Hi ALL,

This looks like a good place to ask some questions.   My folks had motor home (the big ones ) but I never went anyplace with them and sadly they are gone now and I can't ask them!    Once upon a time we did a pop up trailer when we were kids but I was a teenager and hated it.  Now it looks pretty good!

My husband and I are thinking of getting a travel trailer as a down payment on the "big trip" . You all know I'm sure, the "let's go see everything we never saw before trip". 

We have a 2007 V6 4Runner Sport Edition (low miles) and the trailer we're looking at is a 2008 Cruiser Fun Finder X-139- suitable they say for an SUV. We are in agreement we don't want anything big and we can't afford those beautiful conversion vans.  Travel trailers is the only thing we can do

We retire next year. We have NEVER towed anything or camped. We figure this is the only way we can ever afford the 8000K+ round trip to Alaska and back and see everything in between (northern route up/southern route back to NC).

We have two 70 lb well behaved dogs to take with us. No way would I leave them for 6-8 or more weeks or pay the boarding bills either!

Getting the trailer early will let us pratice.  SO...are we CRAZY to think we can do this? Traveling with just us I think we're fine but with the dogs? We like to site see and once in awhile play golf.

I'm willing to locally board the dogs sometimes on our trip/like doggie day care unless we are at a hookup and the A/C is running and we can leave them in the trailer (is that even safe to do? ).    

Advice please. I'd like to learn as much as I can before we go.  Thank all. Look forward to your valuable experience! 

First off you have to insure your tow vehicle will safely  haul  the RV you choose. According to this article- http://www.edmunds.com/used/2007/toyota/4runner/100785370/specs.html?mktcat=used+style+specs+page&kw=2007+toyota+4runner+100785370+styl e+specs+page&mktid=ik16231731 - your 4runner will haul 5000 lbs. According to this web  site - http://rvusa.com/rvinventory_item.asp?id=451483 -  your trailer of choice tops out at 3330 bs so all is  well with your selections  so far.

Now  those dogs may become a problem because most RV parks do not  want  you to leave dogs unattended because of their barking when you're  away. On  the other hand you will find some parks that don't care  as long as the dogs are  safe - not going to get overheated or  cold. So you should get into the habit of  researching your stops  to see what their animal rules and restrictions are. When going into Canada with animals you must  have all their shots up to date, have their tags and shot documentation papers with you. If you have not done so you should have them chipped - Thats a little computer chip placed under the skin that can be read by just about all Vets in North America these days. Our cat has had one for six years and it is still working as advertised. We have it checked whenever he is in a Vets office.

Another tip would be to checkout all sorts of discounts. You have found this club and there are all sorts of cards that will get you discounts on lots of RV parks all across the country and Canada. Make sure you have some towing insurance and carry some extra tires for the trailer. It's sometimes easy to miss road trash with your tow vehical but then the trailer tires take the hit.

SC_Camper