New Buyer Advice

[DiscoFever]

Hello everyone!

My wife and I are beginning to look for a travel trailer. We're both 23, and we want to scout out the best place in the country to raise a family, and what better way to do it than drive around?

I work via the internet, so it'll be doable.

I'm hoping all of you might have some good advice for me on what to buy.

I have a mid-size SUV to pull it with (Land Rover Discovery II), which says that any trailer over 1,500lbs must have its own brakes. Plus, I've read that a 2-axle trailer is better than one.

We're hoping to spend $3,000 or less on the trailer, since our dogs will be sleeping in it with us. If we LIKE the life style, we might invest in something nicer (wow, I love those Jayco Feathers!), but for now I need something with electric brakes and two axles (and a toilet and shower) for less than $3,000.

Is that even possible?

I can fix many things that may be wrong with a 80s or early 90s model- but will one that old have electric brakes? When did they start putting electric brakes on them?

THANK YOU!

-Disco

[Stoney]

Disco,

Welcome to our friendly RVers website

I would think that your TV could handle a 19', or even a 21' TT, of the "lite weight" construction. Both in that size should have two axles, which will give you a better tow experience. Electric brakes are pretty much a given for a TT. You will also need a weight distribution hitch, a sway control, and a brake controller.

I think the big obstacle you face is finding a TT in your desired price range. However, with today's economy and people's financial situations what they are, I'm sure there are quite a few good deals to be had out there. A private sale would probably be the most reasonable.

[Mr bojangles]

Hello Discofever:
Good luck on your quest..... it's very unlikely you will get away with just spending $3k to do what ya want to do with a trailer.
If someone gives ya a trailer, you know to get rid of it..., take off thier property. These things do happen. And if your handy, it could be fixed up.
But whatever ya do..... these are the most important things you must do.
1) Make sure tires are safe.... NEW even. I have had blow outs that took out bottom of my "used" bought trailer. They looked good, but were TOO old.
2) Buy a WDU (Weight distribution Unit).. a must for safe driving.
3) Continue to educate yourself on FORUMS, much to learn.
4) ensure axles are inspected.... replaced or repacked.
Think SAFETY..., Safety, safety.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[broncobill]

We just bought our first trailer, and I was kind of surprised at the cost of the hitch, and brake. All told, it cost $600. But again, that's for the hitch, weight distribution bars, sway bay and electric brake control. But it's worth it to be safe.

[DiscoFever]

Thanks so much, guys.

In the manual for my vehicle (2004 Land Rover Discovery), it cautions the user to never use a weight-distribution hitch, but doesn't say why.

Do you still think I should?

Thanks!

-D

[broncobill]

If your owners manual states not to use one, I would not. It must be for some very good reason though. What is the towing limit on the Discovery?

[DiscoFever]

Thanks Bill!!

It's 4,400lbs, in high gear, as long as the trailer has brakes it says.

That limit is actually for my 2000 Disco, which has a 4.0L v-8, so I assume my 2004's 4.6L v-8 could at least handle that amount.

I plan on getting a trailer that weighs around 3,000 lbs.

[DiscoFever]

PS- My maximum hitch weight is 350lbs, it says.

[ski-nut]

take a look at the Rockwood Roo, it is in your weight category:
http://www.allseasonsrv.com/cf/shopm...shopmdeptid=57