Travel trailer experiences?

[NeoPhoenix83]

You're right, range isn't that great due to the small tank but between bathroom stops, snack stops or coffee stops, somebody's always happy to stop

For sure. At 65 mph, 200 miles is a little over 3 hours, and essentially worst case scenerio here. I'm usually squirming by hour 4 of a road trip without a bathroom break, so the truck's needs aren't terribly different from my own, lol!

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[Scupking]

Just got a jayco jay flight slx 170bh a few months back. It is 3000lbs empty 3750 loaded. Tongue weight is 300lbs. Only towing I did was from the dealership to my home but it had no issue on the backroads with speeds up to 55mph. The nice thing about the Maverick is it has a long wheelbase. It's basically the same as full size SUVs.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

Just got a jayco jay flight slx 170bh a few months back. It is 3000lbs empty 3750 loaded. Tongue weight is 300lbs. Only towing I did was from the dealership to my home but it had no issue on the backroads with speeds up to 55mph. The nice thing about the Maverick is it has a long wheelbase. It's basically the same as full size SUVs.

That is about the heaviest thing I would consider. I'm curious as to how you'll feel about it at highway speeds and conditions.

 

[Escapologist]

Just looked at those- the 15' is probably a little small for us, but the 17' version isn't much heavier and could very well be in play.

You get less drag with a bit more length for the same shape, as illustrated by the cylinder example in the first figure on that wikipedia page. So as long as you can while staying in weight limits is in general less aero drag, for similar shapes.

However, on the minus side, the longer it is, the more it can wag the dog in crosswinds and buffeting from semis.

It's a bit of a paradox in our weight ranges though, that the shortest full standing height trailers at around 14ft, don't generally have the volume to waste on much frontal rounding or angling, and don't gain much from length, being closer to a cube, thus might have more aero drag than the longest trailer you can find (IIRC there was a 25ft 1980s Prowler that came in at 3600ish) ... so some of those short ones, especially the heavy short ones that are well over 3000lb might be worst of both worlds.

 

[Packer Bill]

I recommend Scamp trailers. Our 16 foot deluxe fully loaded weighs only 2900 pounds. With its "egg shape" design, I usually get 18 mpg driving 60 mph with my Maverick.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

You get less drag with a bit more length for the same shape, as illustrated by the cylinder example in the first figure on that wikipedia page. So as long as you can while staying in weight limits is in general less aero drag, for similar shapes.

However, on the minus side, the longer it is, the more it can wag the dog in crosswinds and buffeting from semis.

It's a bit of a paradox in our weight ranges though, that the shortest full standing height trailers at around 14ft, don't generally have the volume to waste on much frontal rounding or angling, and don't gain much from length, being closer to a cube, thus might have more aero drag than the longest trailer you can find (IIRC there was a 25ft 1980s Prowler that came in at 3600ish) ... so some of those short ones, especially the heavy short ones that are well over 3000lb might be worst of both worlds.

I know! It's why I'm trying to research this early. I likely need to target something pretty specific, then watch for great sales or some sort of dip where it becomes available.

For instance- a 16 foot Scamp is probably the ideal RV for us. Lightweight, plenty of room and a pretty good aerodynamic profile. But they are rather hard to find used, and new the price isn't far off what most of us paid for the Maverick.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

I recommend Scamp trailers. Our 16 foot deluxe fully loaded weighs only 2900 pounds. With its "egg shape" design, I usually get 18 mpg driving 60 mph with my Maverick.

Haha, I just mentioned that in my prior post. I'd absolutely love a 16 foot Scamp. But those units are really, really expensive and hard to find used as well. I'm probably looking for a Scamp alternative that's a bit more common (and thus cheaper).

 

[Fonz]

You're right, range isn't that great due to the small tank but between bathroom stops, snack stops or coffee stops, somebody's always happy to stop

As I recall the main difference between the 15 foot and 17 foot bush whackers is that the larger one has bunkbeds. I don’t know where you live but there are a number of 17 foot Bushwacker at good prices on Facebook in New England.

 

[Manollo3]

Have been looking for a travel trailer for a while now as well.
The Casitas are great quality trailers but when I walked into one of them there were just too small inside for my wife, myself and two big dogs. Also bumped my head while existing as the door entry is very short/small.
I am not concerned about the front area too much. In my opinion this is just a concern if you are going down the highway with 75+ mph.
As I like to take my motorcycle with me one of the trailers I am looking at is the Sunlite 14THX. About 2560 lbs empty (no accessories) with a 1400 load capacity. Tiny bathroom with a shower and a small kitchen. The awning and patio are an option on the ramp.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

Have been looking for a travel trailer for a while now as well.
The Casitas are great quality trailers but when I walked into one of them there were just too small inside for my wife, myself and two big dogs. Also bumped my head while existing as the door entry is very short/small.
I am not concerned about the front area too much. In my opinion this is just a concern if you are going down the highway with 75+ mph.
As I like to take my motorcycle with me one of the trailers I am looking at is the Sunlite 14THX. About 2560 lbs empty (no accessories) with a 1400 load capacity. Tiny bathroom with a shower and a small kitchen. The awning and patio are an option on the ramp.

Nice looking setup! However, it has the same bed type as my pop up trailer, which is what I'm trying to get away from. I broke two vertebrae when I was 13, and in my 40's now, time isn't kind to the old injuries. I'm looking for something that will be able to accommodate a full thickness bed style mattress. My days of sleeping on the ground or on 2 inch mattresses (even with the full compliment of pads/cushions/etc on top) are going to be coming to an end in the coming years.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

As I recall the main difference between the 15 foot and 17 foot bush whackers is that the larger one has bunkbeds. I don’t know where you live but there are a number of 17 foot Bushwacker at good prices on Facebook in New England.

That's firmly in consideration. I'm not shopping quite yet, but the prices on gently used ones seem very reasonable. I'd prefer something other than the "bunk" on the, but won't rule it out.

I'll be honest, the top of my list is the "retro" or "vintage" trailers as far as amenities/looks, but I'm unsure if the size of some of them are a very good choice. The 17 and 19 ft Gulf Stream Vintage Cruisers, or the same size Riverside Retro trailers are really neat, and not terribly expensive used. But they do lean heavy, and a bit larger profile than some of the teardrop shapes we've been talking about.

 

[Manollo3]

Nice looking setup! However, it has the same bed type as my pop up trailer, which is what I'm trying to get away from. I broke two vertebrae when I was 13, and in my 40's now, time isn't kind to the old injuries. I'm looking for something that will be able to accommodate a full thickness bed style mattress. My days of sleeping on the ground or on 2 inch mattresses (even with the full compliment of pads/cushions/etc on top) are going to be coming to an end in the coming years.

If you look on the right-hand site there is a full-size mattress stowed in the murphy bed. Most likey you will need to change it as all RV mattresses are crap. but it is the thickness of a standard mattress. But yes, you are correct - the mattress in the tent areas is a thin one. But I am sure that could be changed to a thicker one as well.

 

[Nw_adventure]

Liking our Travel/Lite - Rove 14BH-

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

If you look on the right-hand site there is a full-size mattress stowed in the murphy bed. Most likey you will need to change it as all RV mattresses are crap. but it is the thickness of a standard mattress. But yes, you are correct - the mattress in the tent areas is a thin one. But I am sure that could be changed to a thicker one as well.

Ahh, I see what you mean. Thanks for the clarification there!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

If you are willing to drive 55 (MPH) you can tow almost anything.

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