What kind of camper do you have?

How smooth is the pad? Another way to do it is to use wheel dollies: Jack it up, bump it by hand until its aligned, remove dollies, reverse in with the truck, rinse, repeat. Its a little tedious, but it wont endanger your bumper or axle that way.


I use cheap dollies to bump mine around when backing into the garage.

 

2022 Freedom Express Coachmen !

 

There is a grade on the drive way and it handles that part just fine. The only tough spot is getting up the curb. I have to put a board under the wheel on the trailer valet as it hits the curb or with the incline the wheel will start to slip on the pavement.

so 2 boards as ramps for the curb for the trailer wheels, then 1 for the valet and I'm good to go.

 

Picked up our 2021 Patriot Campers X3 earlier this month after selling our 24ft Jayco X213 in the spring. Two main problems I had with the Jayco were that it wasn't built to be dragged around forest service and BLM roads so we couldn't take it a lot of the places we liked to camp and at 5,500 lbs loaded it was tiring to tow for long distances.

The new trailer is built to go off-road and with a smaller profile and 3,500 lbs loaded it isn't really noticeable behind the truck making 8 hour drive days much less exhausting.

 

I have a coworker who has a winch secured to the back of his concrete pad for bringing the trailer right up to where he wants every time. Parks it underneath a carport (really tight fit), but the winch and a wheel dolly on the front make it easy. When he’s done, takes the nuts off the anchor bolts, and puts the winch back in the garage for safekeeping.

 

I am downsizing from a 5th wheel and a 3/4 ton to a 2022 Trd Offroad and this Starcraft Satellite trailer. Still breaking in the Tacoma before I pick up and tow the trailer home.

 

Any thoughts on this one?

https://coachmenrv.com/travel-trailers/viking-ultra-lite/17BH/307

We have a friend that will probably be traveling for business with 3-4 small/medium dogs and staying onsite for 1-3 weeks is my guess. Towing with a low miles FJ auto 2x4(I think it’s 2x4).

My advice is something where the bed and dinette can always be available at the same time. 20’ seems to be pushing it a little for length with an FJ.

 

Just bought this camper. Will mostly be used for wheeling trips to the coast of N.C. Campers have come a long way since I was a kid.

 

This trailer would probably put your Fj at max or close to max GAWR. It shows 340lb tongue weight dry, my experience has been that the Mfg number listed is going to be on the light side. Probably be more in the range of 450 to 500 lbs with the battery or batteries and a full bottle or bottles of propane. Once your trailer is loaded with your personal items and water (if you tow with a full water tank) food, kitchen stuff etc. Then add yourself, passengers, cargo in the fj plus the tongue weight and not exceed 1200lbs . You will be very close to maxing out your axle. Not sure about Gvwr numbers on the Fj, but you will be close to that also, depending on amount of cargo and weight inside your Fj

Many people think that just because it states 5k towing capability that you can tow up to 5k, but that is not necessarily true. Lots of factors to look at. Many people will say go ahead, tow it, you'll be fine and you probably will. I prefer to fall within every one of the Mfg limits just in case.

 

Nice choice.

 

I’m thinking like you are. I’m worried she’s looking to get as much space as possible since it will be her and 4 dogs for weeks straight. I’ve been trying to steer her towards an rpod or casita.

 

Here is a calculator I like to use when figuring out if I can tow something. TowCalculator.com

I was finally able to find the missing numbers on her FJ. These numbers are based on a 2010 2x4.

She will be very close but should be able to tow the trailer legally. If she adds a weight distribution hitch and sway bar, which I would recommend because of the short wheelbase of her tow vehicle she would be right at GVWR Max but Legal.

Congrats! Your truck should be able to tow your trailer!
Result Details
GVWR: 5330 lbs
GCWR: 9200 lbs
Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs
Curb Weight: 4219 lbs Including Fuel
Passenger Weight: 150 lbs?
Cargo Weight: 250 lbs?
Estimated Vehicle Weight: 5099 lbs
Estimated Combined Weight: 8459 lbs
GVWR: 3840 lbs
Dry Weight: 3100 lbs
Cargo Weight: 740 lbs
Estimated Hitch Weight: 480 lbs
Estimated Trailer Weight: 3840 lbs
Summary
You appear to be in pretty good shape for the numbers provided. Drive safely and happy camping!

Total Trailer Weight = 3840 lbs
With your cargo loaded, your total gross vehicle weight for your trailer is 3840 pounds. You can tow a max of 5000 pounds, so you are 1160 pounds, or 24%, under your towing capacity.
Current Vehicle Weight = 5099 lbs
With your passengers and cargo loaded, and your trailer hitched up, your total gross vehicle weight for your tow vehicle is 5099 pounds. Your maximum weight is 5330 pounds, meaning you are currently 231 pounds, or 5%, under your payload capacity.
Current Combined Vehicle Weight = 8459 lbs
With your passengers and cargo loaded, and your trailer hitched up, your total actual combined vehicle weight for both your truck and your trailer is 8459 pounds. Your maximum combined vehicle weight is 9200 lbs, meaning you are current 741 pounds, or 9%, under your maximum combined weight.
DISCLAIMER: This site is intended to be a useful tool for current and prospective RV'ers and is CURRENTLY AIMED TOWARDS TRAVEL TRAILERS ONLY (support for fifth wheels will land very soon). The calculations provide only estimates dependent upon the numbers you provide. The developers of this calculator are not liable for any inaccuracies and this calculator is not meant to replace or override the suggestions of professionals. Please drive safely and happy camping!

 

Try one of these after the soaking.

$21 Valterra A01-0184VP Master Blaster RV Tank Cleaning Wand with Power Nozzle , White

Amazon.com: Valterra A01-0184VP Master Blaster RV Tank Cleaning Wand with Power Nozzle , White : Automotive

 

I picked this up this past June, had to go to St George Utah to get it, nobody here in Portland had it or could get it at the time.

 

2018 scamp 13

 

A late update… picked up this Apex Nano 213rds (4,100# dry, 4,700# loaded) at the end of November and have spent every night in it since picking it up.

We started in Seattle and are currently 1,200 miles down the road near Morro Bay. The trailer has been awesome to tow and have enjoyed each leg of the journey. The longest leg has been 210 miles with a max elevation gain of 1,800ft.

The Anderson WDH works perfect, I highly recommend it.

 

It doesn’t look so ‘nano’ to me.

 

Nice @mosccat
I picked up this 193BHS in February 2021. My wife and I lived in it through November travelling around California until we got our condo. Thing has everything you need. Tows well with the setup I had but being a first time tower I was definitely sketched out a few times. Weight is well under max but still a slog up grades. Had a few issues (water leak from rain, slide motor going out) that were addressed under manufacturer warranty. Now that we have our place (and limited space) we are looking to downsize to a teardrop or pop-up. I recommend this trailer if you are looking for something similar. Lightweight for what you get, quality appliances, sleeps 6, A/T tires, solar, outdoor shower, etc. makes boondocking a breeze.

 

Looks great! We love ours, the wife would have liked an oven and oven hood but hey-o, you can't have everything, especially in this market!

Touch wood, the only problem we've had was after the first drive, 5 miles from the dealer to the first campground a wire dropped out of the slide controller. All it needed was to be re-crimped and all has been good since then.

Any recommendations for camping up at Joshua Tree?