new guy with an old trailer

westend wrote:
By the time you get the family, all the gear, and the trailer hitched, I'd bet you'll be close to overloading the payload of the Explorer. I had a LTD Edition and it was a great platform for moving the family around but wasn't much of a tower.
You'll probably have some time while doing the restoration work to the trailer. I'd suggest you look around for a truck that will pull the trailer. If your budget is low, find an old beater in good mechanical condition that you can love for it's ugliness.

This is kinda what I had in mind, I'm an auto mechanic so getting a vehicle in good mechanical order isn't a problem, The problem is finding one I can afford that isn't all rotted out here in New England.

Kevin

By the time you get the family, all the gear, and the trailer hitched, I'd bet you'll be close to overloading the payload of the Explorer. I had a LTD Edition and it was a great platform for moving the family around but wasn't much of a tower.
You'll probably have some time while doing the restoration work to the trailer. I'd suggest you look around for a truck that will pull the trailer. If your budget is low, find an old beater in good mechanical condition that you can love for it's ugliness.

the trailer is approximately 27 ft (paced off) but I cant find a weight for it anywhere........ My fathers F150 towed it without even flinching and without the weight distributing hitch, But my boss who has been rv'ing for 25 years said I should be fine with the explorer and a WDH, he said when this trailer was new most people towed them with a station wagon or four door sedan. I am a little skeptical but it would be nice if I could take it with my family without having to borrow Dad's truck.

Kevin

Just for perspective, buddy of mine towed a 27' tt that weighed around 5300# (iirc) with an explorer. He managed, but it wasn't fun. Your trailer is likely to weigh quite a bit more than that, and may be longer.

2broke2ride wrote:
Would u guys even consider towing this with a 2000 ford explorer? My towing capacity is like 6200 lbs if I remember right (I have a WDH with 1000# bars).

Kevin

Do you have weights, length, etc information about it? Really need to have that info to make a towing recommendation , but I reeeaaallly doubt that the explorer is going to handle it. Those older units tended to be pretty heavy. Think you'll be way overmatched. Sorry. Maybe somebody else has got mote info for you.

Welcome.
I have a 79 Holiday Ramblette I have been working on. Pretty much ready to go now. (Although there will always be something to do on it I think)
Have Fun!

Would u guys even consider towing this with a 2000 ford explorer? My towing capacity is like 6200 lbs if I remember right (I have a WDH with 1000# bars).

Kevin

I'll give you a 67 Boles Aereo to do next. Good Luck Mate

It is actually in rough shape inside but the price was right..........free :-) I got it from the original owners son who didn't care about it and just wanted it gone. The skylite in the bathroom is broken allowing water in and pretty much destroyed the bathroom. My plan is to strip as much of it to the studs as necessary to repair the damage and get it "good enough" to use. I'm not expecting the ritz, just a hunting camper. :-) Does anyone know what the original tire size is for this? it has rotted car tires on it now.

Kevin

Nice rig! Looks like lots of fun ahead for the 2broke family.