What to buy?

How did I know what type of rig to get? Van? Motorhome? Trailer?

When I came up with this idea, I knew I would need the right combination. A van sounded perfect, but they are expensive and then I would always have to drive my “home” around with me. A motorhome was just too intimidating for me to even think about driving, so a travel trailer it was.

The size came down to how much I could afford and what I could tow. At the time I had a Mercedes GLK SUV (Diesel). It had a tow limit of 3500 lbs. I really wanted to keep my vehicle, so I began to look for what was available in that weight category. Surprise, surprise - not a lot! However, the price range was perfect. I looked at used and new, layouts, bed styles (bunks, queen, converted dinette), decided to buy new, then took my search to the RV dealerships and ultimately to the Spring RV show.

I was astounded by all the choices. Of course, these choices were not in my size/price range. There are so many available in the 20-30’ range, but not so much in the 15’ range. There were some really cool ones for off-roading, but they were small and pricey. I realized I was really limited in choice. There was only one floor plan that I seemed destined for: a queen bed or twin bunks, with a two-seater dinette, small bathroom and a small kitchen. I was resigned to getting one of these. Because these models were so small and unimpressive, there weren’t even any at the RV show! I finally found a salesman who would help me order one of these. We sat in a floor model trailer and started talking about how to order one.

We talked about options, size, towing capacity, etc. I was set on buying a 2026 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 130RDW. As we were talking, I started looking around the trailer we were sitting in - a 2026 Jayco Jay Feather Air 15TBSL. I started asking questions to compare the two as a way of understanding the one I couldn’t see but would be ordering.

The one I was in had a very large dinette (seats 6 adults comfortably) that converted into two twin beds or one king bed. Hmmm….Before long the conversation moved to air conditioners that were built for heat in the Arizona desert. The trailer I wanted to order had a small wall a/c but the one we were sitting in had a large rooftop a/c. Hmmm…The one I was looking at ordering was made of wood and aluminum - not as heat friendly. The one I was sitting in was fibreglass with Azdel composite panels which meant cool in summer, warm in winter. Hmmm… It started to become very apparent this was the trailer for me. So before I left the show I bought the Jay Feather. I was one step closer to making my dream come true.

The Tow Vehicle

Once that was decided and bought. It was time to reassess the tow vehicle situation. Yes, my Mercedes could tow the trailer, but it would be at the maximum limits. I thought of how far I would be towing and I did a lot of research. It just didn’t feel safe for me. Soon my research turned towards a new vehicle. I really wanted another SUV. I had never driven a truck, so an SUV seemed much more friendly. But again, when I started researching, it just didn’t feel right. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it right and feel safe. So, I began searching for a truck. Yikes!

My son-in-law came out with me the first few times. He laughs at me still because I wanted to buy the first one I saw even though I hadn’t driven it. Yes, I was a newbie and I was excited. To me a truck was a truck was a truck. Apparently not so. He made me look at different models, different styles and different years. I may have driven him a little crazy with all of my questions and meanderings, but in the end I found the perfect vehicle. I bought a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 with a Hemi engine, crew cab and a short box. She was a beauty. I named her Belle.

I have to say a felt like a Boss in this truck, even if I was shaking at the wheel. I had never driven a truck, so the next few weeks was spent learning how to maneuver Belle so I felt confident and comfortable. Soon enough I really was a Boss.

You would think the story stops there, but no. Next I had to buy all the tow gear for the truck. I thought I just needed a hitch ball and that was it, done. Oh no! I needed a special kind of hitch for towing a trailer:

• A locking pin so no one could detach it

• A weight equalizer and sway bar hitch so I wouldn’t have any swaying on the highways

• A brake controller so my truck’s brakes wouldn’t have to work so hard

• A back-up cameras for the truck and trailer

This research took me weeks. That was a lot of information to absorb in a short period of time, but in the end I did it. Plus, I still had to buy all the hoses and connections for the trailer, but that's another post for sure!

The Reality of It All

When it came time to pick up the trailer (which I named Faith) I was set. I had all the right equipment, I was all hitched and ready to go. But. I had never driven a trailer before! My daughter was with me and she can testify that I cried all the way home. I was so overwhelmed that when I got home, I couldn’t even park it. My landlord had to come out and back it into the driveway for me. I unhitched everything and went in the house and cried some more. What had I done?

Now only three months later and I am safe and sound in Arizona. I drove 2500km to get here. I often white-knuckled it. I had one tire blow out (on my truck). But I made it. I drove a truck and a trailer (35’ in length) all by myself. Yes, I can back up my trailer like a Boss too.

I feel very proud of myself. I never let my insecurities stop me. I cried and pushed through. I proved to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. I’m happy it was only a small 15’ trailer. I couldn’t imagine towing a bigger one. But I did it. Now it’s my little home on wheels, at least for the next six months. Having this rig has given me the freedom to be with my daughter during the birth of my first grandchild and to stay with her for the first six months of her life. This is a gift. I would have learned how to drive a Semi truck if I had to in order to make this happen (but I’m so glad I didn’t have to!). We never know what we are made of until we put it to the test. So, what have you been holding back on? Maybe it’s time to find your true grit?