Looking for a travel trailer

[ittle dew]

We will be looking to upgrade to a travel trailer next year, and I need some help.

We have a 2012 F150 that will tow 7700 lbs max tow for a trailer.

We are looking for one with bunk beds that will fit comfortably in my tow range and will most likely be of the ultra lite family.

Wife wants smooth sided trailer, which is ok because the aluminum siding clad trailers tend to be too heavy.

Needs to sleep 5 adult sized people comfortably with 3 in there own beds, and a queen bed for us.

With so many trailers available, I don't know which models to be looking at and I am getting data overload trying to figure out where to look.

Thanks so much
Jim

[arlee453]

We just went through a similar process! We also needed to be able to sleep a lot of people with our family of 6 and often an extra kid or two, none of which are shrinking in size.

What I did was start on the Forest River website. I pretty much looked at every floor plan they make in a TT. Usually if the model has 'BH' in it, there are bunk beds.

Once I had it narrowed down based on floorplan and weight, I then did some basic 'google' searches and found dealer's websites where they had actual pictures of a unit. That helped a lot to visualize what the floorplan actually looks like in 'real' life.

Finally we compared all that to what was available through our local dealer and found the perfect unit for us. We have a little more towing capacity so went with the V-Lite 30WTBS, as it has 4 almost 'normal' sized bunks in the "V" and a queen bedroom in the back. It also has two full sized air mattresses that work on the dinette and sofa for full sleeping capacity of 10.

Here's a couple of possibility for you:
Flagstaff Towables Lite Travel Trailer by Forest River

Flagstaff Towables Lite Travel Trailer by Forest River

[donn]

Actually smooth sided trailers tend to be heavier. Now to your loaded question. The 7K number you cited is probably bases on a base trim with one 150 pound driver. So you really need to load the family and everything that will be on/ in the truck when camping and go to the scales. Subtract that number from tour GCWR. That is how much you can tow in level ground.

[MtnGuy]

Something like this might work for ya: Surveyor Lite Travel Trailer by Forest River

[ittle dew]

Originally Posted by donn

Actually smooth sided trailers tend to be heavier. Now to your loaded question. The 7K number you cited is probably bases on a base trim with one 150 pound driver. So you really need to load the family and everything that will be on/ in the truck when camping and go to the scales. Subtract that number from tour GCWR. That is how much you can tow in level ground.

True, which is why I want to stay a bit under it. I didn't want you thinking I had the max tow or HD package. Thanks for looking out for us though, that's why I love the people on this site, they genuinely want to help.

[Twisty]

We need to know more about the truck.
What is the payload?
Mine is about 1500 lbs which goes away quickly with wood, tools, canoe, dogs, 2 adults, chairs, etc.
I run about 1000 lbs under GCWR with my truck and TT, including a full 30 gallon fresh water tank.
I am about 200 lbs under the GVW when hitched up and ready to travel for 1 week.

[ittle dew]

Looked up some numbers:

3.55 gear = 7700 maximum towable weight
13500 combined weight rating
1700 max payload
7350 GVWR

13500-7350=6150 left

So I am confused, if I only have 6150 left, why is the rating at 7700? What am I missing here?

[Twisty]

The tow rating is based on a truck with a full tank of fuel and 1 150 lb driver.
Nothing else.

My truck is
3.55 gear = 7700 towing
13,500 GCWR
1503 payload
7200 GVWR

Mine is a 4 wheel drive super cab.

Last time on the scales with the WDH connected
Front axle 3450
Rear axle 3550
Weight on trailer tires 5550

I do not know the tongue weight yet.

Too bad your truck is so new.
A properly equipped F150 with the Ecoboost engine would give you more weight to play with.

[HONDAMAN174]

Do you have the 5.0L? Despite my "call sign", we are currently looking at the same set up but with the ecoBEAST.

[Twisty]

I am sure it is the 5.0. If the truck had 3.73 gears it would be rated for about 9300 lbs.

[ittle dew]

Sorry I forgot that, yes it's the 5 liter