Finding An RV Model

tatest wrote:
That is a fairly common feature set for 19-22 feet, so long as you are not looking at entry level and/or ultralight where they might compromise on furnishings in order to keep down cost or weight. What will be harder to find will be carrying capacity. Ultralights are trying to limit the GVWR, so they will be built on lightweight frames and have a small margin between empty and maximum weight. Entry level TTs tend to skimp on the cost of appliances and use lightweight frames to keep costs down.

I have friends with the entry-level lightweight Amerilite 21MB, and while it is really nice for a cheap lightweight TT of conventional construction, it doesn't have much carrying capacity and Gulfstream no longer makes it.

I suggest Northwood's Nash 17K which is 22 feet long (despite model designation 17) and puts 4400 pounds of trailer on a 7000 chassis, right in the range of what your truck can be expected to handle. This one is generator-ready for boondocking, but you would likely be installing a LPG genset, so run-time is related to tank capacity. 50 gallons fresh water is really generous for this size TT.

Looking more at this, thinking about it for my own shopping list, should I make the transition from motorhome to TT.

That is a nice trailer. It has a lot of options that could be added for boondocking--generator, solar.

mbopp wrote:
Generally, small TT's have small water tanks. And finding one with a tub vs shower may be tough. DW & I saw a Grand Design 2600RB that we like. No tub though.

Very nice :) ... but at 26'9" it's hardly "small". ;)

Generally, small TT's have small water tanks. And finding one with a tub vs shower may be tough.
DW & I saw a Grand Design 2600RB that we like. No tub though.

https://www.granddesignrv.com/imagine2150-floor.php

BlunderLust wrote:
Soundguy. Thanks for your response. Your point on the 5th wheel height is definitely pushing more to travel trailers.

Another thought ... considering your anticipated use you might want to consider choosing a trailer without a slide as that will save weight and inherently increase CCC. The difficulty you'll have though is finding one as these days many more trailers than not seem to have a slide.

That is a fairly common feature set for 19-22 feet, so long as you are not looking at entry level and/or ultralight where they might compromise on furnishings in order to keep down cost or weight. What will be harder to find will be carrying capacity. Ultralights are trying to limit the GVWR, so they will be built on lightweight frames and have a small margin between empty and maximum weight. Entry level TTs tend to skimp on the cost of appliances and use lightweight frames to keep costs down.

I have friends with the entry-level lightweight Amerilite 21MB, and while it is really nice for a cheap lightweight TT of conventional construction, it doesn't have much carrying capacity and Gulfstream no longer makes it.

I suggest Northwood's Nash 17K which is 22 feet long (despite model designation 17) and puts 4400 pounds of trailer on a 7000 chassis, right in the range of what your truck can be expected to handle. This one is generator-ready for boondocking, but you would likely be installing a LPG genset, so run-time is related to tank capacity. 50 gallons fresh water is really generous for this size TT.

Looking more at this, thinking about it for my own shopping list, should I make the transition from motorhome to TT.

Coolmom42 thanks for the response. I'll check out the Amerilite 21MB.

I'd like the 2000+ pound CCC to support extended dispersed camping and maybe full time camping. With no power and water hookups I'll be adding several hundred pounds of batteries and a few hundred pounds for a generator and fuel. I'll eventually add about 400 watts of solar but I think that is pretty light. If possible I'd like to mount auxiliary water tanks. I also have about a 100 pounds of kayak/bike plus mounting hardware to mount to the trailer.

Soundguy. Thanks for your response. Your point on the 5th wheel height is definitely pushing more to travel trailers.

Look in the 21-22 foot range. The Gulfstream Amerilite 21MB has all those features. I don't know about the cargo capacity, but it's well over 1000 lb for sure.

Why do you think you need that much carrying capacity? There isn't a huge amount of storage in a small trailer. You will have bedding, clothes, bathroom supplies, food prep items, and food. There is limited storage for all of these items in a small trailer. The only big storage is under the bed. Our Amerilite had the FW tank under the bed, which was nice in cold weather, but chewed up the storage.

Pretty well every travel trailer manufacturer offers shorter models with most of what you want but where you'll likely be disappointed is with cargo carrying capacity which will usually be much less than you're asking for. My own Coachmen Freedom Express is a bit out of the norm as it's one of few models in the sub 20' category that offers well over a ton of CCC whereas most competitors models are half that. It's tank sizes however are 30 gals, typical in this size trailer, 'though I do know that Lance offers 45 gal tanks ... but 60 gal I doubt you'll find in many shorter travel trailers.

Regarding trailer size and campsite access it's not just length that can be a restricting factor but also the height of a 5th wheel and the reason some for whom access is a concern will opt for a travel trailer rather than a 5th. My own Freedom Express is just 22' 6" coupler to bumper and I can place it on pretty well any campsite and because it's not anywhere near as high as even the smallest 5th low hanging tree branches just haven't been an issue.