I used to backpack and tent camp when younger. the more rustic the better. now im married and would like to get back into but will need some comfort to keep her happy. knowing her needs i want to get a small travel trailer. not interested in hybrids. slides are ok though.I will be pulling it with a 2007 Jeep grand cherokee with the 5.7l hemi and factory tow package. seems high but specs say it can tow up to 7400lbs. i would like to be well below that. I also would not like to exceed 24' in length. being my first i want to be able to manage it .I can figure out specifics and floor plans. just the two of us.so any advice on brands?Do's and donts for a novicedealer tricks to avoidadvice on equipment (like must have least 8k btu heater)whats typical on financing, rate, length of time?what do you wish you had known your first time out?this will mostly be weekend camping in IL, WI, MI.so far im looking at models likeskyline eco campevergreen ascendshadow cruiserrockwood ultra liteThanks

I'd look at a Lance 1575 or 1685 or an Evergreen iGo Lite/Ascend models are both popular and very well made/constructed.WoodGlue

I think Dutchmen makes some nice little ones and the RV place near us in MI also has the Passport ultralight line. I personally have an 18' Forest River Cherokee Light that my wife, dog and I share and it is nice but we are looking at going bigger within the next year. I know if you can find a length you like on the Passport brand the weight will fit what you are looking for really well from what I have seen < 4000 Lbs.

I recommend that you buy used for your first one. Things that you thought you really liked or could things that you could do without can change when you actually start using them. Buying used you won't have a big wad of cash in it and they are easy to sell off or trade when you are ready to upgrade. A major thing I learned is the more gray water capacity the better. It doesn't take long to fill a 30 gal tank. I think you are right about the slide, even a small one will add a lot of useable interior room. One thing I hear from lots of husbands is I have to get a different model because there is not enough counter space for the cook. Happy wife, happy stomach, at least at my house!

The good news is there are many, many floorplans and brands to choose from.The bad news is.....there are many floorplans and brands to choose from ! It can be overwhelming. Honest truth is, when I was shopping, I literally used to carry a notepad with me and made notes on different brands and layouts, because more than once, I found myself back in and looking at one that I had already seen and ruled out for whatever reason.That said, I have been over the top happy with my funfinder 189FDS. Going into my third season with it, have towed it around 25,000 to 30,000 miles, spend 4 to 6 months each year in it, and still having a blast with the whole experience.Best piece of advice I can give is when shopping, take the time to sit for five minutes or more in a trailer, and imagine being cooped up in there for multiple days because of inclement weather. Will the layout work for you under those circumstances ? You will probably sit in some and say to yourself....oh my....I'm feeling closed in already. That would not be good ! Other layouts will seem roomy and give a good feeling.

stimpy774 wrote:I will be pulling it with a 2007 Jeep grand cherokee with the 5.7l hemi and factory tow package. seems high but specs say it can tow up to 7400lbs. i would like to be well below that. I also would not like to exceed 24' in length. being my first i want to be able to manage it .I can figure out specifics and floor plans. just the two of us.so any advice on brands?Do's and donts for a novicedealer tricks to avoidadvice on equipment (like must have least 8k btu heater)whats typical on financing, rate, length of time?what do you wish you had known your first time out?You need to look at more than just tow capacity number. You will run out of payload, before you get close to that 7400 lbs.Tow capacity number is what the vehicle is rated to pull behind it. Keywords here are "pull behind". Payload (also called Cargo Carrying Capacity) is what the vehicle is rated to carry. This includes everything and everybody in or on the vehicle. This number should be on the sticker on your drivers door post. With a travel trailer, the vehicle has to carry ten to fifteen percent of the trailer weight. A 7400 lb trailer would have tongue weight between 740 lbs and 1110 lbs. On the high end, your payload would be gone before you get any people in the vehicle.Average weight of a Weight Distribution hitch, plus sway control, is about 100 lbs. That comes out of your payload.Average camping load (bedding, dishes, pots and pans, water, groceries, BBQ, tools, camp chairs, etc) is 800 to 1000 lbs.When showing their trailers, dealers will talk unloaded weights. They may sell you something that is within your capacity, until you load it for camping. Then you are over weight on payload, tow capacity, or both. No body tow an empty trailer.General rule of thumb: Calculate 80% of your tow capacity (yours would be 5920 lbs), then look at trailers with gross weights that are under your 80% figure. This helps to not exceed payload. Financing rates and terms vary from one bank to another. What I wish I had known, first time out: The 80% rule and payload info. I had 9500 lb tow capacity and got talked into an 8000 lb trailer. That 8000 lb trailer had more tongue weight than what my tow vehicle was rated for. Towing on windy days was very unpleasant.

Advice for a newbie | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

bakerkids
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
Hello, fellow Illinoisian and fellow Jeep owner. That's about all I have to say. lol

Well, except that I echo favorable remarks regarding Fun Finder and Casita. Check the bed size, too. Our small teardrop has a larger bed than my mom's motorhome and camper, and much more comfortable. Happy shopping...that's the fun part :)
Speedogomer
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
One brand that I'm really finding more and more interesting is the Trailmanor models.... They are completely unique, and very light weight for the size.

A small model will weigh around 2500lbs, and open up to the size of a 27ft trailer, while being 20ft in length when towing.

Definitely check them out. They're not for everyone, but from now on anyone looking for small light TTs, that have room inside... I'll at least suggest Trailmanor to them.
chezmoose
Explorer
Mar 26, 2014
The DH and I just went through all this when we were looking for something lightweight and easy to tow.

We visited a lot of dealers and some camper shows, collected brochures and did a lot of online research. We made a list of our likes, dislikes and must-haves.

A walk-around bed was a must-have, along with 3-burner stove and 2 propane tanks. The one camper we kept coming back to was the Eco Camp 19WQ (DH did not want a slide). The only thing that we didn’t care for was the 2-burner cooktop but the dealer said he change that out for a 3-burner or even an oven. We are closing the deal on Friday!

We steered clear of high-pressure and BS dealers and ended up going with a VERY small, low-key, Mom & Pop operation.

We went with a 12-year loan with the goal of paying it off in 5. We got 3.74% interest although our credit union did have even lower rates for shorter term loans.
Cotay
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Winged One wrote:
We had a Keystone Superlite 199ML that we really liked. It was a 2010 but they are still making them.

Nice rig! Love the T-bird....I remember my grandfather towing his Airstream with an Eldorado in the early 70's. Cars just aren't made like they used to be...which is both good and bad. :-) For two people that Keystone is a great little setup.
Winged_One
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
We had a Keystone Superlite 199ML that we really liked. It was a 2010 but they are still making them. Well within your weight range.

Look for good storage access. Some trailers have little and some no exterior storage. The 199ML had huge pass through storage. I could fit in the large gravity chairs flat along with much other stuff. You will take more than you think you will.

Don't let them upsell you into something that you can't tow well.
bradnailer
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
With your Jeep, I would try to stay around a dry weight of 4,000 to 5,000#. That will give you plenty of cushion for towing and give you plenty of trailer for your needs.

Outdoor kitchens are nice. I do all the cooking and do it all outside but I use a Weber grill or a Coleman 2 burner stove. They work just fine for my needs. But really it is up to you.

Consider whether you want a shower only or a tub with shower curtain. That sometimes makes a difference in the floor plan configuration. We have a nice sized shower with a solid door and love it.

Our Freedom Express has two slides, one for the dinette and one on the other side for the stove and pantry and we have a kitchen island where the sink is. Slides really open up the space but also add weight. You have to decide whether the additional weight is worth the additional space.

Good luck in your search.
Speedogomer
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
Ole Man Dan wrote:
Outdoor kitchens are nice, but probably not worth the money in the long run. A single burner Propane stove with 4" legs sits on a campground table for simple cooking. A 20# tank and you are set for most trips. I have that for quick meals.
I also have the CampChef Stove with a 2' griddle I like to take it for more serious cooking.
I like to cook...

I don't think and outside kitchen is for everyone, but for me it was on the must have list.

We take 2 big trips a year that we cook 2 meals (dinner and breakfast) every day for 25 people. Having outdoor cabinets, fridge, and water supply (sink) just comes in really handy. We still will set up extra grills (3-4 of them), and tables with waffle makers, toasters, 2-3 griddle tops, and other supplies. The outdoor kitchen on a unit just becomes a central hub for us to work around.
jmcgsd
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
Since you specifically mention a heater, how much of the season do you warn to camp? If you are considering the "shoulder" season in your area, you might want to consider a rig with heated tanks.

Not being an expert in TT's I don't know what's available in smaller size units with this feature. Of course if all your camping is in warm weather then this is not a concern.

I had that feature in my earlier TC's but don't now. Makes me far more careful when planning a trip to our mountains.
Ole_Man_Dan
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
Outdoor kitchens are nice, but probably not worth the money in the long run. A single burner Propane stove with 4" legs sits on a campground table for simple cooking. A 20# tank and you are set for most trips. I have that for quick meals.
I also have the CampChef Stove with a 2' griddle I like to take it for more serious cooking.
I like to cook...
Sunbird
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
My wife and I are very comfortable in our Casita 17. It is a sturdy little 2 person trailer. It has no slides and no slide problems when you are camped in the boondocks and it is time to go home.

We follow the KISS principle and it works. The longest trip we have made with the Casita has been from the Phoenix area to the FL Keys and back. We are planning to do it again.

In the trailer we are camping, when we want the amenities of home we stay home.