cconstancemarie
Las Vegas NV
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Joined: 02/17/2008
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I had a pontiac Aztek that was rated to pull 3500 lbs. Couldn't do it with a 16 ft 2,800 lb hybrid. It is not the engine so much as the frame as it had a minivan frame which is not built to pull trailers. I had to trade in a 1 year old Aztek to get a GMC Envoy now I have no problems.
If you want something bigger than a pup but not huge try the 16ft Kodiak Scamper it is made by Thor Industries and I think it is found under Dutchman. Anyway it has 2 queen beds (one on each end) and then the table folds out to be a full size bed. It has everything your wife probably wants, a microwave, stove, oven, sink of course, good size refrigerator & freezer along with a bathroom and small (and I mean small tub). Also heat and air condition and a place to put a small TV. I have had mine for 3 years and am happy with it. It weights 2800 lbs.
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jrat
British Columbia
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Joined: 07/15/2007
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There is alot of talk about weights and what can pull what....I know I pull a Stampede 19.5 with a Ram 1500 Hemi which is rated to pull 9000lbs - almost double the trailer weight. I can say that I wouldn't want to tow anything much bigger. I even added air springs. Now we always dry camp so I head out loaded with firewood, bike, water tank full plus extra in the truck, full propane and 2 batteries plus 4 people. There are some mountains here in BC so the truck gets a workout. All this is leading up to the fact that I would be VERY careful getting anywhere near your capacity. Like a budget, its not the trailer but all the extra things that will add up - not to mention you'll bag out your van in no time. Dealers tell everyone a minivan can pull "ultralite HTT" - but most people here are handing out sage advice. I wouldn't pull with a minivan - just not meant to! Remember, even if you can pull it safely you have to stop it as well. JMO. Good luck.
jrat
That's me, wife and 2 daughters!
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Dixonmatco
Santa Rosa, California
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Joined: 04/29/2006
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My best friends recently purchased a Starcraft Antigua 195CK. It was the best of all those brands we looked at. Not sure about the weight and your vehicles ability to tow it. We avoided the Jaycos because of the 13" tires, among other reasons.
First check the tow rating for your Mini-van. The Chevy Astro (rear wheel drive V6) will tow much more than a 4 cyl Dodge Caravan (FWD)
My reccommendation is to use the MAX GVW for the trailer to be no more than the MAX towing weight for your Minivan..
2000 Chevy Silverado 1500
2005 Komfort Trailblazer T23S
Honda EU2000I
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wags_in_the_peg
winnipeg, manitoba, canada
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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Chuck_S wrote:As for the trailer itself, many campers smaller than 19' have a wet bathroom meaning the toilet is in there and everything gets wet when you shower (by design). Those 19' and larger typically have a separate shower inside a tiny, but otherwise real, bathroom.
-- Chuck
NOPE not true on the Jayco 17C EX-PORT, separate shower/tub from the toilet and vanity
2008 nights camped: 18
Me'73 Wife'74 Daughter'04 Son'06 Dog'00
My RV'ing history
2007 Jayco 17c Ex-Port Hybrid (bought Feb'08)
2003 Starcraft 1701 pop-up - (bought Mar'03- sold May '08)
1977 Bonair pop-up (bought May'01 sold Mar'03)
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tglazier
Hillsboro Oregon, USA
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Joined: 07/18/2003
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IMO the Jayco 17C Ex-Port is the BEST lightweight HTT out there. You have all of the amenities that bigger trailers offer in a lighter, easy to tow package.
And no! I am not a Jayco salesman.I just happen to own one.
Retired USAF living in the Pacific NW USA
Jayco 17C Ex-Port Hybrid
2005 Jeep Liberty 3.7L
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mister_d
Livonia, MI - hardly qualified to be a
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Joined: 09/17/2006
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Minivans are great, but I'd never put my family in one while towing.
Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should. Do you really want to wonder every trip if you're going to break down, if you're going to be able to stop the rig in time, or if you'll be able to get up to highway speed on the on ramp?
2007 Rockwood Roo 23ss
Derek '77
Tina '78
Brianna '04
Dominick '07
Maximus (slobbering camping buddy)
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cconstancemarie
Las Vegas NV
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Joined: 02/17/2008
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Chuck_S wrote:
As for the trailer itself, many campers smaller than 19' have a wet bathroom meaning the toilet is in there and everything gets wet when you shower (by design). Those 19' and larger typically have a separate shower inside a tiny, but otherwise real, bathroom.
-- Chuck
The 16 ft Kodiak Scamper also has a separate tub/shower and toilet as well as a sink and medicine cabinet just like the Jayco 17 ft so you are not showering over the toilet. Just look around and see what fits your needs the best. Look at several models and take whatever the salesmen say with a grain of salt. Their trying to make a deal in this tough market.
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NHcamping
NH
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Joined: 03/19/2006
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Don't buy a Roo. Please save yourself trouble down the road. Search these forums for Roo leaks and see how many problems they have.
NH Camping
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Padlin
W. Ma.
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Joined: 06/15/2006
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I take it you've checked the 14' highwall Pop-ups with slide outs?
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
04 GMC 1500 4X4, 5.3L
06 Starcraft 18SB
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kellem
shenandoah valley
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Joined: 05/07/2007
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My wife's van has a 5000lb TC but in general most mini van's just don't have the muscle to tow safely.
I often hear the sales pitch "can be towed with a mini van" but in reality i never see mini van's pulling trailers.
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