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Old 07-26-2012, 07:53 PM   #1
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anyone got a ballpark on weight of a 1981 17 ft Fleetwood travel trailer?

Sorry for such an empty tired old question but I can't find the info anywhere on the web.

I have a Ford Ranger XLT V6 whose max tow cap. is 3300. And I am looking at maybe buying a 1981 17 ft Fleetwood travel trailer but don't know the weight.

I've decided I should not buy a trailer that weighs more than 2000 dry following the trucker maxim 80% and because when I pull 2600, it feels right where I don't want to pull more than that for long distances.

Any help appreciated.

Thx.
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Old 07-27-2012, 04:29 AM   #2
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i had a fleetwood prowler that was 19 foot long and it weighed about 3ooo#
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:04 AM   #3
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17' was a little guy, but still heavy if it had all the aminities such as AC, cooktop, oven, bathroom, etc.

1981 Fleetwod Prowler model M-17C travel trailer weighed 2580 dry. Count on well over 3,000 on the road.

model: M-17C
length: 17'11"
width: 7'9"
Type: Travel Trailers with 1 axle
weight: 2580



If your V6 Ranger has the factory tow pkg, with tranny and engine oil coolers, then it will probably tow that trailer, at the upper limits of its capability.

If you don't have the tranny cooler and engine oil cooler, but you have an automagic tranny, then add them before you try to tow that trailer. With a stick shifter you don't need the tranny cooler, but you still need the engine oil cooler.

One way to add an engine oil cooler is with a "sandwich adaptor" that goes between the oil filter and the block.
Sandwich Adapters

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Grumpy ole man with over 60 years towing experience. Now my heaviest trailer is a 7'x16' 5,000-pound flatbed utility trailer, my tow vehicle is a 2019 F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCab with Max Tow (1,904 pounds payload capacity).
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Old 07-28-2012, 01:31 PM   #4
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Thanks Billyb and SmokeyWren.

If I had seen your posts yesterday, they might have deterred me from buying the trailer but I'm glad I didn't see them because I bought the trailer (after I tow-tested it) and am happy (for the moment.) I towed it totally dry up several decent hills nearby and never dropped below 45 in 4th. Wind-drag seemed to be the main factor in "feeling" the tow-weight since I have towed equivalent poundage loads that had a much lower profile and seemed a breeze. Since I am not taking this trailer far from the lowland valleys where I live (as I plan to live in it - yes, times are hard and I can't afford the rent prices anymore - plus I need my own space) I feel this will do for my needs at the moment.

Also feel that I got a deal as I only paid $750 (came with a nice sway bar) and all the appliances (no A/C) work.

Interestingly, the tires are marked "2095 max. load single axle". I think my model is the M-17C one you mentioned, Smokey.

Thanks again for your help/advice and I am definitely going to look into the oil-cooler, Smokey, thanks for the heads up.

One more question: Do you know where/what is THE info resource for do-it-yourself RV repair?

Thanks bunches!

Shanti
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