We are in the process of buying a new travel trailer. I thought I had the whole weight thing figured out but now I'm a little unsure.We are buying a coachmen clipper 16thHitch Weight 318 lbs Dry Weight 2,503 lbs Gross Weight 3,538 lbs Cargo Weight 1,018 lbs.we have a mitzubishi raider. The max cargo is 1603 and towing capacity is right at 4000.Will this work for us?We know the trailer is tiny but with it being just her and I we really like it.Also, as hard as I have tried to search, I can't find reviews on this trailer to save my life. Good, bad, or indifferent. I have a million other questions but I think this is the most important first question.I am just having a hard time with all the math and conflicting info out there. Thanks for any help/advice your willing to give.

All your numbers line up to say it can be done and will probably work out for you for trips that are less than hundreds of miles. The underlying issue is that pulling a full height hard side trailer is a matter of power and handling with the drag of the frontal area. You'll probably get terrible mileage and and any headwind or side winds will make towing the trailer a less than good experience. If you can deal with these issues, it certainly can be done.

Your numbers sound good to me.One thing not in any of the numbers is, wind drag.It's a large wall you are towing behind you.With that said I still think you'll be good.I'm sure you'll get replies from many people knowing more than me.

Numbers look good but as others said sometimes it is not about the numbers but I say go for it. Saw someone pull in with a trailer towed by a Honda Accord the other day, that was interesting. The rear wheels must have touched metal on ever bump the car was sitting so low.

Does your Mitzubishi Raider have the standard 2-inch tow setup and 7-way connector... Hard to tell from this photo...If your purchase trailer has electric brakes then you will need to have the 7-way connector and electric brake controller installed on the truck as required by DOT...Some of these smaller trucks use the 1-inch size tow receiver...Roy ken

Thank y'all for the replies. Helps put me at ease a little.We are going to have the light hook up and hitch taken care of before we get the trailer. Haven't decided if we will let them do it and roll the cost into the loan or get it done some where else a little cheaper.

The dreaded confuzzled newbie | Good Sam Community

Craig_and_kitte
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Well we bought it last week end. The truck didn't do to bad pulling it home empty. I am planning on using a scale close by to check all the weights this weekend and see where everything is at.
I think everything will be on we will just have to be cautious about how much "stuff" we take with us.
The following weekend we are planning a short trip to a close park to try and get familiar with it.
It's a little intimidating but I think we will have fun with it.
Any tips tricks or advice would be greatly appreciated.
PureMI
Explorer
Aug 11, 2014
We are buying a coachmen clipper 16th

Craig&Kitten, do you mean a 16FB? We bought one last fall and have used it several times. It IS tiny. But like you, we have just the two of us to worry about, and it's been a lot of fun.

It was in the shop for an electrical issue (no power unless hooked up to shore power; they tried to tell us we'd charged the battery backwards...nope)

Fortunately its shop time was between trips. We're taking it out again next week for our first longer-than-a-weekend trip.
RadZone
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
I was in a similar situation, I have a 2004 Dakota 4.7L, 3.73 rated for 5,500 lbs towing. We purchased a Coleman BH15 18-foot 3,500 lbs gross weight trailer.

Thought it would be good to go since our boat is 4,500 lbs and Dakota tows easily up to 70 mph no problems. The Dakota with the TT struggled above 50 mph, I needed to use 4th gear always, milage was awful at 7 to 9 mpg, with a 20 gallon tank we didn't get far between fill ups.

I didn't take into account the frontal area of the Coleman, the boat is heavier but more aerodynamic.

We ended p buying a good used Excursion. Plus it gets better gas milage while towing then the Dakota.
easycamper
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
Bagger97 is referring to the "80% rule" which is a rule of thumb stating that the loaded trailer weight should be no more than 80% of the towing capacity of the vehicle. It's a rule of thumb - not an actual limit.

This is a small trailer so you should be right around that anyway.

Enjoy!
Speedogomer
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014
As a counterpoint... my TT listed weigh was 6075.

Shipped weight was 5820.
Bagger97
Explorer
Aug 05, 2014
Craig and kitten wrote:
Bagger97 wrote:
Being underpowered only affects your ability to maintain speed. Being over loaded affects safety and you will be over. Anything you put in the truck including passengers reduce your towing weights leaving you no margin of safety.

Are you saying "I will be over" the max weight?

What I'm saying is that if your truck is rated for 4k, then 3200lbs should be the highest weight to tow. This will allow you some cushion in brakes and transmission loads. Remember that the weights given by the dealer are usually low and the truck capacity does not include anything in it except a 150 lb driver. Everything else must be subtracted from your trucks towing capacity.
Craig_and_kitte
Explorer
Aug 05, 2014
Brett K wrote:
Does your truck have a tow package with the aux transmission cooler? If not, get one.

I have no idea about the aux transmission cooler. I know it has the tow package though.
Brett_K
Explorer
Aug 05, 2014
Does your truck have a tow package with the aux transmission cooler? If not, get one.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2014
Price is always negotiable - haggle a little with them.
Craig_and_kitte
Explorer
Aug 05, 2014
Bagger97 wrote:
Being underpowered only affects your ability to maintain speed. Being over loaded affects safety and you will be over. Anything you put in the truck including passengers reduce your towing weights leaving you no margin of safety.

Are you saying "I will be over" the max weight?

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