Published | Updated | By Heather Painchaud | 12 Comments
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We purchased a new travel trailer at the end of this January and just completed our 4th trip with it! If you are buying new definitely shop around even if the one you want is out of your area. We drove 3+ hours and saved over $6,000 just by calling a different dealer! Definitely know your wants and narrow your choices online if you can so you only have a handful to go look at otherwise they all start to look alike! Budget some additional money to stock your trailer with things you will need…trust me it’s easier to leave it in there. We have hit a walmart on 2 out of our 4 trips to get things we needed or that will be useful. IKEA will also become your best friend during this process. You will also learn to plan WAY in advance to get into the best campgrounds…i’m still struggling with this! Definitely watch your weight limits for your vehicle, just because it can maybe haul it doesn’t mean it can safely stop all that weight. You for sure need a brake controller installed and a weight distribution hitch with sway control…those are usually in addition to the trailer cost too.
Great advise Kyra! Thank you so much for sharing. xo
Thanks for the great advice!
You left out the single most important tip of all!
When it comes to trailer weight, the question is not “can my tow vehicle pull it”. The question to ask is “Can my brakes stop it?”
Yes! Super important – thanks for sharing!
Don’t buy the first trailer that has great looks on the outside. We fell in love with our travel trailer which has awesome graphics. Now that we have had it for awhile, the floor plan is not really what I wanted. So looks aren’t everything.
Also, speaking of the exterior, trailers come with aluminum siding or smooth fiberglass siding. The fiberglass is way easier to clean… just saying.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing Jerry. xo
Very good tips, I especially like the tips number 3 and 4. In addition to “3. View many different layouts” you can also try many different layouts by renting first if there are rentals in your area. With the new peer-to-peer rentals sites, you could also get great advise from the owners of the RVs that you tryout. A great way to try before you buy.
3. View many different layouts and configurations before buying.
4. Ask friends for advise.
This is all great info, but even from the dealer you can get a bad trailer. They do not take pannels/skin off to check for mold or wood rot which taking the pannels/skin off is the best way to find it. They do try to find all this but cant.
I myself love the vintage campers, these were built to last. Using real wood paneling mostly birch paneling inside, the frames are much thicker and heavy duty then these new ones. They are easy to work on. The hard part is finding one that is in great shape. So if you find one you can rebuild is even better, because then you can do what you want with them.
This is why I have been restoring vintage campers now for over 11 years now, when I pull into the campground everyone is looking at my camper, after we set up there are always other campers coming over to check it out and ask about it.
So don’t be turned off from a vintage camper, think outside the box.
Great point Steven! Thanks for sharing :)
Wow thank you so much for sharing your information. We are looking forward to using .
it.
Thank you for your great suggestions!
We have a tiny Carado trailer which we adore. Our only complaint is that the table and benches have to be dismantled before they can be “converted” into a bed. (If this sounds uncomfortable, that’s because it IS.) We thought about buying a small sofa bed in Ikea….which, with a folding table could be our dining area but if unfolded, even a mini-bed would end up propped against the sink. We love our trailer but the only ones who would be able to get a decent night’s sleep would be our grand-daughter’s Barbie and Ken (and that’s if they don’t mind their little feet in the sink.)
HELP!!!!