Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyguy66
we are super discouraged. ...
...we are placing huge priority on spacious living room and no bunks but needing to sleep 6, what are our options?
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You'll find people who will tell you that you will be "just fine" with that 36' trailer and your half ton truck. On the other hand you'll find people who will tell you that you need a bigger truck.... Who do you believe??? I think you stated a "PART" of your priority in the statement above. The other "PART" of your priority should be a reliable and adequately sized vehicle to safely tow the "spacious living room with space to sleep 6". You also need to consider how to safely seat those 6 for travel INSIDE the tow vehicle.....
If you think about the weight of 6 people in the cab of a half ton truck, you're going to be approaching your max payload before you even hook up that 36 footer.... Six people, even if part of them are toddlers "now" they won't be toddlers in a year or two. Also, consider that their toys will also grow in size and weight as the kids mature, want to bring along friends and their toys as well. Maybe <MAYBE> a couple with no children or with a single child could "squeak by" with a half ton and a 36' trailer, but 6 people in the mix ??? You're much better off from a safety vantage to be looking at bigger trucks or smaller trailers.
As for the 20% safety margin, some say you need it, some say you don't. Most will agree that those who "think" they'll be underweight and "guess" at their rig's weight usually underestimate by 15 or 20% once they've been trailering for a couple of trips. So, it's not really a "safety factor" as much as it is a "cushion against novice guessing"..... However, to each his own.....