We're trying to shop for a lightweight travel trailer. We have an F150 with a 5000lb tow capacity (it doesn't have a factory tow package and the manual states "without a factory tow package 5000, 500 tongue weight.) In looking at various forums and manufacturer's websites, there are many trailers that meet our weight requirement. We are hoping for an oven (we've owned two truck campers in the past and both had ovens and we used them A LOT) So I stopped by the local Camping World, and the salesman basically looked like he was going to cry and told me he didn't have anything on his lot and told me I need a new truck. Do RV dealers only stock big trailers and only sell the units they have on their lot the day you visit ? On the one hand all the mfgrs' say "buy from the local dealer", but the only way we could get what we want is travel out of state..... am I missing something here? I've purchased 2 new boats in the past, they either ordered it, or it was in a "pool" of inventory that the dealer's different locations could all sell from...

Not a lot of profit in small trailers. Find the right dealer and they will order what you want. This may not be the right time of year. You will find them much hungrier in the fall.

Visit Apache Camping Center in Everett. They carry a large inventory of trailers ranging from teardrops to fifth-wheels. Kevin, the salesperson I have met with, is a straight shooter and can give you some good options of trailers that will work within the capacity of your F-150.

fla-gypsy wrote:Not a lot of profit in small trailers. Find the right dealer and they will order what you want. This may not be the right time of year. You will find them much hungrier in the fall.Great advice. We bought ours in October they stored until April. I got a great deal plus this would give you time to research.

Keep looking. There out there. I think a lot of manufacturers are packing in as many features as possible even on small / light units. My buddy just got a Micro Lite that has more gadgets in an under 24 footer than we got on our "big" TT. We just got more "real estate" - bigger counters, more cabinets and living space and a bedroom separated by a wall / door.

fla-gypsy wrote:Not a lot of profit in small trailers. Find the right dealer and they will order what you want. This may not be the right time of year. You will find them much hungrier in the fall.Our time line is actually October so sounds like we're on the right track, our intent is to hit the Tacoma Dome RV show in early October, we actually did contact Apache in Everett, they're a dealer for our first choice Chalet Takena 1860BH, but the factory roof caved in so they've stopped production of them until "possibly september" to concentrate on Truck campers and the A frame folding lines..... so we've been trying to check out some alternatives.

How to buy a travel trailer ? | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

bigcitypopo
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
Frig it... Pull a 5er!!!

Lance makes some nice trailers....
Wireman134
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Just bought a 2015 Sonic 220VBH 4200UVW 5200GVW Looks like the Winnie.

http://www.venture-rv.com/floor_plans/sonic
xteacher
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Have you looked at these? Livin Lite Camplite TT . They're pricey, but if you're looking to keep one for awhile, worth the money, IMO. They come in several floor plans within weights allowed by your truck. They can be ordered with a convection microwave oven.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
It's the time of year they change to next years mfg line so there are fewer available. don't rush, look for repo'd ones.
Tequila
Explorer
Jun 29, 2014
Maybe the smallest minnie winnie. You would still have to be careful what you caarried in it. http://winnebagotowables.com/minnie
rbpru
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2014
I pulled a 5000 lb. TT with my 2002 F-150 with towing package. What I had not considered was the 200 hp engine.

The best I could do on the flat was 62 mph. on a hill maybe 50 mph. the worst part was it always wanted to shift to a lower gear, so I had to match speed to RPM. Slow going but an otherwise fun ten days.

I ended up with a 350 hp EcoBoost once we decide to get serious about a TT. Now I have to watch to Max Cargo limit.
APT
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014
The 4.6L/6-spd tow rating is in the 9k range with the towing package. That trans cooler makes a huge difference.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2014
Thanks for the info... That does seem a bit low for the 4.6.. That sounds more like the 3.7 V6, but anyway.... ;)

Good job on getting your rig up to specs. Sounds like you know what you are doing and you know your truck, so I'd think as long as you keep your weights within the door jamb stickers, you should do fine.

What's the yellow payload sticker say for your truck? (should have asked that before.. )

Pretty much if you are within the sticker weights, you will be fine.

Finding the right TT is totally up to you however.. :)

I'm towing a 22', #5000 GVWR TT and it's nothing for my 13 F150. I also towed this same trailer with my 97 F150 that had a 5.4 V8 in it and it towed fine with that too, but a totally different horse compared to the 13.

There is that perfect trailer out there for you.. You just gotta find it.:)

Good luck,

Mitch
seaeagle2
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
MitchF150 wrote:
What engine is in it? It looks like it's between a 2009-2014 model year.

Does it have a frame mounted trailer hitch?

Do you have the round 7 pin electric connector?

Did you get those 'tow rating' figures from the rear bumper? That's what it says on mine too..

Yes, it does seem that the 'popular' trailers are all over 26' long and have multiple slides and outdoor kitchens and bunks all over the place! :)

There are smaller ones out there however.. You just have to steer the sales guy to that part of the lot! When I bought my 22' Prowler, the sales gal said, "we don't have any that small".. I said, "well, I saw from the road over there that you have about half a dozen of them".. We walked over and it was exactly the size and layout we wanted.. This was at Polsbo RV in Kent. (off of I-5).

Good luck!

Mitch

its a 2010 with 4.6 3V and 6 speed with tow/haul. It has a factory 4 pin plug, but the 7 wire harness runs to the spare tire so I got the oem wiring harness and 4/7 plug, and an aftermarket frame mounted receiver. Its got the 4 wire brake controller harness under the dash, but since it doesn't have a factory tow package the oem integrated brake controller won't work. My last tv was a 1992 GMC K1500 with a 5.7 and the 4 speed auto. This Ford pulled my boat way better than my GMC....but the manual clearly states, without a tow package max is 5000, 500. There's a Ford of Europe website, ( I kid you not) where you can enter your vin and it spits out a 2 or 3 page list of exactly how your truck is is equipped, and it confirmed no tow package.
Drew_K
Explorer
Jun 27, 2014
About the oven, I wouldn't obsess about having one. Just get a large toaster oven, which should cover just about anything you bake except for a turkey. Plus, you can run it off electricity rather than use up your propane, and, in hot weather, you can bake outside rather than heating up the inside of the RV. RV's typically have enough trouble trying to cool as it is - no need to run a big heat box inside as well.

If you plan on boondocking a lot, then maybe you want the built in oven.