TrailManor Owner's Forum  

Go Back   TrailManor Owner's Forum > TrailManor Owners Community > Prospective Owner Questions
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-08-2005, 07:35 AM   #1
ebcallah
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Looking to buy; Have questions

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.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2005, 07:46 AM   #2
Windbreaker
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

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
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2005, 07:57 AM   #3
ebcallah
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Thank you for the info

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 . . .
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2005, 09:28 PM   #4
RockyMtnRay
TrailManor Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 816
Default Where do you intend to primarily tow a trailer

Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
__________________
Ray

I use my TM as a base camp for hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, and climbing Colorado's 14ers


The Trailer: 2002 TM Model 2720SL ( Mods: Solar Panels (170 Watts), Dual T-105 Batteries, Electric Tongue Jack, Side AC, Programmable Thermostat, Doran TP Monitor System)

The Tow Vehicle: 2003 Toyota Tundra V8 SR5 4X4 w/Tow Package (Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Prodigy Brake Controller, Transmission Temperature Gauge)


RockyMtnRay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2005, 03:31 PM   #5
ebcallah
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Thanks for the towing info.

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
  Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 2022 Trailmanor Owners Page.