Camp Trailer

[Meketrefe]

I prefer to worry about the bullet first and then find out what case and rifle I need.
I don't want to be limited by the car. I know I don't want something huge and heavy though.
What and why first then how to later.

[usmcveteran]

https://rochester.craigslist.org/trb/5801788302.html

Something like this?

[big flash]

I think you really need to find a vehicle first that way you know how much you can tow.

negative, meke definitely has the right idea imho.

[usmcveteran]

In his original post he says he wants to use a small SUV or truck, I don't thats possible for what he wants counting extra supplies like clothes and everything else for family of 4 if you want the room you will need. So now your looking at a large truck to pull minimum. Cost is going to start really adding up possibly.

What about used RV?

[big flash]

only way to know is add it up. start with dry weight of trailer, add everything else. if you already had the tow vehicle, i would agree you could start there and work backwards but i definitely wouldn't in his case.

anyway, you might be surprised what suv's and small trucks can pull. i saw a hybrid highlander pull a full small kit this summer in the adirondack's and they loved their setup.

all else being the same, the two big considerations you'll come up against when buying the tow vehicle is going to be suspension and power.
if you end up against the tow trucks GVWR or max tongue weight you can put more of the weight behind the trailers axle, right?
if you don't mind going slower up hills and have less passing ability then you can get away with a smaller engine too.

though my preference is always to have overkill, i tend to buy more truck than i need, but that's usually a character flaw.
eg. i like my 400 hp and towing capability of 10,300 for the couple hundred pounds of kayaks and bikes i put on the truck usually haha. i could even get away with a subaru with that cargo!

[usmcveteran]

https://rochester.craigslist.org/rvs/5792137003.html

at least your ready to tow anything lol

[big flash]

haha, yeah i do pull stuff sometimes. dump trailer, box trailers, boats. very very randomly though. really not enough to justify it but f-it

[Meketrefe]

No RVs.If car dies the trailer is not going anywhere easily. Plus a car is a car when not towing.
I do not discard a pickup truck for more storage although some 3 rows suvs have big storage.
I don't really want a relic something 10yrs old or less would be perfect. joints, gaskets and rubber starts
to go bad when it is too old.

[Silverpathic]

If you find a mythical unicorn lmk..
your going to be pulling something so what it's rated for isn't a quality you want to put first..
You want it to not lift the front end or drag the ass end..

You need it to stop without glazing your brakes.. Go straight to what your going to drive.. Then get the best towing package you can.. If it's used upgrade brakes and rotors and try to go with something that will keep them cooler and consider a transmission cooler as well..
your trucks rating isn't based on uphill pull it's flat pull.. You also don't want to have a stop/steer issue. Buy the truck then figure out what you will pull.

Consider a diy trailer of you can't find what's needed..

[Meketrefe]

If you find a mythical unicorn lmk..
your going to be pulling something so what it's rated for isn't a quality you want to put first..
You want it to not lift the front end or drag the ass end..

You need it to stop without glazing your brakes.. Go straight to what your going to drive.. Then get the best towing package you can.. If it's used upgrade brakes and rotors and try to go with something that will keep them cooler and consider a transmission cooler as well..
your trucks rating isn't based on uphill pull it's flat pull.. You also don't want to have a stop/steer issue. Buy the truck then figure out what you will pull.

Consider a diy trailer of you can't find what's needed..

Thanks. Wise advice. I am doing a lot of research based on my needs. It is something I want to keep minimum foot print because like many will not be used a lot
but at teh same time I want a reliable package. I already thought about the brakes and I like the electric brakes with progressive sensor. Not too expensive.
If I can keep it below 3000 lb dry then I didn't need a large truck that is something I would like to avoid. I am trying to keep things simple in my life.

[big flash]

a friend just took this picture driving across country. this is a toyota hybrid pulling what they said is a #3500 trailer setup.

no i don't suggest this, but damn..

[Meketrefe]

That's crazy! power should be fine for going at moderate speed but what aobut the brakes and rear suspension?!!! lol
This would be fine for a hibrid SUV but the little sedan? lol

[big flash]

yeah, i wouldn't have believed it myself lol. it has to have upgraded components, has to, right?
i think they only ever get that rig up to 45 mph.
i assume they have a controller and brakes on the trailer that they use constantly

[big flash]

well my wife is teasing me with the idea of travel trailer shopping soon. i'm trying to not get too excited but we might be in the market soon. what did you end up with meketrefe?
i'm going to be pulling with the ol' tundra, but am still going to be wanting something relatively compact and efficient if i can. i don't want something too long and lose the ability to get it into tighter spots. i'm thinking the 18-25 foot length range. we'll see how this goes. my cousin got a new 17 footer that is pretty nice and is able to tow it with just a wrangler.

[alistair]

Jayco Jayfeather with drop down bunks. Love mine.