Community Forums

WNYCamper · 03-01-2011, 10:12 AM

I am looking to buy a Travel Trailer to take the place of our current Popup. I will be towing with a 2003 Durango with the 4.7 and I want to keep the weight below 5000lbs. Ideally, Id like to have bunkbeds for the kids, but as long as it has a bed for each of them (2 kids), it will do the job.

I have been looking at lots of used TTs and a few new ones, and love the Palomino 230b, but dont want to spend the money for a new camper. Does anyone have ideas on a TT to keep an eye out for that should fit the bill?

Ray,IN · 03-01-2011, 09:33 PM

When you follow this towing weight calculator, Tow Vehicle/Trailer Calculations Demonstrator
will keep you within your tow vehicles capabilities and weight limits for safe driving/towing.
Here is a list of trailer manufacturers that might help with your selection process: Travel Trailer Manufacturers & Dealers

Please note; the trailer Unloaded Vehicle Weight/ empty weight is practically useless, unless you plan to go camping with an empty trailer.

WNYCamper · 03-02-2011, 04:35 AM

Thanks for the links Ray. I know where I want to be weight wise, and I should have been more clear in that I want the towed weight of the camper to be under 5000lbs, so dry weight should be between 3500 and 4000 lbs. I do not tow with water in the tanks or anything like that, so I will not be towing anywhere near GVWR. My length range, from what I have seen so far, is going to be somewhere in the 20 to 26 foot range.

Im looking for personal opinions from members that have or have had experience with a camper(s) in that size and weight range.

bull1966 · 03-06-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNYCamper

I am looking to buy a Travel Trailer to take the place of our current Popup. I will be towing with a 2003 Durango with the 4.7 and I want to keep the weight below 5000lbs. Ideally, Id like to have bunkbeds for the kids, but as long as it has a bed for each of them (2 kids), it will do the job.

I have been looking at lots of used TTs and a few new ones, and love the Palomino 230b, but dont want to spend the money for a new camper. Does anyone have ideas on a TT to keep an eye out for that should fit the bill?

Howdy,

One rule of thumb that a dealer passed on to me when I was looking is that anything with dual axles will be over 4500 pounds and one axle trailers are less.

Dale

**NLOVNIT** · 03-06-2011, 08:10 PM

We pulled a 25ft Aerolite TT with a 2000 Durango a few RV's ago. It was at the limit of the Durango's towing ability & GCWR. You are right to stay under 5000 GVWR for the TT. Even then, the short wheel-base of the Durango made for squirrely driving at times even with a sway bar & we got pushed around a lot when passed by a semi.

You might consider hybrids (hard body w/fold out beds) for your situation. The Jayco Jay Feather Sport X18D & X23F have separate beds for both your kids as well as you & the x23F has a dinette slide which would open up the living space & a couch for additional seating.

I think you'll have better chance of separate actual beds for the kids with newer models, unless you want to be coverting a dinette to a bed for one & putting the other on a jack-knife couch each night.

Lori-

WNYCamper · 03-07-2011, 04:14 AM

Im not really interested in hybrids, as I want to be able to use the camper during cold weather. The campers I am looking at are all under 26 feet, most being 24 foot models. Most have been around the 3600 to 3800 lb dry weight range. GVWR on a dual axle trailer is going to be higher because GVWR is the total load the trailer is capable of handling, its not what it weighs. The figure I am using is dry weight plus 1000 lbs, so I want to keep the dry weight around 4000 lbs or less.

One that I have found and looks to be in good shape is a 97 Wilderness 24LZ. Anyone have any experience with that series of TT?

Another I am going to look at is a 96 Nomad 24 foot, any opinions on those?

CD · 03-07-2011, 10:28 PM

You need to be very careful using the dry weight. It is usually not even close to the actual TT weight as you get it. Our 28' TT was listed as 6300 dry. We are about 9K when traveling. I am sure we don't have almost 3K of Stuff. Our GVWR is 10400. I think you are figuring a little light for what you load in. Water alone will be over 300 lbs. plus propane and all the stuff for your family. For most people it isn't practical to travel without water. If you want to stop somewhere and use the bathroom, have lunch etc. it doesn't work very well witout water. It has been proven that most RVers are near or over their GVWR.