Buying a new (to me) travel trailer - to look for?

[Skrilla]

So my wife and I did more camping this past summer than we expected and are looking to get a newer travel trailer. Seems like there are some good deals to be had this time of year, but I have never bought one second hand, as the one we have was passed down from my in-laws. Just wondering what the main things are to look for when buying pre owned, things to test etc.

I am pulling with just a 2017 sierra 1500 so ideally I would like to stay under 5000lbs with just the trailer weight, as we usually bring our ATVs and lots of gear/gas. I found a couple consignment units ranging from a 2010 to 2012 model, one is a Keystone, the other a Trail Cruiser. No clue if these are good brands or not, but the layout was perfect for us. Is there brands to stay away from? Hidden signs of damage to look for? Hoping some beyond campers can give me some pointers on buying one.

thanks!

[redline]

There is only a handful of manufacturers, they just have tons of brands with different trim levels... things like water heaters etc... are pretty much all the same.

The biggest thing with a trailer is knowing your tv specs... given you have a half ton ... ie shitty payload, and you want to also haul an atv... your available Room for a trailer is not going to be great.

Before even looking at trailers know exactly what your truck can take...ie your payload and gvrw, then weight of you and gf, dog beer etc... then weight of your atv and gear... then you will see how little is left for your trailer...

[ExtraSlow]

Agree forget trailers and figure out what your family, atv and gear weigh. Load everyone and everything up and head to the CAT scales, it's loads of fun, and more importantly very crucial information. Don't even consider towing without doing this.

Half ton with ATV is a tough combination. What's your door sticker say about cargo carrying capacity?

[Skrilla]

Honestly never looked that much into it. The trailer we currently have is 6000lbs, my RZR is about 1k lbs, and then my wife and I and gear/food etc. Ill load up with the RZR and ourselves and gear and weigh up. The trailer I am considering now is much lighter at 3790lbs dry. My truck sticker says GVWR 7200LBS, GAWR 3950 F/R. Payload is 1950lbs, Tow Capacity is 9800lbs according to the GM trailer app on their website. There is a sticker in the glove box that says Cargo Weight Rating 807lbs not sure where that comes in to play

[ExtraSlow]

Yeah, get it weighed.
If that 1950 is right, and the rzr is is 1000 lbs, and your family and other gear weigh 600 lbs, then you've got very little left for tongue weight.

Get weighed and see.

You sure that's not 807 kg?

[Tik-Tok]

Dry weight of a RZR is over 1300 lbs.

[ExtraSlow]

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Dry weight of a RZR is over 1300 lbs.

It's a big beast. Go get weighed.

[Skrilla]

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Dry weight of a RZR is over 1300 lbs.

Negative:

2012 Polaris Ranger RZR 800 Specifications



Identification

Dry Weight (lbs/kg) 978 / 444
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 7.3 / 27.4


EDIT: Oops the 2012 is 978lbs.

[Tik-Tok]

Holy shit, how did the same model gain 400 lbs???

[Nufy]

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Holy shit, how did the same model gain 400 lbs???

let itself go once it got married...

[Darell_n]

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Holy shit, how did the same model gain 400 lbs???

Must be a trail version. My Commander 800 is over 1500lbs, around a ton with cargo and passenger.

[ExtraSlow]

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let itself go once it got married...

Her husband is so pissed.