TT Recommendation

What do you have to tow with?

2014 Explorer Sport with the 3.5 Ecoboost

Specs say 5,000 lb towing capacity and running the numbers for trailer weight, GVW etc, I think I'm OK but we're new to this.

Why are you concerned with a TT’s unloaded weight? No one goes camping unloaded. If you buy the Coleman your TV needs to be able to pull 7,600 pounds and carry your family and the hitch weight plus other stuff in the TV. You are not “ok.”

Coleman's gross weight for that trailer is 7,600 lbs if you add the shipping weight and cargo which exceeds the 5,000 rating for the 2014 Explorer. That would also mean about 1,000 lbs of hitch weight @ 13+% of gross. Sleeping 5 with lots of floor space is probably not compatible with your tow vehicle, even if it has the tow package. Check the sticker on the door jam of the Explorer to see what cargo it will carry.

I think you might be looking at the wrong Coleman. The weight for this one is around 3700 lbs.

It's the 19 footer

For your first TT I'd suggest a used model just a few years old. That way the original owner absorbed the depreciation hit. Once you've used it a few times you will discover features or changes that you want. Maybe you won't like the layout after a few trips or need a larger unit, or one with larger fresh water and holding tanks etc. If you decide to upgrade the TT you may not take such a bit hit and probably get close to what you paid for it.

The TT models you listed are probably too heavy. Once you add your gear and supplies to a 4000 lb unit you'll be over the tow vehicle limit.

Also, if your TV has P rated tires they are not the best choice for towing with. LT tires would be better.

With a 5K towing limit there may be some ultralight TT's but suspect you're going to be severely limited by your TV.

You said Coleman LX 1925 BH....3,793 DRY weight and 23 feet 10 inches...http://www.dutchmen.com/coleman/floorplans-and-pictures/floorplan-details/?modelId=27305

Just filling the fresh water tank will add almost 400 pounds. You have a big wheelbase issue too.

Perhaps I was looking at the wrong trailer; here's the site I was viewing.

http://www.dutchmen.com/coleman/floorplans-and-pictures/floorplan-details/?modelId=27305

Planning to use a weight distributing hitch and electronic brake controller if that makes a difference.

Overall safety is critical so I don't want to push it. If 4000 lbs is too much, we'll find a smaller one

You will never tow it unloaded so it is best to work with gross numbers. The necessary weight distribution hitch will add 80-100 lbs of weight to the hitch weight and cargo the tow vehicle has to carry. Sorry, but all this stuff just adds up.

Maybe someone with the same tow vehicle as yours will chime in with what has, or has not, worked for them. Good luck as you process through the learning curve.