enough to pull it you can rent a lot of hotel rooms and tow a couple bikes with a small utility trailer behind it with just about anything. I'd miss the sitting around the campfire and stuff but wouldn't miss emptying the black tanks, the bugs, and high price to camp anymore. Almost as much as a room in some places.
I've owned and towed campers for 50 years, started with a little 18-footer to the toy hauler that is almost 45 feet we have now. It's been a learning experience the whole time. I can't imagine starting out cold with some of the rigs out there now. Trying to learn all of that stuff in a short time would be difficult. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things though so hang in there. Our toy is a side by side , gave up motorcycles 24 years ago when we hit a deer (and survived).
My husband has talked about getting a camper, as he used to have one when his kids were younger. I told him with buying a camper plus all the other expenses of camping, it would be more cost effective, for us to just stay in hotels.
We did the math, and once fuel gets above around $3.50, it IS typically more cost effective to stay in hotels or motels.
That's not the point. The experience is missing and everything can't always be about money
I think there is more to the equation than just fuel and hotel cost. What about the cost of eating out 3 meals for a family vs cooking at camp? Not to mention the intangibles of family time at camp vs crammed in a hotel room.
yeah but you can't have a campfire and watch the stairs every night at a hotel....
Happy New Year! Yep, travel trailers can be a money pit. You have to really love it to have one. Plus if you can’t do the maintenance yourself it can be costly for that too. Just remember they have to keep it lightweight so you don’t have to use a Mack truck to haul it. Also when you are towing it down the road it’s like putting it through both an earthquake and a hurricane at the same time. Btw, we were in Savannah right after you were. Happy travels!
Another thing besides tow rating is load capacity on the tow vehicle. That sticker on the camper that shows weight is empty weight, load up your camper and go to the scales and weigh it. You will be surprised and what it actually weighs and what the tongue weight is. Another thing is air drag, it is going to take a lot of power to move that RV down the road through the atmosphere. The faster you go, the required power increases exponentially. Been pulling trailers and RVs for 20 yrs, and it surprises me that people think they can tow some of these RVs with a 1/2 ton gasser. Those 1/2 tons are not made heavy enough to tow what they are rated for at highway speeds for long distances. Remember, Real Trucks don't have spark plugs! Get a heavy 3/4 ton with a diesel to pull that toy hauler, you won't regret it.
Jess, the most important thing to look at is on the driver's door on your truck. Look at the decal that gives you the Vin number and tire size and air pressure, now look for the GVW RATING FOR YOUR PART ICULAR VEHICLE, THAT PARTICULAR NUMBER IS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT which is the maximum load for your truck including all weights on the truck and trailer combined
Hope this helps, l know what lm talking about lm a professional truck driver and I won't bs you
And to be 100% positive as to the weight, pay the 10 bucks and take it over a CAT scale at the nearest truck stop
If you were close ld show you exactly what you need to know and all the particulars because 98 % of the people out there have no clue
Yeah, I am semi-retired and I tow the brand new RVs (travel trailers and 5th Wheels) from the manufacturer area in Northern Indiana to dealerships all over the US and Canada and I can tell you that your experience is the norm. More than 95% of the RVs built are low grade materials with slap and stick construction (as you found out by needing to re-hang most of your wall boards already). On the maiden voyage of these trailers I take, a full third have something falling apart because screws come out or were not glued well and at least half of the trailers have some damage (cabinets flapping open and breaking, closet doors banging and getting scratched, TV mounts coming loose, etc.). Only the remaining 5% are built well with quality materials and as you can guess, they can be incredibly expensive (as if $35K to $75K for a travel trailer is not expensive enough but think 5x to 10x that price range or more). When anyone asks what I would choose for a trailer (and I too take my bikes along) I reply with: have a quality all aluminum car hauler built then outfit it they way you want. The base trailer will probably be $20k to $25K (for the size of the toy hauler you show in your video) then another $10k to $20k for the interior and cargo fitment (there are plenty of YT videos showing just that). This way you have what amenities you want at the quality level you want and save $20k to $40k by doing the labor yourself.
For the truck: 1/2 ton trucks are really not meant for the weight and distance hauling of this type. Yes, they can do it but this puts a lot of extra strain on all of the components of the truck and can considerably shorten the service life of individual parts (especially the expensive ones like engine, trans, transfer case, diffs) or the entire truck. Think of trucks like this: 1/2 ton are like homeowner/hobbyist power tools (think Black & Decker, Ryobi, etc.), 3/4 Ton trucks are like serious DIYer/Jobsite power tools (think Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, etc.) and 1 Ton trucks are like industrial power tools (think Hilti). For the most part, the difference between 3/4 to and 1 ton trucks is the heavier suspension parts in the 1 Ton (translating to heavier payload capacity) although sometimes you can only get some options for the 1 ton trucks not available on the 3/4 ton trucks (such as more HD trans and dual rear wheels). Mine is a Ram 2500 Megacab, 6.7 Cummins diesel, Mopar 6 speed auto, Timbren overload springs and I installed a 80 gallon diesel transfer tank in the bed. I would think something this (the Chevy version) would be overkill for you unless you truly did transition to full time RV life or close to it like one or more distance trips a month. In your current case, I would highly recommend some overload springs like the Timbrens (these do NOT increase your payload capacity just make the truck ride level when loaded, meaning no tail squat), weight distribution hitch/bars with anti-sway control (if you don't already have these), and when you are driving on the highway use the tow/haul mode (if your truck has it - or just make sure it does not go into and out of OD a lot, called shuttle shifting - this can damage the trans quickly) just set the cruise on 64 to 67 and leave it (your truck will show you what speed works best by good towing MPG, decent power, and steady trans gear). Yes, I know it seems slow but this makes a big difference in the MPG and the wear and tear on the equipment.
For payload capacity, this is usually pretty straight forward based on the truck wight class (1/2, 3/4, 1 ton) with some variances and this is stated in the owners manual. Just note, these will probably state a gross weight so remember to calculate everything the truck will carry (passengers, fuel, gear, trailer tongue weight, etc.).
For the Tow capacity: Unfortunately for each model of truck there is usually several tow capacities (sometimes quit a a few) since optioning the truck effects this number. Adding some options add weight without adding anything to the tow function (cab size - standard, extra, crew, extra fuel tank, second alternator, etc.) so they can reduce tow capacity where other options add capability to towing (additional engine coolant and/or oil cooling, large capacity trans cooling, diff gearing, etc.) will increase rated tow capacity. Many times it is difficult to find the actual tow capacity without digging and knowing all of your specifics. The internet is a good place since many online owners groups do the research and post for fellow owners where you can enter the VIN and it will provide you with an options build sheet for your specific truck.
For the camping: Yes, private and public campgrounds can get expensive quickly. If you do really enjoy it, look at installing a solar system so you can boondock and check out federal lands (BLM and National Forests) where there are free places (14 day limit) and look into the site 'boondockers welcome' where individuals allow fellow campers to stay on their private property. Some have hock-ups some not, some have single night some multiple but they are all over. Several apps will show county parks all over the US with camping where there are some free or low cost spots (again, check out YT videos).
Finally, I would recommend you find an RV scale to check you your set-up when loaded and ready to go (Good Sam is a resource - and again, YT videos showing how it is done). This is different from the truck scales at the truck stops or the DOT scale houses along the freeways. The RV scales will weigh each tire (truck and trailer) individually and show how the tow vehicle and trailer weights are from front to back AND side to side. This way you can see if anything is out of balance in any direction as well as the weight distributions to make sure you are not getting into dangerous situations unknowingly.
Very informative!
Thank you for the info
Solid advice here
Also
Too much truck is way better than not enough unless you like changing your underwear frequently
Thank you for this information.
One thing I learned the hard way was to check for leaks even when you’re not using it and maintain that roof
I've learned a lot from owning a camper. I now know there will always be something that needs repaired no matter what you buy. My wife and I bought a 1978 coachmen 20' bumper pull camper. I didnt know what I was getting myself into but I ended up having to replace most of the wood framing in the walls due to rot and so so much more. At least the trailer frame was still good. lol!!! Four months later after 250+ hours of time & having some regrets along the way; We pulled it to Galveston for it's maiden voyage with no problems & have had a blast with it ever since but I have some repairs to do before spring. lol
One lesson that I learned when we use to have a camper, is always check your water lines inside after connecting to city water connection. One night while camping, I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and put my feet on the floor and it was like walking on a sponge. The water line that was under the couch that my daughter was sleeping on came apart in the middle of the night and ran for hours. When I went outside to shut the water off, the water was just running out of all the walls onto the ground. Luckily we were able to get use of a large shop vac, it took hours to clean that mess up and than it smelled bad for awhile until we got home and let it air out. After that I never left the city water supply turned on when I wasn’t at the camper.
Oh yeah always use a water pressure regulator.
Make sure to have the pressure regulating hose attachment too
@matthewmansfield2384 ☝️right what he said, I ment to say lol
Good advice.
On top of the things you mentioned, I would love to say it is super important to understand your electrical needs and what works off the batteries and what doesnt. For example, water pump, awning, interior lignts and vent fans will ALWAYS run from the battery, yes, even when you are on shore power. Some fridges even will draw off the battery a little bit too. Also for boondocking knowing how you want to use the electrical in your rig is key to having it set up correctly. For some reason manufacturers dont normally include inverters and the proper converter to change from a lead acid to lithium battery.
An inverter is necessary so you can use outlets without being plugged into shore power. understanding wattage usage per appliance for what you need to run is necessary to know what size inverter you need. Ask a knowledgeable person and do a lot of youtube research, so you are informed.
Lead acid batteries actually require maintenance (never knew) they need to be the same or an older one that doesnt hold a charge can drain a newer one. They are heavier, need to be vented and maintenance requirements to refill them.
Lithium batteries such as LifePro4 can be moved to an inside cabinet and save on weight (check that the charger is rated to support Lithium), but lead acid are heavier and need to be vented so, usually are outside
I went full time 2 years ago with a truck bed camper, and let me tell you, finding the right truck to carry the load was the biggest challenge. I ended up with a dually Silverado, but the payload, once loaded up was right on the bubble for the limit. I also ride, and have lately been considering a toy hauler for my bikes, but honestly the quality of most stuff these days is lacking IMO. I'll probably just end up going with a cargo trailer because I LOVE my camper, and the Duramax won't care a bit.
Experience is a great teacher… Its really the only teacher…You guys are awesome!!!🥰👍👏🏻
Yes, trailer towing is definitely learning curve. Luckily my husband had a truck driver licence, so he knew everything about towing loads (he still has his knowledge of course, but had to give up his license as he is now over 50. German law). We started out with a very solid towing vehicle - a Diesel with tons of power in the low revs (Opel Frontera 2.8l), which is very important for easy manouevering in tight spots and for ease of tow at inclines. This fantastic vehicle was followed by a petrol-fuelled SUV with less towing capacity. It still has a permanent 4 wheel drive and reduction, but the power now is in the upper revs. Which is not as great, but we have to live with it. Before we hauled my horse around, so comfortable towing was paramount (particularly if you tow two of these guys. You must not make any compromises regarding safety and comfort here). Nowadays, it is just out trailer with camping gear and/or two motorcycles. The horse trailer was also much easier to tow, as it had much less wind resistance. Our current trailer when the tall cover is on is square shaped, so it wants to be towed. We feel our vehicle really struggle with this on the Autobahn, it is no fun. But I am sure it will get worse in the future, when we have to replace this car (a Subaru Forester). I know of no electric car which has even this towing capacity. But we shall see...right now it runs great, and boxer engines are known for longevity.
I've seen a lot of good things about Ecoflow batteries.
One thing you can do for your truck is upgrade the gas tank to a bigger size assuming that works with your current weight limitations. It would help some with gas stop planning.
We bought our first toy hauler (A Forest River Grey Wolf 22RR) last year, and have used it to take our two bikes to various track events in our area. We use a F-150 with a towing package to tow it and it seems to do fine.
You are correct about the learning curve - you learn about dumping the tanks, that there is never enough power when boondocking, the costs of traveling in a RV, and the build quality - there is no way to learn about RV life but to just get out there and jump in.
The build quality on our RV is not the greatest, but we haven’t had any issues with the electrical, plumbing, or HVAC so far. It is my understanding that the RVs built pre-pandemic have a better build quality than the ones built during the pandemic, so if you are looking at used RVs a pre-pandemic model might be better.
We just towed our RV half way across the U.S. because my partner got a new job opportunity in another state. The RV is currently located in a RV park with monthly rates, and she’s going to live in it for a few months while she settles in. We hope to buy a house here in the next few months. And yes, we brought two bikes with us 😊
This is our first extended trip and we’ve really enjoyed getting to experience a bit of the RV lifestyle. It was helpful that we had done several shorter trips to the track before this trip which helped us learn the ropes. The RV didn’t come with any instructions and you are basically on your own to figure things out.
ALSO IF TOWING IS NEEDED it is sometimes a Seperate cost from insurance.( AAA is seperate)
If you spend time in florida for the winter then buy your own piece of land in an area that has little to no restrictions and set it up then save yourself all the money paying to park somewhere...areas around ocala and Putnam County and areas in Sebring FL land costs aren't bad or can be financed with a small monthly Payment unless you just buy it...saves a ton a money in the long run
Life on the road is just something you kind of learn along the way. My wife and I thought we had researched things pretty well before we purchased our first Class A and lived for a few years, bouncing around the US. Internet connectivity was a must with our jobs and most places were lacking, some even lacked sufficient cell coverage. With that in mind, we have Starlink, Verizon 5G cube, and our phones along with beefy laptops and multiple monitor setups. We have since upgraded our rig and only live in it part-time, but after the last few years the road is calling again. Part of what we are figuring out this time is how to bring my motorcycle along.
I also highly recommend New Mexico, probably my favorite state for campgrounds and boondocking, especially near ABQ during the Balloon Fiesta. All of the hot air balloons are amazing.
Happy New Year to you and your hubby.
Depending on the type of camping you want to do from long trips, boon docking, or parking in a camp ground there are campers to suit your needs however for long haulers who boon dock and want to bring their toys (bikes, jeeps etc) a motorhome is one of the best options. For instance most motorhomes have an onboard generator, these are great for boon docking but if you also have a solar system with a couple batteries it can also charge those up as well. The motor home can also be used to charge solar batteries when its being driven via the vehicles altenator. Most motor homes can easily tow a small 12ft enclosed trailer for your bikes and this gets them out of your living space but still protected from weather and theft when camping. You also have the option of diesel or gas powered motorhomes and there is a wide....wide range of sizes and classes but most Class C's (van front) will easily tow a 12 ft enclosed trailer and I doubt you could pack enough to overload its weight rating. Most dont actually use the tow vehicle (inclement weather aside) when they bring toys like Motorcycles so often times a truck is not required once you get where yor going until its time to leave. Motorhomes are not made for speed though you wont get where you are going any faster and size is an issue (bridges etc) but no more so then you are already dealing with the plus though is you can get up and go to the bathroom (if you trust your husband) while on the road or make a sandwich or go take a nap without pulling over. My 2 cents.
Boondocking is the only affordable way to camp. Some solar and batteries.. 12v ac and a diesel parking heater. A small 2000 generator to charge when you need and you're good to go
Definitely feel yalls pain with the expense of and quality of travel trailers. Happy New Year to you n Jordan ❤
Thanks for your honesty. FYI, your learning curve ain't over yet. We towed a sizable sailboat all over the country. We also did a lot of boondocking. We started snowbirding when we were in our early 40s over 20 years ago. I could work from a laptop and my wife would just quit her job for the winter. To save money I would drain the plumbing at our house and shut off all utilities. It's easier to reduce and balance your power usage than to keep adding solar panels or a bigger generator.
A truly great video Jess, explaining to your followers what the perils of the new type camper/toy haulers trailers is all about and the expense of this activity. I knew these trailers were mass produced, (many in northern Indiana) with lightweight and inferior materials and workmanship. A close friend your age has bought two in the past 3 years, and alarmed us, his friends of the same problems you mentioned. A person may be better off, shoping for a higher quality, slightly used one from the latter 1900s. My parents owned 2 different ones in the 1970s and 80s and never experienced the problems you state, and we used it a lot.
My wife and I bought a 41 foot 5th wheel to live in and we did for 5 years but the price of living in parks long term kept going up and pretty soon we were paying as much as I was for the house I sold. So it definitely wasn't worth it!
Honestly, for all the "good" that is possible by owning an RV, every time I hear what I would consider a horror story (then find out is pretty common), I couldn't imagine dropping that amount of money on one.
A moto-journalist explained on a podcast - remember, you're not buying a vehicle, you're buying a house that has the ability to be mobile. Regardless of the brand on the RV, it is constructed from numerous sub-contracting companies that rarely collaborate to ensure all components work seamlessly and often maintain individual varying warranties.
I feel your pain with this same issue. I’ve owned all types of trailers and still to this day haven’t found a nice well built toy hauler/camper. Having owed a farm for years and many ag trailers I’ve come to this decision. The aluminum horse trailers with living quarters are actually built the best. The gooseneck trailers are easier to maneuver in tight spots but heavier in most cases. While your down south consider looking at a bloomer or platinum brand horse trailer or similar. They aren’t cheap but well built and can haul heavy loads and last a lifetime. They also hold a much better resale value on the quality brands. You can do a conversion yourself or buy one with living quarters already installed. I think you will find these much better built for loads and quality is so much better. Happy Travel and Happy New Year
I think we all been there done that. I am having problems not with tow ratings but the GWVR. You might confirmed you are not overweight with the motorcycles in the trailer, you may be surprised. Go to the CAT scales at Loves or Flying J. You might install SUMOs on the axles.
Great video taken at Hide-A-Way Harbor in Astatula, FL. Thanks for choosing us!
i drove buses for 7 years. big box going forward. can back up the big box too. drove some articulated buses and that was easy. could not back them up. drove a penske truck with a car trailer and realized some major shortcomings. i could not back that thing up to save my life. i actually used a skateboard to maneuver the trailer....
Your journey sounds perfect to me. Basically everyone starts work a camper that is too small and once you prove to yourself that you'll use it, you will be shopping for a bigger truck and trailer. We have a 35' 5th wheel toy hauler and 1 ton srw and our next truck will be a dually to ensure we can safely tow nearly any trailer.
We just upgraded our ram 1500 to a diesel F350 so we can prepare to RV in a year or two. This was super helpful
About camping cost. You might want to look up camping memberships or passes that include unlimited camping. Right now I'm down in New Mexico for the winter in my toy hauler on their annual state park camping pass for like $250 for unlimited camping. If Florida is your one and only pick to stay the winter 1000 trails membership may be something to look into.
Jess and Jordan check out Cheap RV living. Bob Wells has video's on all the things you talked about in this video. If you have not figured it out yet people are building out cargo trailers because it is cheaper and far more reliable than current trailer or RV's .Gone Again on RUclips is a older couple that travel all over off grid in a kited out cargo trailer. They have reviews on solar and gas generators and lot of other stuff. E trailer also has video's that would be helpful about towing as well as part's.
I use a tandem tow trailer to take my motorcycle(and car) with me RVing. Internet I have T-Mobile. Just unplug from the 110 out let, move then plug in. I travelled from AZ to GA. No issues with internet. GA to Northern NY. NY to SD stopping at RV parks all the way and no problems from T-Mobile. One NRA RV park in NM we had low signal strength, but it was out in the middle of nowhere.
Thank you for this post. Was an option I was thinking about a Toy Hauler. Just made me think about a whole lot more. Thanks!
Welcome to the rv life, trial by fire for most everyone getting started. Don't worry too much, just keep in mind what you need only, very few thills with the light weigh. I have found even the bigger heavy duty rvs are built like crap. Dad and I have a 17 work & play and we could tow it with a half ton, but it was a challenge, never got above 55 and never passed a gas station. Upgraded to a 1 ton gas, then 3/4 ton diesel. Just got to find what works and make it your own. You will do fine.
You may already know, but you can pause your cable service billing which I have done in the past. This will save you from paying for WiFi when you’re away from home. I am sure not all cable companies are the same but may be worth a call to save $$. Very informative video, thanks for creating and sharing your experience.
Payload is the number 1 limiting factor when towing with a 1/2 ton. It's listed on the door jam of every truck. 👍
she has a 1/4ton. a 1500. and she shldnt be hauling that rig with it
It is a half ton @@maddog7999
1500 or 150s are halftons 👍
@@maddog7999 what???
@@jasonfecteau4868 right i forgot the classes. but its also a frivolous number meaning nothing.
If you decide to upgrade your truck I would recommend looking at ATC brand of toy haulers. we tried class C Jayco, class A Thor, and a forest river Vengeance 5th wheel all CRAP! The ATC has been amazing in comparison ( still a camper) but much better than anything else not cheap but comes ready for boondocking. good luck happy trails.
Wow, you do have a large learning curve, many videos on you tube for everything you need!
Hiya Jen,
Belated Merry Christmas and wishing you both a very Happy and healthy New year! So good to hear from you and learn about the trial and tribulations experiencing towing the toy hauler. Also appreciate your descriptions of the expenses incurred while camping. I noticed a previous reply regarding the type of truck you actually need to safely haul these trailers and it sure is eye opening to say the least.
I know someone who just invested in a dually diesel to haul a multi horse trailer camper. Upgraded from what you have just to be able to level out the load. She had to talk with a professional trailer truck driver to get the low down on what she actually needed. It really is a shame that these dealers have minimal knowledge about such things with regard to weight capacity and safe hauling. Or perhaps just want to sell a particular truck off the lot. Sorry to mention, but noteworthy the following - The catalyst for the upgraded truck purchase resulted from seeing a very unfortunate accident of an overturned trailer similar to her own, also carrying precious cargo. 😢 You are very wise to be sharing your observations and own experiences during this trip. Be safe and enjoy your travels.
Something worth looking into if you haven’t yet is a torsion/load leveling hitch. It distributes the weight of the trailer better and makes it more stable. It doesn’t help with capacity, but it will feel easier to tow the camper
I agree. Most toy haulers are built way too cheap. They're not made the hall motorbikes they're made to haul bicycles. I ended up buying a car hauler and building my own camper out of it. Good luck!
Ecoflow would be my suggestion for off grid power for your camper.
High quality and plenty of power.
Keep the rubber on the road and safe travels.
If you don’t have stabilizer bars on your trailer hitch, get them. He will be able to drive faster. And make sure the ball on the pickup is adjusted high enough so both pickup and camper are level. If your pickup is lower in the back than normal,and you can’t get it to set level, you need a bigger pickup. The stabilizer bars( sway bars) will also help it keeping both level also.
Your right
Start your purchasing with getting correct truck. Always bigger than you think you'll use plus diesel for torque and pulling. We all discover as we grow... be safe
Great video, and thanks for sharing. You hit the nail on the head with this one. My experience was pretty much the same as yours. I purchased a Class C to trailer tow the bikes and work on the road. I sold it two weeks ago at a huge loss. The last straw for me was Sturgis 2023: I towed the bikes and stayed at a campground. Even though it was nice, the trip cost twice as much as it did when I have ridden there and stayed in hotels, etc. I completely agree with you on the repairs; even though I had a warranty, it either didn't cover repairs, or the dealer couldn't get to it in months, or I was in the middle of nowhere, and I had to complete repairs to continue the journey. Thanks for sharing: I hope that folks that consider purchasing a RV or travel trailer watch your video and do the research: I know I wish I would have done a lot more research before purchasing mine.
We have been Towing campers for 5 years now and each year we find the need for even more space in the camper. In addition, we also tow a 24-ft boat to various beautiful lakes as well as the Intracoastal waterway. All that requires a towing vehicle that can meet our needs. I finally threw into town and got rid of my 1500 and now proudly drive a 2500 diesel with fifth wheel capability which means I am now looking for a toy hauler because I also ride motorcycles. Thank you for the information you have shared with us and safe travels.
Before you jump out and get a 5th wheel toy hauler with your 2500, you may want to carefully look at pin weights.
@pif0514 good call. I am going to an RV show this weekend so I will be paying close attention to this
We have done rvroofman products, we love it. Also bought a harbor freight inverter generator. YT has taught me a lot.
Wow!! Great info to know Jess!!! Can’t wait for the next video!!😃😃😃
It's getting crazy. Good luck. Safe travels
Harvest host saved us a lot! The stays have been great. Stay away from big cities. Another good camp ground to stay is Army Corps Engineers located all over the country. Hope this helps some.
You are absolutely right! Consumers need more accurate and pertinate information
Great video with good information, keep up the good work and have fun!
I hear ya on how confusing tow ratings and whatnot can be at first. I had to do a lot of researching before I bought my toy hauler and deciding on what kind of truck I would need to tow it safely and comfortably. (I ended up buying a 2500 to tow my 34' toy hauler)
The number that is more important to pay attention to instead of max tow rating is your max payload capacity. You may run out of available payload capacity before you hit the max towing capacity, depending on your truck and what options it is equipped with. This number should be on your door sticker.
Your truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the max your truck can weigh. You take your curb weight and subtract that from your GVWR and you have your max payload. Curb weight is the weight of the vehicle, including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include the weight of any passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.
So if you have a truck with a payload rating of 1500 lbs, add 300 lbs for 2 passengers, 100 lbs for your hitch, you are down to 1100 lbs of available payload left, assuming you have not added any other aftermarket items to your truck, and you are not hauling anything else in your truck. Now if you have an 8000 lb travel trailer, the tongue weight would be in the neighborhood of 1100-1200 lbs, and you are now at your payload limit. And that is only with an 8000 lb camper, and nothing in the truck but a driver and one passenger.
I have also learned that when towing, slow and steady wins the race. I set my cruise control at 65 and just enjoy the ride. I seem to get better fuel mileage at that speed too.
Anyway, enjoy y'alls trips and keep the shiny side up!
A lot of Moose lodges have camping for free for their members. There are over 1500 lodges in the USA. Our dues in your hometown is $50 a year. That would help on camping park fees. Plus you would be helping children, seniors and your community by being a Moose member. Have a great winter.
I would recommend a generator vs solar and battery’s likely will be more reliable and can power everything with less overall expense. Can also be more versatile with the generator being able to be moved from that travel trailer to another one or even used at home for small things.
I had THEE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE AS YOU! Purchased a Toy hauler because me and my wife enjoy our Side by side and wanted to see more places other than what Michigan offered. Long story short, Trailer dealerships only care about the sale! And now we are trying to figure out how we could afford a 3/4 ton truck!
Yeah , Great Video !, I know the new trailers are built like crap ! We bought a new 23 model bumper pull and enjoy it but every time we go something breaks , frustrating thinking how much we spent . I’m so glad I kept my 2002 2500 truck with its eight foot bed cause it can hold a big bike or two smaller ones , If you can find a good truck with an eight foot bed maybe put a bike in the truck ? Happy Freakin New Year , Thanks for what you do 👍😎
I've been cross country 4times. It's probably good that you started small so you can check to see if it works for you. Between 2 bikes and the RV there is ALWAYS something that needs attention. It's all part of the adventures of camping!
Look in to a t mobile hot spot Jess
Owned both a toy hauler (23ft Weekend Warrior) and a 32ft Jayco Class C and towed my HD Road king behind it. I liked the Class C by far and didn't boondock but it had the capabilities with the generator. I stood at Coyote Creek RV park which sits on an Arnold Palmer golf course in Morgan Hill, CA for three months cost was $700/mo., but that was back in 08' it's now almost quadruple that depending on the site. This was a luxury spot with full hookups, Wi-Fi, pool, spa and I had my portable DirecTV satellite, I also had my two dogs a little Jack Russel terrier Ralphie and chihuahua Poncho ($10 more per pet). It was great and got to do some fishing, tent camping and mountain biking in addition to riding the CA PCH highway on my Road king. Good luck down the road, hope things get better for you and the hubby.
We travel full time with 2 bikes also Just fyi your furnace runs off 12v and the battery should keep you warm over night and truck should charge that battery during the day
12v and propane, and as you say, should be fine overnight.
My dad took his RV to LA Feria TX for a month get away from cold weather and he knows all about traveling with Rv! Mrs Jess 😊
Jess the rule of towing a trailer you have to Realize the more weight you put in the trailer and full of water in the trailer puts alot of strain on your trucks transmission and drive line and brakes and all round Maintenance. and if you decide yo get solar or a Generator has more weight to the trailer. You might have to upgrade to a bigger truck like a 250 or 350 to be able to handle the weight but then you will be limiting your living place so might have to trade that trailer in and get a larger trailer To accommodate for all the things that you are wanting to do with the trailer also when your not able to use those extra things you might need for boomdocking hope you and jordon have amazing time down there in Florida and have a safe new year
Flex-seal spray is a must have for your camper roof.
Flex-Seal is a true modern miracle! I painted an entire 24' yurt with it hoping it would slow down thr solar UV damage. The results are fantastic, I believe the yurt will outlast me! If you're using it in quantity, be aware it comes in quart and gallon cans and can be applied with a paint brush or roller, which is much less expensive than spray cans.
Hi,
You could look into a diesel heater for the cold nights. Bluetti power banks seem to be a good product with the solar panels. When towing up slight hills make sure the transmission is in the gear below the overdrive which you should change manually before the climb as this is the strongest gear and will reduce the transmission from straining while waiting for it to change automatically. Make sure you always keep an eye on the tyre pressures as this will reduce your fuel economy if there is resistance due to low pressure in lieu of correct pressure. Make sure you have the weights in the van mostly up the front to reduce the chances of the van fish tailing and causing an accident.
Otherwise enjoy your travels and stay safe.
Great information. You’ve really stepped the delivery and content of your videos lately.
Good looking out, thanks for the info.
RV trip planner. Corp of Engineers camp grounds. Top two things I can recommend.
I ran my CPAP and wirelessly charged my phone on my Renogy GP 14 for 3 days. Got it for Christmas so I can go camping this spring.
I can definitely relate. I bought a camper towards the max tow rating on my 2019 Ranger, which would be with my motorcycle loaded in it about 7200 lbs. Soon after buying the camper, I quickly learned that while I probably would be okay pulling this rig, it wouldn’t be an enjoyable experience. So I ended up buying a 2007 F250. Now I kind of wish I would have bought a larger camper, something in the 10000 lb range.
@@maddog7999 not really. Even if I went 10k dry weight, with bike plus other stuff, I’d probably be in the neighborhood if 11.5k. That’d still leave about 1k margin below the tow rating of the F250. While with the Ranger, I was about 300lbs from tow rating.
@@bigj200016 yes. you can go bigger. what i am saying is; if you do, you will be slowly working your way back to issues like you had with the ranger. its nuance. not absolute zero.
FYI the only difference between a f150 truck and a F 250 truck is 500lbs rating. I know because we have several hundred of each vehicle and have to conform to the DOT regulations every day
@@perrywannamaker1969 I know my 07 has the diesel engine, so it’s at 12.5k. Not sure where a v8 f150 is tow rating wise
Highly recommend if you guys love the vehicle camping idea, ditch the truck and trailer and buy a class a motorhome with a garage. Tons of places have long term hookup pricing that's much cheaper than state parks
Nice to see you and Jordan out there doing you thing!