Camping trailer

Yes. I plan to purchase a brake controller, WDH, mirrors, and have an add a leaf installed (just in case). I didn’t realize that I shouldn’t pack anything in the bed of the truck. Makes sense that it affects hitch weight. How do people determine hitch weight? I understand that’s it’s a percentage of the gross weight, but in terms of finding out how much it actually weighs.

 

Almost every camper should have a sticker that indicates what the tongue weight is. It will depend on how things are loaded. Example, Boats have a smaller tongue weight because a lot of their weight is towards the stern. Worst case, you could probably take it to a truck scale, keep the trailer tires on regular ground and set unhook the tongue off the truck with the jack stand down and weigh it that way.

 

Like other's have said, there is a thread for towing.

I do tow a 4100 lbs 27 foot Travel trailer, it's all the truck wants. I am under 5K rolling. It got to the point I upgraded my tow truck, and kept the Taco for my Driver.

 

So the wife and I finally narrowed our search down to the options below. We like the wolfpup because the bed flips up and becomes a couch. The Jayco is the Baja model, so its slightly lifted and has off road tires. I need help deciding on what to get. The salesman was really trying to sell the quality of Jayco. We assume that Jayco is good because we see them everywhere. What do you guys think?

https://www.bestrv.com/New-Inventor...t-16PF-Forest-River-Cherokee-8159991?ref=list

https://www.mantecatrailer.com/product/new-2020-jayco-jay-flight-slx-7-183rb-baja-1188446-29

 

been looking at off road tear drops......

holy schidt

they ain't giving those badd boys away

easily up to $30K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

re: teardrop trailers

Check out GnomeHomes, teardrops built near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I'm picking up one tomorrow, their Backcountry GOB (Gnome On a Budget) and will report on it once we get a few weekends use with it.
For you American residents who do a quick currency exchange rate calculation on Canadian trailers, you're in for a surprise.

 

thats a lot! We like the teardrops and A frames and thought we’d look for that. But we realized just how tiny some were. Some of the A frames are $20k+ easily!

 

Have you looked into the GeoPro?

 

Do not just consider the weight of everything even though it should be the primary consideration for towing. Also look at storage and how you will be using your camper now and in the future. Best advice I ever got on campers was to buy your second camper first. Think a minute and it will make sense.

 

You still liking yours, I was looking at them again the other night on RVTrader?

 

Yeah man we love it. We have the 19FBS. It's a little over #3000. I did upgrade the suspension and put air bags on my truck just to help it out. We pulled it from Albuquerque to Oregon last September.

 

Good to hear you’re enjoying it. They’re a little more money than the competition, but I think they look so much better especially the interior. My wife and I like the G19FD.

 

We have! They are very cool. They’re put together very well. I just don’t know if I want to spend that much. We’ve at least narrowed it down to two options.

 

Lighter is better as when you add all the stuff like water/waste/batteries/propane/camping gear/food/bikes/etc you will be adding 1500lbs quickly-really.
Slide outs add weight and usually have some problem at some point due to the road vibration and sliding out/in and leaking in heavy rains somewhere. When travelling and stopping for lunch make sure you can access the whole interior with the slide in - been there done that.

Like that sofa/bed combo cause the dinette is always a back buster on long rainy days! Queen bed access on both sides should be tested for wife.
Remember tow mileage will drop to 8-10 mpg and you have to store it somewhere. Visiting friends on a trip can be a hassle as lots of HOAs do not allow driveway or street parking. Unless in Nat Forests that allow camping in the rough a campground is required.

Trailers are fun but a pain so rent one for a few trips (around $75/day for the smaller sizes) and experience all the pluses and minuses.
Easy to buy a trailer but hard to sell often for what you think its worth (to you). The storage lots across the US are full of them!

Finally BEFORE you buy one get the dealer to allow you to tow it to a scale and weigh your whole setup as weight stickers are often way off and guess what - after you buy it the dealer will say he goes by the factory sticker so tough luck not his problem.

Enjoy and have fun camping.

 

I appreciate you telling me all of this information! We are going to look at them tomorrow.

 

I think we are going with this one.

https://www.bestrv.com/New-Inventor...9QBWE-Keystone-RV-Springdale-8159685?ref=list

We were shocked that this one has all of the “bells and whistles” that we weren’t looking for. Automatic leveler, black water flushing, two propane tanks, a good amount of storage. That back window is great too! It is 4300 dry, I know that’s cutting it too close.

 

Looked at original posted question. Does your Prerunner have the factory tow package make sure now with a trans cooler and a receiver hitch factory? If not STOP.
If you have stock rear springs they will sag and probably bottom out on hard bumps as that trailer loaded will be over 5500lbs no question.
BEFORE buying hook it up for a good tow and try it - if dealer says no go somewhere else. Seriously look up GVWR for the Tacoma and do not believe dealer advice!
Only trying to help make informed decisions before the sale.

 

Oh yes, my truck has the tow package and everything you mentioned. I am getting air bags installed this week. I was told that air bags are better than a leaf spring because they will last longer and I can easily level out my truck if needed.

I appreciate what you’re telling me, and I need to hear the type of things you’re suggesting. I looked it up and the GVWR is 5400. Do you really think just my wife and I are going to be at 1100 pounds once we are packed?

 

Looked at local FL dealers and Coleman has a new 2021 at 3100 lbs called Coleman Lantern LT 17B for 10,995 and a queen, 2 bunks, and dinette.
May fit your needs and weight better and the price is low. That 4100 lb one will be a slug to tow loaded. And yes you will not believe how fast the weight adds up. Not sure how it stands up to the ones you looked at but you can add the electric tongue jack to any and the drop down levelers you simply use a cheap cordless drill on to lower and raise.

 

Have you looked at a Scamp? Or Escape? Or Casita? Small fiberglass campers that don't leak. I wouldn't take that Coleman if it was free. Most stick built campers will fall apart in a few trips. Plus, they leak. Check out some videos on youtube and slow down! This shouldn't be rushed...