| You might be a tent camper that graduated to a Pop | | | | and other cargo in the tow vehicle, plus you, your |
| Up and are nowconsidering a travel trailer. Or, maybe | | | | wife and two children, let's say another 650 pounds |
| you have never camped before but like all of the | | | | to be safe. That leaves us with 1,560 pounds to |
| amenities available on modern travel trailers and are | | | | spare. In this example we would be okay. |
| considering the RV lifestyle. No matter what the case | | | | Some people use what is referred to as the 75% |
| may be, as an ex-RV Sales Manager and current | | | | rule. The tow capacity times 75% should be the total |
| owner of RV Education 101, I would like to offer you | | | | amount of weight you're towing when everything is |
| some advice before you buy. | | | | loaded. If we use the 75% rule in our example it |
| The first rule is, if you buy it you have to use it! | | | | would be 7000 pounds times 75% equals 5,250 |
| Otherwise it will be nothing more than a very large | | | | pounds. This leaves us 1,750 pounds to spare, and |
| and expensive lawn ornament. Let's face it, besides | | | | would be even better. |
| your house and automobile, oh and yes, your | | | | Now that we've conquered the weight issue what |
| children's tuition fees this could be one of the biggest | | | | other issues should we be concerned with. We said |
| investments you ever make. | | | | earlier that this is a major investment and you will |
| With that said let's get started. Based on my | | | | probably have it, and be paying on it for quite some |
| experience the first thing we need to consider is the | | | | time. My advice is to do you're homework on the RV |
| tow vehicle. You don't want to put your family in | | | | dealership you plan to do business with. Find a |
| harms way, or destroy the transmission in that | | | | reputable dealer, talk to people that has dealt with |
| $35,000 SUV you just bought. As a Sales Manager | | | | them in the past. Then do your homework on the |
| the first question I required my sales people to ask | | | | products they sell. There is a wealth of information |
| was what type of vehicle will you be towing with. | | | | on the Internet. Find out how the unit is constructed, |
| This is a critical factor and too often over looked. | | | | how long the warranty is for, how long has the |
| We had a book at the dealership and we would look | | | | manufacturer been in business. RV's are similar to |
| the vehicle up to determine the tow capacity. There | | | | cars. You get what you pay for. Decide if you want |
| are numerous footnotes that must be considered. | | | | a Chevrolet, Buick or Cadillac. |
| What size engine does it have, is it two wheel drive | | | | Armed with this information go to the dealership and |
| or four wheel drive, and the most important factor, | | | | find a salesperson you feel comfortable with. Don't |
| what is the rear axle ratio. My advice is, if you talk to | | | | be afraid to help the salesperson help you. The more |
| a sales person and they don't ask about your vehicle, | | | | information that you can offer will help. Tell your |
| or determine the tow capacity ask to speak to | | | | salesperson who, what, when, where, why and how. |
| somebody else. | | | | Who will be using the camper? What floor plan would |
| If you don't have the tow vehicle yet it's a good idea | | | | work best based on your needs? When do you want |
| to pick out the travel trailer you want first and then | | | | to purchase it? Where will you be going, the |
| purchase the tow vehicle that can pull it. I've dealt | | | | mountains, the beach, or do you plan to leave it set |
| with many disappointed customers that just bought a | | | | up somewhere? Why should you buy this brand? |
| new vehicle and found out later that they can't pull | | | | How much do you plan on spending? In our society it |
| the camper they really want. A bit more advice at | | | | is natural to be cautious when dealing with sales |
| the risk of upsetting some people, don't ask the | | | | people. You may have had a bad experience in the |
| person selling you the vehicle how much it can tow. | | | | past, but a reputable dealer will have a well-trained, |
| They don't have readily available information on that | | | | professional sales staff that can help make the right |
| and may tell you whatever you want to hear, let's | | | | decision. |
| face it they just want to sell you the truck. I would | | | | Be sure that it's not too big , or too small for the |
| call a reputable RV dealer in the area and ask them. | | | | way you plan on using it. Don't be afraid to lie down |
| I don't want to bore you with all of this talk about | | | | on the bed, stand in the shower, or sit on the toilet. |
| weights, but bear with me for just a minute. Let's | | | | Look at the storage space and closet space. Study |
| use an example. You bought a truck that can safely | | | | the floor plan. I once sold a camper to a family |
| tow 7000 pounds. You want the 26' travel trailer with | | | | because they liked the interior colors. It had a front |
| the bunk beds. | | | | bedroom with a queen bed, the kitchen was in the |
| Don't get confused with the gross vehicle | | | | middle and the bathroom and bunk beds were in the |
| weight-rating (GVWR) label that you found on the | | | | back. After they used it the first time they told me |
| outside of the camper. GVWR is the total amount of | | | | they had made a big mistake. They based their |
| weight the trailers axles, brakes and tires can | | | | decision on color verses floor plan. She said every |
| support. Look inside the camper, usually on the back | | | | time she was in the kitchen trying to do something |
| of one of the cabinet doors you'll find another weight | | | | the children would come in and want to run back and |
| label. Look for the dry or unloaded vehicle weight | | | | forth to the bathroom or the bunk beds. Remember, |
| (UVW) of thetrailer. This is the most accurate figure | | | | this is going to be your home away from home. |
| on the trailers weight when it left the manufacturer. | | | | Take the time too be sure that it has all of the |
| The brochure can even be a bit deceiving about the | | | | features thatare important to you and your family. |
| weight because it doesn't take into consideration any | | | | Your RV dealer will or should give you an RV walk |
| dealer installed options like the air conditioner etc. | | | | thru orientation when you buy an RV. |
| So for the sake of our example we'll say the trailer | | | | Hopefully some of this information will help you make |
| you want has a dry weight of 4,490 pounds. The | | | | an informed decision when you go shopping for your |
| tow vehicle capacity, 7,000 pounds minus the trailers | | | | camper. I can't really advise you on negotiating the |
| dry weight 4,490 leaves us 2,510 pounds. We should | | | | price, but remember you get what you pay for. |
| be okay, right. | | | | Happy Camping, |
| Let's see, you will probably carry about 300 pounds | | | | Mark J. Polk |
| of cargo inside the trailer. Then with your toolbox | | | | Copyright 2006 by Mark J. |