So the sales people really don’t typically know what they are selling. No one should be surprised by this right? But there are things you should know to not only show them up but more importantly help with your own endeavors.
1st–and this is the biggest one. The model number on the side, is NOT the length of the trailer. Can not tell you how many times I have had to argue with sales over this. They tell me it is. I keep telling them it isn’t. The number is supposed to represent the length of interior living space nose to tail. Ours is a 289BH. Meaning we have 28′-9″ on interior living space. The BH stand for bunk house. Sadly, this is not an industry standard though. Some brands simply use numbers and codes that mean very little to the trailer. Different brands are in fact likely to have different letters meaning different things and the numbers will not always match the interior living space so take this with a grain of salt and take a tape measure with you when looking at units.
2nd–Do NOT let the dealer tell you what your tow vehicle can pull. They are only interested in selling you whatever you are willing to buy. Kill that vehicle and you replace it. They don’t. Know what your vehicle can pull BEFORE you get serious about any particular trailer. Refer to my article on this for more insight.
On the back of that. Sales is still over likely to guide to units that are not in your price range or size and weight. They seemingly just roam you across a mess of choices. I swear to confuse and nothing more. You mention wanting a bunkhouse and they take you to dozens when in fact you only make like 3 or 4 based on your actual desires. Be specific with them in what you are looking for. Now if you aren’t there yet and not sure of what you want, then yes look through more trailers. Collect your thoughts on each. Don’t hesitate to take some notes about you like or dislike on each. Important thin heres is to guide yourself. Not the sales department guiding you to who knows what.
3rd–Model years. Always look at the sticker at the front of the trailer for the manufacturer production date. Example here: you are told it’s a 2024 model. sticker may say January 2024, could see April 2024. You could be looking at a 2024 model in November that was built last January. Nope. No Thank you. I remember looking at trailer that had been sitting on the lot for almost 8 months. That’s a red flag to me. Why is this unit still sitting here? What’s wrong that I can’t see. Manufacture date was 8 months ago and this isn’t sold yet? Next please. We were set on that model too and did buy that model, just not that trailer specifically. We were not willing to take that risk.
4th–That same sticker- study it. It tells you a lot and I always take photo of the one we decide to purchase. I just don’t trust like I used to. I now have a copy of the VIN. They can’t switch trailers on me. I have the weight empty and loaded so I know what I’m dealing with for towing. I know my manufacturer date. I have the make and model and all the tire info as well.
Something else on lengths. Once you have your trailer. Measure it outside tip of tongue to the bumper in the back. You need to know that length when booking campsites. Most ask the length of your rig. They want to know that you will fit in the site you are booking. Know you slides width too. Not for booking but for setting in at a site. You don’t want to get all backed in, leveled out and find out the tree on the edge is not going to allow your slide out. Lucky you, you get to start all over now.
Knowing your numbers across the board of your new trailer will make your life a lot easier. From the model number length, to the external overall length, to the slide width. You empty weight. Loading capacity. Tire pressure. Know your numbers.