Half ton towable with full bunkhouse, full outdoor kitchen

[Randy the sly old fox]

Originally Posted by LA_RV_Guy

Something else that should be mentioned here: the RV manufacturers will do anything to get you to buy their products. That means building "ultralights" which can be towed by 1/2 tons or even SUVs and cars. Well, in order to do that, they cut weight in every way possible, including fewer screws, glue, thinner, and lighter material. Sometimes, this means you may expect to see issues pop up in just a few years of ownership. I'm not saying or implying that you shouldn't go this route (I did, too), but just don't be surprised you get quality issues come up. Here's my Forest River 282QBS with bunkhouse, outdoor kitchen, almost 35 feet long, and 5797 dry pounds.Attachment 166824

Another way to look at it is most of the standard fixtures = stoves, tanks, hot water heaters, refers, showers sinks etc all weigh about the same and all TTs have them so they become a constant between ultralights and regular TTs . So where the 35'TT above has a 5797 dry wt my 31' TT has a 7200 lb dry wt. where is the difference - frame, sidewalls, interior walls perhaps even interior framing.

Yes I have owned two lightweight TTs one from 1986 a wood framed Komfort that did last 12 yrs (with lots of TLC) It had alum skin and roof, wood frame - the floor was corrugated cardboard with metal rods for strength. It was 7' wide, 9'tall and 20' long and had a dry wt around 2000lbs and a GVWR of 3800 lbs. The inside framing had lots of small stick wood thin plywood - 1/4" at the most. The second was a 99 trail light It was a bit longer wider and taller than the Komfort but was about the same wt. It had a sandwich wall construction - Filon, Luan, Foam, Luan and had an alum frame that went around the outside of the wall - no studs, no blocking. Within the first year things started breaking - A small leak ruined the entire front end and required a total re-build of the front wall. It was hard to heat and was a pain from day one. I had to make it last at least 5 yrs (made it 6) before I could trade up to my Arctic Fox. - what a difference - now 12yrs later I have it's cousin an ORV TimberRidge - I am sure that with normal maintenance it will last at least 15yrs

[cdoorider]

Arctic fox and ORV are two of the best wishing could handle the weight. With my truck the best value for quality and weight seems to be Lance with Winnie being an acceptable compromise in both weight (a little heavy) and quality, its not an ORV or Northwood but they seem fairly well built.

[Loraura]

Originally Posted by cdoorider

Arctic fox and ORV are two of the best wishing could handle the weight. With my truck the best value for quality and weight seems to be Lance with Winnie being an acceptable compromise in both weight (a little heavy) and quality, its not an ORV or Northwood but they seem fairly well built.

Those are both good quality choices.

[09 harley]

As my wife told me size matters. Since I couldn't make any personal changes I did the next best thing and bought a new 2017 F250 CCLB 4X4. I'm a lot happier now but my wife still says the same thing!

[54Fun]

Originally Posted by 09 harley

As my wife told me size matters. Since I couldn't make any personal changes I did the next best thing and bought a new 2017 F250 CCLB 4X4. I'm a lot happier now but my wife still says the same thing!

Ha! Yep...did a similar thing after all of that. Just ordered a 2017 F350 6.7L CCSB 4X4...8 weeks or so till it gets here...will sell the F150.

[marcham]

Nice. Well worth the upgrade.

[CipherFamily]

Originally Posted by marcham

Trade your EB for a used 3/4 or 1 ton and then get the trailer you want.

Yes, I would second this. We've had an ultralight bunkhouse for 8 years, towing with a halfton suburban Z71. It had an 18 inch dinette area slide and four bunks, but no outdoor kitchen. It served us well, but we now have the bigger suburban and it's lovely how many more options we have for bunkhouse choices without stretching our towing limit. With a pickup, you'd be even better off. Hubby wanted to do a pickup instead of the 'burb, but I'm the primary driver and there are still 6 of us travelling together regularly. I can't stand someone crowded at my elbow while I'm driving!

I wanted to stay in the half-ton-towable range just to be super conservative with the weight, and couldn't find what you describe in any make/model. When I gave up that goal, we found what we like and I'll still be 2000 pounds under my maximum tow rating. More, really, because I never tow "wet", so we'll never have water in the holding tanks.

We're almost 100% decided on the Sport Trek 327. Both bedrooms have solid doors, no curtains, 4 complete bunks, with one folding into a couch and table seating area when the college boy isn't travelling with us. AND dinette that will make out into a bed when the girlfriend travels with us.

Half ton towing just isn't doesn't have the range of choices and options.

[guy65]

we had a similar problem- I have 30miles one way commute, but we knew, we need a trailer as big as possible, because we live full time in it for a while. 2 things, which does not fit together on first view.
Due to the daily commute, we decided on a half ton truck- a RAM 1500 Hemi. And my wife done the research. We found the perfect combination for our possibilities: A Forest River Vibe 268RKS. 35ft total length, 28ft living area complete, 1 big slide with 6500# dry weight and max weight of 9800# (but only if all the tanks are full - 2 grey, 1 black, 1 freshwater- tank). Very well towable with a 1500.
First we looked at floor plans- my wife thought about bunks because of the grandchildren. We found, this VIBE is even lighter with bunks! and absolutely towable with a half ton truck.
But because of the circumstances and needs, we decided on a 268rks with rear kitchen and residential refrigerator.
this camper has outside kitchen, heated underbelly, electric and gas hot water heater, 20ft awning, all LED, everything electric, including stabilizers and tongue jack, outside shower and outside TV hookup, even mag wheels. Perfect.
We pull with a 1200# equalizer hitch. easy to tow, no sway at all.
The best thing- the price- google and you will be surprised- it's a very well midgrade camper for a very affordable price. we love it.