(08-08-2026 12:06 AM)TripleA Wrote: Impressive. Not typical, but way impressive.
Meanwhile, I figured out the trailer, but I need more research to decide on the truck. All the trucks that can tow enough weight are damned expensive. Ford F-150, Ram 1500 Big Horn, or Chevy 1500 Silverado.
I'm down to 4 days before closing now, but I plan to stay in the Memphis area a couple of weeks before hitting the road, while I hopefully get any necessary upgrades made to the trailer or truck.
If you go with the Ram you may want airbags even with a WDH, the Ram uses coil springs while the other two options use leaf springs. The coils ride better unloaded, but can sag more with the trailer hooked up.
You can install airlift bags inside the coils cheaply and run a line to a Schrader valve to adjust with a tire compressor. I run 22 pounds when towing and 6 when unloaded.
My brother has an F150, it tows really well and the tow package is pretty comprehensive. I pull my boat with his truck a lot since I drive my Tesla to the lake. I have a ram and it tows well too, but I added airbags.
Truck payload is something to keep an eye on as the trailer tongue weight and WDH are going to eat up a lot (700 pounds) but you should be good as long as you stay away from loaded trucks with options like power steps and pano roof. Those heavy options eat up a lot of payload.
(08-08-2026 12:06 AM)TripleA Wrote: Impressive. Not typical, but way impressive.
Meanwhile, I figured out the trailer, but I need more research to decide on the truck. All the trucks that can tow enough weight are damned expensive. Ford F-150, Ram 1500 Big Horn, or Chevy 1500 Silverado.
I'm down to 4 days before closing now, but I plan to stay in the Memphis area a couple of weeks before hitting the road, while I hopefully get any necessary upgrades made to the trailer or truck.
If you go with the Ram you may want airbags even with a WDH, the Ram uses coil springs while the other two options use leaf springs. The coils ride better unloaded, but can sag more with the trailer hooked up.
You can install airlift bags inside the coils cheaply and run a line to a Schrader valve to adjust with a tire compressor. I run 22 pounds when towing and 6 when unloaded.
My brother has an F150, it tows really well and the tow package is pretty comprehensive. I pull my boat with his truck a lot since I drive my Tesla to the lake. I have a ram and it tows well too, but I added airbags.
Truck payload is something to keep an eye on as the trailer tongue weight and WDH are going to eat up a lot (700 pounds) but you should be good as long as you stay away from loaded trucks with options like power steps and pano roof. Those heavy options eat up a lot of payload.
Thanks. I agree. I ran across some Gemini input in the last few days that said much the same thing. It also said the tongue weight can get up to 850-900 pounds. The WDH alone is 100 pounds of tongue weight.
As for the ram vs. the other two, I'm going to be driving way more days unhooked than towing, b/c I'm going to get somewhere and stay in the area for weeks at a time, or however long is necessary.
But...the great majority of the actual miles will be while towing. And yes, I plan to avoid the trucks heavily loaded with options.
(This post was last modified: 08-08-2026 10:27 AM by TripleA.)
(08-08-2026 02:01 PM)stinkfist Wrote: ^^^ I like that one the best out all the others you've posted to date ... the garbage can being incl. makes the deal ...
Yep, that's what sold me, too. Well, not so much the garbage can, but the fact they had room for it under the sink.
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
But you might have a better chance...
also probably a lot warmer on those cold north west nights
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
But you might have a better chance...
also probably a lot warmer on those cold north west nights
Ha, no thanks. At my age, I have retired from female companionship. All they would do now is cost me money and harsh my chill.
Not to mention, I plan to follow the sun. Nothing colder at night than 50 degrees.
(This post was last modified: 08-09-2026 06:23 PM by TripleA.)
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
Yeah, I looked at the Transcend 27, but I just couldn't see the need to go bigger. I'm going to be out west a lot, and I don't want to be pulling a big ass trailer through or around the Rockies. I prefer to have a big truck and a small trailer. And an easy way to hitch and unhitch.
Anyway, since I have no commitments and no time constraints, I will likely, other than travel days, be somewhere that I will want to stay outside a lot, anyway.
Also, I find since my wife passed away, that I only use the LR, the kitchen and one bath in our house, so any more than that is a waste. Most of my furniture is gone now, and I'm sleeping on a mattress in the LR, so moving into the trailer will make me feel right at home, lol.
(This post was last modified: 08-11-2026 09:18 AM by TripleA.)
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
Yeah, I looked at the Transcend 27, but I just couldn't see the need to go bigger. I'm going to be out west a lot, and I don't want to be pulling a big ass trailer through or around the Rockies. I prefer to have a big truck and a small trailer. And an easy way to hitch and unhitch.
Anyway, since I have no commitments and no time constraints, I will likely, other than travel days, be somewhere that I will want to stay outside a lot, anyway.
Also, I find since my wife passed away, that I only use the LR, the kitchen and one bath in our house, so any more than that is a waste. Most of my furniture is gone now, and I'm sleeping on a mattress in the LR, so moving into the trailer will make me feel right at home, lol.
One bit of advice I can give you is if possible get one with the sleeping area in the rear. We find that people at RV parks like to wake up early and talk loud while walking their dogs. Sometimes sounds like they are sitting on the hitch. Enjoy yourself.
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
Yeah, I looked at the Transcend 27, but I just couldn't see the need to go bigger. I'm going to be out west a lot, and I don't want to be pulling a big ass trailer through or around the Rockies. I prefer to have a big truck and a small trailer. And an easy way to hitch and unhitch.
Anyway, since I have no commitments and no time constraints, I will likely, other than travel days, be somewhere that I will want to stay outside a lot, anyway.
Also, I find since my wife passed away, that I only use the LR, the kitchen and one bath in our house, so any more than that is a waste. Most of my furniture is gone now, and I'm sleeping on a mattress in the LR, so moving into the trailer will make me feel right at home, lol.
One bit of advice I can give you is if possible get one with the sleeping area in the rear. We find that people at RV parks like to wake up early and talk loud while walking their dogs. Sometimes sounds like they are sitting on the hitch. Enjoy yourself.
Thanks. In my situation, that's pretty funny. As a verified old person, I usually only sleep about 3 to 5 hours a night, at best. I go to bed at maybe midnight or slightly after, and am always awake before daylight.
Sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon, depending on what I have going on. If anything, I would be one of those peeps waking up early, except I tend to be pretty quiet when I'm alone, lol.
I don't even have a dog for now, although I'm thinking about getting one at some point, after I feel more comfortable with my new lifestyle.
(08-08-2026 01:36 PM)TripleA Wrote: Here's another tour of the RV trailer I'm planning to get. The lady isn't quite as foxy this time, but the tour itself is good. :)
3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
Yeah, I looked at the Transcend 27, but I just couldn't see the need to go bigger. I'm going to be out west a lot, and I don't want to be pulling a big ass trailer through or around the Rockies. I prefer to have a big truck and a small trailer. And an easy way to hitch and unhitch.
Anyway, since I have no commitments and no time constraints, I will likely, other than travel days, be somewhere that I will want to stay outside a lot, anyway.
Also, I find since my wife passed away, that I only use the LR, the kitchen and one bath in our house, so any more than that is a waste. Most of my furniture is gone now, and I'm sleeping on a mattress in the LR, so moving into the trailer will make me feel right at home, lol.
One bit of advice I can give you is if possible get one with the sleeping area in the rear. We find that people at RV parks like to wake up early and talk loud while walking their dogs. Sometimes sounds like they are sitting on the hitch. Enjoy yourself.
Thanks. In my situation, that's pretty funny. As a verified old person, I usually only sleep about 3 to 5 hours a night, at best. I go to bed at maybe midnight or slightly after, and am always awake before daylight.
Sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon, depending on what I have going on. If anything, I would be one of those peeps waking up early, except I tend to be pretty quiet when I'm alone, lol.
I don't even have a dog for now, although I'm thinking about getting one at some point, after I feel more comfortable with my new lifestyle.
Also, get you a good fuse kit. You will need them getting used to your camper. If you move your hitch too high or too low the lift motor will blow the fuse. I keep a kit with a bunch of different fuses and a pack of red 20s for that purpose.
(08-11-2026 08:40 AM)Eagleaidaholic Wrote: 3A, We bought a Grand Design Transcend 27 footer during on Labor Day 2020. I bought my truck the month before. We love it. The ducted A/C is what sold me. This is the best time to by a pickup. I bought a Custom 1500 Silverado with the 5.3l V-8 with 4x4 and the MAX trailer package. It pulls the camper which is rated at 9,000lbs easily. I get about 10mpg per trip. You would probably do better with a smaller camper. But, the Grand Design is a good camper. High quality everything. Soft touch cabinets, good countertops, large fridge, etc.
Yeah, I looked at the Transcend 27, but I just couldn't see the need to go bigger. I'm going to be out west a lot, and I don't want to be pulling a big ass trailer through or around the Rockies. I prefer to have a big truck and a small trailer. And an easy way to hitch and unhitch.
Anyway, since I have no commitments and no time constraints, I will likely, other than travel days, be somewhere that I will want to stay outside a lot, anyway.
Also, I find since my wife passed away, that I only use the LR, the kitchen and one bath in our house, so any more than that is a waste. Most of my furniture is gone now, and I'm sleeping on a mattress in the LR, so moving into the trailer will make me feel right at home, lol.
One bit of advice I can give you is if possible get one with the sleeping area in the rear. We find that people at RV parks like to wake up early and talk loud while walking their dogs. Sometimes sounds like they are sitting on the hitch. Enjoy yourself.
Thanks. In my situation, that's pretty funny. As a verified old person, I usually only sleep about 3 to 5 hours a night, at best. I go to bed at maybe midnight or slightly after, and am always awake before daylight.
Sometimes I take a nap in the afternoon, depending on what I have going on. If anything, I would be one of those peeps waking up early, except I tend to be pretty quiet when I'm alone, lol.
I don't even have a dog for now, although I'm thinking about getting one at some point, after I feel more comfortable with my new lifestyle.
Also, get you a good fuse kit. You will need them getting used to your camper. If you move your hitch too high or too low the lift motor will blow the fuse. I keep a kit with a bunch of different fuses and a pack of red 20s for that purpose.
I think I can add a device to the hitch that keeps that from happening.
(08-11-2026 08:25 PM)TripleA Wrote: Ok, I made it to Launch Eve. Now less than 15 hours to closing. Then the great adventure begins. Wish me luck. I'm going to need a good bit, lol.
I'll wish you good luck, but I'll pray your tires remain sound and your engine performs well! Carpe Diem!
(08-11-2026 08:25 PM)TripleA Wrote: Ok, I made it to Launch Eve. Now less than 15 hours to closing. Then the great adventure begins. Wish me luck. I'm going to need a good bit, lol.
I'll wish you good luck, but I'll pray your tires remain sound and your engine performs well! Carpe Diem!
Thanks. That's the most practical wish I could hope for.
I am trying to give that prayer wings by buying a new F-150 or similar Silverado or Big Horn to tow my double axle trailer.
Lots of tires involved on both ends, and a towing capacity of 11-13.5K for a 6500 lb. payload.
(08-12-2026 06:43 AM)BartlettTigerFan Wrote: And don’t post here while driving
Oh okay. Never thought of that, lol.
Today is the start of driving days. I will head out late this afternoon in the direction of Memphis. Won't make it all the way before dark, so will arrive Thursday, then go truck shopping Friday morning.
I only have a week to get everything done and head to South Dakota. Need the truck, then go to Tupelo and finish up with the trailer, hitch it up, go back to Memphis for the night, then head to SD by the 20th.
Have to get there before my current AL DL expires.
