Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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Joined: 01/29/2007
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I agree with you, Jayco has some nice Ultralites!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
Life is short, why not spend it in an RV!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
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LoudRam
New Jersey
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Joined: 04/20/2008
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pacificnw wrote:Using the daily driver 1/2 ton pickup for the TV is a big advantage for the larger ultralights.
I say "larger" because no one is probably worried about their pickup's capacity with a 19 or 21 foot TT. But once you start getting longer than 24 feet you strat to wonder whether your pickup has enough umph. Some of those 24 footers will be too much for the normal 1/2 ton.
I just think this is another good reason to consider the ultralights when you don't want to buy a bigger TV and you don't want to settle for a smaller box. That is, us average Joe's (and Jill's) who have a hard enough time scrapping together the $ for a TT to begin with and the idea of getting a bigger TV to tow your TT is not even in the realm of possibility.
Its quite a deal actually... you get the room of the larger TT's but don't have to get a 3/4 ton the larger TT's typically require. So, the fuel economy figures in here too... not just "frontal area" of the TT.
Exactly. Dead on!
Todd
Desert Storm Vet (US Navy)
2002 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx 30'
2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 w/360 (not stock)
Predator DX2 brake controller
Equalizer Sway Control Hitch
If you can read this thank a teacher
If you can read this in english thank a vet
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grantster
Beautiful British Columbia, Canada
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Joined: 06/04/2004
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We love our 33' Rockwood. Weighs 6500 lbs packed to the gills. Wouldn't be towing a 'regular' trailer this size with our F150. No complaints!
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DocP
Brunswick, Ohio
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Joined: 12/11/2007
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We absolutely love our 28 foot ultra-lite. The floor is a bit "bouncier" than other heavier TT's we've owned in the past, but it tows very well. No regrets on this end.
2008 Keystone Freedom Lite 281RL
1998 Breckenridge Park Model
2004 Chevy Avalanche, 5.3L, 3.73:1, 4X4,
Auxiliary transmission oil cooler,
Z71 off-road towing package
Reese Trunnion WD, Dual Cam, Prodigy
Yamaha EF2400IS generator
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Still Searchin'
Bend, Oregon
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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There are two ultralites out there that have 40 gallon tanks: Aluma Lite 26RKS and MaxLite 26RKS, both 27.5 ft. and under 5000# dry weight. Just wish they had a front window option so I can keep an eye on my tow vehicle!
Hopefully we will see more lite trailers with extended travel amenities, like decent closet sizes and holding tanks.
2004 Yukon XL K1500 w/ 5.3L & 3.73 diff.
1989 22ft. Wilderness TT @ 5500# loaded
Member: TTN, Escapees, Good Sam
Just retired, will travel!
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rlc323
Illinois
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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One thing I have noticed that adds a lot of weight to a trailer is the slide-out. They are nice and make the inside more usable for a group, but at a cost.
The big advantage for us with the Trail-Lite is a 26 foot trailer that can be pulled with my 1/2 ton that I drive to work. The trailer is very aerodynamic with the shape and the fact that it is fully enclosed underneath. 30 gallon tanks are no problem for us as there are only 2 of us. We get about 9 mpg when towing which is similar to a 3/4 ton truck. However the 18 mpg when not towing is not probable with a 3/4 ton.
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Z-71
2002 Trail Lite 8261
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beaner364
Michigan
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Joined: 05/18/2008
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We picked up a 2008 Tab trailer last July and the quality seems to be very good. It is constructed on a light weight AL-KO Kober brand trailer chassis (http://www.al-ko.co.uk/cdesign-general.htm#) that has a torsion axle suspension and a mechanical surge brake. Its wall and ceiling panels are made of a aluminum, fiberglass, resin sandwich construction that they claim is 15% lighter than conventional fiberglass panels. Exterior finish is a high gloss automotive style paint with no worries of UV yellowing when compared with fiberglass. Windows are double-pane poly.
The Tab is obviously a niche product/market that will not work for or appeal to everyone given its size, style, and the associated compromises for both however it is interesting to see the basic engineering and construction differences to current light weight U.S. solutions first hand. Thor Industries manufactures U.S. Tab trailers in Indiana under an agreement with Tabbert, a German caravan (RV) maker who originally designed and sold (sells) Tab trailers in Europe where fuel prices and smaller vehicles have influenced designs for a long time. Thor has marketed the Tab at a premium price here in the U.S. as I am sure many of you will point out but I wonder if U.S. RV manufacturers are now looking at some of the more conventional European products for solutions to future product development in the light weight travel trailer segment. The days of "mass" market for 5,000 lb+ travel trailers would seem to be numbered here given today's fuel prices and the new CAFE standards that will likely impact future tow vehicle capabilities. The manufacturers that react most effectively to this new reality with appealing, quality products will obviously be the ones that survive.
Below are some links to a couple European manufacturers.
http://www.tabbert.de/en/models/gute-gruende/best-practice/
http://www.adria-mobil.com/media/2008/uk/products/caravan/Catalogue.pdf
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pacificnw
Great Northwest
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Joined: 05/06/2006
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The big advantage for us with the Trail-Lite is a 26 foot trailer that can be pulled with my 1/2 ton that I drive to work. The trailer is very aerodynamic with the shape and the fact that it is fully enclosed underneath. 30 gallon tanks are no problem for us as there are only 2 of us. We get about 9 mpg when towing which is similar to a 3/4 ton truck. However the 18 mpg when not towing is not probable with a 3/4 ton.
Exactly!
A daily driver 1/2 ton V-8 pickup can get 15-16 with a mixture of city and highway driving and if you get it out on a long freeway stretch you can get 18-19 with very little problem. Most 1/4 ton 6's don't do much better than that.
Then, when you need to get in some R&R you hook up that ultralight with the 24 foot + box, slide, storage space and all the amenities of home and you hit the road. On a good day you can get 12-13 mpg and you can usually count on 10 even through the mountains. And that's regular gas!
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crazymama2
Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/11/2007
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We have a 32' Sunset Trail 30BH by Crossroads weighing in at 5296. Couldn't be happier.
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hilldude
Red house WV
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Joined: 03/08/2008
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I have a trail cruiser 26RKS about three months old weights 4200 lb.a heavy trailer will be a lot harder to pull in the mountains. and since PA is a lot like WV not a lot of flat ground a lite weight makes sense.
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