What kind of camper do you have?

Awesome times!

 

I know you posted this a while back, so I am hoping you will be able to respond. I am looking at a similar trailer in size, dry weight is 5100 lbs, dual axle with electric brakes. I've towed with my 2015 Tacoma DCSB with the V6 and tow package for years, but mostly with trailers that were only in the 2500-2800 lb range. This would be the first one that I feel would really push my truck. I live in the Florida panhandle area, majority of everything here is pretty flay with small, short hills. Typically local camping so most trips would be 200 miles one way, or less.
What are your thoughts on this? (Anyone feel free to comment please)
I already am looking at the WD hitch adapters, as well as a Prodigy 3 brake controller.

 

I tow a trailer about that size with my Tundra and I sometimes feel like I need a bigger truck, especially when it's windy.

 

We've been eyeing the Intech Flyer Pursue lately. Went and checked one out at the local dealer and really like it. Still small but more room than we currently have, plus a built in kitchen. Thinking I could build some storage in the back thats half the width of the trailer so we can still use the rear doors for entry. And we can order without the heat and A/C. We rarely ever camp in campgrounds and even more rarely have shore power when we do, so no point in the extra cost and weight of the A/C, and our diesel heater would be better for heat vs their propane heater.

My only concern is tires/axle. Ideally I'd like 35s under it so they would match the truck and provide more spare tire capability, but to fit 35s would mean new axles and unless the dealer is willing to work with me on it swapping axles would mean voiding warranty.

https://intech.com/rv/models/flyer/...MI3cSog968jwMVN8l5BB1RfgvMEAAYASADEgIdlvD_BwE

 

If you like Intech you should also check out Encore Campers. Guy who started it used to work at Intech, and then started his own company after a non compete expired. Very similar, but a few other options and such. Don't know how it compares price wise because I haven't looked for a while.

Here's some on RV Trader. Older ones that are still new might get a discount. https://www.rvtrader.com/Encore-Rog...p=82601&radius=nationwide&sort=relevance:desc

 

So I pulled the trigger this weekend. This coming Saturday I will be picking up my 2019 Keystone Outback Ultralite. Shes 4200 as she sits (They scaled it for me) I'm excited and looking forward to our break-in run (Going to a local campsite to shake her down and find potential issues before we make any real trips!

 

The wind it will catch matters too. I went back to a full size after towing a utility trailer with a rear ramp against a Wyoming headwind. I was in a 2023 TRD Pro Taco with nothing but my motorcycle on the trailer. It was miserable. Just shy of redline and shaking like crazy to go 60-65 MPH in tow/ets mode.

Granted, more elevation here and more little hills, but I wouldn't want to tow more than 3K with that truck in ideal conditions.

 

@FLPanhandleTacoma,

Congratulations! Just so you have a WDH and/or proper leaf spring support you'll be golden in the flatlands of Florida.

 

The dealer will be installing and setting up the WDH with anti-sway when I pick it up, and setting it to my truck. I already have beefier springs in the rear, which I installed during my lift kit installation last year. I made sure to get a heavier spring rate since I knew I would eventually get a camper. Also I am installing the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 brake controller as well. They will dial it in, and I'll make any adjustments needed for my driving style after I get a feel for things.

 

I was looking at their ROG lineup at MOORE Expo. I really like their slide out rear kitchen. Prices are comparable, a little more than Intech but might be able to bring it down some if I can request no heat and A/C, etc. I'll have to give them another look!

 

So late last year we bought a 2020 Wolf Pup 18TO, which is I believe 3800 dry, 5000 loaded. Single axle. Haven't actually had it on a scale. This is 1000# heavier than previous unit, which pulled pretty well.
I would say that 5000# is the max I'd want to pull with my 2014 DCLB Sport 6 cyl 4.0. I think these have 137 HP or something like that. Just drove from south central NH up to Burlington VT then around the lake to upper NY and back. Generally held speeds between 50~60 mph -- occasionally dropped under 50 going up hills.
I'm about due to replace the truck - would go for a full size if I was going to do a lot of towing, but really want to stay with a smaller truck, so I think I'll be pulling the plug on a 4th gen, since they have 40HP more and a fair amount more torque. Not interested in the hybrid, even though that would add another 40+HP. (Don't want more complexity and can't get it in a long bed without getting the ridiculous TrailHunter.)

 

Are you specifically looking at shorter ones, or would you do a taller trailer? Just curious as to the reasoning for whichever you'd go for.

 

We want a smaller trailer because we mostly do remote off road camping, so the smaller and lighter the better to fit down trails. Rarely do we find ourselves in a campground. We don't spend any time inside except for sleeping, so no need for interior space to hang out in. Our current is 5x8 with about 42 inches interior height, but after factoring in the rear galley it's just a tad short lengthwise for me and I feel cramped when sleeping. It also doesn't have much for storage space so we would like a little more room for that.

 

Ah, that makes sense. I want to be able to stand up inside. Not necessarily hang out, but after camping in an iKamper I do miss being able to stand up to put my pants on. LOL

 

Yeah we don't usually have anyone around us so we just change outside. Deploy the 270 awning with walls for when its raining to get some sheltered space. Only thing that sucks is when it's too windy for the awning to be deployed.

 

Yeah, I'm in Wyoming and camping for Elk is often windy and cold. I don't wanna be nekkid in 20° or less every morning.

 

So my Prodigy P3 is arriving today via FedEx. I looked at my under hood fuse box and checked all the listed fuses for towing, and they all are there. (I have the factory tow package) Is there anything else anyone suggests I verify on my truck before picking up the travel trailer tomorrow?

 

Check the torque on the hitch bolts - mine were way under torqued.

 

Sorry it took a week to get back here! This week at work has been nuts!

So I picked up the camper last Saturday and got her home. Once I got her into the back yard by my shop, I realized I didn't have a plug in my shop that would work, so off to Lowe's I went. Got that all installed in my shop. I made it as an outside plug, with an active use weather cover. Got the trailer all hooked up and started playing around with different things. The AC worked pretty well, but I think the on-board duct work might be pinched somewhere, as the flow is much lower than expected, so that will be something to check into. I did find myself disappointed that the refrigerator did not work! Long story short, I discovered that since the plug for the refrigerator was inside the access panel where the gas system was located, it was connected to the bathroom's GFCI circuit, which was tripped! Got that figured out and the heat-exchanger refrigerator works great. I was told that they tend to be a bit slow, but this thing was down to 40 degrees in about 45 minutes! (8CF capacity) so I was happy about that! Everything else seems to work well, the slide out, the awning, awning lights, etc. I'll take some photos hopefully tomorrow and share them. My sister already has storage ideas for how to best utilize all the cabinets and such! haha.