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The 2017 Surveyor 266 RLDS
This is our travel trailer and the first one we have owned. This unit is 31' long, unloaded vehicle weight is 6,100# with a cargo capacity of 1600#. The awning is 17 feet. The tank capacities: fresh -46 gals, grey 40 gals, black30 gals. Our unit has a 50amp service, 2 air conditioners, a fireplace, roof ladder, fold down bike rake, back up camera, and a few more options. Optional packages on ours included the Camper Friendly Package, Interior Luxury Package, and Exterior Luxury Package. |
The Ford F150 Sport 4x4
We purchased this truck for our everyday use, our hobbies, to pull our bass boat, and the RV. This truck has the 3.5L EcoBoost twin turbo v6 engine and is very capable of towing the trailer. I put it in 'tow' mode and let it do the work. It has the 'max tow package' and includes the trailer backup assist feature. 
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During our first camping trip we did a thorough check out of the unit and all the switches, interiors, plumbing, etc. We only had a few small items that needed to be fixed by the dealer. The kitchen faucet leaked during transit (dealer replaced), the inverter light would not turn off by the remote switch (dealer fixed), and the TV sound would not go through the sound system (dealer fixed).
We learned a lot during our first trip about the actual operation of the RV and a few things we did not like (the ac units are noisy). Most of our issues were just us being rookies and we learn from our errors and make adjustments for the next trip. One funny thing was our first site placement. We had the unit where we wanted it and then found out we were to close to the electrical pedastal and the slide could not be extended all the way out. A bit of re-positioning solved this rookie mistake.
We learned a lot during our first trip about the actual operation of the RV and a few things we did not like (the ac units are noisy). Most of our issues were just us being rookies and we learn from our errors and make adjustments for the next trip. One funny thing was our first site placement. We had the unit where we wanted it and then found out we were to close to the electrical pedastal and the slide could not be extended all the way out. A bit of re-positioning solved this rookie mistake.
Why we chose a Travel Trailer
Betty and I looked at designs from many manufactures and their product lines. We considered class A's, class C's, and travel trailers. Each has their own good points and bad points based on the owner's requirements. Class A's are really nice; but, cost prohibitive for us. Next we looked at travel trailers and then the class C's. We had basically decided on a class C until I factored in a tow vehicle which we did not have and then added insurance and fuel costs. Finally we found the Surveyor and it had most of what we were looking for in a floor plan. The combination of the Surveyor and the new F-150 was thousands of dollars less than the Class C and overall insurance costs and operating costs are much less also.
Betty and I looked at designs from many manufactures and their product lines. We considered class A's, class C's, and travel trailers. Each has their own good points and bad points based on the owner's requirements. Class A's are really nice; but, cost prohibitive for us. Next we looked at travel trailers and then the class C's. We had basically decided on a class C until I factored in a tow vehicle which we did not have and then added insurance and fuel costs. Finally we found the Surveyor and it had most of what we were looking for in a floor plan. The combination of the Surveyor and the new F-150 was thousands of dollars less than the Class C and overall insurance costs and operating costs are much less also.