Suggestions wanted for a living quarters trailer.

[Sean Marconette]

What should I look for and ask when purchasing a used living quarters trailer. Also what options do you feel are needed. I have a 2002 Dodge dually with Cummins and manual 6 speed, currently only factory hitch. Any suggestions on what gooseneck hitch. I still want to use the bed of the truck to haul items and want full use of the bed, when not pulling trailer.

Thanks

Sean

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

What should I look for and ask when purchasing a used living quarters trailer. Also what options do you feel are needed. I have a 2002 Dodge dually with Cummins and manual 6 speed, currently only factory hitch. Any suggestions on what gooseneck hitch. I still want to use the bed of the truck to haul items and want full use of the bed, when not pulling trailer.

Thanks

Sean

I never have,don't now and never will have one,but staying in my 18" trailer with the car outside, it's nice to have enough room to take 7 or 8 steps before bouncing off anything.
Get one with enough room to move around.One man's opinion.

[Bob Verwold]

The one thing I did was order mine with extra height (more head room in bed) the other things are up to you and your wallet.
As far as the truck, I have a plate welded under the bed on the frame that the ball screws into so when I take out the ball it's all open, except for the 90 gal fuel tank you'll need if you travel much. Hope this help's some..

[Mike Gardner]

Sean,

First you should be aware that older gooseneck LQ trailers can be stressed at the riser area so when you look at the trailer ask to see it hooked to a truck with the weight off the jacks. This will show you any evidence of the side walls buckeling under the stress of the weight on the hitch.

Bob is correct in you should look for a trailer with at least 7' interior height to give you more room in the upper deck for your bed area.

If it doesnt have a generator door, run away dont walk, as it is very hard to resale without this item.

Axles should be at least Triple 6000 LB, anything less is a joke with this kind of weight and you will need to own a tire store.

Make sure all your stuff will fit in the cargo area. This is the most common problem we have with our customers when they are looking for a LQ because the LQ takes up so much space.

There are many manufacturers that have built LQ's inn the past and alot of them have quit so be careful that the LQ you find has brand name RV appliances in them such as Dometic, Surburban, Coleman and Norcold.

As far as the hitch, we sell and install the B&W brand flip over gooseneck. We have found that this is a 2 to 3 hour installation and is easy to find.

Hope this helps.

Mike Gardner
Hillwood Sales

[jmcarter]

Mike is dead on. I especially endorse the B&W. It's a great company and they even kept their employees going by doing civic projects during the RV slump and you can buy their fifth wheel attachment should you ever need it.

[DIAPERMAN]

I have use a LQ trailer for years get extra foot taller ,insulate trailer, 60 gal H2O ,6000 lb axles,e-rated tires minimum, get pit pal tanks for bed ,I towed with a F-550 for the last few years the only way to tow. Buy the way it is for sale on this site

[Dragsinger]

This is personal preference, I do not like the upper bunk beds. Before my LQ trailer, I had a motor home and did not like the upper bunk in it either.

My preference is a conventional height bed, makes it so much easier for those times at night for potty calls. Plus during the day a 10 - 15 min. recline without climbing it the bunk is better for me.

Otherwise I really enjoy having some type of LQ at the track. Even for a one day race, having your own potty, face washing basin, snack table, refrigerator, all very good things. If you monitor weather and predict with a PC having a table for that sure is nice.

[Bob Pagano]

Sean, All good point listed here, add this to your list. With all the DMV crap going on in a lot of states I would double check the length requirements of all the states you plan to go thru as some are 65 feet and others are 60ft.

[Rob Petrie E395]

I will add my vote for the B&W its the best GN Hitch that we have ever owned. One note on it. After it is installed cover any wiring or brake lines near the bolts or side plates that are attached to the frame with a piece of rubber hose. If you dont sooner or later you will be doing some additional work to fix them.

If you end up deciding on the B&W send me a PM and I will share some tricks for making the install easier.

[427_ED]

Get the biggest water tanks you can, fresh, grey and black. A full size shower, not the combination shower/toilet. Go with 7,000 lb axles and electric over hydraulic brakes.