RV Travel trailer weights

[mscher]

Looking to get a low priced used bumper-pull RV trailer, but want to make sure I can pull it, with my Pathfinder V6 with manual trans. It's limit is 4000#

I realize that this won't be exact (all things considering), but you have a a bumper-pull RV, what is it's length, year and approx. "empty" weight?

 

[DC20]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

Go to NADA or manufactures website for specs.

 

[DJ]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

Whatever the "empty weight" is add 1/3 for all the stuff that will accumulate.

Your biggest issue will be "frontal area" Travel trailers aren't pointed at one end like boats. Those relatively flat fronts eat horsepower.

 

[BF]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

not sure about weights, but with that vehicle, you probably want to stay on the smaller side of things. Years ago we used to have a late '70's travelaire 17' single axle... I don't know how much it weighed, but I'd think at least in the 3000-3500 range, maybe more, and had electric brakes. What I do know, is that the family puller (big car with 360 V8) handled it OK but worked hard. Weight distributing hitch is key, preferably with anti-sway friction bar. Those travel trailer have a big side wind load. Tranny cooler is a good idea if not already so equipped. If it fits the budget, going to one of the newer "hybrid" style trailers in the 17' range might be great. I think (?) newer ones are way lighter than the ones built back in the 80's or early 90's... Or... how about a pop up? With the pull out beds, those are roomy for their weight. They pull nice w/o the big wind resistance. We also had one of those when I was a yougin'... with roof rack and 12' aluminum carried on top, with a 9.8 merc in the trunk of the car, it was a pretty sweet little family camping/fishing setup that could be pulled with a smaller car. Sure beat sleeping in a tent!

just noticed you said a manual... so never mind about the tranny cooler...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

With the short wheelbase of the Pathfinder you will for sure need a weight dist. hitch with sway control.Not the cheapo friction arm sway control but something like the Reese dual cam setup.Look at about 900 bucks if you go with the Reese setup.
I bought it for my travel trailer and it was worth every penny.

You may want to try and find one of the ultra light model trailers.
Mine is 29 ft and empty weight is 5000 lbs.

The older models weigh more than the newer stuff too.

 

[gstanton]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

A lot of variables here. Mine is a 26 ft. Nomad with a slide out and weighs 8000 lbs dry. Most of the extra weight is due to the slide out.
You'd be well served to check out the following forum for more info than you want:
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm

There are many light weight towables out there now, due to the rising cost of fuel, ranging from pop ups to hard sided trailers. Trailer Life magazine reviews rigs every month.

Also, you will want a tranny cooler on any tow vehicle.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

When you say "bumper pull" do you mean actually pulling it with the bumper hitch ??? or from an actual trailer hitch ???

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

Also, you will want a tranny cooler on any tow vehicle.

OP has a stick shift. Never thought that would be necessary.
However I am willing to be educated on the subject.

 

[BF]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

When you say "bumper pull" do you mean actually pulling it with the bumper hitch ??? or from an actual trailer hitch ???

"bumper pull" is a term often used in the RV world to describe "traditional" trailers as opposed to 5th wheels. I'd think the OP would be using a proper hitch, and like I said above, hopefully a weight distributing hitch if the weight is up there. You see ads for massive 30' + ones that are described as "bumper pull".

I myself was seriously considering a 24' one that I saw an ad for on friday... but I didn't have any time over the weekend, and it got sold... (that's why this post caught my eye... basically I'm also shopping for a used/older/cheaper trailer)... ones on the smaller side seem harder to come by than 24-26 footers, prob b/c they're more tow-friendly.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

"bumper pull" is a term often used in the RV world to describe "traditional" trailers as opposed to 5th wheels. I'd think the OP would be using a proper hitch, and like I said above, hopefully a weight distributing hitch if the weight is up there. You see ads for massive 30' + ones that are described as "bumper pull".

I myself was seriously considering a 24' one that I saw an ad for on friday... but I didn't have any time over the weekend, and it got sold... (that's why this post caught my eye... basically I'm also shopping for a used/older/cheaper trailer)... ones on the smaller side seem harder to come by than 24-26 footers, prob b/c they're more tow-friendly.

I thought as much but wanted to make sure. We are in the market for a travel trailer also. Got our eye on a 26ft Spree. 4,300lb unloaded. Got the load leveling hitch already. Home made anti sway that out does the best you can buy. Just need the brake controller fitting to the pre wired vehicle.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

Staying under 4k with a trailer and gear is gonna be tough unless you go pretty small, like a Scamp or Cassita, but they aren't low priced.

You might want to have a look around for an Apache hardside pop up. You can set on up in less than 10 minutes. Mine weighs 1900 lbs. empty. It sleeps 6-8, has a fridge, stove, and sink. I heat it with a ceramic space heater and cool it with a portable AC. I pull it with a 4 banger Toyota pickup.

 

[mscher]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

We picked up a nice 24" Mallard, with load leveling hitch for next to nothing. We're maxed out on weight, but the camper was way too nice to pass on.

It towed to the campground just fine, but if we started a lot of traveling, I'd go with a larger tow vehicle, like an F150.

 

[avenger79]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

you can probably find something in the 21 foot class in the ultralights. remember when they post that empty weight that also means barebones camper. no a/c, batteries, and other niceties. definitely get a proper weight dist hitch. and get it set up properly.
slide outs are out, too much weight.

I have pulled a 16 foot with a 4 cyl toyota with a 5 speed. no problems at all.

another option for you is called a hi lo. it drops the camper down to half the height for towing. less frontal area equals much easier towing. it's not a canvas side but a hard side that drops in half basically.

 

[BF]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

We picked up a nice 24" Mallard, with load leveling hitch for next to nothing. We're maxed out on weight, but the camper was way too nice to pass on.

It towed to the campground just fine, but if we started a lot of traveling, I'd go with a larger tow vehicle, like an F150.

Congrat's... that's the type of deal I'm looking for too... Would be mostly parked for extra sleeping space at the cottage, and used for 2 or 3 trips per year. I'd rather not go bigger than 24'.

You got electric brakes working?

 

[Dakota Dave]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

I had a 23' award was 3500 lbs empty. 4500 GVW. pulled with a 95 S-10 Blazer. very light and easy to tow. low with torqueflex axles. also very expensive. I had to upgrade to a larger trailer when we had kids. needed tio upgrade to a dieselk to drag it. now it mostly sits since I don't like draging the giant box around. I was at the Camper dealer last week and they had a real nice 17' with a 3500 lb GVW.

 

[mscher]

Re: RV Travel trailer weights

LOL.

I start to breeze through this thread and thought "gee this sound like a similar problem I once had" Move further down and finally nocited my own responses.

Since the the thread was "revived", I'll post and update that I now have a 01' 5.3 V8 1500 Silverado with tow package, to haul the trailer.


Now I'm too busy and don't have time to take the camper anywhere.

Ain't life grand.