Under 3500 lbs

Boomerweps wrote:
Check out the Wolf Pup 16BHS. It comes close to your specs.
Is your Explorer a V8 or V6, factory tow package?
Mine, with the V6, just barely handles that weight. If your kids are of driving age, or if the wife would consider it, consider taking two vehicles to allow for the weighs needed to be carried.

This is another one like mine but only 7 feet wide. This is a popular layout for single axle.

The advantage of the Dutchmen Aspen Trail version is the width providing a larger dinette and wider bunk. That Wolf Pup is light though at pretty much 3K dry.

Some of those hybrids, however, with three bunks are running 3900 and 4K dry weight. That MIGHT work meeting their requirements, but that is pushing it very hard for that tow vehicle. Four people? Hitch? I'm thinking they are going to be over capacity for the TV unless they are little kids.

I don't think I see them doing it with their requirements. They are going to have to compromise somehow.

SoundGuy wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
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Keep in mind that the passengers and gear in the tow vehicle get subtracted from the 3,500# tow rating.

The OP has a 2016 Explorer with a so-called "tow rating" of 5000 lbs. I already recommended a trailer like the Coachmen Apex 185BH or a similar model from other manufacturers, with a GVWR of ~ 3800 lbs, as one she could tow with her vehicle.

That's the same layout as mine BUT, mine is 8 feet wide so you get like a 42 inch wide bunk in the Dutchmen versions. Jayco 174? also has one of those layouts as do a few others I believe.

If the payload is near the top for that year Explorer (1750 pounds) and the kids are smaller then a 3k dry trailer is probably fine. My trailer is just over 3k dry and had 2 bunks and a front full bed with a large dinette on the slide. 4 is very comfortable for us as former tent campers. I'd love a couch but that would have required a bigger tow vehicle.

beemerphile1 wrote:
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Keep in mind that the passengers and gear in the tow vehicle get subtracted from the 3,500# tow rating.

The OP has a 2016 Explorer with a so-called "tow rating" of 5000 lbs. I already recommended a trailer like the Coachmen Apex 185BH or a similar model from other manufacturers, with a GVWR of ~ 3800 lbs, as one she could tow with her vehicle.

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Keep in mind that the passengers and gear in the tow vehicle get subtracted from the 3,500# tow rating.

Never look at dry weight of an RV, look at the GVWR since most lightweight RVs have very little cargo capacity and are often at the maximum GVWR when in use.

Check out Trailmanor campers. They are a hard side pop up that also gain length when you open them. All models are under 3500 dry and most are under 3000 dry. They have models that will have a king on one side and queen on the other along with a couch that makes into another bed. Super easy to tow as they are less than 80" tall when closed.

What is the Explorer's payload? "4 of us. Me and hubby, daughter and son" plus stuff will take up a bunch and a 3,500 pound trailer should have at least 400 pounds of tongue weight plus the hitch.

Seems as if you have asked this question before...almost as if you are seeking an answer with which you agree...the Explorer can tow it. I don't think it can safely.

Check out the Wolf Pup 16BHS. It comes close to your specs.
Is your Explorer a V8 or V6, factory tow package?
Mine, with the V6, just barely handles that weight. If your kids are of driving age, or if the wife would consider it, consider taking two vehicles to allow for the weighs needed to be carried.

I can't think of anything that is travel trailer size that is what light. We used to travel in a 3 bunk hybrid, but even that with an 18' box and 3 bunks was over your weight limit with an empty trailer. Popups with slides get to be about that heavy too, I believe. I don't know that you'll find much besides a pop up for that weight range. Maybe some of those tiny little trailers like a Scamp or little Pod-type, but those aren't going to have the bed space you want.

You are asking for a lot particularly with the beds. I tow a Dutchmen 1700BH. It almost meets your requirements. As far as pop ups go, I do not think you will be able to do it. Mine runs around 13K new. They make a more tricked out version called a Kodiak 174 that costs more. These have a sideways queen in front (can't walk around) and bunks in the back. The problem with my model is that the top bunk is pretty small. Otherwise it meets your requirements. you will likely need to look at the 8 foot wide units vs the 7 foot wide units. That will get you bigger bunks.

Your only hope "meeting all your requirements" would likely be a hybrid. The have the beds that pull out (tented ends, from the hardside part of the trailer. Jayco, Forest River and Starcraft make some. One example is the X20D JAY FEATHER but it is 4K dry as is the Rockwood Roo 183 from Forest River.

The only other thing you could do, as a compromise, is get rear bunks full size and have a "Murphy Bed" like version for the front bed. That would be Queen. Some of these are very easy to convert from a "Murphy" bed to a couch and look good also. You can even keep the bed covered ready to go for sleep. They are easy to convert. I can't find any of those but we looked at them before. Many brands have them.

So, based upon your "requirements" I'd say these are your choices per what I have discovered.