What are we thinking ?!!?

[zaih05]

Been lurking on the FR Forum for a little bit. Wife decided we needed a TT. Looked and looked and decided a Surveyor SV-303 is what we needed. We've never done this before so we are going with a pre-owned 2008 303.

With any luck and if the weather cooperates, we'll be bringing it home a week from today. We are in IL so the rain and cold are upon us. However, it does seem that time of year and the economy has created a buyer's market for toys, i.e. RVs, boats and motorcycles. I have Harleys too.

The TV is a 2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV with a Reese Strait-Line Trunnion Bar 1200 Hitch with Dual Cam HP Sway Control and a Tekonsha PRODIGY brake controller.


Our kids are little and have other activities as well; we are thinking it will be fun for long weekends and short trips.


When I was the age of my kids now, my grandparents had a 1/4 ton Chevy truck they pulled a very old and I assume very heavy Coachman TT with. I remember Grandpa always being up-tight while pulling it and it being a white-knuckle experience! Trying NOT to re-create that!

Many questions, but will try to search previous posts before asking already-answered questions.

- John

[frankm]

John, repeat after me:

"It will be fun, it will be fun"

Even on the days when things don't go right (and there will be!) it is still fun! Plus you don't have to cut the grass when out camping!

Welcome to the FRF!

[bikendan]

Congrats on the new to you trailer.

but, i have to tell you, IMHO, that you may be in for a similar towing experience.

towing a 33'+ TT , with a fictional "dry" weight of 6232lbs., with your ESV, may not be a good experience.
that trailer should weigh around 6700lbs. on the dealer's lot, before water, propane and cargo.

i think your ESV has a tow max of 7700lbs. the weight of anything over a 150lb. driver in it, lowers that number.

i'm thinking you'll be at the max of the ESV or close to it.

[dezolen]

You will be fine. Should be no problem towing. Just keep it at the speed limit. It's not a race to get from point A to B

[zaih05]

Everything went fine.
Only bummer is the 303 went straight into storage! :-(

[grhodes50]

Congrats on the "new to you" trailer!

Now you have all winter to tinker with it and make plans for next summer. That's half the fun, right?

Good luck and happy camping!

[Willis]

Make sure to check out the Mods section. That will give you some ideas for fun with your TT while you're waiting to hit the road next spring.

[old guys]

Nice looking setup. Plan for some good times ahead. Old Guys

[RhoZeta]

Congrats! Beautiful rig!
I am with Gary and Col. Potter, spend the winter getting her ready for a great spring. Go thru the Surveyor threads, even the old ones with cobwebs on them, see if any of them relate to your TT and see what needs to be done to make it (relatively) bullet proof.
Good Luck and Have Fun!

[tmmar]

Originally Posted by old guys

Nice looking setup. Plan for some good times ahead. Old Guys

x2