A Small, Lite-weight TT?

[TwoAtDisney]

Hubby & I full-timed RVing for about 6 years. We sold our unit about 6 years ago because we got tired of hauling it thru the horribly increased traffic mess. Now, we are getting the RV bug again, but not full time; mostly for snowbirding in Fla/WDW.

Will greatly appreciate any info regarding smaller units. We would especially like to find one that folds down (makes going thru traffic much easier!), but is hard side all over, & lite weight for hauling (don't want to buy a mega gas guzzler truck). However, the ones we have researched have the showers that get water all over the bath walls & fixtures - we don't like that. Any suggestions on units?

We have considered a mini-motor home, but don't like adding a tow vehicle which just gets us back to a lot of traffic manuevering issues again, & don't feel safe on cycles/scooters in the busy WDW traffic. Car rentals seem out of the question for an extended stay. Hate the thought of storing a car in Fla for just part time use.

Also, any suggestions for a safe RV storage spot in the WDW area? We have considered buying a larger one, but not hauling it back & forth.

Thanks, Julie

 

[retired and happy]

How about a Class C with a small trailer to carry a golf cart for your FW movements, then a rental car for the days you need to do something off site. Alamo and Enterprise will pick you up.

Then there is a Hi-Lo trailer where the top half collapses on the lower half, giving you hard sides for camping and low profile for towing. I don't know what the inside looks like, but i'll bet someone hereabouts knows.

 

[jonimce]

We love our 2009 Aerolite. It is 24 ft. and just perfect for 2 people, although it does sleep 6. We pull it with a 2002 Chevy Express Van.

 

[Judy in Texas]

Since you are considering purchasing a TT and storing it near FW, you might consider renting one from the Disboarders who live in the Orlando area. There are several people who will set their TT's up on your campsite and the trailers come complete with all the necessities.

I have an Aliner Sport Weekender. It is quite small. I have it set up with a narrow twin bed at the front, a standard twin bed at the back, a microwave and air conditioner on the door side and a sink, frig, and stove on the other side. You definitely have to pack light when staying in it; but, it pulls great with a smaller vehicle. We pulled it with a Subaru Forester to FW last year.

 

[clkelley]

I'm not sure you are going to find that combo anywhere. The smaller you get, the less chance you are going to find a "real" bathroom.

Most find that using the bath houses at campgrounds is the best solution with small trailers. The Fort Wilderness "comfort stations" are immaculate and have unlimited hot water, so therefore you are using "their" electric/gas for hot water, not your propane!!

My T@B is pretty small, but does not have a bath, and doesn't fold down. I do have a porta potty inside though for night time.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

Just as a note, I believe the company that makes the Hi-Lo trailer went out of Business in the last few months or so. I agree with a pp, I at one point was shopping for small trailers that could be pulled with a Jeep wrangler. Couldn't find one with a regular bath. I did use the shower/bath in the one we ended up buying it was all right.

Not something I'd want to sleep in for more than a week or 2. We moved up to a class C.

You could look at the small B+ or a camper van, you can use them to get around. Very easy to drive.

Dan

 

[5stljayhawks]

2@Dis

We are here to help, but if you would please provide some additional info-


Do you already have the TV and you are trying to work around that? Or if you are planning on buying a TV - what kind did you have in mind? Smaller SUV 160 HP? 3500 LBS towing Cap, Explorer axp 245 HP 5500 LBS towing +/- , Suburban 345HP 12,000 LBS towing.

What do you consider a Mega Gas Guzzler? What is your goal for MPG towing / around Town ?

 

[retired and happy]

Hi-Lo Trailer Co is indeed ceasing operations, but their web site indicates remaining stock from 18-28 foot available. Also PPL Motorhomes has some in stock and is asking for anyone interested in selling theirs to contact PPL. They have interested customers looking for them. I guess it's a case of supply and demand. As the supply dwindles, the demand for those remaining rises.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Thank you so much for your generous help. I hope I responded to all of the issues & suggestions. I also hope you don't take my responses as not appreciating your suggestions; just some not necessarily our cup of tea!

I checked our owner's manual & paperwork & we have a 2006 Ford Escape auto transmission, 3.0L V6 engine. According to the owner's manual, we can pull a max of 3500 lbs.

I looked online & found TrailManor fold down trailers. Anyone know of them & have any info to share? Anyway, their online price is high as the fold down trailers usually are (obviously, actual price is probably a lot lower), but their 26', when open, living space (more than we need) is 2673 lbs (dry weight). We would not have much in the trailer - no filled tanks, no food, clothes about the size of 2 travel suitcases, toilet articles needed for no more than 4 weeks, a TV, paper plates/cups/tableware, 1 cooking pan, 1 skillet, few cleaning items, few towels/pillows/linens on bed; can't think of much else; basically just what we would need if staying in a timeshare for 2-4 weeks. We don't really plan on "traveling" in the TT. But still, that Escape just doesn't seem like a tow vehicle to me - we always had "strong" pickup trucks, but then we had a big trailer. What do you guys think about towing on the Ford Escape. BTW, it has less than 10,000 miles on it! We use my little car for most of our driving. Our towing would be either from FLA storage to local RV park, or if we decide to tow it from Indiana to FLA.

Concerned about the Hi-Lo w/the company out of business & the warranty support gone. But thanks for the info.

I'll take a look at the Aerolite.

Wouldn't be interested in a rental. Before we would go to that, we would rent a resort room, maybe buy into DVC, which we are also considering as an alternative. We prefer to get away from staying in someone else's stuff! I'm sure you RVers know what I mean!

We are not going to buy immediately, & will be in WDW in Nov/Dec. So, thanks for the Disney shower info. We'll check them out while there. But I am almost certain that hubby will never go for using a public shower house. He'll probably say to go for a bigger trailer.

Really don't want to camp in something that we drive locally & setup at the campsite. Prefer to "move-in" at the campsite & not move the RV unit, especially for a 4 week stay.

RE: gas mileage - I don't know what we want? We'll have to look about. We originally got 5mpg many moons ago (4 full door v10 pickup! wanted to get up those mountains with that heavy trailer!) when the best one could do was about 12-15mpg. Of course we improved upon that. Don't know what the best is now - any suggestions?

We can buy a new towing vehicle, if needed.

Thanks again, Julie

 

[disney4dan]

I spent some time looking at the TrailManor before buying our first TT, and I liked the features. I think you would be pushing the limits of the tow vehicle that you have though.

For what it's worth, the TrailManors seemed well appointed, nice features inside and were very easy to setup (and quick). We have tried them a few times at RV shows and liked what we saw. They would not work for us with the three kids, but I could see them as a great alternative for a couple and would be easier to tow knowing you can see over them in traffic.

While it may seem foolish with only 10,000 miles on your current tow vehicle, I would consider trading it in for a small pickup truck before considering purchasing a larger RV and storing it, and certainly would look for a used TrailManor. Mainly because I think I would (and therefore assume you would) get the camping bug and like the option of just heading out whenever you want.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

You know, disney4dan, I think you hit one of the nails right on the head! To spend some extra for a fold down TT (assuming we like it), will probably prevent us from trading in our first purchase of a non-fold down, WHEN the traveling thru traffic bug bites - surely it will!

Thanks for the first-hand info on the TrailManor. We've never bought used (have owned several TTs) because we have always been concerned about inheriting other folks problems. Don't know how we feel about that this time.

If we do a vehicle switch, we will tradein my Toyota Matrix. We've been thinking about that anyway; '04 with 45,000 miles. We always liked having a tow vehicle with a warranty. Obviously not necessary, but was so nice not to have to pull out cash when breakdowns occured! However, we obviously will not be doing as much traveling as we did when we full-timed.

Thanks for your help, Julie

another important thought - the fold down would fit in our 3rd car garage, if we don't leave it in FL!

 

[clkelley]

The 3500 lb tow limit is the MAX and that is with your vehicle completely empty with 1 adult and about 1/2 tank of gas.

What you need to figure is the what your vehicle weighs with both of you, a full tank of gas and whatever you are going to have in the vehicle. So then find the Gross Combined Weight, then subtract the previous figure, from that, and then that is your true tow capacity.

Which I bet will drop to 3,000 lbs or less.

Also, to be truly safe, most folks recommend to NEVER go above about 75% of your Gross Combined Weight.

Also, as you probably know, the dry weight is with no options, no battery, no propane tanks, probably no televisions, etc., etc.

 

[kc5grw]

You mention in your original post "snowbirding". That brings to mind long stays, months, instead of days or weeks. I understand the appeal of a smaller/lightweight unit with respect to hauling through traffic, but remember that you will have less storage and less overall space. It might be fine for a few weeks but if you're talking a couple months then it might not be so nice.

 

[TwoAtDisney]

When buying a vehicle, I use Edmunds to research the various types, read reviews, & determine a reasonable price for my area. Then I take a trip to a dealer & test drive. Once I've decided on the vehicle, I call every dealer in the city, talk to the new car sales manager, negotiate the price back & forth between managers (comparing w/my Edmunds price & fibbing a little about what the other guy gave me), when 2 or more set firm on the same lowest price I get something thrown in (1 yr free oil changes, etc. in writing upon arrival), & then I buy.

Any such site as Edmunds for RVs? Somehow I need to find reviews on the various manufacturers' products & what the "real" prices are - not the prices I will be given at a dealership! Don't see how I can possibly get a good price otherwise. The prices quoted by rv sales people have always been way too high in my experience. And worse yet, I need to see reviews in order not to buy a bummer of a unit!

kc, I guess the snowbirding of old for us was long term. But our new snowbirding will be about 4 weeks.

clkelley, I'm with you. I doubt we will find a unit that can be towed by our Escape.

Thanks again, Julie

 

[Cindy F]

It sounds like one of the old Apaches would fit the bill.
Folds down like a pop up camper, hard side with no canvas, full bathroom, and only 2400 pounds.

It's very 80s inside but I can tell you from experience, it's nothing to completely renovate the inside of a pop up.

They are hard as hen's teeth to find though

I know I already have a pop up and a hybrid but I would still love to get my hands on this one and redecorate.
http://www.spacenut.net/space/Apache/1985 Apache Royal/Apache_Royal.htm

ETA: What about one of the Scamps, Casitas, or Burros? I know they don't fold down but they are very lightweight and most have a bathroom.

This one is only 1750 pounds
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...0677239605?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item3361637335

 

[starbuc71]

we recently purchased a funfinder TT. Ours is their largest at 27ft but they are very well known for thier 13ft, 16ft and 18ft funfinder X model TT. We love our so far and many people swear by the smaller units. here is the link

http://www.cruiserrv.com/index.php

 

[Cindy F]

I forgot about the Fleetwood Tacoma. It's also a hard side pop up but with no bunk ends. I think they only made them in 2008. It only sleeps 3 but it has a bathroom and looks nice enough.

http://www.trailersusa.com/item_detail.asp?id=55451
http://www.chooseyouritem.com/rvs/files/9106000/9106233.html

http://www.1usedrvsforsale.com/view_rv_details.php?RID=14283

 

[5stljayhawks]

2@D -

Here are few other sites that may assist in making an informed decision, about trailer and TV

www.rv.net - great overall forum, very helpful and they talk about everything, although it can get opinionated.

http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175
This link should provide with towing cap of cars/suv/trucks.

Few thoughts about a TV -

Power) Overpowered is better than underpowered, as mentioned try to keep the TT weight to 75% of TV capacity, some folks say 80%, but you get the idea.

Tow set-up for TV)
1) power brakes on the camper, with controller in car.
2) Anti-sway bar or Weight distribution hitch(usually used on larger campers, not sure where the minimal TT weight come in to move from Sway bar to WDH
3) Make sure the TV has a transmission cooler. Just like the radiator for the engine, but dedicated only for the transmission. Also a transmission temp gauge is not a bad idea, as you will be traveling the mountains to FL. When the temp gets to hot, you can save yourself from burning out your tranny.

My real world Example. Same TT, just different TV.

TV ford Exp V6 4,0L SOHC (4ooo lbs) towing TT 5600 lbs- @ around 95% tow capacity
The trailer drove the SUV, starting, stopping, emergency handling and maneuvering, unable to break 55 MPH going into really strong head wind, side winds pushed the TV around, and maxed engine going through mountains...

Ford Exp Towing 9-10 MPG Towing, 15-17 MPG city/highway driving non towing

Versus

TV - 3/4 ton Sub V8 6.0L (8000 lbs) Same TT 5600 lbs @ around 50% tow capacity
TV drives TT - Ample supply of power, braking, a lot less white knuckle driving, head wind no longer matters, side winds less noticeable, passing 18 wheelers, coming or going less noticeable TV doesn't bounce around as much

Suburban Towing 9-10 MPG towing, 12-16 MPG city/highway driving non towing

I understand about having a warranty with towing. I bought a certified used Chevy. ALOT of the newer cars have 5yr/50K miles and more and more are coming with 10yr/100K warranty. Certified used is a great way to save major $$ and use it to put into a camper. for instance New Suburban $45K +/-, 2-3 year old certified used $25K-$30K. That $15-$20K could pay for the trailer!!! A twofferr

 

[TwoAtDisney]

Wow! Such great info. Thank you very much everyone for taking your time to provide so much help.

Hubby & I enjoyed sitting around the puter & looking at all of the TT sites/photos - some are like Smart Cars - sooo cute!

Haven't gotten to the rv help sites yet, but will definitely do so.

5stl, I didn't realize that used vehicles have warranties like new cars. Will definitely look into that. Great to get that 1st hand experience with towing too. We realize our current Escape will not do the trick. Bad towing just takes all of the fun out of it! We're figuring on a pickup.

Again, I'm overwhelmingly thankful, Julie

 

[5stljayhawks]

Anytime, although I am not a Bobby knight fan, Rock Chawlk KU