Looking to buy; Have questions

[ebcallah]

Bear with me as I am new to this. So glad I found this site. My husband and I are looking into buying a TM. We are currently tent campers of 20+ years and yes, it is time to move on. We need to get off of the ground (back problems) and AC is a must (can't tolerate the heat like we used to in a tent) and we are tired of having back up and then dry everything out after it rains.We were looking at purchasing a PU and I came across the TM while doing research online. A couple of questions before we go any futher with our research: 1. We have a 2000 Isuzu Trooper and have not pulled anything before - are we jumping ahead of ourselves or is the TM as easy to pull as the website states? 2. What model(s) should we look into as first time buyers - 2 adults and one 16 yr old who is 6'3" and usually brings a friend along? 3. How well does the TM hold it's value - so if we do purchase and then would like to trade up what can we expect monetarily? Any other first time buyer info. would be greatly appreciated.

[Windbreaker]

A TM sounds great for you! I would get the PU, they just ride a lot better with a bit of a load and you can carry a lot more stuff. As far as model, just select one you like (a two bed model is a must with larger kids). All models have higher that average resale value. The 2720s and 3023s seem to sell the fastest.

As far as towing, you could not make a better choice than the TM to learn on. It is very easy and presents almost no problems. You do have to watch the weight. Keep a good eye on tires, but this is true with all trailers.

Wishing you well.
Windy

[ebcallah]

Thanks so much for the quick response. I am sure as we move along in the process we will have many more questions. This is going to be a great site for us to utilize - all of the info. I have been reading from previous entries has been invaluable.

Thanks again . . .

[RockyMtnRay]

Bear with me as I am new to this. So glad I found this site. My husband and I are looking into buying a TM. We are currently tent campers of 20+ years and yes, it is time to move on. We need to get off of the ground (back problems) and AC is a must (can't tolerate the heat like we used to in a tent) and we are tired of having back up and then dry everything out after it rains.We were looking at purchasing a PU and I came across the TM while doing research online. A couple of questions before we go any futher with our research: 1. We have a 2000 Isuzu Trooper and have not pulled anything before - are we jumping ahead of ourselves or is the TM as easy to pull as the website states? 2. What model(s) should we look into as first time buyers - 2 adults and one 16 yr old who is 6'3" and usually brings a friend along? 3. How well does the TM hold it's value - so if we do purchase and then would like to trade up what can we expect monetarily? Any other first time buyer info. would be greatly appreciated.
Your Trooper has 230 ft-lbs of torque and achieves that power at only 3000 RPM (for towing horsepower is meaningless, max torque is all important). And it has 4.30 gears in the differential(s)...an excellent ratio for towing. It also has a 108 inch wheelbase...quite adequate/safe for TrailMainors of up to about a 2720. All in all, a very good combination for regular towing in the midwest/south with mostly flat terrain and low altitudes. But marginal for regularly towing in the high/steep mountains of the west (Sierra Nevada or Colorado Rockies). Ok for a one-time trip "out West" but not regular high mountain towing.

TrailManors are indeed lightweight and very easy to tow when compared to all other travel trailers and even the heavy popup/tent trailers. But not quite as easy as the TrailManor website would lead you to believe...the numbers that TM publishes are the minimum tow vehicle tow ratings for an "acceptable" towing experience. If you want a "good" or "excellent" towing experience, you need be thinking of vehicles with substantially (~1500 lbs) greater towing capability for each size trailer/altitude than specified by TM.

[ebcallah]

Thank you for the towing info. It was extremely helpful. We will tow mainly on flat terrain - going to the Outerbanks, NC and then various campgrounds in VA. We take one trip per year to Skyline Drive so that will be when we encounter some mountain climbing, however, not as steep as out west. We will be going this Tuesday to meet with the VA dealer of TMs and view different models. The 2720 is the model that we are interested in. Hopefully all will work out and we will be proud owners of a TM. Thanks again for your reply . . . . Elaine