regular vs light weight

The HT used to stand for Half-Ton series. That said I looked at Jayco and the HT series largest model has two slides is 33'5" and weights 7900. The Eagle Touring Edition's largest model is 33'11" and weights 9100 but it has three slides. The difference maybe in the additional half foot and third slide. We have a Cougar X-lite model and we have the same structure as the regular Cougar. I don't believe each model line is different because of structure as much as its different due to the floor plans available.

Be sure to check the actual weights. I think the manufacturers call then `lite' models vs `light' models sort of like `less filling'.

I have owned both a Durango 1500 series and Cougar 327RES. Both worked great for us. Here are some things we noticed with the lite unit.
- Walls are thinner... which means less insulation
- The framing was based on the box configuration vs. having evenly spaced wall studs. I.E: framing around the perimeter of the box, around the door but then large gaps between studs
- limited amount of pull outs and the pull outs were not as deep
- some models have less hanging cupboard space as the walls have less framing
- oven was small... although the stove surface had three burner.. the oven interior height was shallow and would not fit standard cooking pots restricting its use.
- and my PET PEAVE the electric awning was anchored in the wall skin only and not in a stud.... first year we were caught in a freek storm which tor the awning arm away from the wall... this compromised the awning reducing it to a fair weather awning going forward.

My 2c worth... good luck.
GPG

Going on season five with our "lite" with no issues, and it has an enclosed belly.

I know my brand isn't made anymore but there was never anything light about them. They had stacked steel frames that were second to none and the coachwork stays VERY solid due to that. The truly light weight RVs we've had were built with MUCH lighter and thinner materials and the coachwork wouldn't stay together under more than the average use we were giving them. It took me 3 RVs before I stopped worrying about weight and actually looking for the heavier one. We've saved a LOT of money as a result. Craig

Artum Snowbird wrote:
A lot depends on what you need for a trailer. If you need a summer camper, and have a good way of keeping it safe and dry in the winter, a light weight is OK, but if you want to travel all seasons where it's not -20 and you like to bounce it about and nothing happens to the insides, then a heavier weight and tougher trailer will be needed.

Many of your questions can be answered by just looking at the underneath of your intended rig. If you see a unit that just has panels underneath, and you are not looking at tanks and drain pipes visible, that is a tougher rig. If you look and see tanks, and flooring up to the height of your living area, well, you are looking at light.

Dunno about that. The Jayco HTs have enclosed underbellies... The 27.5RLTS is on my short list, so I've been over that one a couple times.

Lyle

A lot depends on what you need for a trailer. If you need a summer camper, and have a good way of keeping it safe and dry in the winter, a light weight is OK, but if you want to travel all seasons where it's not -20 and you like to bounce it about and nothing happens to the insides, then a heavier weight and tougher trailer will be needed.

Many of your questions can be answered by just looking at the underneath of your intended rig. If you see a unit that just has panels underneath, and you are not looking at tanks and drain pipes visible, that is a tougher rig. If you look and see tanks, and flooring up to the height of your living area, well, you are looking at light.

The only way to make them 'light weight' is by cutting weight. And the weight is cut in the structure of the units. Lighter structure = weaker structure unless expensive materials are used to reduce weight. Aluminum beams instead of steel beams. But that would drive up price and these aren't more expensive. Conclusion weaker structure = reduced lifespan and more prone to damage. YMMV