Which Travel Trailer???

[wendypooh]

Hey Sonya,

Thanks!!! We are looking - researching - and trying to decide!!! LOL about the shiny new truck........ we just got the truck, seriously, about a week ago!!! We didn't want a "big" truck........... LOL

Anyway, I've been looking at the Trailmanors today, wow, they are nice and may be what we get!! I'm not too wild about a pop up, I've seen some nice ones during my searching, but........... not my flavor!!!

Oh, what about hi-lo's?? Would you guys rec. any of those? I've seen a few that look great.

 

[BearwithMouseEars]

Id like to add a little here if I may . Its not the towing capacity thats most important towing with your Nissan . Its the short wheel base . It allows the TT to "disturb" the balance of tow vehicle makeing it a scarier ride . Even with a good swaybar setup it will move your vehicle around when your near tractor trailers or in above average winds . Like others I dont want to discourage you but I would hate to see you buy something that you were to scared to tow .

Scott

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I was out of town and just read this thread. Someone asked what I tow my hybrid with - I tow with a 2005 Ford F-150 supercab with a 5.4L V-8.

 

[stacktester]

I think that's a great ride for your trailer FWGuy. Long enough and has a good towing capacity.

 

[djblu883]

Wendy see below you paragraph....this didn't go where I wanted it and I don't wanna type this all over lol

Thanks so much you guys!!! AND no one is "popping my bubble"!!! LOL
We have NOT decided on anything yet!! We did look at the coachman and we liked it, but my DH was NOT convinced by the salesman when he said, "OH yeah, you can pull it fine"!!! That's why I"m here asking!
You guys have been a huge help actually! I would much rather get advice from people with "real" experience and have no agenda other than helping us make the right decision!

Wendy I once rode with a gf to go camping in thier new trailer. They had a small truck and the travel trailer was too big for it...It almost pushed us off a mountain!!! Brakes alone would not stop it...I had to talk her into gearing down with the manual tranny as well to get is slowed down enough. WHen we were ready to come home at the end of the trip....her hubby came and got the camper and left us their family car...we got LUCKY!!! SO shop around and be sure whatever you get will work. I also made a mistake and got a truck that wasn't big enough for my old camper and it ruined my tranny...salesmen sure look for suckers like meeeeeeeee!!! I saure have learned a LOT about informed shopping after that last fiasco!!! Good Luck!!

Again, I appreciate all of your responses -- Thanks so much!!!

OH -- one more question - can any of you give advice on what size pop up or hybrid would be safe. Thanks!

 

[Gawain]

There is more science involved than people are letting you believe. It is not all just opinions.

Take yer 6500lb towing capacity, subtract 1000 lbs for fuel, people and stuff (see below(1)), subtract another 500 lbs for safety factor (or not, depending on your comfort level) and consider the following equation (2)for allowable trailer length.

(1)Load to be carried as follows:
Passengers: 400
Weight of fuel, water, oil + equipment: 200
Weight of all after market items installed: 25
Weight of additional cargo: 200
Weight of miscellaneous items: 175
Total of above: 1000

(2)Towing Length
Assume normal ball, weight distribution hitch.
General rule: 110" of wheelbase gets 20' , add 1' for each additional 4" of wheelbase.

Then, check out R-Vision's Trail Sport 27FQ. Bunk Beds, full kitchen, queen size master bedroom, 3760 lbs dry weight. It's what we have and we love it. As a caveat, though, we pulled this with our dodge dakota and it did fine expect for some transmissions issues. We ended up upgrading TV to Ford F150.

Peace

Gawain

 

[Gawain]

Hmmmmm maybe I was wrong... not as much science as I though after reading the following from RV.NET.

Hampy wrote:

Just a quick formula for trailer length vs wheelbase.( I think ths is what they told me a few years ago on this forum )
110" for 20' of trailer and 4" for every additional foot of trailer.
Personally I think it is a fair formula.
As mentioned a few times above, I concur that your wheelbase is a tad short for a 31' TT.
(but.... to each his own.!)


Actually that formula is pretty much a joke and hopelessly outdated. Yes, according to that formula. You will need a road tractor to tow a lawnmower trailer. Maybe. It is the reason so many on here scream 3/4 ton for anything over 5' long, and 1000lbs. Using it. I can't tow my TT with the 150 or the Expe. According to the formula. I am 5' over with the Expe, and 6' over with the 150. and both tow it very well, with no sway what so ever. "Usually". If the TT is within your weight rating. You can tow it.
That being said. That TT will be 33'+ on the road. Could be a tad much. As I, and other's have mentioned.
Mine is 27' 10" and 6000lbs with a 119' WB, on the Expe. Don't know what 6 more feet would do.