Choosing a First Camper: Matching Needs to Tow Vehicle Limits

[Silverbak]

Good morning, everyone. I am joining the community because my wife and I are looking for our first camper. After cursing around the forum as a visitor, I like the vibe here. Some background:

I am a lifelong camper but have never owned a RV myself. I have borrowed campers before but never owned. Due to some back issues, I can no longer sleep on the ground and even air mattresses are tough, and cold! My wife loves the idea of being in nature but does not all interactions with nature. She won't tent camp, but she is very comfortable in an RV.

Anyway, I am looking forward to interacting here and seeing what I can learn from the mass of experience on this forum.

 

[CamperAL]

Hi Silverbak,

Great to see you folks here!! I've heard there is a problem with a number of campers built during the covid era so you might try to avoid those. Buying used from an owner is often better than buying new. Usually the used units have been gone over and are in better working condition. RV dealers can just be out for a sale so be very careful when dealing with them! Verify what they tell you.

There will be others who will chime in here and offer good advise so stay tuned. Look forward to your posts.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Welcome to RVForum!
"RV" covers a broad spectrum of vehicles and amenities. Have you given much thought to just how much "RV" you want? And of course the budget for it?

It sounds like there is a dichotomy between you & wife, with you toward the wilderness tent end and the wife more toward the "glamping" end. If the only goal is to get off the ground and enough enclosure to stay warm & dry, a pop-up camper with a stove & furnace is sufficient, but it sounds like your wife is looking for a bit more comfort & amenities, maybe on a prepared campsite with water & electric service. The two of you need to sort that out. By all means go look at a variety of RV types and sizes to sample what is available, but don't do any serious shopping until you firm up the wants & needs.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

I've heard there is a problem with a number of campers built during the covid era so you might try to avoid those.

We’re owners or one of those covid era rigs. A 2023 Thor Quantum KW29. To quote hubby “it breaks faster than I can fix it”. We’ve had some hum-dinger things happen. Though we believe we’re done fixing, we’ve repaired, replaced and upgraded just about everything Thor. The Ford part has been very reliable. You’re in the right place, these people here have been very helpful.

 

[Silverbak]

Hi Silverbak,

Great to see you folks here!! I've heard there is a problem with a number of campers built during the covid era so you might try to avoid those. Buying used from an owner is often better than buying new. Usually the used units have been gone over and are in better working condition. RV dealers can just be out for a sale so be very careful when dealing with them! Verify what they tell you.

There will be others who will chime in here and offer good advise so stay tuned. Look forward to your posts.

Thanks for the greeting! Open minded and invite all opinions!

 

[Silverbak]

Welcome to RVForum!
"RV" covers a broad spectrum of vehicles and amenities. Have you given much thought to just how much "RV" you want? And of course the budget for it?

It sounds like there is a dichotomy between you & wife, with you toward the wilderness tent end and the wife more toward the "glamping" end. If the only goal is to get off the ground and enough enclosure to stay warm & dry, a pop-up camper with a stove & furnace is sufficient, but it sounds like your wife is looking for a bit more comfort & amenities, maybe on a prepared campsite with water & electric service. The two of you need to sort that out. By all means go look at a variety of RV types and sizes to sample what is available, but don't do any serious shopping until you firm up the wants & needs.

Gary, hope it's ok to call you Gary. RV is a broad term, i just did not want to bore people with too much info in an introduction.

You are spot on with our dichotomy situation. But she really does like to go she just needs more shelter.

Here is what we are looking at:
Towing with: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S with towing package (not the TowMax)
Towing info:

Sport S - Automatic Transmission (Tow Package)

11,100 lb (5,035 kg)

55 ft2 (5.11 m2)

6,000 lb (2,722 kg)

600 lb (272 kg)

Looking at campers in the 5,000-6,0000lb range.
Need: A/C, Heat, separated bedroom, full bathroom with sink, awning, large refrigerator with a freezer
Want: TV, WiFi (can be aftermarket), oven, walkable roof

We were recently at the MD RV Show and looked at several campers but both like the look and feel of the Primetime Avenger 26DBS which I believe is made by Forrest River (31.7 feet long, weight 6,413lbs. I know this exceeds the specs a little). With the optional 50A double A/C I think it checks all of our boxes. We are taking our time, in no rush, we want to get a good solid camper.

 

[IBTripping]

Just a note about travel trailer weight. Never use the UVW (unloaded vehicle weight) which is also called dry weight. Always use the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) because you will not be towing an unloaded trailer. The GVWR of the Primetime Avenger 26DBS is 7,805 lbs. That will be too heavy for your Jeep to pull without the Max Tow Package. You can do it, but it will not be pleasant to drive and can be dangerous.

If it was me, I'd try to find about a 5,000 lb. GVWR trailer. Just my opinion.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

As IBTripping says, that trailer is well beyond your jeep's capability. Forget dry weight or UVW and use GVWR as the weight you need to be able to tow. And assume the trailer tongue weight will be 10%-12% of the GVWR. If it turns out you don't load the trailer to its max, that's great, but statistics show the vast majority of RVs end up being near or over their max weight rating.

There won't be any 30 ft trailers in the weight class you can tow, so plan on either a smaller/lighter trailer or a more capable truck. Unfortunately, none of the Avenger series is within your Gladiator's capacity.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Gary, hope it's ok to call you Gary. RV is a broad term, i just did not want to bore people with too much info in an introduction.

You are spot on with our dichotomy situation. But she really does like to go she just needs more shelter.

Here is what we are looking at:
Towing with: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S with towing package (not the TowMax)
Towing info:

Sport S - Automatic Transmission (Tow Package)

11,100 lb (5,035 kg)

55 ft2 (5.11 m2)

6,000 lb (2,722 kg)

600 lb (272 kg)

Looking at campers in the 5,000-6,0000lb range.
Need: A/C, Heat, separated bedroom, full bathroom with sink, awning, large refrigerator with a freezer
Want: TV, WiFi (can be aftermarket), oven, walkable roof

A quick note on the "55 ft2" specification - that's the total frontal area of the trailer. An 8 ft. wide trailer can't be more than 6.8 ft. above the chassis. More frontal area requires more power to carve a hole through the air especially at highway speeds.

Just one more point that says you need either a smaller trailer or more capable tow vehicle.