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 > High-quality, ultra-light weight trailer?

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raydf_1

Miami FL

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Posted: 05/15/08 01:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi!

What brand / model of ultra-light weight travel trailer (hitch weight under 350 lbs and dry weight under 3500 lbs) would you say has the best quality?

Thanks!


Ray
Miami FL

windriderjr

Massachusetts

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Posted: 05/15/08 01:39pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What type of trailer are you open to? There are popups and teardrops that will satisfy those requirements. Do you have other requirements? Hard walls, bathroom, queen size bed?


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raydf_1

Miami FL

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Posted: 05/15/08 01:44pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Oops! You're right: I forgot to specify the type. We were looking into a hard-sided trailer, with at least a queen-sized bed (could be a dinette during the day) and of course a kitchen, dinette, and a bathroom. I'm quite heavy (though not too tall) so a small shower won't do!

Thanks!

windriderjr wrote:

What type of trailer are you open to? There are popups and teardrops that will satisfy those requirements. Do you have other requirements? Hard walls, bathroom, queen size bed?


skipnchar

Topeka Kansas USA

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Posted: 05/15/08 01:55pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Keep in mind that a 3500 lb. trailer MAY have only 350 lb. unloaded hitch weight (right at the minimum of 10%) but once it's loaded it'll be quite a bit heavier. Dry weight is probably not the best thing to consider if you have strict weight limits. I'd look at the fully loaded weights.


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windriderjr

Massachusetts

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Posted: 05/15/08 01:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I think you are starting from the same place I did: I have th TV with this much towing capacity, so I need a TT that weighs less than that.

I started with a Gulfstream Amerilite 21MB and a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder that was rated at 5000 lbs. The TT has a dry weight of 3920 lbs so I thought i would be fine. I wasn't and now have the truck in my sig.

If I had it to do over, I would start with the TT and then buy a truck to tow it. I'm much happier now that little girls on tricycles don't pass me going up hills.

Hornet28BHDS

Parker, PA

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Posted: 05/15/08 03:21pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

What will you be towing with?


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donn0128

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Posted: 05/15/08 03:35pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

3500 dry (yea that is a joke) weight will turn into 5000 to 6000 pounds ready to camp weight. Hitch weight will be in the range of 15% of that so hitch weight will be around 500 to 600 pounds. Now, again what do you intend to tow this trailer with? To get to a 3500 ready to camp trailer, again you are looking at a tear drop. tent trailer, or a really small TT.


Donn


MFinCA

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

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Posted: 05/15/08 03:36pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

raydf_1 wrote:


What brand / model of ultra-light weight travel trailer (hitch weight under 350 lbs and dry weight under 3500 lbs) would you say has the best quality?


Just finding any one to meet your specs might prove difficult. I would suggest visiting here RV Manufacturers and looking at the manufacturer's websites for possibilities. A Casita or Burro might be a candidate.

Good Luck!


MFinCA
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raydf_1

Miami FL

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Posted: 05/15/08 04:10pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Good advice all: thanks! I was thinking of, for example, a Forest River Surveyor SP-187, with a total dry weight of 2,759 and a hitch weight of 225 lbs, which appears to be well under the limits of my modest tow vehicle.

You may check this particular trailer in the following URL:

Surveyor Sport SP-187

I would be towing with a six-cylinder vehicle with the stated limits of 3,500 lbs and 350 lbs hitch weight. I know that the accessories, fluids and cargo have weight, but from other posts in this excellent forum, I'd say that those items shouldn't go over 700 - 800 lbs.

Thanks!


MFinCA wrote:

Just finding any one to meet your specs might prove difficult. I would suggest visiting here RV Manufacturers and looking at the manufacturer's websites for possibilities. A Casita or Burro might be a candidate.

Good Luck!


2001tundra

Surry , NH

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Posted: 05/15/08 04:10pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi , check out www.cikirarv.com , 18 ft ,queen ,air , everything , 2860 dry, 245 lbs tounge weight , tandem axle , I tow with a 3.4 litre v6 , 5 speen no problem in New England . 6000 lbs and 600 lb tounge weight , not so . I tow with out wd bars. 17.8 mpg towing . People stuff their trailers with way to much stuff that they might use. I don't carry water and tanks are always empty after use . A little common sense .............


2001 Tundra TV , 18 ft Cikira Classic Cruiser

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