Questions about buying a travel trailer
Hey everyone, I’m looking to buy a small travel trailer, roughly 20 ft and less than 4K gvwr. I’ve looked at forest river, Winnebago, and Jayco and I really like the Winnie micro 1700bh. My question i...
Forum Discussion
Did your HL come with the tow prep package? My 2008 had it, and thus the 5000 lb tow rating, but very few HLs on the lot had that option. Without it, I think the rating was much lower (1500 lbs maybe?). The big factor was the extra cooling. I don't know about your 2017 specifically.
I towed trailers of 2700 to 3800 lbs (wet weight), all around 16'-17' long, for 140,000 of my HL's 185,000 miles. Hitch weight ranged from 350 to 420 lbs depending on the trailer, and most of the time I towed directly on the ball (no WD). Toward the end the trans temp light was coming on during long climbs up grades while towing, but otherwise the vehicle was in fine shape. I traded for a Lexus GX470 V8 about 3 years ago.
Your HL could tow this weight and size, but the problem I see potentially is the hitch weight. Your limit is, I believe, 500 lbs. 380 is the dry weight. When you add battery and LP, you'll be more like 425-450 lbs on the hitch. Now, where is the fresh water tank? Under the front bed? You'd have to leave it empty. Where is the hot water heater? 6 gallons is almost 50 lbs, and I bet it's in front of the axle. And at 20'9" length, towing with a short wheelbase, won't you want to use a hitch that provides weight distribution and anti-sway? Well, that hitch will weigh between 65 and 90 lbs, so now you're over 500 lbs on your receiver. And you haven't started loading gear into the trailer.
The HL is a very capable tow vehicle, within specs. But I think from a practical perspective a 'within specs' trailer is about 3 feet shorter and 75-100 lbs lighter on the tongue.
Whatever you do, don't go any wider or taller. Wind resistance is the biggest factor when towing at highway speed. Going up long or steep grades is when the weight really kicks in.
You might look at the Scamp, if it will work for your family. Or a pop up trailer.
I towed trailers of 2700 to 3800 lbs (wet weight), all around 16'-17' long, for 140,000 of my HL's 185,000 miles. Hitch weight ranged from 350 to 420 lbs depending on the trailer, and most of the time I towed directly on the ball (no WD). Toward the end the trans temp light was coming on during long climbs up grades while towing, but otherwise the vehicle was in fine shape. I traded for a Lexus GX470 V8 about 3 years ago.
Your HL could tow this weight and size, but the problem I see potentially is the hitch weight. Your limit is, I believe, 500 lbs. 380 is the dry weight. When you add battery and LP, you'll be more like 425-450 lbs on the hitch. Now, where is the fresh water tank? Under the front bed? You'd have to leave it empty. Where is the hot water heater? 6 gallons is almost 50 lbs, and I bet it's in front of the axle. And at 20'9" length, towing with a short wheelbase, won't you want to use a hitch that provides weight distribution and anti-sway? Well, that hitch will weigh between 65 and 90 lbs, so now you're over 500 lbs on your receiver. And you haven't started loading gear into the trailer.
The HL is a very capable tow vehicle, within specs. But I think from a practical perspective a 'within specs' trailer is about 3 feet shorter and 75-100 lbs lighter on the tongue.
Whatever you do, don't go any wider or taller. Wind resistance is the biggest factor when towing at highway speed. Going up long or steep grades is when the weight really kicks in.
You might look at the Scamp, if it will work for your family. Or a pop up trailer.
