I've got an '02 Jeep Liberty that was scheduled to be replaced this year because it's just too small to comfortably haul our Fleetwood Pioneer 18t6 on the highway.Unfortunately this wild winter has played havoc on our furnace, replacing it will consume a good chunk of our downpayment toward a newer T.V. So, we're putting off the purchase of our T.V. until next year and limiting our travels this year to secondary road jaunts much closer to home (the good news is we are 'new' to Niagara and there's lots to see/do). I travel with my wife and our two daughters (6 and 8). We budget 3 sets of clothes each, 3 days of food, 1 full set of (plastic) dishes, 2 kids bikes, 2 adult bikes etc. We have about one medium size tote of 'stuff' aside from that lot that travels with us, so our 'additional' weight is pretty already pretty limited. No A/C, no television.I've figured a few ways to lose the weight without losing convenience would be:Changing out the 2x30 Lb tanks of LPG for 2 20LB LPG BBQ tanks. This will drop a good 35 Lbs, we barely used any propane last year (fair weather campers), so supply isn't a concern. Aside from this, my tanks are due for re-inspection/replacement.A smaller Optima deep cycle (group 86) to replace the reasonably weak and much heavier group 27 battery. Another 20 Lbs lost.It has occurred to me through the function of winterizing my trailer that hauling the 6 gallons of water in the hot water heater really isn't a benefit. Dumping 6 gallons of water from the HW tank before leaving will drop 50 Lbs or so. Any other ideas aside to reduce weight on a typical 20' TT?

How about cooking utensils (pots and pans)? When we were weight challenged, we'd lose extra pounds by shedding items like silverware, and using plastic utensils.If your tires can take it, why not drop each one by ten pounds? If you do this in all four tires, wouldn't that be 40 pounds? ;-)

One propane tankFill water tank when close to your destination.Too many tire leveling blocks that never get used. (I'm guilty) The plastic blocks I bought are actually pretty heavy.I dont need 10 rolls of toilet paper or 6 rolls of paper towels, huge pack of paper plates.Too much bedding and towelsToo many pots and pans, toaster, blender. BLENDER? I have never used it and could probably survive without it.:)

TucsonJim wrote:How about cooking utensils (pots and pans)? When we were weight challenged, we'd lose extra pounds by shedding items like silverware, and using plastic utensils.If your tires can take it, why not drop each one by ten pounds? If you do this in all four tires, wouldn't that be 40 pounds? ;-)Wiseguy eh? Just kidding. Good point on the pots and pans! We don't have much on board, but I'll be sure to recheck what Mrs. has stowed away.Storage weight isn't much, a set of folding fabric chairs (2 big, 2 small), stick for the awning, wand for flushing out the black tank, mini BBQ etc.

rjxj wrote:One propane tankFill water tank when close to your destination.Too many tire leveling blocks that never get used. (I'm guilty) The plastic blocks I bought are actually pretty heavy.I dont need 10 rolls of toilet paper or 6 rolls of paper towels, huge pack of paper plates.Too much bedding and towelsToo many pots and pans, toaster, blender. BLENDER? I have never used it and could probably survive without it.:)One BBQ tank would do, however my bracket is meant for two. I suppose I could fill each half to save another 20 Lbs.We're guilty of too much bedding and towels but the kids are still small. My wife is NOT a paper plate / plastic utensil kind of gal (though I wish she'd relax on that). For kitchen appliances we carry a magic bullet (ok, my wife makes smoothies for her lunch) and a toaster oven. Yes, toaster oven. I've never seen it used yet, but it's in there (until it's mysteriously lost).

Is weight the main issue? We towed a 23' TT with our Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the wind resistance of the trailer was more of an issue than the weight was. I just don't see how reducing weight by 100-150lbs is going to make that big of a difference, or enough of one to justify the trouble/inconvenience.My .02. But, to your point, look at bedding, towels, and mostly kitchen stuff as big weight culprits. You could chance it and dump your spare tire too (on either the TT or TV or both,) depending on where you travel and how far you'd be from help. If there's a store, you could wait to buy food until you get there, and drop the trailer and go get it.

Losing the weight without losing the convenience

34 Replies

NYCgrrl
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
Interesting and instructive thread that I've little to add besides stating that I'm placing this in my personal bookmarks. Oh and pointing out that switching to melamine/plastic dishes over those that break w/ ease can lower the kitchen weight somewhat. Like several wives referred to in this thread I like a nicely set table but the practical side of me can't justify the weight if it'll hurt in other ways. Perhaps as a gift to my fellow travelers I'll switch to paper dishes which would give joy to the dishwashers amongst us.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
S'more campers wrote:
We're not hard core Glampers. Lol, Good Sam, KOA or no way. DW won't go where there's no wifi. The battery will literally exist only for emergency brake application.

If you are wanting to eliminate battery weight ( and cost ), and all you care about the battery doing is running the emergency brakes in that unlikely event, then you could replace the battery with a small AGM that costs $15 and weighs almost nothing. That is what came in both my equipment trailer and the horse trailer.
I would assume when plugged into shore power, and the converter sending power thru the smaller battery, that all the interior lights would function normally.
APT
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
See, I would have spent $14 at a CAT scale to understand where you stand for all of your ratings. You will know (not guess/assume) if you are over any rating, tongue weight % is too low, how your WDH is adjusted.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2014
OP...tell me what really is driving this. You can pull 100% of your tow rating safely.

What event happened or are you afraid of happening that is driving this?

I suspect you have a wheelbase problem and not a trailer problem. If this is the case, I would really really consider a Hensley Cub sway elimination hitch. It may SIGNIFICANTLY increase your confidence and your safety and this may be a worthwhile investment in your situation. Especially when another tow vehicle with longer wheelbase is not an option for right now.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
opnspaces
Navigator III
Mar 21, 2014
I was thinking about your dual tanks. I would either replace one tank with a piece of 2x4 lumber so the dual tank clamp still works. Or another option that's lighter, just not as light is just run wint one 30 lb tank empty and never fill it.
S_more_campers
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
We're not hard core Glampers. Lol, Good Sam, KOA or no way. DW won't go where there's no wifi. The battery will literally exist only for emergency brake application.
AH64ID
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
Something I forgot to add, kinda off topic, is that there is a direct correlation between a batteries weight and it's performance. A lighter battery will, 9 out of 10 times, not preform as well. If you camp without hookups that is not something I would lighten.

Optima's reputation has also gone a long ways down hill lately, and they don't even list RV as an application.

I would look to some of the other true deep cycle batteries.
S_more_campers
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
I hear you ah64id. Thoughts of buying a PowerWagon like the one my Dad had in the late 70's have entered my head; back when plastic was expensive and metal was cheap.

We'll keep it close to home this year and make do best as we can until I can get the TV we need.
AH64ID
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
S'more campers wrote:

You're right on the money. The 'frontal area' of our TT is what's causing the problem.

You know the issue, and I am not sure removing 20lbs here and 20lbs there will even be noticed (especially at the cost of a battery, unless it needs replacement anyhow).

I used to have a Pioneer 18CK, about 3500 empty and 5000-5200lbs full (I mean full, included a 100lb Lab). To/from storage was about 4000-4400lbs.

To pull that ± 4200lb TT on flat ground at 55 was about the same amount of work for the pickup (diesel in sig looking at boost/pyro/load) as a 15K lb dump trailer, in fact the dump trailer was easier on flat ground. Makes me wonder what kind of trailer a small TV is rated to tow? (I know Honda has different ratings for boats vs trailers based on frontal area).

So I wouldn't stress a few lbs, shave what you don't need but don't spend any money as you will likely never get any returns on it.

The wind is far worse than the weight, stick to your plan of going slower and wait for a new TV.

Get the biggest drivetrain you can in your new TV. I do mostly mountain towing, but don't think you can really go too big on a TV.
S_more_campers
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
It is officially the first day of spring!

Bare back bumper, spare tire is looking for a new home and the bike rack is now gone.

A brighter and lighter master bedroom

And the spare now bunks under the chesterfield, as close to the tongue as it gets.