what kind of trailer??

[j Schmidty]

I am looking to get a new travel trailer soon. I am not sure what I want yet. I was thinking a pop-up or a scamp/burro/casita. A small toilet or something would be ideal. I am just curious to see what other members have and how well they tow behind the trac. Any info/suggestions are welcomed.

 

[TrainTrac]

I tow a 23 foot hybrid travel trailer. There are many models and lengths of hybrid trailers that are light enough for the ST to tow. Mine's a Rockwood Roo 23b by Forest River. Here's a picture:[Broken External Image]:



And another with the beds open:

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[Gerald Pierce]

I tow a Coleman (Fleetwood) Mesa, weighs about 3200 lbs loaded out. I like the low profile of the popup when towing, my mileage stays about the same as long as I keep the speed reasonable. I do not have a toilet in mine, but have considered a porta potty. We also have the add-a-room that attaches to the outside of the trailer, provides another 96 sq ft or so. Sleeps 6 adults and 2 kids or 4 adults and 4-5 kids.

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there are more photos at the link below.

 

[Scott Tanner]

27' starcraft... see library..... going to Detroit in 2 wks, then to Joiliet for the NHRA fallnationals... woohoo!

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[biznaga]

Mine is somewhat smaller. A popup. Weighs in at 1590 dry and 2310 loaded...supposedly.[Broken External Image]:

 

[Gary Cotton]

I tow a Jayco Jayfeather Sport 165. It is about 2650 lbs dry, and max GVWR is 3500 lbs. Pulls like a dream. Comes completely self contained, with microwave, A/C, full size permanent bed with bunk above, dinette that makes into double bed, oven, amplified TV antenna, stereo radio/CD, awning, portable outside BBQ that hooks up to propane system, awning, extra outside shower, large 5.5 cu ft refrig/freezer, fiberglass exterior, etc. I tow locked out of OD at 3000 RPM at 65 MPH running LT235/85R16's (32 inch equiv.) w/4.10 LS rearend. Normally get 10-12 mpg. 10 if towing in mountains or wind, and about 12 if towing more level ground with less wind. This is in MT. Also use equalizer hitch. Love the trailer/perfect for Sport Trac.

 

[Chris Taylor]

I tow a 1998 Aerolite 21RDB. That's a 21' trailer that weighs in at 3500lb loaded for a week of camping(no water in the tanks). Use an Equilizer hitch. For me and the ST, it is a nice combination. Self-contained and yet not too big. Gas mileage is about 12-14 towing, usually with OD off.

 

[Russ Hughes]

I also tow the Coleman Mesa. I get between 14 and 16 mpg while towing. 14 through the Smokies and 16 down through FL. I tow at the speed limit maybe over, no sway bars or any other additions other than the brake controller (a MUST have for longer trailers not just on STs). The only time I had any towing sway was when I over loaded the front on purpose just to see how it felt and handled. It wasn't easy getting it overloaded to the front enough to make it sway.

This is why I bought my ST instead of something else. I've been disappointed in somethings but not in towing.

 

[Dreman]

Is a red Trac the vehicle of choice for towing a travel trailer? All but one in this post are red!

 

[Scott Tanner]

I noticed that, too... must be the bug guts don't show as much with a red trac.....:lol:

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Q, you said your trailer's dry-weight is about 3800lbs?



Isn't the Class III hitch only rated for something like 3500lbs?



Have you done anything "special" to haul that kind of weight?



TJR

 

[Gerald Pierce]

RussH: Wanna make it sway? If your Mesa is like mine (some had the couch in the front, mine is in the rear), empty the front trunk, fill the water tank with fresh water, and stick a 100 qt cooler full of beer right inside the door (aft of the axle)...... then drive about 50-60 mph.... you will be very surprised at the result. 12' Colemans are famous for sway, especialy the Bayside. I bought a friction sway bar, but proper loading is most important in reducing/eliminating sway. Needless to say, I never towed it that way again.......

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Q, another question. I know nothing about such hitches, but when you say "Of course, it comes with weight distrubution, anti-sway and brake controller", are you saying that the hitch that you gave a link to comes with all that?



TJR

 

[TomT]

Andy H. Any problems with water leakage in your trailer? I had a similiar Forest River hybrid and sold it not long ago after water kept leaking inside and the floor started warping. Can't say I will ever purchase a Forest River product again.



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[TrainTrac]

TomT,



Funny you should mention that... I'm dealing with a leak issue right now on my Roo. It seems that the water is running down the front/rear ends of the trailer and in at the bottom of the bed doors along the hinge. There's actually a gap at the lower corners of the beds when closed that's big enough to stick your finger in.



My dealer service rep believes that it's a design flaw, and I'm inclined to agree with him. He has discussed it with Forest River, and they've said they'll replace both bed doors. I think they're starting to realize that this might be a flaw and could potentially become a bigger issue. And I don't think it's just FR, but a design flaw inherent to all hybrids amongst different manufacturers, because I've found other hybrid owners with similar problems on a couple of hybrid forums. Other than that, we've been happy with the Roo. But, if this leak continues even after the repairs, I may sell it and get a regular TT for next year.

 

[TrainTrac]

Q, you said your trailer's dry-weight is about 3800lbs?



Isn't the Class III hitch only rated for something like 3500lbs?

A Class III hitch is rated for 5,000 pounds.

 

[Gerald Pierce]

The leaks at the front are why alot of mfrs quit putting windows in the front, the hybrids are the same way..... 50-70 mph wind while towing blows alot through even the smallest gap, and they make warranty claims unreal..... once it starts leaking, you wont be able to stop it.

 

[TrainTrac]

I don't think it has as much to do with the front wind as just a design flaw with hybrids. I'm getting the same type of leak on the rear bed also.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Thanks, Scott. Oh, and Scott, others, what else does one need to haul a heavier trailer (3500lbs to 5000lbs dry)? I have heard about weight distribution and anti-sway...is that built into the hitch, the two bar, or what?



I have no experience here, but would like to understand all my options AND costs should I take the plunge and get a travel trailer.



TJR

 

[TrainTrac]

Tom,



I have the "Equal-i-zer" hitch for towing my hybrid. Easy to use and works very well. See the link below: