Help me choose

[UKreject]

I've been looking at the various forums poking around. I'm looking at 4 trailers similar in floor plan and close enough in price. Actually, it's 5 but one is a Grand Design so we wont talk about that. I like this floor plan because I think a dinette is wasted space. Should be outside most of the time and be comfortable when inside.
TV is Ram 1500 Bighorn crew cab 5.7 hemi 4x4 3.92 gears.
Coachmen Apex Nano 189rbs. gvwr 4700
Rockwood Geo Pro 19fbs. gvwr 4416
Coachmen Freedom Express 192rbs. gvwr 6000
Rockwood Minilite 2109s. gvwr 5692
Two are single axle and two are tandem axle. Difference of 1000 lbs in gvwr. Will there be a noticeable difference in towing? Comfort? Fuel mileage?

[bikendan]

I would easily choose a tandem axle trailer, over a single axle trailer.
More stable towing, less tongue weight, better if a tire blows are some pros over single axle.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I would easily choose a tandem axle trailer, over a single axle trailer.
More stable towing, less tongue weight, better if a tire blows are some pros over single axle.

X2

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by UKreject

Will there be a noticeable difference in towing? Comfort? Fuel mileage?

Probably a difference in all of the above.
We'd probably pick a tandum axel and one with more cargo carrying capacity at the lowest gross vehicle weight.

But there is no 'best'. If you need it in the near future, it's probably going to be which one is available at the price you want to pay.

[nomad297]

If I was to choose from the list you provided, I would be going with the Rockwood Minilite 2109S.

Bruce

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by nomad297

If I was to choose from the list you provided, I would be going with the Rockwood Minilite 2109S.

Bruce

X 2 later RJD

[CincyGus]

You don't mention it and while Ram's 1/2 tons gas engines are generally pretty decent in the payload department, Accessories on crew cabs can add up and rob you. What is your Payload (Cargo Carrying Capacity) listed on the yellow sticker on the drivers door jam? I'm pretty comfortable you are going to be just fine with the sizes your looking at but it's always best to know rather than assume.

The Coachman, which is the heaviest of the trailers you're looking at, shows 4142 lbs dry weight on the website I found googling that model. Adding a 1000 lbs of camping stuff to the camper takes you to 5142. Filling the fresh water tank adds another 400 lbs, taking you to 5542 trailer weight.
15% of that (tongue weight is generally between 10%-15% for bumper pulls) is 831 lbs of payload used up.

Add the 831 to the weight of your passengers and anything else you will be putting in the truck's cab or bed and it hopefully is below your payload (CCC) rating for your truck. There are a lot of numbers to look at (Axle ratings, GVWR, GVCWR, etc.) but if your payload is under, 99% of the time, you're going to be fine on all the other numbers so that's the first one I worry about checking.

And Yes, I would certainly go with a tandem wheel trailer. IMO, single axles on anything but utility trailers, small boat trailers, popup's and teardrops is something I stay away from. All nice unit's by the way.

I was very conservative in the weight IN the trailer and the tongue weight above to give you plenty of space cushion. You may not load 1000 lbs in it and you may not need 15% tongue weight to get your trailer to haul and behave nicely. Those are the safety margins I use to make sure I don't have a truck that is under equipped to handle whats behind it and it's served me well my entire life. It also has made my travels safe, absent of white knuckle driving to to me, time well spent.

[darb]

Also depends on what you are looking for in a camper.
I’m picking up my 19FBS this spring.
Traded my rpod 172t.
Having single axle isn’t the worst thing in the world. Keep well maintained, good rubber on and you’re not likely to have a blowout. Also less tires and bearings to look after. I’m not disputing the benefits of a tandem, but don’t let anyone scare you away from single axle.

I found nearly every other camper not to have the comfort, build quality and options as the geo pro.

There’s no wrong choice for you, get what works for you!

[rsdata]

YOUR payload sticker is yellow and on driver side door jamb. Here is a picture of mine...
I also have a RAM 1500 crew cab 5.7 hemi my combined weight ( payload) minus driver and tank of gas is only 1309#. My trailer maxes out about 4800# with about 625# tongue weight, about 13% of gross weight. I have dual axle also. DOn't forget to include the weight (75#) for a WDHitch which is added to your payload. 625+75+ truck cargo and passengers not to exceed 1309#. So you see my 4800# GVWR works fine for my RAM. A 6000# trailer may be a bit too much.

The Coachman MAY BE a little heavy for you to safely tow.

[UKreject]

Thank you all for your responses. Payload sticker is 1676 lbs. I have something to consider now. I did not realise about fresh water and WDH so recalculating options. I am leaning towards the 19fbs even though it's a single axle. I like the idea of being nowhere close to towing limits. The dealer in Chicago will give me a great price. It's reassuring to know that none of them is a bad choice. I'll post again when I buy.

[lbrjet]

You have a very capable truck. Choose the trailer you like best.