Can I pull it with my Kia???

decodancer · 04-13-2011, 11:29 AM

I finally found the perfect lightweight travel trailer after a long search. Right cost and not 1000 miles away. I have a 2005 Kia Sedona minivan with a tow rating of 3500 and hich weight of 350. The trailer is a 18 foot 2007 ECO 718 QB as shown weight of 3044, can't find a hitch weight. I know I'd have to be careful loading it but is this a possibility? Thanks in advance, you guys and gals are great.

TXiceman · 04-13-2011, 07:33 PM

You can probably pull it is you are the only person in the Kia and you don't put any thing in the trailer. Does not sound like my way to camp.

Ken

Superslif · 04-15-2011, 06:12 PM

I went into my Trailer Life Magazine archives on-line (Oct 2007) issue. There was a article on the 2007 ECO 718 QB. It lists the hitch weight at 249lbs I'll copy & paste it below..

We don’t have to talk to you
about fuel prices. And we’re
not going to utter any four letter
words (like OPEC). But it probably
hasn’t escaped you that the cost of RV
travel has increased, and may continue
to do so. To some of you, this may not
matter — but to the budget-conscious
among us, it’s definitely a consideration.
If you would like something that can
be towed with the family vehicle, not
necessarily a full-size truck or SUV, then
Dutchmen Manufacturing may have an
ideal solution for you in its Eco line of
ultra-light travel trailers. “We identified
a large segment of customers who drive
minivans or small SUVs who wanted
something bigger than a tent trailer, but
didn’t have the towing capacity,” says
Joe Hosinski, director of marketing for
Dutchmen. “So we targeted the Eco at
tow vehicles with a tow rating of 3,000
pounds or less.”
Dutchmen is no stranger to the
ultra-lite market; in fact, Hosinski maintains
that the company invented the category
back in 1996 with its Aerolite
product. “We went to Europe 20 years ago and studied the
market there,” he says. “They don’t have pickups and large
SUVs, so their products — by design — are lightweight.”
Dutchmen’s research has found that consumers wanted
three basic things in a small trailer: An enclosed bathroom, a
full kitchen and adequate storage. The Eco delivers on all three
fronts, according to Hosinski — and that includes even the
713FD model that weighs only 2,006 pounds. Even the largest
and best-selling 718QB model pictured here tips the scales at
just 2,575 pounds. “We weigh every model that comes off our
line, and we apply a sticker to the unit that provides the exact
weight of that unit when it leaves the factory,” says Hosinski.
The 718QB features a queen bed and overhead bunk up
front, as well as a curbside dinette that converts into another
bed for a total sleeping capacity of five adults. On the
streetside is the galley, which features a two-burner cook
top, microwave oven and a 6-cubic-foot refrigerator. The
enclosed dry bath is in the streetside corner, featuring a
shower, separate toilet and a small lavatory. Aft of the entry
door is a wardrobe/television stand, and a small linen closet.
“We used every nook and cranny in these models to give our
customers maximum storage,” says Hosinski.
In addition to the features already mentioned, the Eco
comes with some pleasant surprises, such as a standard
13,500-BTU roof air conditioner and a 6-gallon gas/electric
water heater (DSI optional). Well-equipped for most families
in base form, options are limited to an exterior barbecue,
a Fan-Tastic roof vent and an exterior shower.
If the Eco doesn’t fit your needs, Hosinski says Dutchmen
offers six brands that weigh 5,000 pounds or less.
^Dutchmen Manufacturing Inc., (574) 534-1224,
Dutchmen Manufacturing, Inc, www.eco-rv.com. Circle 208
on Reader Service Card.
QUICK INFO
EXT LENGTH: 18' 9"
EXT WIDTH: 7'
EXT HEIGHT: 9' 6"
INT WIDTH: 6' 8"
INT HEIGHT: 6' 2"
FRESHWATER CAP: 27 GAL
BLACK/GRAY-WATER CAP: 22 GAL/36 GAL
LP-GAS CAP: 5 GAL
HITCH WEIGHT: 249 LB
GVWR: 4,840 LB
MSRP: $17,500 (base)

decodancer · 04-16-2011, 04:57 AM

Thanks for the great article, I googled till I was blue and couldn't find the hitch weight. The dealer did give me a higher dry weight though and based on the previous response, I kept looking. Think I found another one that fits the bill. The 2012 Innsbrook 16BH by Gulfstream is only 2200 dry which gives me a bit more weight to play with. It has closets, counter space and a real bathroom. List price of $8900 but I have to go to Michigan to get it. I was told the shipping costs are the reason for the major cost difference from the East coast prices. Won't cost me $2000 to pick it up so well worth the drive. The JayFlight Swift SLX 154 BH is still a possibility but nobody seems to have them in stock yet and I love the open bunk on the Innsbrook, it doesn't seem so dark. It must cost more to add windows, that's my only complaint about the new ultra-lights. Making my decision today, will let you know how it works out.

Superslif · 04-16-2011, 04:52 PM

Do you have any floorplan pictures of the 16BH? The Gulfstream website only had the 11's and no 16BH...just a 15BH

decodancer · 04-17-2011, 04:52 AM

Innsbruck 16BHC Travel Trailer by Gulf Stream at Grand Rapids RV Here's the ad I saw for the 16BH, think it's a similar floorplan to the 15 but I was told that the new model would be more available.

greti · 04-17-2011, 06:52 AM

I purchased a Rockwood MIni LIte ETC (model 185) They have dry weights in the low 2000s. Will be picking it up next week. My car has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The hitch weight for my particular model is high, probably because of the Murphy Queen bed in the front, but there are other models with lower hitch weights. Purchased at RV Wholesalers and they can deliver to you or you can pick up.

Midniteoyl · 04-17-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decodancer

Innsbruck 16BHC Travel Trailer by Gulf Stream at Grand Rapids RV Here's the ad I saw for the 16BH, think it's a similar floorplan to the 15 but I was told that the new model would be more available.

Same thing.. but closer and cheaper:

2012 GULF STREAM Amerilite 16BCH for sale in Dayton, Ohio - RVTraderOnline.com

Superslif · 04-17-2011, 10:43 AM

You can use the one unused bunk for clothes bags and other supplies. For one or two people either unit would be a cheap way to get into RVing....With the small 2 burner stove and single sink, that gives you at least some counter space. Usually in that short of a unit, you would be lucky to get any counter space. That was one of the things that drew us to the floorplan we bought. Counterspace....

What kind of hot water heater was it. There are: manual lighting gas, auto-lighting gas or DSI (auto-lighting) gas / electric. If you are planning to take showers in your unit, I would suggest upgrading to the DSI gas / electric heater. When we were thinking about buying ours back in early 05', fellow IRV2'ers suggested going with the gas / electric heater. At first we didn't take many showers in the unit, but now we use it a lot. 90% of the time we use it in the electric mode. Why use my gas, when I can use "their" electric....

One other option if available is an outside shower. With dogs, and you know their going to get dirty. You can hose them off outside with some nice warm water, and towel them off before they retire inside. Outside showers can also be installed after you own the unit...

450Donn · 04-18-2011, 03:58 PM

Pull them? Sure. Will you be happy with the lack of performance? That is the big question. Remember that 3500 towing capacity is based on an elstrippo vehicle, 1/4 tank of gas and a 150# driver. What you add above that will decrease the vans capacity pound for pound. My guess with the family all onboard you are already at or very near capacity of the vehicle. Now adding hitch weight to the mix will only make things worse. Apply a tall box behind and the problems will only be compounded more and more. Think how you will like towing at 45MPH on the highway, and 20MPH up many hills in first gear with the motor screaming. Not my idea of enjoying a camping trip. Maybe it is yours though.