Advice On Which Trailer To Go With??!!

[debit]

rhino, Lt me try this attachment again.

[twoclaws]

Have owned pop ups and 3 TT. 19 ft Passport, 26 ft Springdale, 30 ft Surveyor
Towed the TTs with 5.8L Tundra with a tow package I had the power for all three but slowed on inclines w/two of them 3 trailers 3 different weights and gas mileage all the same ave 9 to 10 mpg - it's wind resistance in my case not truck truck is scheduled to pull 10,000. I d be concerned with a half ton and big trailer. Your weight distribution hitch is another important factor. I bought one size up for the 19 ft and end up using it with 30 ft. The hitch alone was 30 lbs or better in weight

It was said you will out grow the TT with 2 growing boys. Slides prove space but add weight
Where will you camp (got to think of future) and when. Hybrids with fabric ends limit insulation in hot and cold situations. Also may be prohibited in areas where bears reside - so forget some areas of country. Think this through so you don t end up buying then trading in for another and taking a hit on trade in. Your pickup is the determining factor as well as living space - because there are days where you won t sit or live outside due to weather. 4 people in a TT

[brannon]

We were looking for a bunkhouse under $15k and under 5k pounds. Wound up with a Salem Cruise Lite 261bhxl. Overall pleased. At 29 ft it's a bit of a windsail, but manageable.

[Flybob]

You will get many " by this suggestions" so here are some more general pre-decision considerations.
What do you plan to tow it with ( what is load capacity not towing capacity).
Where will you be storing it when not camping.
What is you budget.
These items will place hard limits on your choices.
Now go to an RV show if available and look at units that meet the above requirements. Take the family and try to envision how you would do if you have to spend a day or two inside due to weather.
Does the unit have sufficient storage for you items
Where do you plan to camp ( campgrounds with power and water) or dry camping no power or water) This will determine # batteries, tank capacities, etc.

Depending on where you live, rent an RV close to what you think you want and spend a weekend in it ( even if in your driveway) you will get a feel for what you need and don't need.

[NicknTina]

GM/Chevy publishes the Tow Guide on their website. You can download it for your particular vehicle's model year and compare your vehicle to that guide's recommendation. If you do not have your vehicle's window sticker, the option codes are listed on a placard in the glovebox. Compare those against the Tow Guide and you can determine the factory's recommendations. Of course, the codes can be Googled to help ID the key ones (i.e. Axle ratios GU4 3.08, GU6 3.42). Depending on equipment 2014 Silverado 1500 Tow rating could be anywhere from 6,500 to 12,000 lbs.
Check it out and hope you find this helpful.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by KnP

Overlooked that info; thanks for pointing that out. A quick Google search is 11,500 towing capacity with the 5.3 V8. There is a really good selection of TTs well bellow that weight.

That's a max amount only for a Silverado equipped with the best options for towing , like a 4.10 rear end.
Most will be much less than that.

That's why I don't use towing guides like Trailer Life's.

Ford has a good Towing Guide cause it shows all the possible configuration for each model.
The only thing that could be better would be adding payload capacities.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by bikendan

That's a max amount only for a Silverado equipped with the best options for towing , like a 4.10 rear end.
Most will be much less than that.

That's why I don't use towing guides like Trailer Life's.

Ford has a good Towing Guide cause it shows all the possible configuration for each model.
The only thing that could be better would be adding payload capacities.

And that's why your Owners Manual is the best place to look (assuming you've already got a tow vehicle).

[SailorSam20500]

I agree with most of the above. My route to getting our trailer. I figured out what TV capacity I had that could be allocated to tongue weight (again this is based on the weight listed on your driver door sticker). I then looked at various trailers that sort of looked right and developed a tongue weight for them as 15% of the trailer GROSS weight, not dry weight. That gave us a manageable list of options. Then most importantly - I bought the one that MOMA LIKED!!! Yup, I got to determine a list of possibles based on technical requirements and to be safe, DW made the final decision.


Look up what GM allocates to cargo. Most likely this weight has to cover all your people/pets and stuff in/on the truck added after manufacture plus the tongue weight. Don't forget to allow for the weight of any hitch you decide to buy. That also means you get to subject yourself to the hundreds of threads about what is the best hitch!

If you didn't know, there are a number of RV forums around that have good information on them. I learned a lot about hitches from the Airstream forum. I also got good stuff from the F-150 forum, so you should check the GM version of it for peculiarities of the GM trucks.

Be safe and have fun.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by itat

I'm curious why you're reluctant to have a slideout? They do add some weight but the extra space they provide is awesome.

I'm curious too. When I first became a RV owner I didn't want or need one but now would welcome the space it would provide.

When you do narrow down your choices try to spend a good amount of time inside each of them to see how actually the space & floor plan works for your family.

[Rhino1]

Originally Posted by Terier

So am I. When I first became a RV owner I didn't want or need one but now would welcome the space it would provide.

When you do narrow down your choices try to spend a good amount of time inside each of them to see how actually the space & floor plan works for your family.

I will probably end up with a slide but we was trying to keep it simple. No slide means less moving parts to break, less chances of leaks etc. Thanks!

[Terier]

Originally Posted by Rhino1

I will probably end up with a slide but we was trying to keep it simple. No slide means less moving parts to break, less chances of leaks etc. Thanks!

That was my thinking too so I can relate. There are pros and cons to having a slide. I don't regret my choice of trailers but I wouldn't mind being able to move in more directions than Pacman.

[Rhino1]

My truck is rated for 7,000lbs gross vehicle weight with a 700lb hitch rating. so I will be looking for something that fits in that criteria. We have decided to that were okay with slide outs.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Rhino1

My truck is rated for 7,000lbs gross vehicle weight with a 700lb hitch rating. so I will be looking for something that fits in that criteria. We have decided to that were okay with slide outs.

You will like the extra room and you have many more options to choose from.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Rhino1

My truck is rated for 7,000lbs gross vehicle weight with a 700lb hitch rating. so I will be looking for something that fits in that criteria. We have decided to that were okay with slide outs.

Then I take back my recommendation for a 310BHDS. It's too heavy for your truck.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Then I take back my recommendation for a 310BHDS. It's too heavy for your truck.

As is the Roo 233S hybrid I mentioned and just about every other suggestion in the thread. Hitch weight on a 233S will be over the trucks capacity in the real world. Look at the Roo 183 and all the middle of the pack Mini lites.

Frankly, there are not a lot of options out there to meet those specs of 700 hitch and 7000 GVWR without being really close to maxing it out. If they spec a trailers tongue wight as 500#, its going to be closer to 700# if not more unless you plan on not putting anything inside. What is the confirmed towing capacity, and more importantly "payload", of the truck.

[timfromma]

My 310BHDS weighs 7300lbs dry.

[Wheels Down]

"You want more truck than trailer" has been echoed many times in the past. And it is definitely a truth in your situation.
Everything on your list is obtainable with the correct TV.
You will have to crunch the numbers (payload, tongue weight, tow capacities ect..) to land on a suitable TT.
Honestly, in my opinion the whole "half ton towable" thing just doesn't pan out when it comes to safely towing. Half ton towable is no lie, they will tow. Half ton stoppable and controllable is where that theory gets challenged. Especially when you are right on the edge of capacities.
Again, just an opinion.
Good luck.
RMc

2016 F250 Lariat 6.2L CC SB 3.73
Flagstaff Super Lite 27BEWS

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Wheels Down

"You want more truck than trailer" has been echoed many times in the past. And it is definitely a truth in your situation.
Everything on your list is obtainable with the correct TV.
You will have to crunch the numbers (payload, tongue weight, tow capacities ect..) to land on a suitable TT.
Honestly, in my opinion the whole "half ton towable" thing just doesn't pan out when it comes to safely towing. Half ton towable is no lie, they will tow. Half ton stoppable and controllable is where that theory gets challenged. Especially when you are right on the edge of capacities.
Again, just an opinion.
Good luck.
RMc

2016 F250 Lariat 6.2L CC SB 3.73
Flagstaff Super Lite 27BEWS

There are some 1/2 ton towables but ONLY with one of the few 1/2 ton trucks able to tow safely. Not all 1/2 tons are created anywhere near equal.

[PSUFan1]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

You're going to get all kinds of opinions; here's my 2 cents in what I'm most familiar with:

In the Rockwood Mini-Lite/Flagstaff Micro-Lite line, I think only the 2306 (GVWR about 5,500lbs) would meet your description; however, the 34" dinette might be a bit small for you. If you need a larger dinette, you'll most likely need a slide-out; this can get you the more standard 44" dinette or even an 84" U-dinette. For example, the 2504S (GVWR 6,500lbs) has an 84" U-dinette, 2 bunks for the kids, but has a slide-out and a Murphy bed.

If you don't mind a hybrid, the 3 small Rockwood Roo/Flagstaff Shamrock's (17, 183, and 19; with GVWR's of about 4,400lbs, 4,800lbs, and 4,900lb respectively) would fit the bill. If the kids can sleep together, you could go with the 17 or 19 with 2 bunks; if not, the 183 has 3 bunks. These all have 44" dinettes.


Good luck.

The 4 of us fit fine in our flagstaff 23lb (sister to the Rockwood 2306) dinette table. My kids are 10 and 14. But they are now out growing the small bunk beds.

We have loved our 23lb over the past 4 years but really close to upgrading.


2012 Ford F-150 EB Crew FX4 3.73 gears
2012 Micro Lite 23lb

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[itat]

Our old Roo 23SS was 4300# unloaded and 5200# fully loaded and ready to go camping. The tongue weight was just under 550#. The Roo 183 is easily doable. The 233S may be doable.

If I were the OP I'd look for something with an actual dry weight of no more than around 4000#. There should be several hybrids and small TTs in that range but check the actual sticker unloaded weight. Don't believe the weights listed in the brochures.