My Camper set up

[MetalThunder]

Regardless of what you call them ....
Just remember
God gave us shin bones so we could find trailer hitches in the dark.

Cheers

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[OR3X]

Sweet setup dude. I'm impressed. I didn't get the 4K tow package so my little pop-up is the most I can really tow without exceeding the limit. What kind of fuel economy you get towing it? I was getting a consistent 23MPG towing my pop-up but that was on back roads as well so I expect it would be a little better on the highway. If you find some good tow mirrors share with the class. I'm also looking and all of the universal ones look like ass.

 

[Manollo3]

Looks like you might (I am on my set up) pushing the limits of frontage that Ford suggests you don't go over. Ford's listed limit is 40 Sq. Ft. My frontage is 43 Sq. Ft. on my snowmobile trailer, though it is tapered much more so than the front of your trailer. My tow weight is a little less than yours, guessing around 3200. The frontage is going to be more of an issue than the weight since you are under the 4000 limit. I have towed my trailer full and empty with a difference in mileage around 1 mpg. So, it seems that frontage in my case is more of an issue than the weight.

to the OP: Very nice set up. Enjoy every minute of it. Love to go camping as well and looking for a smaller camper once I get my Maverick.

I would not worry too much about the frontage as long as you keep your speed down. Look at Europe: A lot of these sedans such as a VW Passat / Mercedes E-Class are pulling 1900kg / 4200lbs travel trailers. But the speed is limited to 50 miles per hour resp. 62 miles per hour for certain trailers. So, yes, if you are racing down the interstate with 75-80 miles per hour as a lot of people it is an issue then. I am sure it is a liability issue in the US and that's why Ford is suggesting it. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Beamcrazy]

to the OP: Very nice set up. Enjoy every minute of it. Love to go camping as well and looking for a smaller camper once I get my Maverick.

I would not worry too much about the frontage as long as you keep your speed down. Look at Europe: A lot of these sedans such as a VW Passat / Mercedes E-Class are pulling 1900kg / 4200lbs travel trailers. But the speed is limited to 50 miles per hour resp. 62 miles per hour for certain trailers. So, yes, if you are racing down the interstate with 75-80 miles per hour as a lot of people it is an issue then. I am sure it is a liability issue in the US and that's why Ford is suggesting it. Just my 2 cents.

im sure the frontal area has everything to do with wind resistance and drag. I just keep my speeds low and take my time. it's never felt like it was extremely out of control.

as I don't have any intentions of getting this thing over 60MPH, I think we'll be just fine!

thanks!

 

[Beamcrazy]

Sweet setup dude. I'm impressed. I didn't get the 4K tow package so my little pop-up is the most I can really tow without exceeding the limit. What kind of fuel economy you get towing it? I was getting a consistent 23MPG towing my pop-up but that was on back roads as well so I expect it would be a little better on the highway. If you find some good tow mirrors share with the class. I'm also looking and all of the universal ones look like ass.

I get between 12-15 depending on ambient temps and the route.

 

[Dave O]

No, what you are towing is a trailer (travel trailer). A camper slides into the bed of a pickup truck. A trailer is towed either from your bumper area hitch or a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of the truck. If you were to tell someone here out in the west that you are towing a camper, you'd get really strange looks.

lol that’s why I tow my Maverick behind my Motorhome and I call it a “Toad”

 

[Maverick123]

Nice setup! Similar specs to mine, can't wait to try it out!

Do you use a weight distribution hitch and / or a sway control accessory?

 

[Nw_adventure]

Looks like you might (I am on my set up) pushing the limits of frontage that Ford suggests you don't go over. Ford's listed limit is 40 Sq. Ft. My frontage is 43 Sq. Ft. on my snowmobile trailer, though it is tapered much more so than the front of your trailer. My tow weight is a little less than yours, guessing around 3200. The frontage is going to be more of an issue than the weight since you are under the 4000 limit. I have towed my trailer full and empty with a difference in mileage around 1 mpg. So, it seems that frontage in my case is more of an issue than the weight.

Also have some legit frontal load on this Rove lite we have- The way I read that spec is that you minus the tailgate area and the available ground clearance of the trailer and then add what's left up - Height X Width - Nice to have the ground clearance and headroom inside the trailer but when the wind blows its something that has be taken into account when towing, would like to keep the shiny side up

 

[SkeeterB]

2024 XL 2.0 w/ 4k

Bought the truck in March of 24, has 40k miles now.
In January I purchased a camper, and anytime I share pictures, everyone wants to know, so I'll just leave this here.

2015 KZ Spree Escape E19BH
weighs ~2750 dry 300# TW

ive got a 40 pound propane tank on the nose and gear under the bed, my tongue weight is likely over 400

my total weight is just a guess, but probably around 3600 after everything.
I haul it around with wood in the bed too, only ever had issues with high winds, but you just have that.

still trying to find a lead on some good tow mirrors, the ones available suck, ive asked mabett to bring the idea to their development team, we'll see what happens there.

Might want to put a camera on the back of the camper.

 

[unclerunkle]

I have a similar camper. These are good tow mirrors, well worth the price coming from Camco ones that vibrate so much you can't see what's behind you:

Milenco Aero 4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFVCYJ4

 

[Beamcrazy]

Nice setup! Similar specs to mine, can't wait to try it out!

Do you use a weight distribution hitch and / or a sway control accessory?

I was going to, but I've done a few hundred miles without and I think for now I'm going to just keep doing what I'm doing, just on the ball.

 

[Beamcrazy]

Might want to put a camera on the back of the camper.

I have one, just no magnetic material to mount it to other than the bumper, and that view is too low for my liking, going to rig up something that stands up off of the bumper to put it on. I do like a good old fashioned mirror.

 

[Maverick123]

I have one, just no magnetic material to mount it to other than the bumper, and that view is too low for my liking, going to rig up something that stands up off of the bumper to put it on. I do like a good old fashioned mirror.

You can buy magnetic steel plates that stick to the fiberglass anywhere you want

 

[ScubaSteveCanada]

I just grabbed something quickly on my phone. Didn't catch that error. That one should be labeled a pop-up tent trailer. The rest are correct. The term trailer and camper are certainly not interchangeable. The Mississippi is in the eastern part of the country. You have to be past the Rocky Mountains to be out west. Calling a trailer a camper out here would leave everyone confused as to what you are talking about. Must be an east coast thing.

What about calling it a caravan? In Europe a trailer is used for hauling garbage, not for people to camp in. It all depends on the different regions, what you call it. I always refer to a "truck camper" as a truck camper. A "camper" is someone who goes camping. N'est-ce pas?

 

[A. Benjamin]

Good read. Thank you. Hope you find suitable mirrors. We pull a 2023 (purchased new) SCAMP 13' travel trailer with our 2022 no-options Maverick XL Hybrid. And yes, the SCAMP weighs under 2000 lbs. We carry 2 passengers and ~250 lbs. of gear in the Maverick. We went from our house in San Diego County to Joshua Tree National Park (San Bernardino County) early this year. Just past Indio, CA we saw 6 semi rigs that had blown over, and not far after that we saw an exit ramp where a lot of semis had pulled off and parked to wait out the wind. Our "rig" had zero issues with the wind. Indeed, I was surprised by the firm stability of the Maverick and the SCAMP under such brutal conditions.

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