Any Caravan (European style) trailers in US?

icanon wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
No - in the US, people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce, and thus there is no incentive for them to make things better. I Googled Jay Smart travel trailer and saw lots of hits.

Don't go gaga on your TT's towing capacity. What's more important is what it can carry - payload.

avoidcrowds wrote:
"people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce"

What a ridiculous statement! People have different wants and needs, so there are many different models with different features. What works great for me may not work at all for you. Just because you don't like something does not mean it is not perfect for someone else.

It's nice to have many choices. That's why RV manufactures come up with different models - people buy what they like, and if they aren't buying some model, it gets discontinued.

.

The problem is not weights and floor layouts it's that continued interiors of dull dark outdated 70‘s look! If only manufacturers can give us some other choices on interiors. So you say "people buy what they like" is not neccessary true they have no choice either you buy or don't go camping, me I rather go camping.

This last entry is the perfect response to my question more than weight concerns. I do like the modern, low-slung exteriors and light weights, but it is the interior styles I like in the Caravans and Jay Smart.

I've found quite a few 24' trailers I like, but most have a dinette, or a couch that sits upright and doesn't have arms (doesn't look like a good napping couch). The Jay Smart has a conversation pit (facing couches) where 4+ people could sit, hang out, and carry on a conversation. Or, Mrs WhO and I can sit comfortably reading or watching a movie.

Look at /Google the R POD made in Oregon. This is very nearly what you are looking for it is based on a Euro design and is well thought out and put together. I see quite a lot of them on the road being pulled by just about any kind of vehicle including jeeps and Toyota Highlanders.

There are many lightweight trailers being sold and PULLED by people using everything from Smaller cars to Toyota Forerunners. Don't be fooled by the "you gotta have a one ton dually" brigade.

Have fun.

White Water Retro, Scamp and Casita are some other mfgs of light weight TT's that you can tow easily.

2012Coleman wrote:
No - in the US, people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce, and thus there is no incentive for them to make things better. I Googled Jay Smart travel trailer and saw lots of hits.

Don't go gaga on your TT's towing capacity. What's more important is what it can carry - payload.

avoidcrowds wrote:
"people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce"

What a ridiculous statement! People have different wants and needs, so there are many different models with different features. What works great for me may not work at all for you. Just because you don't like something does not mean it is not perfect for someone else.

It's nice to have many choices. That's why RV manufactures come up with different models - people buy what they like, and if they aren't buying some model, it gets discontinued.

.

The problem is not weights and floor layouts it's that continued interiors of dull dark outdated 70‘s look! If only manufacturers can give us some other choices on interiors. So you say "people buy what they like" is not neccessary true they have no choice either you buy or don't go camping, me I rather go camping.

gbopp wrote:
Clicky

This is the Australian Jayco Silverline, not a Lightweight model, but looks a lot like the New US Jayco

New US JaySmart

New JaySmart looks more like this Baily Unicorn S2

"people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce"

What a ridiculous statement! People have different wants and needs, so there are many different models with different features. What works great for me may not work at all for you. Just because you don't like something does not mean it is not perfect for someone else.

It's nice to have many choices. That's why RV manufactures come up with different models - people buy what they like, and if they aren't buying some model, it gets discontinued.

This forum is a good example of how absurd your comment is. People ask all kinds of questions, looking for what suits their needs. Few walk into an RV dealer and say "hook something to my car/truck, and I will buy it".

To the OP's question, there are lots of trailers out there to choose from. If you target a dry weight of 3,500 lbs or less, that gives you a loaded weight of between 4,500 lbs and (on the very high end) 5,000 lbs, if the trailer is rated for that high. Many people tow with a Grand Cherokee. Just have to properly equip, and know the towing specs for both your Jeep, and the trailer. Don't overload the Jeep, or the trailer, and use a weight-distributing hitch.

For the last few years manufacturers have been making small lightweight trailers that can be towed behind smaller vehicles. We have a KZ 16RBT that is 2700# loaded. We tow it with a Toyota Tacoma with a 6500# capacity...no worries.

We could have gone with the 19RBT as well...about the same weight.

Jayco Jayfeather is a great looking smallish trailer as well, and has dual axles.

No - in the US, people blindly buy what the manufacturers produce, and thus there is no incentive for them to make things better. I Googled Jay Smart travel trailer and saw lots of hits.

Don't go gaga on your TT's towing capacity. What's more important is what it can carry - payload.