Need Advice on Travel trailer/5th wheel

Wife and I are going to follow the NHRA for the entire season next year. We want to get a trailer to cut expenses and give us some freedom for spur of the moment side trips.
Never done this before, suggestions recommendations? Would like to keep it smaller we are thinking 25' or so, pros cons to each set up??

Truck pulling it is a 2012 Ram Cummins 3500 SRW automatic longbed, factory trailer brake controller and engine brake, should have no problem pulling/stopping what we want

 

This works great for us, but probably not right for you. It has bunks in the back for our girls and a big couch for Floyd. If and when I buy another one I think I will go with a 5th wheel. I've heard horrible stories about slide outs with leaking issues.



Floyd and my youngest on Floyd's couch.

 

Picked up a 5th wheel camper a few months ago and love it. Barely know its behind the truck when towing. It's 8000lbs empty and pulls so much nicer than my 3000lbs empty deckover bumper pull its hard to describe.

This time of year is good for discounts and new campers come with a 2 year warranty and hold their value pretty well.

As for the slide out leaks, see if you can find one with the retractable awnings that cover the slides. Almost completely takes care of the leak issues.

Just my opinion, but I believe if you're planning on going full time camper for the entire race season, 25' might get a bit small even for 2 people. Head down to the RV dealer, if you haven't already, and walk through a bunch of them.

 

Get the biggest awning you can. It's much better to sit outside in the rain than inside.

 

Thanks for all the replys. We did go and check some out yesterday, no extra people so we were looking at layouts with no extra/permanent beds.
5th wheel definitely seems the way to go, could get a 29' without really extending the overall length of the rig. A couple of the 25' seemed huge inside because of the layout. Also considering a toy hauler for storage and an enclosed patio if it rains. Awnings seem pretty standard.
as far as size, I am thinking if it starts feeling to small we are not doing enough and spending to much time inside, but again this is new to me. I am comparing it to growing up on a boat, there is no where to go.

 

I'll ask a dumb question.. Do they make travel trailers in both the 5th wheel and gooseneck configurations? If so, what are the benefits/costs to one vs the other? I imagine a 5th wheel takes up more space in the truck bed that could be used for other stuff. Just curious to hear people's opinions.

 

Haven't seen one that was a gooseneck but they could be out there. The 5th wheel hitch does take up some space for sure. But there's still some room. I've got the 6.5' bed and I can still get 3 or 4 good size coolers and enough firewood for 2 nights of campfires back there.

 

Also, I believe that travel trailers include the length of the hitch in the overall advertised length. Not sure about all of them but the ones we looked at did.

 

Normally in life "the bigger the better" but my experience is the "smaller the better" when it comes to RV's. I have had both large and small RV's over the years and for me I like my 20' toy hauler, the only drawback is creature comforts. Everything in life has some kind of trade offs. But either way your Dodge truck will handle the load. Good luck!

 

I love my toy hauler travel trailer. The garage is great once your there and unload the toys.
Gives you room to store stuff and hang towels or clothes and store boots. You will give up a dinette to get a garage but we don't use it anyway. Ours has the folding couches and a folding table in the garage for eating if desired.
30 ft box + 4.5' tongue

 

OH! and ask me if the stock tires are good. The answer is no!!!
Replace them BEFORE they blow out...

 

busy typing...