New Owner and New Member. Coachmen Catalina 273DBS

[Gealousy]

Howdy! I should also say 1st time RV owner. Never owned one before but pretty excited to get my family out to enjoy what I grew up doing with my parents. Nervous because I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm trying to learn quickly. Our first trip is a month away but it will be here quick! I'm positive you will see me post silly questions but I'll try not to be a burden (and do my best to search 1st)! Anyhow just wanted to say hello.

-Nick

Aurora, CO

[tuckerdog1]

Welcome & congratulations. Nothing like a new trailer. Hope you and your family have great times.

Can't tell from the pics you posted ( and thanks, we all love pics ), but did you get a WDH ( weight distribution hitch ) when you bought the trailer?

Being new to this, did you check your tow vehicle's payload vs the trailer hitch weight? You can also expect that hitch weight to increase as you load things into the trailer. Just want to be safe.

Again, welcome & congrats. Many knowledgeable people here. Most any question can get asked & answered.

Tuckerdog1

[Gealousy]

Hey Tuckerdog1!

Yes we did get a WDH.

That's a 2013 Tahoe Z 71, with the tow package. It's good for 8200 and this trailer is just a hair over 6 dry. 7200 gross.

Still maxing out that little Tahoe pretty good it's still 1000 under max.

I do recognize it's a long trailer for the short wheelbase, but I have about two hours worth of freeway towing with this set up so far and it is heavy but towed pretty darn good.

I do agree I want to be safe! It's my first priority. I just take it slow and pay attention! [emoji846]

Tahoe hooked up:

[tuckerdog1]

She does look nice & level. Payload is different than the weight of what your tow vehicle can pull. I used to tow with an SUV, and most had fairly low payloads. I think some of the best were around 900 lbs or so. So they are usually pretty close with a good sized trailer. Say you do have 900 lbs of payload. I think your trailer has a tongue weight in the mid 700s. That leaves you about 200 lbs left on payload ( and the tongue weight will likely rise as you load stuff into the trailer ). Then you need to subtract the weight of your WDH ( about another 100 lbs ). So your pretty quickly down to 100 lbs or less in payload. That 100 lbs would include anything else you load into the SUV ( people, luggage, etc. ). It can get pretty ugly pretty fast.

Check your numbers. There should be a label on the inside of your driver door, and another on the side of the trailer. Most every vehicle is different, so the numbers vary.

Tuckerdog1

[Tapex]

Welcome to the forum Nick from Aurora, CO.
So glad that you have joined us. There's a wealth of knowledge and experience on here from the members who care about anything needed for a successful RVing exploration. Have a blast with your loved ones and friends while traveling around this great nation building lots of memories. So stay safe have fun and Happy Camping from Farmer NC

[Gumpster808]

Welcome from central Ohio.

Lots of knowledge and experience on here. Lot of information as well.

Enjoy the new camper!

[geeman53]

Welcome from SW Ohio , enjoy your TT !

[DreiHunde]

from NC!

Enjoy your Catalina!

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome from Wisconsin and congrats on your Catalina 273DBS.

[Gealousy]

As a sidenote I am looking at it trying to get into a 2002 Silverado 2500 LT, but I am not sure that's going to be able to happen.

Thanks for all the welcomes!

[pwrincross]

Welcome to the forum. I just recently joined. My wife and I purchased a Rockwood 2304DS travel trailer. We have been camping twice and have been bitten by the camping bug bad!!! LOL
Hope you have fun!

[Gealousy]

Just an update. We did upgrade the TV.