I bought a small camper for the Maverick -- 2023 Outbound Extreme XT

[LSchicago]

Hybrid towing rule of thumb:

You can tow "whatever" size weight height that keeps the power meter under 50%. 51% - 100% can be used for short hill climbs, passing, and accelerating to highway speeds.

More than 4 or 5 minutes (sustained) at greater than 50% starts to heat up the electric generator. But it also cools down fast so camel humps in the road are usually fine. Equal parts up and down, fine.

Under 2k you can probably ignore the power gauge. And the temperature gauge.

Before you feel disappointed, try it.
50% is more power than you'd think from this little truck.

Try to sustain your truck at 50% output for 5 minutes. You probably can't find a piece of road large enough you can do that on.

This sounds well thought out, and good advise. I know the hybrid will tow this little camper easy. I like that 50% rule. That's usually the max I accelerate at when I am trying to get up to speed. I guess that could be used to find a max speed. Not that I will be in a hurry when towing.

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[GPSMan]

This sounds well thought out, and good advise. I know the hybrid will tow this little camper easy. I like that 50% rule. That's usually the max I accelerate at when I am trying to get up to speed. I guess that could be used to find a max speed. Not that I will be in a hurry when towing.

The extra confidence you get from the data display on a ScanGauge or equivalent is well worth the cost.

I discovered the 50% parameter to be reliable and repeatable in a variety of towing conditions over 6000 miles of towing. Some 98°F days and some 11% up grades were involved.

Example:

 

[LSchicago]

The extra confidence you get from the data display on a ScanGauge or equivalent is well worth the cost.

I discovered the 50% parameter to be reliable and repeatable in a variety of towing conditions over 6000 miles of towing. Some 98°F days and some 11% up grades were involved.

Example:

Thank you for this.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

I've been watching this simple unit for a while. It's a 2023 Outbound Extreme XT. Only bad thing is it is pretty tall at 93", but I will be able to stand in it. EW is about 1100#. This will fit in my Garage at home. Wide enough for a queen Mattress, and it has 2 58"x24" bunk beds up front. List price with options was $13,170. You don't get much camper at any price any more. This will work for our road trips.

Above was the original asking price. I like that the optional wrap will somewhat match my Atlas Blue Hybrid. Above you can see the bunks, it also has the Electric package, with Air conditioner and storage cubby above. Bunks will most likely be used for storage too, unless a grandchild comes with.

Paying $5495, plus $100 doc fee. Nothing else really compares for the money. Should tow pretty easy at 65mph.

looks very functional to me. im not really 'camper' guy but i could see using something like this for weekend getaways for Wifey & i now that the kids are grown and gone.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

Hybrid towing rule of thumb:

You can tow "whatever" size weight height that keeps the power meter under 50%. 51% - 100% can be used for short hill climbs, passing, and accelerating to highway speeds.

More than 4 or 5 minutes (sustained) at greater than 50% starts to heat up the electric generator. But it also cools down fast so camel humps in the road are usually fine. Equal parts up and down, fine.

Under 2k you can probably ignore the power gauge. And the temperature gauge.

Before you feel disappointed, try it.
50% is more power than you'd think from this little truck.

Try to sustain your truck at 50% output for 5 minutes. You probably can't find a piece of road large enough you can do that on.

i have never towed anything with my'23 hybrid lariat so not qualified to opine on towing stuff... however your comments about the power meter made a lot of sense in that the hybrid powertain system is quite capable in most situations and the power meter is our best indication of how much stress the 'load' demands are placing on the system. i admit that after 7mo of ownership i'm still trying to figure out whatall the 'power meter' can tell me.
for the record thats probably more on me more than anything else.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

i admit that after 7mo of ownership i'm still trying to figure out whatall the 'power meter' can tell me.
for the record thats probably more on me more than anything else.

Nah, I thought it was cool the first drive home but since I found the "EV Coach" screen, the power meter was pretty much worthless to me, because it doesn't show electric vs. ICE.

I wish the screens would also show battery level....

 

[LSchicago]

looks very functional to me. im not really 'camper' guy but i could see using something like this for weekend getaways for Wifey & i now that the kids are grown and gone.

Exactly what it will be used for.

 

[tom_tucker]

looks very functional to me. im not really 'camper' guy but i could see using something like this for weekend getaways for Wifey & i now that the kids are grown and gone.

If you 'aint a camper, don't buy it. If you want to go, rent a cabin at the campground. Save the trouble.

 

[notfast]

List price with options was $13,170.

At that price I would be seriously considering a Scout TukTut.
https://scoutcampers.com/tuktut/

Paying $5495, plus $100 doc fee. Nothing else really compares for the money.

However, at that price I'd definitely be swayed (no trailer pun intended) to the trailer. It's not much more than a basic brand new 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer, and you're getting something with a fully-finished interior and A/C.

 

[LSchicago]

At that price I would be seriously considering a Scout TukTut.
https://scoutcampers.com/tuktut/

However, at that price I'd definitely be swayed (no trailer pun intended) to the trailer. It's not much more than a basic brand new 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer, and you're getting something with a fully-finished interior and A/C.

Spot on. The original asking price was $10,195. Too high, but they had to start somewhere. When I picked up My truck a couple months ago, the wanted $6,995. At that price it was competing with the GFC, and other platform type campers. We looked at the Moonlander sideways sleep camper, but those start at $5,500 and would've been very tight for two. With options, it would've been $7,000.

When this trailer went down to $5,495, it had a gleam to it. It was 3-4 times the space of the Moonlander. Inconvenience of pulling a trailer, but should be much better for sleeping being a queen with extra floor space vs. A full bed with zero space besides the mattress. No room to get dressed in the morning or stand. That was the magic price that made the decision clear. At $5,500, no financing needed either.

I really like the Tuktut too, but at $16,000, it has zero amenities other than a large bed and a place to stand. I feel it is overpriced.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

If you 'aint a camper, don't buy it. If you want to go, rent a cabin at the campground. Save the trouble.

I think a lot of people (including me) fantasize about how nice camping would be without realizing the work and expense. Your advice is great!

(I see SOOOO many campers parked for years and years without getting used even a couple times/ year)

 

[Old Ford Guy]

If you 'aint a camper, don't buy it. If you want to go, rent a cabin at the campground. Save the trouble.

good advice Tom. thats exactly what our family has done in the past. we to trend much more towards 'glamping' as opposed to more traditional camping, not resort style but with some conveniences. think turnkey state park cabins with bed linen/bathrooms and other amenities out in rustic areas.
dont judge us please, we have nothing against those folks sleeping under the stars at all and i do look forward to one day taking Mable the Maverick out into the 'wilderness' at some point just to get away from cell phone signals and all that stuff.

 

[mightymuskrat]

I'm going a different direction - Just picked up this 1985 Taurus Cadet shell, planning to rebuild it to tow behind the Maverick! Fun winter project.

 

[LSchicago]

I'm going a different direction - Just picked up this 1985 Taurus Cadet shell, planning to rebuild it to tow behind the Maverick! Fun winter project.

Cool. Never saw one of those

 

[SLJ]

If you're going add a gauge for towing, transmission temp is the most critical. I only need four things, engine temp, transmission temp, alternator charging voltage (Maverick charges the camper batteries when towing), and % of horsepower used. The least expensive ScanGauge II will do it.

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