Breakthrough CampLite 5th Wheel Trailer - 1/2 Ton Towable!

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Homer wrote:
It seems to me that F-150 is a misnomer for a towable truck. F-150's come in a myriad of specs, rear end ratio's even motors.
The o/p that mentioned the little cabinet being free and portable has a great point. This could become a missile "quick", in a panic stop. I think their basic premise is good, but they are over selling what it takes to tow it. The price of the unit over a conventional, is greater than the cost of a HD tow vehicle IMHO.
The dinette cushions were minimal at best. I think a table and chairs would be a better option. I took note they did not demonstrate what it is like with the slide outs retracted. I have seen some conventionals that I would not own due to severe restrictions inside, when they are retracted.

Very good points; not all 1/2 tons are alike. There are some with 1300 lbs of payload, and some with 2,000 lbs. The person in the video says "this can be towed with any 1/2 ton!". Really? So my friend's 2003 F150 with the 4 liter V8 is the same as my Tundra with the 5.7 V8? And my Tundra is the same as the new F150 Ecoboost with the max tow package which provides much greater payload? Not all 1/2 tons are created equal. The trailer has some merit, but I'm not a big fan of 5ers on a 1/2 ton.

I like that they are building light weight and quality units. I just do not care for their floor plans. I noticed in the video, the door in the cabinet would only open half way because it was hitting the bed. It just felt cramped to me watching the video and looking at the images.

At best, rates a... "Gee Whiz".

BTW - enjoyed the post in re the "well informed" salesperson! (SOP)..:W

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Homer wrote:
I took note they did not demonstrate what it is like with the slide outs retracted. I have seen some conventionals that I would not own due to severe restrictions inside, when they are retracted.

looking at the floor plan it would be extremely tight getting to the kitchen area with the slide in.
bumpy

It seems to me that F-150 is a misnomer for a towable truck. F-150's come in a myriad of specs, rear end ratio's even motors.
The o/p that mentioned the little cabinet being free and portable has a great point. This could become a missile "quick", in a panic stop. I think their basic premise is good, but they are over selling what it takes to tow it. The price of the unit over a conventional, is greater than the cost of a HD tow vehicle IMHO.
The dinette cushions were minimal at best. I think a table and chairs would be a better option. I took note they did not demonstrate what it is like with the slide outs retracted. I have seen some conventionals that I would not own due to severe restrictions inside, when they are retracted.

watched it again, yep, empty space over the kitchen cabinets. how do you anchor down that extra storage thingy on wheels? and wrestling with those dinette cushions would be a full time job.
bumpy

Dry weight of 6490 does not inlcude AC, microwave, awning, battery(s) or propane. By the time time you add the above and load ready to camp you will easily be over the payload of the typical "half ton" TV.

camp-n-family wrote:
...At the minimal 20% the pin...

My "1/2 ton towable" DRY ratio is 15%. 8200lb dry, 1200lb pin.

It changes once I start loading it. Of course most of the big storage is in the basement, up front. The bedroom closet and under bed storage are up front as well, clothes are heavy. Fortunately most of the remaining storage is above or behind the axles so this helps.
I have to be careful what goes where to keep the pin weight down.

I haven't been to the scales so I have no idea what my final weight is. It tows well, stable, truck doesn't overly sag or struggle and stops well so I'm happy.

The only problem I have encountered is towing with full waste tanks. They are forward of the axles (fresh is over the rear axle). That throws we WAY over payload to the point to where it concerns me.

The concept is great, the execution isn't. The kitchen drawers are behind a door. Anyone that cooks knows how often you're getting utensils out to cook. PITA to have to open a drop down drawer to then slide out plastic tray with utensils in it. Cheap.
The two burner stove would be a killer for us. Also the propane tanks in the front under the over hang would be a back breaker. Trying to bend over while removing them and putting them back while full would be irritating.
The openings for the front basement storage are small and without slam latches is cheaply done.
Like I said the concept of no wood and aluminum framing is great, but the overall execution makes it undesirable IMO.

Not sure how it's geared towards a family like the rep said. Yes it has a booth dinette but only 3 places to sit unless someone sits at the booth. And those cushions look really uncomfortable.

No free standing dinette option either. Can't have that since it's wood.
Plus it's not even 8' wide.
Camp Lite seems more into their build process than design.