|
10-17-2017, 06:17 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
|
Best options to order on a TT
G'Day all:
We are heading to the US next year to purchase a TT and a pickup truck to pull it. Our initial intentions are to buy:
A Keystone Outback 272UFL and
A Ford F-150 XLT (probably 2012-2014 year)
From what I've read, I'm thinking of having these changes and additions installed
-50 Amp service
-Wired for a second A/C
-Solar prep
-Better tires (eg Maxxis or similar)
-Linoleum throughout vs carpet in the bedroom and under the dinette
So, what are we missing here? What other changes/additions do you think would be good to consider adding to the trailer from new?
We plan to travel quite widely through the US and so the climate we will be exposed to will vary. We plan to travel mostly during the summer months, but may do some winter touring. We will definitely not be touring in the north (where they salt the roads) during winter.
Your thoughts are most welcome.
|
|
|
10-17-2017, 07:28 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Souris
Posts: 154
|
there were not many options when I custom ordered. I only got to pick my colour I'm guessing the rest would be upgrades on my dime
|
|
|
10-17-2017, 07:52 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by ptooti
there were not many options when I custom ordered. I only got to pick my colour I'm guessing the rest would be upgrades on my dime
|
Yes, quite right. I should have said "upgrades", or "modifications" rather than "options". And I do expect to have to pay for them.
|
|
|
10-17-2017, 10:19 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
|
Not a answer to your question, just advice from been there done that. If it was me, I would look at stepping up to a bigger truck with a diesel engine. WHY? the 150 may work, you may be happy with it. The bigger truck will work and you will like it. Buy one truck not two. For the trailer are you always going to have shore power at night, if not a generator would be on top of the list.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 02:48 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Pennsville
Posts: 231
|
If your looking at Keystone and might need extended season +. Then I would look into the WE line. They are made out WEST and targets the colder temperatures of oragan and Washington campers seasons.
__________________
2018 Passport 2810bh Granite
TV 2014 Ram 1500 Bighorn 4x4 crew cab
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 03:02 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,330
|
"They are made out WEST and target the colder temperatures of Oregon and Washington camper's seasons.'' Maybe you could expound on that a little for the rest of us. I hadn't heard about that program.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 03:40 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Pennsville
Posts: 231
|
Just to be clear I know for sure that the passport for one offers a "WE" Edition which represents trailers made out west in a western facility to cut down on transit cost and delivery costs as well as they offer a couple different features that satisfy the needs of people in the Oregon and Washington area for their extended camping seasons
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
__________________
2018 Passport 2810bh Granite
TV 2014 Ram 1500 Bighorn 4x4 crew cab
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 04:46 AM
|
#8
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,750
|
I would suggest tank heaters if you plan on cold temps.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 04:49 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
|
As a note... the OP is in either Australia or Montana... not sure which
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 08:20 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lacey, WA
Posts: 503
|
Hi,
Awnings for the slide outs.... these will help when camping in hot direct sunlight to help cool the TT.
__________________
Lee & Christie
1970 F250 Highboy 4x4
2013 Cougar 21RBSWE
|
|
|
10-18-2017, 10:42 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
As a note... the OP is in either Australia or Montana... not sure which
|
You know the song "An Englishman in New York"? Well, I'm an American in Australia.
The confusion arises because the forum software setup for this forum didn't allow for a "Country" field. This is odd, because I signed up to another RV forum that uses the same software, that did have the extra field enabled. So, because our RV will be registered in MT, I just chose that.
|
|
|
10-21-2017, 06:21 PM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 13
|
I 2nd the "you need a bigger truck" statement above, to pull that 32 foot trailer. An F150 is barely adequate.
|
|
|
10-22-2017, 07:54 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
|
Yeah, I'd get a 3/4 ton truck. You say "wired for 2nd AC", will the dealer install the AC or the factory? I would get a 2000watt generator; you never know when or if you will need it. Unless you get a great deal, I would just wait until after delivery to get the tires you want.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
|
|
|
10-22-2017, 08:08 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
|
Along with the proposed tire upgrade I would do a wet bolt kit, two 6v golf cart batteries and LED bulbs. Tow it with a 3/4 ton.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
|
|
|
10-22-2017, 08:18 AM
|
#15
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,995
|
Something that hasn't been suggested is the consideration of what you're going to do with the truck and trailer after your "saga". If you plan on selling it at the end of your journey, then buy what you want and enjoy it. If you're planning to keep it in the US for future years, then consider it an investment and spend a little more on the things you believe you'll need.
If, however, you're planning to ship it to Australia when you've completed your journey, then you might want to touch base with someone at an RV import center there. Learn about the rules for importation, the restrictions (both legal and practical) with the specific rig you're considering. Things like converting the 110 VAC system to 220 VAC, how the appliances (air conditioners <two>) will interface with the different voltage systems, availability of parts to convert the trailer to meet Australian requirements. It may be (and then again, it may not be) that you can't import that particular model because of something as simple as it's 6" too long and not allowed.....
Without knowing your plans, this is not a "don't do it" but a "be sure you can do it" kind of suggestion.....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
04-11-2018, 05:45 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Something that hasn't been suggested is the consideration of what you're going to do with the truck and trailer after your "saga". If you plan on selling it at the end of your journey, then buy what you want and enjoy it. If you're planning to keep it in the US for future years, then consider it an investment and spend a little more on the things you believe you'll need.
If, however, you're planning to ship it to Australia when you've completed your journey, then you might want to touch base with someone at an RV import center there. Learn about the rules for importation, the restrictions (both legal and practical) with the specific rig you're considering. Things like converting the 110 VAC system to 220 VAC, how the appliances (air conditioners <two>) will interface with the different voltage systems, availability of parts to convert the trailer to meet Australian requirements. It may be (and then again, it may not be) that you can't import that particular model because of something as simple as it's 6" too long and not allowed.....
Without knowing your plans, this is not a "don't do it" but a "be sure you can do it" kind of suggestion.....
|
Just an update on progress so far.
We have decided to go with a 250 (most likely a Ford) sized truck as per advice here. We've had to up the budget a bit to get a good one with not too many miles on it and an engine that is not so likely to let us down.
There are no plans to transport this setup back to Oz. It is purely for exploring the US. We will keep it 5-7 years and then sell it all.
As a result of reading the posts in the forums here, I think we're pretty realistic about the quality of the trailer to expect and the level of service provided by the dealers. I'm pretty sure we will have issues and that I will have to solve most of them. Hopefully, we won't have major issues that I can't resolve on my own. And hopefully we won't make too many newbie blunders.
|
|
|
04-12-2018, 05:29 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
|
Just a thought here... but if you make your camper too "one off custom" it might be harder to resell when you're done your walkabout.
I would stay with carpeting in the normally carpeted areas. They are easier on the feet, and help insulating the floors. If your model is available with a A/C & Heat-pump combo, this is a must have as far as I'm concerned. Also an electric fireplace adds warmth and ambiance on chilly days.
As already mentioned a 3/4 ton, or 1 ton truck is strongly advised. For a few extra dollars up front, you will have more options if you decide to upgrade your trailer, or pack more gear.
Good Luck,
__________________
Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|