First off since you have already lived in the PU world you already are probably well adjusted to the fact that you cannot have cabinets from ceilng to floor. That is one of the biggest down sides to owning a TM (or HiLo).
The other downside of a TM is the lack of a slide out like you have on conventional TT. Really a TM is nothing more than a slideout that extends forwards and back, instead of left and right. Still until you get to the really big 5th wheels, you just don't get that much room in any TT.
The only bad thing that I have encountered when setting up the TM is if you are setting up at night. I wish I had night vision googles. When you turn on the lights setting up, the varmits zero in the lights. Its not a huge deal but it has been a pesky one. If you set up in the daytime, its no problem.
We have TM 3326 (the biggest TM) and we tow it behind our V6 Tacoma. No problems unless you are going up some steep grades. Even at max load we are still below our truck's maximum rating. You would be hard pressed to do that with the bigger Hi-Los.
Of the TM models, once you hit the 3023 and up range, those TMs are really nice. The have larger storage bays than the 2000 series and are large enough to store 3,000 watt super quiets (Hondas & Yamahas) in the rear bay. People who have the 2000 series sometimes stash a pair of Honda 2000s in their TMs. That is great option for anyone with a TT. If you do not need AC most TT can get by just fine on a single Honda 2000.
While I love our 3326, I really think the 3124 is the best all around deal. Whether you get the living room option or stick with the forward queen bed they are nice.
As far as leaks go, we have had only minor problems. I believe historically TMs have had leakage problems near the awning. Frankly if you level the trailer its pretty hard to have a roof leak due to the design. The roof leak I fixed earlier this year near the roof clamp probably had more to do with with an undetected (until recently) broken shell stirrup screw.
What has amazed me about the roof system, is just how few TMs have had problems. I looked at few older TMs and even the one that was stored outside did not have evidence of leaks. This is what swung me away from Hi-Lo because I thought Hi-Lo one piece roof would offer fewer problems. With no evidence of leaks, a lift system that required no electricity, and a lighter trailer, the scales tipped rapidly towards TM.
The other nice thing about the TM is the equipment used. For example the hot water tank is both gas and electric. If you are staying at a park with services, you can run it on both systems and get super recovery time. Or if you want to save propane, just run it on electricity.
Of course, moving from the PU world, the bathroom must look like it came from the Ritz. It fascinates engineer types with its ingenuity of its design. The Theford toilet is an either "you love it or not" affair judging from this forum. I am in between those groups, and while I would say that I do not love it, but it does the job just fine, especially as you gain experience setting it up. If you are in area where water is scarce (like it was at End of the Trail in NM), it works really great.
One of the options in the 3124 (and maybe 3023, and some of the 2000 series) is a 40 gallon water tank. There are a number of people in this forum that really like that option.
The other nice thing about TMs is just how many of them have real ovens! We just got rid of the microwave we bought for the trailer because we just were not using it. I can get pretty elaborate in our cooking since I have an oven.
The fridge is another issue. I have never been able to get it to work right on 12 volts while mobile. I think I understand the problem (a problem for longer trailers with the power system in the rear of the trailer), but I have not figure an elegant solution. The only reasonable solution MAY be to install an inverter and running 120 back from the TV to fridge. A DC to DC converter might do the job, but finding one has been the trick.
Once you get to queen bed sizes, you do not have to crawl over each other to get out of bed in the middle of the night. Maybe you can do that with the double beds, I just haven't tried it. Our 3326 has the king bed which is tons of room and our two dogs just stake out their corners. Actually, I think the dogs love the TM because there is room for both of them in bed. Lady I think wishes I would sleep somewhere else because she has my side of the bed to herself until I crawl in!
We use our TM to go to Cowboy Action Shooting. I guess we haven't learned enough yet because we haven't filled all the drawers in the trailer yet. We can stow all the toys, costumes (period wear), everything my wife wants to drag along, the generator (if we need it) and still have room in the truck for the two dogs in the back seat. True, the dogs have less clothing needs than two kids do, but we have a kennel in the TM for the dogs...that might be a good idea for TM owners with kids...
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