|
12-05-2020, 02:51 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
|
Researching for purchase
Hey y'all! Looking forward to learning about RvIng prior to making my first purchase. Have tow capacity of 3500 lbs with my 05 Toyota Highlander. Any recommendations on what to buy?? All answers and advice appreciated!
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 03:40 PM
|
#2
|
Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,357
|
Welcome to the forum. Good luck on your search for a camper. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
|
|
|
12-05-2020, 03:42 PM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jipsee
Hey y'all! Looking forward to learning about RvIng prior to making my first purchase. Have tow capacity of 3500 lbs with my 05 Toyota Highlander. Any recommendations on what to buy?? All answers and advice appreciated!
|
Hi and Welcome to FRF, from Camano Island.
Your choices are going to be very limited because of the 3500lbs. Popups and A-frame trailers will be the most appropriate choice.
Does the Highlander have the factory tow package? If not, it doesn't have the 3500lbs towing capacity.
How many people will be in the car and how many will be camping with you.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
12-06-2020, 12:28 PM
|
#4
|
Retired Panpsychist
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,042
|
Along with Dan's preceding comments, you'll also want to pay attention to the rated payload of the vehicle. It's on the yellow sticker affixed to the driver's side door jamb.
The payload rating needs to take into account:
- The weight of the driver and all other occupants;
- The weight of the cargo placed in the truck;
- The weight of the hitch you are using;
- The tongue weight of the loaded trailer.
For many folks, the limiting number will be the payload rating and not the tow rating.
__________________
Theo & Carol
2007 GoldenDoodle ("Cooper") R.I.P.
2020 Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
2015 F-150 4WD XLT SCab, 5.0L, 3.73, 36gal, HD Towing Pkg (53A), 1,980lb Payload
|
|
|
12-06-2020, 12:42 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Farmer
Posts: 4,988
|
Welcome to the forum, where there's a wealth of knowledge and information from very experienced owners willing to diagnose, help educate everyone. Enjoy, From Central NC
__________________
2016 Coachmen Apex 250RLS Ultra Light 2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn Sport 3.73
|
|
|
12-07-2020, 02:00 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Hills of Northwestern PA
Posts: 2,284
|
At 3500#, pop ups and single axle small box style Travel Trailers are your choices. When looking at trailers, use the TT GVWR for your limits. It’s easy to load up a small trailer for camping. There are teardrop style lightweights (tab brand), A lines, and even a 2K# limit Runaway (like a low cargo trailer mostly for sleeping, no facilities). I’m more familiar with the Wolf Pup line.
__________________
2019 Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS flipped axle, 5K springs, 400AH LiFePO4, 3K inverter, 200W CIGS solar
2019 Ford F-150 S-Crew 5.5 bed V8 w/tow package, ITBC, Tow Mirrors, 3.55, SumoSprings, 7000# GVWR, 1990#CC
Husky Centerline TS WDH 400-600# spring bars
|
|
|
12-07-2020, 03:05 PM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
|
Trailers with 3500lbs GVWR ratings, almost always have very low cargo capacity numbers. Plus your car may a frontal area limitation, which should be listed in the car's owners manual towing section. Any regular travel trailer will often have a frontal area that exceeds the max amount.
OP, does your Highlander have the 4 cylinder or the v-6?
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
12-07-2020, 03:15 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Johnson City, TX
Posts: 323
|
The biggest bit of advice I can give you is this: Do not listen to the RV salesmen. They'll have you believing you can easily tow a 32' travel trailer, all you need is a weight distributing hitch. Don't believe it. There is a lot of intelligence and wisdom on this site, they will steer you right.
__________________
Rockwood Ultra Light 2304DS, towed by 2018 Ram Cummins Diesel 2500 4x4
|
|
|
12-07-2020, 07:55 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: South Central Virginia
Posts: 882
|
Might be time to trade in that 05 Highlander. BUT, first decide what type of camping you want to do; overnight, weekend, weeklong, etc. and what type of creature comforts you want; heat, AC, hot water, bed size, how many beds, cooking facilities, bathroom facilities, etc.
|
|
|
12-17-2020, 07:50 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 111
|
Casita, scamp, R-pod, popup, that kinda stuff...if I was shopping for a camper for the rest of my life, it would be a Casita hands down
|
|
|
12-17-2020, 08:54 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,001
|
I agree with all the others...start small and get a feel for camping with a pod or pop up or trade the Highlander look at all trailers, find what you like and then buy a tow vehicle that will do the job
__________________
TV - 2020 RAM 3500 Mega Cab SRW with 6.7 Cummins HO & Aisin 6 spd, 4k payload, 23k towing
2002 GMC Yukon XL 2500, 8.1 liter (496ci), 4L85e & positraction with 3.73 gears
TT - 2013 Dutchmen Aspen Trail 3130 QBS
Great bourbon-just about any of San Diego’s craft beer
|
|
|
12-17-2020, 09:32 PM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
|
It's been almost 2 weeks and this is the OP's one and only posts.
Not sure if they're ever coming back.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|