Community Forums

wfcentral · 05-01-2014, 07:29 AM

I have a mini-van with a towing capacity of 3500 if the trailer has brakes.

I tried searching online, but not seeing a place where they list the weight of the trailers or if it has brakes or not.

So, what is a good one to look at in this size?

jesilvas · 05-01-2014, 08:46 AM

What is the actual van? Because those ratings may be skewed and not correct.

Cumminsfan · 05-01-2014, 09:41 AM

All travel trailers have brakes. I find it hard to believe that you can't find weights. Every RV builder has specs on their web sites. If the trailer is relatively new then some of the specs may be missing.

wfcentral · 05-01-2014, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesilvas

What is the actual van? Because those ratings may be skewed and not correct.

2007 Hyundai Entourage

wfcentral · 05-01-2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

All travel trailers have brakes. I find it hard to believe that you can't find weights. Every RV builder has specs on their web sites. If the trailer is relatively new then some of the specs may be missing.

Sorry - guess I should have said "I'm being lazy..." - went to mhsrv.com and rvtrader.com to try and see what is available...

I'm just toying with the idea of getting a TT while we wait 10 years for retirement / full-time / Class A. So, I haven't spent a lot of time at the manufacturer sites yet...

Francesca · 05-01-2014, 10:56 AM

Since I'm a small tower this is a very familiar subject for me. The only presently-made "stand-up" trailer I can think of that doesn't come stock with its own brakes is the Scamp 13 footer.

FYI:

Since your tow limit is 3500 pounds, you'd do well to limit your search to trailers under 2500 pounds dry- lower if possible. 3500 pounds adds up fast once you start loading up; and since that number combined with your vehicle gross weight is the absolute limit of your tug's combined capacity, you'll have to limit cargo in the tow vehicle too.

Good luck in your search!

KT4Wextra · 05-01-2014, 12:06 PM

Here is a web site that gives the brake, safety chain, breakaway switch requirements for each state.

http://rvsafely.com/rvroadlaws.htm Towing laws

I live in Georgia and all trailers over 1500# unladen weight require brakes.

If the trailer has a round 7 pin plug on it then it probably has brakes. Whether they work or not is another issue. If the plug is a straight 4 pin it does not have brakes.

andrea2772 · 05-01-2014, 06:38 PM

We have a Coachmen Clipper 16b, dry weight 2400 lbs, loaded is 3500. It does have electric brakes. Our tow vehicle is a 2005 Mercury Mariner. We couldn't do anything bigger.

markliso · 05-06-2014, 02:39 AM

We had a clipper 17bh, was an awesome first trailer, lightweight and plenty of space.

274DBH Cherokee

ken90004 · 05-07-2014, 11:59 AM

My wife's KIA tows 3500lbs, though with a 290hp engine, you'd think it'd do better than that. We got a 2014 Gulfstream Amerlite 19bhc at 2810lb dry. Got a really good price on it too. Under $9k. I've been living in it fulltime off and on since last Nov. and even though it is small I am very happy with it.

As far as towing, I'd take it anywhere across the US. It tows like a dream with the KIA. We're careful not to load down the KIA, watch our tongue weight, we don't load down the TT to capcity. I think as long as you know what you're doing, with towing, 3500lbs will get you a good selection of the new ultra or super lites out there.