IBTripping
Well-known member
I'm on a very limited budget. After spending a great deal of time researching, especially on this great forum, I purchased a 24 ft. 1996 Coachman Catalina Lite TT. It has a reputation as a well made product. And, more important, the owner has taking good care of it. Everything works on it. However, on this old of a TT, I know that the air, refrig, etc. can break down at any time. Fortunately, I can do most any needed repairs/maintenance as they arise. I did a very close inspection before making an offer. Lots of good info on this forum, Youtube, etc. on how to do this.
While, as often rightly noted on this forum, it is wise to pick the TT before getting the TV, I did the opposite. I bought a low mileage Durango first and then, based on advice on this forum, looked for a TT within the towing capacity of the TV. I also upgraded the TV first by installing rear load leveling shocks (Monroe) and front high capacity shocks (Monroe Reflex). I also installed a much better trailer hitch (etrailer class III with 9,000 lbs. top towing capacity with load leveling hitch). Finally, I purchased new truck tires with 2205 lbs. max payload per tire. I also did an oil change, transmission service, and coolant service. The Durango has a rated maximum towing capacity of 5850 lbs. However, the improved shocks, receiver hitch, and tires probably added a higher margin of safe towing, not that I ever plan to find out.
The TT has a dry weight of 3554 lbs., a max payload of 1,263, for a gross max weight of 4817 lbs. The hitch weight is 420 lbs. The owner included a brand name load leveling hitch which does not include an anti-sway system. The owner said he never had a sway problem, but he never drove over 60 mph. Smart guy. The TT also has 4 new tires and an electric brake system.
I hadn't yet installed the TV electric hookups because I didn't know what hookup the TT would have. I towed it about 120 miles to my storage area. I won't tow it again until I install the correct TV electric hookups. I also plan to get a trailer brake controller in the TV cabin.
About the first towing experience. The Durango V8 has plenty of hp and torque to comfortably tow the TT. The engine temperature did rise a bit going up hills which I expected, but was not excessive. The Durango has both an auxiliary oil and transmission cooler. I drove very cautiously. The owner lived in a rural area and I had to tow it over narrow, bumpy, rural paved roads for about 10 miles and mostly multi-lane secondary roads for the rest of the 120 miles. The TT tracked very well. I could feel the extra weight especially going over bumps, but those load leveling shocks made a huge difference. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Durango brakes performed since the TT brakes were not operational. But, I still started braking well ahead of time. I was planning to install high performance brake discs and rotors, but now, don't think it is necessary.
If anyone wants to criticize me for towing without electric hookups, feel free. However, I felt that since I planned to drive very cautiously including braking well ahead of time, and take secondary roads (non-Interstate), it was not an excessive risk just to get it home. Also, I had called my insurance carrier and got immediate coverage on the trailer.
After towing the TT for 120 miles, my first impression is that I chose a length and weight TT with a good margin of safety for my TV. However, I'm not sure if an anti-sway system is necessary. I plan to follow the previous owner's policy of not driving over 60 mph. I also don't plan to tow it on a windy day. And, I'll use the TT brake controller (to be installed) to straighten out any possible sway and in case of problems going down steep hills. I'd welcome any thoughts on this plan by veteran RVers.
Just a note that the previous owner used a special long lasting butyl tape for the seams instead of caulking. Looks a little ugly, but I like the concept of not having to re-caulk the seams every 2 or 3 years. He also recently repacked the TT wheel bearing.
If anyone is interested, I paid $4,000 for the TV and $3,800 for the TT. But, of course I spent considerable on the new receiver hitch, tires, shocks, ball insert, maintenance, etc. And, I'll spend more for the brake controller, wiring harness, etc. I'm also ordering an aftermarket rear view camera to make it easier to line up to the trailer hitch. At 420 lbs. you've got to be lined up perfect to hitch it up. Finally, the TT has only one battery which the owner advised won't last very long. I've got to figure out how to add more battery or batteries for dry camping. But, in the end, I think I'll have less than $9,500 invested in the TT & TV. Also, the TV is my daily driver. So, I'll have ongoing added costs of fuel for the TV, but still cheaper than having 2 vehicles. Again, I do all the maintenance, installation and repairs which saves big bucks on labor costs.
While, as often rightly noted on this forum, it is wise to pick the TT before getting the TV, I did the opposite. I bought a low mileage Durango first and then, based on advice on this forum, looked for a TT within the towing capacity of the TV. I also upgraded the TV first by installing rear load leveling shocks (Monroe) and front high capacity shocks (Monroe Reflex). I also installed a much better trailer hitch (etrailer class III with 9,000 lbs. top towing capacity with load leveling hitch). Finally, I purchased new truck tires with 2205 lbs. max payload per tire. I also did an oil change, transmission service, and coolant service. The Durango has a rated maximum towing capacity of 5850 lbs. However, the improved shocks, receiver hitch, and tires probably added a higher margin of safe towing, not that I ever plan to find out.
The TT has a dry weight of 3554 lbs., a max payload of 1,263, for a gross max weight of 4817 lbs. The hitch weight is 420 lbs. The owner included a brand name load leveling hitch which does not include an anti-sway system. The owner said he never had a sway problem, but he never drove over 60 mph. Smart guy. The TT also has 4 new tires and an electric brake system.
I hadn't yet installed the TV electric hookups because I didn't know what hookup the TT would have. I towed it about 120 miles to my storage area. I won't tow it again until I install the correct TV electric hookups. I also plan to get a trailer brake controller in the TV cabin.
About the first towing experience. The Durango V8 has plenty of hp and torque to comfortably tow the TT. The engine temperature did rise a bit going up hills which I expected, but was not excessive. The Durango has both an auxiliary oil and transmission cooler. I drove very cautiously. The owner lived in a rural area and I had to tow it over narrow, bumpy, rural paved roads for about 10 miles and mostly multi-lane secondary roads for the rest of the 120 miles. The TT tracked very well. I could feel the extra weight especially going over bumps, but those load leveling shocks made a huge difference. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Durango brakes performed since the TT brakes were not operational. But, I still started braking well ahead of time. I was planning to install high performance brake discs and rotors, but now, don't think it is necessary.
If anyone wants to criticize me for towing without electric hookups, feel free. However, I felt that since I planned to drive very cautiously including braking well ahead of time, and take secondary roads (non-Interstate), it was not an excessive risk just to get it home. Also, I had called my insurance carrier and got immediate coverage on the trailer.
After towing the TT for 120 miles, my first impression is that I chose a length and weight TT with a good margin of safety for my TV. However, I'm not sure if an anti-sway system is necessary. I plan to follow the previous owner's policy of not driving over 60 mph. I also don't plan to tow it on a windy day. And, I'll use the TT brake controller (to be installed) to straighten out any possible sway and in case of problems going down steep hills. I'd welcome any thoughts on this plan by veteran RVers.
Just a note that the previous owner used a special long lasting butyl tape for the seams instead of caulking. Looks a little ugly, but I like the concept of not having to re-caulk the seams every 2 or 3 years. He also recently repacked the TT wheel bearing.
If anyone is interested, I paid $4,000 for the TV and $3,800 for the TT. But, of course I spent considerable on the new receiver hitch, tires, shocks, ball insert, maintenance, etc. And, I'll spend more for the brake controller, wiring harness, etc. I'm also ordering an aftermarket rear view camera to make it easier to line up to the trailer hitch. At 420 lbs. you've got to be lined up perfect to hitch it up. Finally, the TT has only one battery which the owner advised won't last very long. I've got to figure out how to add more battery or batteries for dry camping. But, in the end, I think I'll have less than $9,500 invested in the TT & TV. Also, the TV is my daily driver. So, I'll have ongoing added costs of fuel for the TV, but still cheaper than having 2 vehicles. Again, I do all the maintenance, installation and repairs which saves big bucks on labor costs.