Travel Trailers ??

[G M 2]

I'm looking for advice on trailer towing. Do any of you pull a travel-type trailer? What size/weight seems to work best. I know all the maximums specified but I'm interested in real world suggestions. I pull a 1500 lb runabout boat and have had not a hint of a problem. I would like to buy a travel trailer over the winter for next season. My travels could include the mountains. I have 2005 Adrenalin with 4:10's. I have a dealer installed cat. 3 hitch installed. Any "constructive" advice would be much appreciated



This is my first ST and absolutley will not be my last. I have just turned 3000 km, so I am in no way an ST expert but I do love this vehicle. I regulary drive a performance vehicle and especially enjoy the rugged feel of my truck. . Thank you.



Gerry

 

[Russ Hughes]

I regularly pull a 19 foot pop-up with a loaded weight of 3800 pounds. The trailer has electric brakes and the ST has a prodigy controller, no sway bars or weight distribution hitch. There is quite a bit of sag when the trailer is connected and my milage drops from 20 to 16. It wouldn't win any drag races but it has done fine so far in pulling up the smokies and into Tennessee.

 

[TrainTrac]

I tow a 23' Rockwood Roo 23B hybrid travel trailer. It has all the amenties of a regular travel trailer (bathroom, kitchen, furnace, a/c, etc.) with pop-up type tent beds on either end. The benefits of this are a lighter trailer, and with the beds on either end, you get more living space in the trailer. I haven't weighed the trailer, but it probably comes in at around 4500 lbs loaded.



I've had it for two years now, and have towed it with my '04 Adrenalin with a 4:10 Limited Slip rear end. To help with towing, I've modified my ST a bit. I've beefed up the suspension with Rancho RSX shocks, an Explorer Express rear sway bar, and a Roadmaster Active Suspension kit. For more power, I've added a cold air intake and custom Flowmaster exhaust. When $$$ permits, I'm going to add aftermarket Y-pipe and custom tunes with a flasher from member/sponsor Wayne Foy.



It's good that you already have a Class III receiver, but I'd definitely recommend a weight-distribution anti-sway hitch like an Equal-i-zer hitch. Keep in mind that a TT will have much more sail area bucking the wind than your boat. I had a pop-up prior to the hybrid, and it towed worse without the WD hitch than the hybrid does with it. The WD hitch makes a huge difference in your towing experience. You're also gonna need a brake controller installed.



I towed in the mountains of Virginia a little bit last summer, and the ST did OK. You just can't use OD when you tow, unless you're on continously flat terrain.



If I were you, I'd look at the hybrids. Much lighter than a regular TT. And if you don't want to deploy the tent beds, you can "turtle", sleeping in the trailer itself.



Check out this forum for tons of info on hybrids:



http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/68.cfm



And RV Wholesalers offers a variety of hybrid brands, prices and floor plans. A good place to window shop.



http://rvwholesalers.com/design/hybrid_campers.php





Here's a picture of my rig, more in my library

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[Chris Taylor]

I pull a 1998 21' Aerolite that ready for camping weights about 3800 lbs(actually weighed it). I have a '03 4x4 with 4:10. Definately need a weight-distributing hitch and I use the Equilizer and like it a lot. I have the EE sway bar and Monroe Sensatrac shocks, but no performance enhancements. As has been mentioned, the frontal area of a camping trailer is much larger than a boat. You DO feel semis passing. Nothing white-knuckle, but you do need to be ready for it.



It runs fine pullin this load, but I have not been in mountains with it. OD is not an option if you have any hills or headwind at all. Tranny hunts too much...



I towed a boat weighing 5800 lb. THAT was overloading things. Yes, it handled it, but you could tell it was a struggle. I only had to tow it short distances, so I took my time and left plenty of distance when pulling out in front of someone...



Chris

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

I tow the max, about 5000lbs. If you are going to do hills, I wouldn't go that high in weight if you don't have to. Something heavy will push you pretty good on the downward side of those hills. Sure it can do it but something lighter would feel better. I have all the mods for towing, shocks, sway bar, Roadmaster A.S., tuner from Wayne, Mac intake and don't forget electric brake controller.

Here's my rig:

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[Wes Davis]

Can someone please post some links to a "weight distribution hitch". I have never heard of one of these. If you are towing a boat with 4x2 at approximately 5000 lbs or more for short distance in town and the only hilly part is going to be a relatively steep boat ramp do you guys forsee any problems. What about getting it out of the water and back up the boat ramp?

 

[Tom Schindler]

Me,



Most guys that are serious about boating go with a 4x4. Mainly because of the wet boat ramps.



As long as you do not get the tires wet, you should have no problems getting the boat out of the water.





Tom

 

[TrainTrac]

ME,



Here ya go...

 

[G M 2]

Thank you very much for the assistance. I do appreciate it. I like the idea of the hybrid. There is only two and my dog travelling, so loads of space is not necessary. The RV dealers seem to try to sell the highest priced item on the lot and not too concerned about "real needs". I'll get an equalizer hitch and stabilizer also. I have changed the shocks.



Thanks again



Gerry



Chelsea loves the rear window of my ST.



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[Scott Tanner]

what the above guy said is right on... mine is a 27' starcraft. the hills are interesting, but the ST manages, like 35 mph in 1st gear going up.... see my lib for more pics

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[Chris Taylor]

On the wt. distributing hitch for a boat trailer... Most Boat trailers have surge brakes, not electric ones. Not sure how you would hook up the hitch with surge brakes. 5000lb boat short distances won't be a problem. Steep ramps might be if they are slippery, but the ST will have no problem pulling that size boat up most ramps, as long as it has traction.