Hi Everyone,My husband and I are contemplating purchasing a travel trailer in which to tour the U.S. with our baby and our cat. We'll be traveling for an indefinite period of time. Initially we were looking into getting a Class B or Class C RV, but we were lured by the much lower price of the travel trailer and the fact that we could put our baby's car seat safely in our regular car (it doesn't seem like there are very many good options for strapping a car seat into a motorhome). Anyway, since we're just getting started, we thought we would try to plumb the wisdom and generosity of others.A few questions to begin:1) We have a 2006 Acura MDX. Right now it doesn't have a tow package installed, so we would have to get that done. The tow capacity of the car is 3,500 pounds. We're worried that the car is not strong enough or is too old to reliably pull a travel trailer. What do you think? Though it's nine years old, it's in pretty good shape and has pretty low mileage (less than 60,000 miles).2) We are very minimalist people and prefer to get a small, light trailer. What are your favorite make & models for trailers that are space efficient, lightweight, and affordable?3) Are there any elements of a floor plan that you find indispensable? For example, having a permanent bed or dinette? We noticed that some travel trailers don't have ovens. Do you feel an oven is necessary for long-term living or just a hassle/waste of space?4) It seems like travel trailers have less to maintain than motorhomes do since they don't have the vehicle parts. What do you find are the first parts of the trailer to break down? Is there anything in particular we should look out for when examining a used trailer?That's all I can think of for now. We would also welcome any other advice you might have!

You'd need to make sure you have the dealers install the transmission cooler and power steering fluid cooler along with the hitch and receiver. I'm not sure if third parties can do it, but I'd likely call Acura first.You can then tow 3500# with a 450# max tongue weight assuming only 2 people in the vehicle that weigh 150# each and have 15# of cargo each. If your family weighs more than that, you can tow less than the max. There is a chart in your manual which shows the towing capacity reduction with the more people you add.Then there is also the payload of your vehicle to take into account. I don't remember if the 2006 model year has a sticker somewhere around the driver's side door that tells you the payload. Go look for it and it will tell you something like "weight of cargo and passengers should never exceed X". That number takes into account all the factory options on your vehicle. It doesn't account for dealer added options like if you got roof rails, floor mats, other dealer added accessories. Or if you've added any of your own accessories.I bet some others will pop in and give you the low down on how to accurately weigh your vehicle to better determine what you can tow.I would not recommend anything more than a pop up trailer. If you tow a "fixed-sided trailer" (a travel trailer, you can't go more than 55mph. Your manual references this as well. And having owned an MDX, one with a 5000# towing capacity, i can tell you that towing a travel trailer with it isn't great. If you go faster than 55, the engine RPMs are high and you are really working the engine (because you have to lock out 5th gear when towing). Even at 55, gas plummets quickly. We used up the entire tank of fuel in 2.5 hours of driving. And then another tank for the 2nd 2.5 hour leg of our trip. Going faster uses fuel even faster. It makes a trip very tedious with having to refill so often.Actually, another one for you to look at would be the Trail Manor. That's a hard side trailer that folds down like a pop up. So you get decent space, but you won't have to reduce your speed like with a hard side. Our MDX towed our 3000# pop-up beautifully; it was a great vehicle for towing something smaller.

Here's a link to the TrailManor 2417 series which I think might be able to work for you depending on your payload numbers/weights at the scale. They also have a 2417 sports series you could look at with similar weights.

chschen wrote:Hi Everyone,My husband and I are contemplating purchasing a travel trailer in which to tour the U.S. with our baby and our cat. We'll be traveling for an indefinite period of time. Initially we were looking into getting a Class B or Class C RV, but we were lured by the much lower price of the travel trailer and the fact that we could put our baby's car seat safely in our regular car (it doesn't seem like there are very many good options for strapping a car seat into a motorhome). Anyway, since we're just getting started, we thought we would try to plumb the wisdom and generosity of others.A few questions to begin:1) We have a 2006 Acura MDX. Right now it doesn't have a tow package installed, so we would have to get that done. The tow capacity of the car is 3,500 pounds. We're worried that the car is not strong enough or is too old to reliably pull a travel trailer. What do you think? Though it's nine years old, it's in pretty good shape and has pretty low mileage (less than 60,000 miles).2) We are very minimalist people and prefer to get a small, light trailer. What are your favorite make & models for trailers that are space efficient, lightweight, and affordable?3) Are there any elements of a floor plan that you find indispensable? For example, having a permanent bed or dinette? We noticed that some travel trailers don't have ovens. Do you feel an oven is necessary for long-term living or just a hassle/waste of space?4) It seems like travel trailers have less to maintain than motorhomes do since they don't have the vehicle parts. What do you find are the first parts of the trailer to break down? Is there anything in particular we should look out for when examining a used trailer?That's all I can think of for now. We would also welcome any other advice you might have!1.Your Acura will limit your trailer choices. Few trailers fall in the 3500 lb. range. your car's capability for towing is questionable. If all the roads you travel are flat and you have no head winds, maybe?? Climbing hills or grades puts stress on the tow vehicle.All things being equal, I would look for 1/2 truck. Some trailers might want to look at are: R-POD, Casita, Scamp. It sounds like you are thinking of 16 to 20 ft. trailer. Most of them will weigh in the 3500 to 4000 lb. range, then you have to add in all the RV junk we all carry:) Most RV's well add about a 1000lbs.Your other choice would be to look at Pop Up types of trailers but keep in mind the set up and tear procedures. Takes extra time and space is limited and weather conditions could restrict your rv travels. Pop Up trailers don't have toilets or showers. The positive is that they are light and your Acura might suffice.2. You haven't really described what your RV trips will look i.e many 1 or 2 day trips, trips where you will be parked for a week or two or longer. Small trailers are really limited in living space if you can't be outside because of weather. 3. Be sure and pick up an Emergency Road Side Service policy.

Thanks so much for your replies. It does sound like the MDX may not cut it for what we want. If we do get, say, a used pickup truck, what make/model do you recommend? We'd want the one with the best fuel economy but that will still pull a small fixed-sided trailer. Is it worth it to get a diesel pickup?Is the TravelManor 2417 a relatively new model? I don't see that many used ones available for sale, though I've only done a very quick search so far.To answer your question about what our RV trips will look like: We plan on traveling continuously in it for several months, hitting up national parks and forests and other wilderness areas. We also plan on visiting friends in different places, some of which are urban. (I know that many people think we're crazy to live for several months in a place so small, but we've traveled in a 2-person tent for several months before, so I think this will seem luxurious in comparison.)

Oh, and we plan on moving at a pretty leisurely pace--stay a week or more at each of our stops since we're not in any hurry.

Travel trailer questions from an RV newbie | Good Sam Community

APT
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
I do not think you'll be pleased with traveling around the country with and MDX and a TT. Towing any high walled RV with a any naturally aspirated V6 means 2500-3500 rpm cruising and 5000rpm on hills. While the vehicle is designed for it, most owners are not. It just takes a lot of power to pull any high walled trailer through the air at 60mph.

Another thing to consider is weight. The average weekender family takes 1000 pounds of stuff over the RV dry weight. That would e difficult to add to something under 20' for example. But you have an infant that means diapers, wipes, pack and play, swing, etc. And you are planning to take multi-week/month trips? That means more stuff than the weekender. Most retired full timers add 2000-3000 pounds of stuff over dry weights. Few 3500 pound GVWR TTs are designed to handle 1000+ pounds of stuff, from a storage space or construction quality point of view.

Your MDX has value. I'm sure you can find more capable vehicle for towing for its value. I highly recommend a crew cab 3/4 or 1-ton pickup. Some kind of bed cover provides the world largest trunk. They do everything. I had two pickups and miss them. You won't have to worry about those mountains or where to I put dirty stuff.

If you are insistent on using the MDX, then consider a fiberglass type. They are slightly more aerodynamic and typically more durable.

Make sure whatever floorplan you pick supports a pack and play. My youngest was 1 and slept in one when we first bought our TT. Most dinettes convert to a big enough space. We converted our sofa.
Tvov
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
lol, I just read fallsrider's post... we all camp differently! I actually don't consider an oven essential, other people use it all the time.
Tvov
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
How much camping with a RV / trailer have you done?

A bathroom large enough to use is really nice... some campers bathrooms look good on the showroom floor, but end up being too small (ours is one of those - very usable, but I would like it slightly larger).

We use our oven rarely, but we also only do weekend trips. Having a propane grill with us is great...

Which brings me to vehicles. A pickup truck, along with having a higher tow capacity, has that bed which can be filled with stuff (like a grill). I put a cap on the back of my truck (some areas would call it a "camper cap), so now I have basically a huge SUV / station wagon. I would recommend highly a 4 door "crewcab". You may be tempted to get a smaller "extended cab" truck that has some room behind the front seats, but you will outgrow that quickly. Actually, crewcabs have become so common now it may not be an issue.

If possible, can you plan some week long trips to "get a feel" for what you are planning?
fallsrider
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
I will take a stab at your 3rd and 4th questions. Please judge my comments appropriately, as I have never traveled for extended periods of time with our trailer.

The two items you mention in question 3 are a permanent bed and an oven. I would say yes to both of those, with the type of travel you plan on doing. Not having to convert your bed each morning into a dinette (or some type of seating), and back again each night would be high on my priority list. You will have plenty to do with your baby to keep you busy. Also, having an oven is great. We use ours all the time. Can you develop a style of eating that doesn't require an oven? Absolutely, but I would find this very inconvenient.

One of the most important maintenance items on a trailer is keeping the roof sealed well with caulk. A leaking roof causes major (read expensive) problems fast. The other items are maintaining good tires, servicing wheel bearings, brake adjustments, etc. I've never owned a MH, but I would think, however, that you would have these items, and more, on a MH.

Good luck in whatever you decide.
scbwr
Explorer II
Jul 21, 2015
With all trucks, you have to look at all the towing specs. In general, a 1/2 ton truck is going to limit the size and weight of trailers you can tow, but there are a lot of smaller trailers that can be towed by a 1/2 ton truck. If you move up to a 3/4 ton truck, you can have the capacity to tow some very heavy trailers.

My suggestion is that you really do a lot of looking and researching on RVs. If you are going to be on the road for a long time, more than likely you are going to want to have a larger trailer that can accomodate the needs of traveling with a baby and have adequate storage for being on the road. That means you will be looking at 28' trailers or longer. In that scenario, get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. You don't say whether you plan to be in winter weather (as in cold freezing and below temps). If that is part of the plan, look for a 4 seasons trailer.

On the other hand, if you and your wife can be happy with a smaller rig, it could be done. We never camped with a baby, so that would the area you have to look at. How much baby gear will you need. My wife and I do quite well in our smaller trailer but it certainly doesn't have room for a crib, high chair or any type of playpen. So, you would have to look at floor plans for smaller trailers and see what might work.

So, figure out what trailer you want, then buy the truck you need for it.

Good luck in your search.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
Your current vehicle will be problematic IMO. I can appreciate the minimalist approach but living in a tiny box for extended periods of time creates its own set of problems. A truck will give you more flexibility and options.
Scanner
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
We just picked up a new lightweight unit for our '08 Dodge ram 1500.
I know the company offers many other lightweight units that may fit what you are looking for. Take a look at the Spree Escape line made by KZ.
The unit we just purchased was a 2016 Sportsmen Show Stopper LE S242SBHSS and we chose it for its lightweight open floor plan, and it fell well within the towing capacity of our used pickup without killing the mileage. Good luck on your search, sounds like you will have many great stories to share on your adventure!
FrankShore
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
You might look at a Lance 1575, a small comfortable travel trailer on the ultra lightweight side. Incredibly well made too!
chschen
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
Oh, and we plan on moving at a pretty leisurely pace--stay a week or more at each of our stops since we're not in any hurry.
chschen
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
Thanks so much for your replies. It does sound like the MDX may not cut it for what we want. If we do get, say, a used pickup truck, what make/model do you recommend? We'd want the one with the best fuel economy but that will still pull a small fixed-sided trailer. Is it worth it to get a diesel pickup?

Is the TravelManor 2417 a relatively new model? I don't see that many used ones available for sale, though I've only done a very quick search so far.

To answer your question about what our RV trips will look like: We plan on traveling continuously in it for several months, hitting up national parks and forests and other wilderness areas. We also plan on visiting friends in different places, some of which are urban. (I know that many people think we're crazy to live for several months in a place so small, but we've traveled in a 2-person tent for several months before, so I think this will seem luxurious in comparison.)