Who makes the lightest 50 amp bunkhouse trailer?

Another way to look at the information given is.

A half ton pickup is usually a decent match for a family with a 5000 lb dry weight TT once it has been loaded for the road.

That would be about a 25 ft TT. These are usually rated for 30 amps.

While two ACs would allow you to hang meat for cold storage, one AC is usually sufficient for a 25 ft TT.

There may be a short 50 amp TT but they certainly are not common.

Good luck

Friends of mine have a Tundra Crewmax 4wd with the 5.7. They just got a Shadow Cruiser 280QBS. Small separate bunk room with 50 amp and 2 ACs factory.So far it's been a good match for their Tundra.

You are asking for 2 opposing features. There are 50 amp dual A/C models. However they are not light.They will be 9000 GVW units.
You can find lightweight units, but they will not be 50 amps with 2 A/C's.
You will need to prioritize and compromise.

I have a 32ft TT with one 13.5k A/C unit and it is 30 amp. The trailer cools pretty good. Even better now that I cleaned the condenser.

I would skip on the 2 A/C’s and get one 15k A/C. I wish I would’ve upgraded when we got our trailer, but we only camp one week in the middle of the summer.

I agree on the trailer. No more than 6k dry.

The bunkhouse requirement suggests children or multiple adults going on camping trips. That means a reduction in available payload and towing capacity. They may not have room for that 900 lb tongue weight, or 9000 lb trailer weight.

Here's a link to a calculator they can use to get a ball park figure for loaded trailer weight that they do have room for.

Things they should keep in mind:

1. Trailer sales people talk in unloaded weights (UVW) for both trailer weight and tongue weight. On average, loaded trailer weight is about 1000 lbs more than UVW.

2. Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. At 12.5 percent, a 7000 lb trailer would be pushing that 900 lb tongue weight limit.

3. Tongue weight is not a constant number. It fluctuates (sometimes up to 200 lbs), up and down, during every trip.

4. There's a tire / loading sticker on the drivers door (or door post) that shows a "max occupant / cargo capacity" on their specific Tundra (they're not all the same). That is that truck's capacity to carry the total weight of any aftermarket accessories that may have been added to the truck, passengers, cargo (in or on the truck), a weight distributing hitch, and the trailer tongue weight.

5. Being on the edge of the truck's capacities, can make towing an unpleasant experience.

You mentioned a bigger truck could be a possibility, your friends should find out what they have room for, before they go looking at trailers. They may find their Tundra doesn't have the capacity to tow the trailers they are interested in.

KD4UPL wrote:
I wouldn't let the 50A requirement dictate the trailer; that's the easiest thing to change. Find one that is within the capabilities of the tow vehicle, has a layout you like, is a good price, is well made, etc. Then, if it happens to only have a 30A service you can easily swap the breaker box and the power cord. Or, have an RV shop do it for you.

Well, not exactly "easy" for everyone.

"Do able" yes, easy or cheap, not really.

Most RVs use a all in one 120V/12V/converter box.

Not easy or cheap to replace those all in one boxes at $250 just for the panel/converter.

HERE

Not to mention, the 50A panel may be larger than the 30A and may or may not fit in the space allotted.

Instead, you simply ADD an extra small 6-8 position breaker panel.

Run the 50A shore cord to that breaker panel.

Run 30A circuit out to existing 120V breaker/12V/converter panel.

Then put additional breaker for second A/C into the new 50A panel, making sure you place the second breaker on the opposite line in.

Breaker panel with lugs only can be had for $25

50A two pole breaker $10

30A single pole breaker and 20A single pole breaker $5 each

30ft of 50 RV shore cord $100..

Ron3rd wrote:
Don't know of a light 50 amp trailer. 50 amp usually gets you a big trailer

CORRECT.

My point exactly.

I think - you need to reconsider your needs are wants. I always suggest to new T.T. users, a 24 foot long T.T., 1 roof air with heat strips,! bed for adults, 1 couch for youngsters that may be along, I have used this size all over our USA, Canada, Alaska, & Mexico,you can increase the size of your AC if you find you need it. 30 amps will serve your needs if you travel down south, in Mexico many parks only have 110 volts.And many it goes down to 90 volts at times.
Main thing is get something you can handle and go enjoy yourself.

Why would they need 50amps and 2 ACs? If it’s ducted then 1 AC should be plenty. We have a 35’ bunkhouse with separate bunk room and front bedroom, never had a need for 2 ACs. We towed that tt with an ‘07 Tundra for 2 years. 7600lbs and 950lbs onthe tongue.

As for the tongue weight.... manufacturers automatically list the max tongue weight as 10 percent of the tow rating. That frame and hitch receiver are used across the Tundra line which previously had a max tow rating of 10,500lbs and hitch rating of 1050lbs. I wouldn’t be concerned with being a little over the 900lbs although 1k+ tongue weight is a lot for a half ton truck.

I wouldn't let the 50A requirement dictate the trailer; that's the easiest thing to change. Find one that is within the capabilities of the tow vehicle, has a layout you like, is a good price, is well made, etc. Then, if it happens to only have a 30A service you can easily swap the breaker box and the power cord. Or, have an RV shop do it for you.