Anyone towing a camper with Hybrid Mavierck?

[Theosud]

How’s the Rove Lite holding up? The new 16-foot model looks really nice, but it is pushing the limit.

I’ve been looking at the Rove Lite, Helios O2, Aliner Ascape or maybe an Aliner Expedition 15-foot a-frame. I am interested in doing some boondocking, so plan on having 300-400 watt hours of lithium batteries, and 300-400 watts of solar at some point + Starlink too.

@BradGroux - The Rove Lite is holding up OK. Some construction issues have arisen due to sub-2000lb. design sacrifices, but I'm mostly happy with it. It's my first camper, so nothing to compare it to. It was very difficult to find such a lightweight camper with full wet bath that sleeps three and includes refrigerator, stove and has sufficient holding tanks. The other lightweight designs I considered at the time (June 2021) didn't touch all the bases.

I'm familiar with some of the brands you've mentioned. I saw a nice Aliner this past weekend and they're certainly worth considering. ProLite (https://www.roulottesprolite.com/)is very nice, too, but they're in Canada so I'm not sure if they're sold in the US or if you'd be taxed if you purchased and brought it back stateside.

Good luck with your boondocking plans; it sounds like you have all the necessary gear for it. I've largely visited only state and national parks this summer, and all with hookups, so haven't done any true boondocking. Definitely a future adventure! All the best. ~ Ted

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[burger_time]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ybrid-tlrv-rove-lite-14fl-travel-trailer.201/

Let me know if you have any questions about the Rove Lite (UVW 1775 lbs.) or the Maverick's towing abilities. ~ Cheers! Ted

Very nice! Not meaning to be a stickler, since I know next to nothing about towing, but does this put you a bit over the 2,000 lb tow capacity for the hybrid, if it's loaded with fresh water and if you have passengers/payload in the truck? Your Maverick seems to be handling it just fine, though.

 

[BradGroux]

Very nice! Not meaning to be a stickler, since I know next to nothing about towing, but does this put you a bit over the 2,000 lb tow capacity for the hybrid, if it's loaded with fresh water and if you have passengers/payload in the truck? Your Maverick seems to be handling it just fine, though.

The towing capacity doesn’t include the 1500lb payload capacity (what you can have in the truck, including passengers). Water is 8.3lbs per gallon, so fully loaded with water and the RV trailer should still be fine.

I personally plan to pull an RV trailer up to about 1750lbs, and keep most of my stuff in the truck. Such as hanging clothes on a rack in the back seat. With other supplies like extra water, extra propane, non perishable food, etc. and gear like tarps, tents, chairs, grill and canopies under a hard tonneau cover.

It is also fairly easy to cut weight from a mass produced RV as needed. Steel wheels to aluminum, move the trailer spare tire to the truck bed, upgrade the lead acid battery to lithium, remove extra amenities you don’t use or need, etc.

The biggest issue with towing at or around 2000lbs would be braking downhill, which you can plan your route around.

 

[Jmav2152]

Camper prices are wild these days. I've been looking at some this size but more toyhauler style for dirtbikes and alot are north of 25k. More and more it's looking like a homebuilt enclosed retrofit or a pop-up. Glad the hybrid is handling that load well!

 

[BradGroux]

Camper prices are wild these days. I've been looking at some this size but more toyhauler style for dirtbikes and alot are north of 25k. More and more it's looking like a homebuilt enclosed retrofit or a pop-up. Glad the hybrid is handling that load well!

Like furniture, RVs have a massive markup on them. MSRP is usually 30-40% markup to dealer costs. You can usually get upwards of 40% or more off of a new camper if you are patient - especially if you are paying cash.

 

[Jmav2152]

Like furniture, RVs have a massive markup on them. MSRP is usually 30-40% markup to dealer costs. You can usually get upwards of 40% or more off of a new camper if you are patient - especially if you are paying cash.

That's my intention really. I'm patient ATM as winters coming. If a good deal on a motohauler pops I may jump on it but I haven't scoured super hard just yet.

 

[BradGroux]

That's my intention really. I'm patient ATM as winters coming. If a good deal on a motohauler pops I may jump on it but I haven't scoured super hard just yet.

Sadly (for many people, not buyers), I believe the used RV market is going to be flooded soon enough, thanks to the recession and inflation. There are a lot of people hurting out there. People also aren’t going to be able to afford buying new RVs with interest rates so high.

I’ve been watching RV trader religiously for the past 18 months or so, and the prices have been steadily dropping across every class since about May.

 

[Timothyd]

Anyone pull a small camper with their hybrid?

I'm looking for a teardrop.

 

[LoveMyTaters]

Anyone try Sylvansport trailers

 

[Theosud]

The towing capacity doesn’t include the 1500lb payload capacity (what you can have in the truck, including passengers). Water is 8.3lbs per gallon, so fully loaded with water and the RV trailer should still be fine.

I personally plan to pull an RV trailer up to about 1750lbs, and keep most of my stuff in the truck. Such as hanging clothes on a rack in the back seat. With other supplies like extra water, extra propane, non perishable food, etc. and gear like tarps, tents, chairs, grill and canopies under a hard tonneau cover.

It is also fairly easy to cut weight from a mass produced RV as needed. Steel wheels to aluminum, move the trailer spare tire to the truck bed, upgrade the lead acid battery to lithium, remove extra amenities you don’t use or need, etc.

The biggest issue with towing at or around 2000lbs would be braking downhill, which you can plan your route around.

@BradGroux - Sounds like you have a solid plan. My truckbed does double-duty. I installed a ReTrax tonneau cover that supports a basket carrier atop it. I keep my camping supplies beneath and soft luggage atop the carrier. Definitely gotta be strategic and efficient about loading both levels with each trip.

 

[BradGroux]

I'm looking for a teardrop.

Of the small teardrop-like trailers, I am digging the Helio O2 most at the moment. I plan to spend a lot of time in mine, and working out of it with Starlink - so I need a full height trailer. Their construction also seems top notch compared to most other trailers that size.

Anyone try Sylvansport trailers

Those are really light trailers, you should have no issues pulling them with the Hybrid.

@BradGroux - Sounds like you have a solid plan. My truckbed does double-duty. I installed a ReTrax tonneau cover that supports a basket carrier atop it. I keep my camping supplies beneath and soft luggage atop the carrier. Definitely gotta be strategic and efficient about loading both levels with each trip.

That’s a great looking setup! The Rove Lite is definitely in my top 3 trailers right now. Because it is so affordable if nothing else, I could gut it and set up the interior like I like.

 

[Theosud]

Of the small teardrop-like trailers, I am digging the Helio O2 most at the moment. I plan to spend a lot of time in mine, and working out of it with Starlink - so I need a full height trailer. Their construction also seems top notch compared to most other trailers that size.

Those are really light trailers, you should have no issues pulling them with the Hybrid.


That’s a great looking setup! The Rove Lite is definitely in my top 3 trailers right now. Because it is so affordable if nothing else, I could gut it and set up the interior like I like.

@BradGroux - Helio looks like a solid choice and the weight should be no problem. Have you seen one at a local dealer and/or is there a wait to get one? Good luck with your purchase!

 

[BradGroux]

@BradGroux - Helio looks like a solid choice and the weight should be no problem. Have you seen one at a local dealer and/or is there a wait to get one? Good luck with your purchase!

Daisy RV in Marbles Falls, TX seems to get Helios on a regularly basis. I do plan on renting a few models for weekend trips before making a purchase if I can do so.

 

[A Dodge that drives Fords]

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ybrid-tlrv-rove-lite-14fl-travel-trailer.201/

Let me know if you have any questions about the Rove Lite (UVW 1775 lbs.) or the Maverick's towing abilities. ~ Cheers! Ted

EcoBoost crashing the party, LoL I had a hybrid ordered at the beginning. But people on here told me that my pop-up would be too heavy for a hybrid. And that I can't combine hauling weight and towing weight. So I switch my order to an EcoBoost. Hearing that you're doing good with pulling a hard side with the hybrid. Makes me sad I switched. Granted I'm not a fan of FWD in Wisconsin. Out of 10 vehicles I did $4,000 damage to the only FWD I ever owned. Maybe the silver lining is that I got a AWD now. Happy camping everyone!

 

[GPSMan]

I towed over the Northern CA Sierra's this weekend and I must say the Hybrid tows exceptionally well.

I am towing a 7x12x9 the 9 foot tall really hurts the aero drag but I have machinery in there that tall so the height is needed.

3300 lbs single axle with electric brakes. I added a 7 pin and Tekonsha P3 proportional brake controller. You really only need the trailer brakes for panic stops. The hybrid holds its own on 6% downgrade. Never have to touch the brake pedal.

Automatic downhill assist is amazing!
When the Mav detects a downslope it automatically holds that speed. Hit a downhill patch at 51, it holds 51. Like cruise control (cruise does NOT need to be on).

Regen is going to fill your tiny battery pack in 20 or 30 seconds. The engine braking was smooth, seamless, and strong enough to hold back the truck plus 3300 lbs on 6% downgrade. Slopes less than this I found myself using a little go pedal on the downhill.

Know that air drag is more work for the truck than weight (when pulling) but the weight is going add more stopping distance. That said, with well tuned trailer brakes, I really DO NOT need much extra stopping distance. Stopping has been easy as driving the truck home from the dealer.

55 MPH with 9' tall trailer is easy for this truck. Power gauge 20-25% all day long.

60 MPH it really starts to feel the wind drag. About 33% to 40% on the power gauge.

65 MPH is possible but I think this is where it starts to strain. Power will be about 50% all day long.

I've never exceeded 65 with a trailer.
My SOP is and it's working well:

55 MPH cruise control all day long is not a strain for the Mav Hybrid. You can set it and forget it.

If desired, if in a bit of a time crunch, SOP #2 is entirely doable:

55 MPH on uphill sections
60 MPH on flat sections
65 MPH on downhill sections

While I have towed with a more powerful F-150 and a Silverado 2500HD, the Mav is by far the most comfortable and quiet ride for the driver. Going over railroad crossing and speed bumps, well, you'd not notice them if you were not paying close attention.

COLOR ME IMPRESSED
Stats to follow:
I have a ScanGauge III suite of digital gauges:

MPG : 21 at 55 MPH
MPG: 19.9 at 60 MPH

Towing in the mountains on a 87 to 97 degrees day:

Coolant nominal: 190 deg
Coolant average: 200 deg
Coolant peak on upgrade: 214 deg

HV battery nominal: 100 deg
HV battery average: 106 deg
HV battery peak: 111 deg

HP 55 MPH Nominal: 33
HP 55 MPH Average: 45
HP 55 MPH peak on 6% grade: 141
*Display only gives gasoline horsepower, not combined output.

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