Suggestions about new TM

[BradS7535]

Originally Posted by br2_wdc

If you have been on this forum any amount of time, you'll probably realize that any "discussion" on a TV, it's tow rating, and it's ability to tow safely your future TM, can quickly became a "holy war" on opinions and advice.

My only advice would be to make sure your Flex includes EVERYTHING Ford included with the factory tow package, since yours did not have it; hopefully you're only a transmission cooler away! A WDH would be next on the list, but no need to worry about that until you get the TM.

I agree on the TV "discussion" so hopefully it doesn't turn to that! The Flex actually comes with a TRANSMISSION oil cooler, but the tow package includes an ENGINE oil cooler as well. Don't think the engine oil cooler will change the towing CAPACITY, as much as preventing undue wear on the engine, which again goes towards my preference to sticking with the 2720.

[inghamm]

Originally Posted by BradS7535

inghamm,

Surprised they were also having issues a year ago (before the factory move I believe). I'm beginning to lean more towards the used route, there is a 2009 2720QB about 70 miles away, and like you said, will save $10k+ on the used, and will possibly get a better built unit. Trying to find out if it is still available and what kind of condition it is in.

Yes, I put in my order just after the factory move.

Good luck with your hunt.

[[email protected]]

It's better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them. If you ever travel to Texas in the summer you'll need that ac! They say here in Texas, when Texans go to hell, they take blankets! As for me, there can't be enough options or improvements. Buying used (like I did) allows that extra cash to improve and upgrade. Although I believe the TM to be a really good thing, one can improve on perfection! (see my website) If I were you, I would buy the biggest baddest tranny cooler you can shove in there. The transmission will be the bigge$t link in your power-trane that you DON'T want to fail out in the middle of nowhere. Keeping it as cool as you can will add thousands of miles to the life of your tranny. In the spring and fall, my tranny ran at well over 180° with the postage stamp cooler that came on the tow package for my Silverado. After I got the biggest cooler I could cram into the space between the grill and the radiator, it stays between 115° and 137° in the summer. I also sprung for the over size transmission pan for extra fluid capacity. The more the better and the longer the fluid will keep it's viscosity. I'd rather shell out a few hundred bucks now instead of a few thousands later on a new rebuilt tranny.
Look...Find....Go Used!
TC

[Padgett]

bought my '06 in '14 and can say condition is everthing. Being a Floridian and dry camping for a week every year, AC is essential. I spent a few months making sure I always have enough power to run the AC and make coffee (have it on right now since 80F out and raining.

One thing to keep in mind is that TMs tend to be nose heavy and it only has a 3500 lb axle. My 2720SL is pushing 460 lbs on the tongue with empty water tanks and a 2922 would be more. (note: the 3500 axle has five bolt wheels. Some have a 5k axle that has six bolt wheels.) I paid less than $10k for mine which was sitting in the clearance area of a behemouth lot (Camping World so also came with a Good Sam membership). I've put another $3k into it mainly for 15" wheels and tires and a new awning plus 200W of solar.

If serious about not needing AC then a pair of GC2 golf cart batteries, 2 0r 3 100W solar panels (what will fit over the bedroom and shade it. Would work well.

Depends on how handy you are but $10-12k for a low mileage example plus another $3k rectification would give years of enjoyment. Now.

[Bailey'sMom]

Hi Brad

Three years ago I was looking at buying a new model. I couldn't find any used ones anywhere close. I Went to two RV shows and spent hours looking at the TM and discussing options. If I bought new I would not have wasted the money on A/C since I dry camp and would not ever use it.

Everyone advised me to buy A/C anyway for resale...but that didn't matter to me since I keep my campers for ten plus years and expected to keep the TM for even longer. Due to the price it was going to be another year before I could afford my coveted TM.

I continued to search Craigslist and literally stumbled across my 2010 2720SD at a big dealer in Colorado. Price was incredible and it looked great in pictures. Bought it sight unseen and have been thrilled with it.

It came with A/C and I have never used it. Don't even know if it works and I don't care. It doesn't leak. Like anything else it will probably need to be caulked at some point.

Even though I won't use it, a/c, when you buy the trailer used, you aren't really paying that much to have that option. And yet if you do for some reason need to sell it, others will indeed want that option and in fact probably won't buy without it. We are the minority.

So to make a long story short, don't worry about that option when buying used because you aren't paying that much extra for it. Instead concentrate on the other things that are important to you. Condition, age, extra cabinets, sofa vs dinette vs extra bed.

Until TM factory gets things back on track....hopefully....I wouldn't touch a new model. Not worth the risk/price. If I'm going to make a mistake I would rather spend $18k instead of $35k.

[scrubjaysnest]

I'd go the used route at the present time. We went new with a few minor problems, like wrong size crimp lugs for the wire size and even had one window in up side down. For anyone with DIY skills all easy fixes. We did remove the bat wing but left the base so not to disturb the mounting hole.
Don't use the A/C except when we have high temps and electric.
Welded the swing tongue shut as it was an accident waiting to happen.

[Brittany Dogs]

My 2 cents on getting AC. I first thought of forgoing the AC but the dealer said that he has never sold one without it and recommends against it. So I bought my new unit with the AC and was ever so glad I did so.

Unlike my previous Coleman tent camper that didn't have AC, if it got warm you could open all the screen windows and let the air move through. Opening all the screen windows on a tent camper is like removing 80% of the tenting. You get a lot of square feet of open screen versus what solid tenting is left behind.

In a TrailManor unit, all the windows only open half way and the square feet of open screens is fairly minimal. Unless there is almost a wind outside, beyond that of a "breeze" very little comes in.

When the sun hits the trailer, even on a 70 degree day, the solar load on the trailer and the windows makes it very warm inside. I have the dark glass windows and when the sun hits those windows for a few hours, the glass is above 110 degrees. I know, I took readings.

No regrets ever getting the AC option and it's even better now that I can use one Honda 2000 to power it.

[Padgett]

Just back from Sun'N'Fun and after five days of dry camping the batteries are full, used the AC every day, and between the hot water, refrigerator, and about 30 minutes of heat in the mornings below 60 I used 3/8 of a tank (last of what was in the tank when I bought it.

On battery all night (no generators after 10 pm) and never dropped under 12v.

Need to put a meter on the inverter line though, about half way through the brewing cycle, the 1kw inverter was showing about a half load with the Keurig but the 100A circuit breaker was popping about half way through.

Used the Westinghouse WH2400i and had a lot of reserve, could run through the converter, no need for the dedicated line. Suppose I should try on the economy setting. In five days used about 2 1/2 tanks.

Did run some tests and things that would overload a 2000/1650 were fine with its 2400/2100 rating. Its continuous is greater than most 2k gen's surge. Also at 50lbs it is easy to put in the rear compartment for transporting. The full seal gas cap prevents any fumes from getting to the batteries.

Have five gens now and this is the one I like best.

[BradS7535]

Just a question for all you experts out there. Since it has been explained that TM made incremental improvements (not based on model year). What is the easiest way to tell if a TM has the aluminum frame instead of wood? If I was looking at a 2006 or so (online, in another state), what would I ask the dealer/seller to look for to determine if it has wood. Thanks!

[tentcamper]

There are 2 options that many thing are great. No issue for me. 1 - Changing the toilet to a cassette toilet; 2 - changing the 3 way fridge to a 12v compressor fridge for better temperature control.

Two options I would get: awning and AC. Awning great when it raining or for shade. AC we don't need much, but I think the summer of 2013 when we took a lake Michigan trip and found 105 degrees temps in Michigan with the UP in the 90's. The AC saved the trip.