First Trailer -- Suggestions?

[CharliePl]

I expect to tow another 1,000 lbs. in addition to the trailer's dry weight.

From what I understand, I will want to keep two-thirds of that extra weight in front of the trailer wheels. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Trust me, I'm listening. I have been a shade frustrated by the hitch recommendations, which have been all over the map.

But that's what happens when you ask for ideas.

[CharliePl]

If you boondock a lot, depending on where you are, you may encounter fire bans - a common thing in Colorado. I just love this thing: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Nicer ones have a stainless burner, but this one is awesome. Flames rise about 18" to 24". Heat is tremendous. No smoke. Legal during most fire bans. Four good 2-to-3 hour fires (at minimum) from one 20 lb. bottle of propane.

Link expired on Amazon. Could you tell me what the device is, and brand/model? Thanks much. Great stuff in your long posting. Appreciate it SO much.

[CharliePl]

TO ALL WHO'VE BEEN POSTING

Thanks so much for your ideas and tips. It'll take me a bunch of time to go through everything, and I did get a bit confused on hitches. But it'd be impossible for me to overstate how grateful we are for the help we've been getting. This is exactly what I'd hoped to get from folks. You've helped immeasurably.

[ColoradoRick]

x2 on the Rock Tamers! Those things are amazing! The only concern I had when installing them was that they had a little bit of movement, even when snugged down tight, and I worried about them scratching the chrome bumper on the Tundra.

But I found these at my local hardware store and I have them holding the Tamers and they are not moving anywhere. (I can post a pic of how I installed them for anyone interested.)

[CharliePl]

I'll keep it in mind, but I think the existing mudflaps on the truck will be fine. I'm not high on the looks of the big ones, plus they'd block the rear parking sensors, which on a 22-foot truck are something I use pretty often. I don't go fast on gravel roads, and that'll go double for when I'm pulling the camper.

I've got 7 years of experience at frequent driving on gravel. I'm not new to the outback. What'll be new is taking a trailer out there, as opposed to going there. But you never know. Maybe I'll be wrong. If the front of the trailer shows rock impacts, I'll change my mind. But I'll be surprised.

[MinnesotaHighlander]

Look at HW276 MinnesotaHighlander on this thread. (Search)

[CharliePl]

Originally Posted by MinnesotaHighlander

Look at HW276 MinnesotaHighlander on this thread. (Search)

Got it. Thanks. Interesting about graywater. When we're boondocking, we'll just dump it. A lot of people don't know that all the casinos in Vegas use graywater for lawns and fountains. You can tell, because it leaves residue on whitewashed walls there.

[jkoenig24]

Find and attend an RV Boot Camp. The Escapees RV Club run an EXCELLENT RVBC, usually over a weekend. Other groups also offer RVBCs, some up to eight days long (more social activities). RVBC will explain and demystify all the systems found on modern RVs. Mistakes made with RVs are often expensive and, sometimes dangerous. RVBC graduates are safer RVers and smarter RV buyers. Some insurance companies give discounts to RVBC graduates. Time and money spent attending an RVBC is a wise investment in your RV lifestyle.

[CharliePl]

Originally Posted by jkoenig24

Find and attend an RV Boot Camp. The Escapees RV Club run an EXCELLENT RVBC, usually over a weekend. Other groups also offer RVBCs, some up to eight days long (more social activities). RVBC will explain and demystify all the systems found on modern RVs. Mistakes made with RVs are often expensive and, sometimes dangerous. RVBC graduates are safer RVers and smarter RV buyers. Some insurance companies give discounts to RVBC graduates. Time and money spent attending an RVBC is a wise investment in your RV lifestyle.

Interesting. Not sure if I could take eight days, though. They got any eight-hour ones?

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by CharliePl

Link expired on Amazon. Could you tell me what the device is, and brand/model? Thanks much. Great stuff in your long posting. Appreciate it SO much.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are many brands like it. To me, the cover and cover strap were essential to keep the lava rock in the fire bowl while on the road.

[CharliePl]

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks very much!

[cabranch47]

First thanks to Jimmoore for taking the time to post a very through article concerning the OP questions. I have a HW27SC also and learned a few things too. One of your suggestions, concerning storage under the dinette seats, was good. I approached it in a slightly different way. I found some rubbermaid type storage bins that would fit in the space, cut out one end, faced it toward the outside access panels and screwed it to the floor. My extension cords, gray water hose, etc. go in one side and my fresh water hoses, ect. go in the other. Works well and easy to clean. In the interior I made drawers that slide out behind the cabinet doors. Used for clothing and groceries. Much easier that lifting those darn seats. Just wanted to pass this along.

[jkoenig24]

Way TOO much material to cover in only eight hours. The RVBC I did with Escapees did four hours on Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and four hours Sunday morning. Escapees had GREAT handouts and organization to keep things moving along. With ~250 attendees, organization is key. The RVSEF does a Monday ~ Friday RVBC. RV~Dreams was longer but, they had a LOT of social activities included. Not sure how long other RVBC providers need. Mark Polk at RV Education 101 - videos, DVDs, books, tips and information for RVers has a series of DVDs that cover most of what RVBC does. Disks run from $10 ~ $25 per topic. I was able to get some through my local library. I purchased other titles the library didn't have. At a hands on RVBC, attendees get the added benefit of schmoozing with ~ 250 other attendees. You'd have the opportunity to see LOTS of different rigs and, talk with new and experienced RVers. That's definitely worth something.

[wbemis]

I had a Palomino hard-side pop up with slide outs, bath/shower, an A/C with a heat pump, a gas furnace and water heater. Everything you could cram into a pop up. It was 18 ft long when folded down. I pulled it with a Tahoe, a Suburban, and a Yukon. Never larger than a 1/2 ton. Never had a sway bar/stabilizer. I carried a Honda 2kw Generator for years and quit using the gas appliances completely except the water heater. The Honda is quiet and economical, well worth the price.

[bobstepsup]

Congrats on your trailer What we did on our tour or walk through at the dealer was to record the audio for the whole thing. I have a voice recorder that I asked if I could record the whole walk through and the man that did it said it was no problem . Now I have a record that I can go to anytime I have a question about how something works, without having to call the dealership. Saved me a lot of aggravation.

[nicholsm4]

In my initial reply I recommended considering a sway control. In retrospect I can say with the 2 popups we owned we never had or needed one. Just make sure weight distribution is correct. A spare tire is a must and it never hurts to have a spare set of wheel bearings.