Hello, We are a family of 3 (myself, my wife and a 1.5 yo daughter) are looking for a used ( 2-5 yo) lightweight trailer for a cross country trip this coming summer. We will be towing with a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The trailer should hopefully be not longer than 16-17 ft, gross weight of less than 4,500 lbs and will have a queen bed, bunk beds and a dinette. I was doing some searches online but couldn't find anything that matches this description. It is usually a dinette that turns into a bed, or all of the above but in longer and heavier trailers ( 20 ft and above...)Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated! Thanks! LYH

Before you go looking or buy ANY trailer you should load up that Ridgeline just as if you were going on trip (Fuel, you wife, daughter, all the stuff you would have inside---on seats,under seats, in pockets, anything in bed etc)Then go get it weighed (fun for wife and daughter)---lots of CAT Scales in CAWeigh ticket will give you total weight as it sits 'camp ready---travel ready'Then look at door sticker for GVWR of Ridgeline (probably 6050#)Subtract actual scaled weight from the GVWR......that number will be how much 'payload' you can add before maxing vehicle out. Tongue weight of trailer will be roughly 12-15% of trailer GVWR4500# GVWR Trailer---15% for tongue weight========675#Check that 'payload' number (from actual weighing)---got enough left for that tongue weight?IF not just keep going down in figures (15% of XXXX) until you come up with a Trailer GVWR that will work.Don't forget to check rear tires MAX LOAD/MAX PSI Rating on sidewall of tire...can they handled the tongue weight (should run them at max psi when towing)And one other number to keep in mind.......GCVWR (10085#)Total weight combined (Truck & Trailer) THEN go shopping for a pop-up, hybrid, or small lite weight trailer (checking their GVWR numbers NOT Dry weight (UVW)

I am not being mean, but you did not complete your question. It should have read, "Looking for a small trailer, with large trailer accommodations". As already mentioned, a realistic trailer weight may be a lot less than advertised. This is true of most light duty tow vehicles. You may want to look at some of the really nice pop ups that are available, or change your list of "wants".

Yes the Ridgeline might be too light-duty , once you load up the truck with all your stuff then add the trailer. Load the truck and take it to a scale, then decide what you can tow. Don't let some salesman talk you into doing something without YOU weighing it first. A 3000# dry wt. trailer will roll down the road at 4500#. Watch your tongue weight and tire rating. In order to find what you want. I think you have go longer than 16 ft without going to a slide model which will add hundreds of pounds ?http://gulfstreamrvtrailers.com/amerilite/floorplans.php#198BHyou could find a floorplan like this and, if it doesn't already have one, fabricate a flip-down bunk over the queen bed. They fold up during non use times. Anyone with basic construction skills can make one. http://www.redmanstrailers.com/2016-starcraft-17rd-ar-one-travel-trailer/People have done this by fabricating a platform onto the trailer bed which accepts the camper and offers storage. Trailer brakes can be added . This trailer link is just for an idea, other more heavy duty trailers are avl. How about this combination ? this lightweight Liberty camper has a flip down bunk bed over the dinette and mom and dad get a full 60x80 queen..not to mention a small kitchen and bath...its all self contained and the camper overhead, can hang over the trucks bed offering you a short rig, easy to back into tight spots. http://sleequipment.com/utility-trailer-5-x10.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiArou2BRDcoN_c6NDI3oMBEiQANeix5tfhNT1WYsLrMLSIoiQ-PcAqvUeWlHh6xRG7A95nxzoaAlh68P8HAQ#product_tabs_additional_tabbedhttp://www.northstarcampers.com/online-catalog.php?view=item&parentId=15&catId=16&numId=54

check out the ascend line, IIRC they had something with bunk beds and queen.bumpy

LYH wrote:We will be towing with a 2006 Honda Ridgeline. The trailer should hopefully be not longer than 16-17 ft, gross weight of less than 4,500 lbs and will have a queen bed, bunk beds and a dinette. I was doing some searches online but couldn't find anything that matches this description.Shouldn't that tell you something? :WThere are plenty of small trailers out there but the math just doesn't work well at all when you want to include both a walk around queen bed at one end of the trailer and bunk beds. Modify your requirements to a bed that runs laterally across the width of the trailer and your chances improve immensely, the Coachmen Apex Nano 185BH being one such example. Remember, when towing any full height trailer this just isn't about weight but rather the significant effects of wind resistance at highway speeds. Believe it, that little Ridgeline will be working it's heart out, particularly when you also throw in significant upgrades and howling headwinds that you're sure to encounter on any long distance road trip. If this isn't acceptable then the harsh reality is you need more truck. ;)

Looking for a small trailer | Good Sam Community

LYH
Explorer
Feb 18, 2016
Thanks,
Any thoughts on this model?

http://roseburg.craigslist.org/rvd/5423306903.html
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2016
You may also want to look into rental.
lawduck
Explorer
Feb 18, 2016
You might check out one of the Pacific Coachworks (Econ, Mighty Lite, Panther, etc.) 16BB. They are double rather than queen bed, but very light (GVWR of 3850 and tongue weight of 290).
westend
Explorer
Feb 18, 2016
I would think buying and selling a used Airstream would be the least financially successful path to take. You would stand the chance of a long resell duration and might take more of a loss with the higher priced trailer. With your Honda Ridgeline and schedule of events, a pop-up makes the most sense.

If hard sides is a must-have, then a small used trailer is your best choice. There are a lot of vintage trailers that will offer a basic camping experience and many of them are easy to maintain and fix.

Good luck with the hunt!
LYH
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Thank you all for the great comments and sugggestions. I am new to this forum and was pleased to see so many replies.

Now back to our issue, the story is a bit more complex. The idea is to sell the trailer after approx. 3-4 months (when we complete the trip)as we are planning on leaving the country for a while. Since we don't want to pay for depriciation of a new trailer we were thinking of buying an older model (~2010-2014).

Also, I like the idea of a smaller and lighter RV ( 16- 18 ft) and building a folding bunk bed for our kid might just be the solution we'll end up going for if we want to stay in the smaller size region.

Since we were thinking of buying and selling, we thought about buying a used 16/19 Airstream Bambi. From what wev'e heard, these guys tend keep their value pretty well and are of generally higher quality. The question is whether they are worth the 30-40K of the average asking price? Also, are there other lightweight/ small/ good quality models we should look for before comitting to an Airstream...?

Thanks for your help, this is a great community!.

LYH
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 17, 2016
http://www.allencampermfg.com/Up-to-29--Travel-Trailers.html
More to looks at.
cbshoestring
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2016
TwinTurbo wrote:
SoundGuy wrote:
TwinTurbo wrote:
Check out the KZ Spree Escape 196S. It has a queen bed, bunks and dinette skide with a GVWR of 3,500 lbs. My wife's Pilot pulled it fine.

And unfortunately very little CCC, typical when the maufacturer artificially attempts to keep the trailer's GVWR no greater than 3500 lbs.

Sure, but the OP will have to compromise given the tow vehicle. Also, belive it or not, it's entirely possible to go camping without thousands of pounds of stuff.

Our KZ Sportsmen Classic 170 has about 900 lbs of payload. We are loaded with chair, pie-irons, grilling grates, electric griddle, spare camp stove, laterns, packed kitchen, etc...I take what I need with no fear. Last weigh in...3200 leaving me 300 to spare.

I think the spree196s (because of the slide) is in the 500-600lb neighborhood. Very doable for a small family. My BIL rented one...he had an 8 yr old at the time of the trip. His wife packs EVERYTHING for that boy (afraid he might get bored). They were still under weight.
cbshoestring
Explorer II
Feb 16, 2016
Worry about weight...do NOT get hung up on legnth.

A realistic legnth of 20'-25' is doable, with your requirements, within your weight limitations. My BIL rented a Spree 196s. They are nice trailers...if member serves me right they gross out at about 3500.
seaeagle2
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016
Check out chalet takena 1860BH it has full size not queen.
Alabama_Jim
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016
Walk around queen bed is in the 175 White Water Retro by Riverside. It is also in the 195. The 175 is 18 feet and has what you described. The 195 has all but is a little heavier and is 24 ft. with a separate toilet and shower. Take a look on their website to see it the Retro, that looks 1960 style is good for you.