Hello again; researching TT's

[JD]

Hi, we were on this site and received a lot of helpful advice several years ago when we bought a Pleasureway diesel.  We traveled out west and the southeast for a month or several weeks at a time for about two years and then sold it because we missed cruising on the water.  We have now come to the realization that we miss traveling to the national and state parks in the summer. So, we feel this time we should get a medium sized travel trailer- 19-20'.  We live in Florida and want to travel out West and Canada so we need something that can take a lot of miles.  It will just be the two of us and Marina, our bichon.  Any suggestions? 
Thank you in advance,
Joy and John

 

[Ron]

Hi Joy and John,

Welcome back to the RV Forum Framily and thanks for joining us.  Please look around, ask questions, check out the library, and join in on any of the ongoing discussions.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

These days a 19-20 footer is considered small. Maybe even tiny!  ;D

Your choice of tow vehicle is going to govern the available trailers, i.e. the weight of the trailer has to fit in the tow capacity you have. Unless of course you pick the trailer first and then but whatever vehicle you need to pull it.  Most people have a strong preference for their vehicle, since you will be spending a lot of time driving it.

A hybrid (hard sided trailer with expandable canvas sleep area) might be a good combination of weight and space in a compact length. The Rockwood Roo is a popular model.

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/default22.asp?nav=rec&page=roo&choice=brochure

The K-Z Coyote Lite is another possibility.  It would help, though, if you could give some better idea of what your wants and needs  are.  Will you be camping moslty with hook-ups in campgrounds or will you be primitive camping? The latter implies a greater need for water & waste tanks and batteries, neither of which is a strong point of small trailers.

 

[JD]

Thank you both for setting us off on our journey to find our travel trailer. Yes, we know, 19-20' is small; however, we have been working very hard on downsizing the last couple of years and have come to discover that bigger is not always better for us.  This site and the links you gave us are a great start.  We plan to go to Tampa, Fl in June for the RV show which should also help.  Again, thank you.
Joy & John

 

[Carl L]

Based on personal experience, I would look for something a bit larger -- say in the 24 foot length.  It will give a couple and a small critter signficantly more inside space with little weight and price penalty. 

 

[edjunior]

And one thing I highly recommend is a slideout.  Even a small one with just the couch, or just the dinette.  It is amazing how much space even a little slide can give you.  With the Bichon, you won't regret it.  And you can still stay in the "small" range of 22 - 26 feet with a small slide.  Just my 2 cents.

 

[JD]

More food for thought- thank you.  We will definitely keep an open mind as to size and a slide out.  We are really looking forward to the RV show in Tampa next month.  Your input is definitely appreciated.
Joy

 

[Carl L]

When you go shopping, do yourselves a favor and learn the tow rating of your truck and match it with the Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of the trailers you are looking at.  This will avoid falling in love with a unit that would be an unsalfe tow.