Suggestions

[Laniamore]

Hi!  Totally new to RVing.  Trying to get something that will be a temporary home and will be using it to tour the USA this summer.

We are 30-40 somethings with a 7 year old.  So we would like a queen bed with at least one other bed.  A toilet and sink and stove would be nice.  We will be pulling with a Toyota Sequoia so my husband doesn?t want to go over 4,000 lbs in weight (or close to).  My husband is also 6?4? so a bed that doesn?t go width wise would be better.

So, where do I even start?  I know nothing about campers.  I don?t know brand reputations, types, standards, anything.  Our budget has to be less than $15,000 so I realize we might buy used.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Back2PA]

Welcome to the forum


To stay under the weight your Sequoia can pull you're probably looking at something like this:


https://www.bluedogrv.com/product/new-2018-forest-river-rv-r-pod-rp-171-707490-29


While it has the amenities you mention, it's likely much smaller than what you envision, and whether you could make it work as a "temporary home" depends on your willingness to compromise.

 

[Gizmo100]

Welcome to the RV Forum Laniamore

While I agree with your husband's weight limit on the trailer it also does narrow down the choices. The R-pod that Back2PA linked seems to have a good reputation. Just keep in mind that as a living space it can get pretty cramped on a rainy/cold day.

When you state "temporary home" that could be anywhere from 2 weeks to years. My wife and I just spent 3 weeks traveling with our trailer. On those rainy days/evenings is was a little tight. And keep in mind we weren't keeping a 7 year old.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an RV. I just want to help you make an informed decision

 

[donn]

Welcome,
Yours is an age old question.  One no one can adequately answer.  For starters, at 6'4" its highly unlikely your ever going to find a bed he can sleep in in a trailer  small enough you can safely tow.  Most trailers will have what is called a short queen, meaning twin length.  A motor home would possibly work better, but at $15K budget would mean a really old worn out piece of junk.  For a short, several week tour of the USA you might be better off renting a motor home to see if RVing is really something you might like.  RVs  being depreciating assets are a horrible investment strictly looking at money.  Besides that most buyers dont really know what they want the first few purchases, so buying used is certainally the best option.  You might consider a larger tent trailer in your future.  Two king beds, inside kitchen, heck some even have a toilet area.  This might be something you could tow pretty easily.

 

[UTTransplant]

Look at pop ups. Two big beds, kitchen, and some have bathrooms. You really do need to moderate your expectations with a 4000 pound limit. Is there any possibility of getting a more capable tow vehicle?

 

[Oldgator73]

A 74? bed probably won?t work for you. If your wife doesn?t want to sleep next to the wall you get stuck laying in bed if you wake up earlier than her. You can crawl over her but that will wake her up. Might make her mad or if it doesn?t make her mad could lead to second child and the need for larger RV. You will also get tired of raising and lowering the dinette on a daily basis. Plus if you wake up first and your 7 year old is still sleeping there won?t be anywhere for you to sit. Speaking of sitting, you probably, at 6?4? will not fit at the dinette.  The bathroom will be another problem. I don?t think you will fit. Best thing to do is go to the nearest dealer and look at RV?s. Better if you can find an RV show.

 

[Laniamore]

So, we have the 5.7 liter engine with a tow package.  The manual says it has a 9,800 lb tow capacity.  Perhaps we have more room to play with if we can tow a camper over 4,000. We used to have a 13? Scamp camper which was basically a tent with wheels anything the least bit bigger is a step up from what we are used to. We are going to live in it during our trip across country and while we close on our house.

Welcome to the RV Forum Laniamore

While I agree with your husband's weight limit on the trailer it also does narrow down the choices. The R-pod that Back2PA linked seems to have a good reputation. Just keep in mind that as a living space it can get pretty cramped on a rainy/cold day.

When you state "temporary home" that could be anywhere from 2 weeks to years. My wife and I just spent 3 weeks traveling with our trailer. On those rainy days/evenings is was a little tight. And keep in mind we weren't keeping a 7 year old.

I'm not trying to talk you out of getting an RV. I just want to help you make an informed decision

 

[IBTripping]

Towing capacity is NOT typically the most limiting factor; the payload (cargo) capacity of the tow vehicle is. On the driver's door of the Sequoia are 2 labels, one is white and the other is white with yellow markings. Post a picture of the yellow label or post the information from that label and we can do the math to determine the largest travel trailer that can be safely towed by the Sequoia.

 

[Gizmo100]

So, we have the 5.7 liter engine with a tow package.  The manual says it has a 9,800 lb tow capacity.  Perhaps we have more room to play with if we can tow a camper over 4,000. We used to have a 13? Scamp camper which was basically a tent with wheels anything the least bit bigger is a step up from what we are used to. We are going to live in it during our trip across country and while we close on our house.

Sounds like you and husband need to sit down and find out why he only wants 4000#'s weight. And is that the weight of a fully loaded trailer or the dry weight (unloaded). Also need to check the Toyota for cargo limits. There will be a sticker on the driver's side door that will give you that number.

 

[Larry N.]

And is that the weight of a fully loaded trailer or the dry weight (unloaded).

An excellent question, since "dry weight" is almost a useless figure. Always figure towing with  gross weight (fully loaded to max).