Dutchment 1700BH Coleman 16FQ Kodiak 175BH

[Kavoom]

We have just gone to a Travel trailer an Aspen 1700BH from a pop up after 13 years. We have been looking for four years and it seemed her tastes just got longer with more slideouts, outside kitchens and $$$. Strange how that works. I even bought a truck with a larger unit in mind. Finally, I said, OK, what are our basic wants, I'm tired of this. We wanted two decent beds (I snore) with a dinette so we can just walk in, sit down and not make/unmake beds, shower and toilet, stove sink. I mean historically, we use our unit as a rolling motel room anyway with a nice fire at night and in the morning. AND this thing practically costs nothing comparatively speaking. I'm also handy.

So, I first saw a Jayco 174SX with the same floorplan that I liked but I wanted a larger bed in the bunkhouse and at 7 feet wide, those are really cramped. Then I stumbled on the Coleman 16FQ at 8 feet wide and that was it. Then realized that all the above models are the same other than the Kodiak having more bells whistles $$$ and and a black tank flush (I will miss that). My local dealer had the Aspen Trail 1700BH version available at a very good price comparatively.

You actually get a lot for the buck imho. I have lifted it for 200 bucks prior to delivery and just ordered a two step for the new height for 89 bucks and will add a battery for 100 bucks and will look at adding another small propane tank or moving to the larger tank. I noticed a dealer in Butte MT (I'm north of there) doing what I did to my trailer and basically adding 2K to the price with some nice "Rocky Mountain Edition" graphics. I can live without that and the extra bucks. Lifted, I can get to those MT Nat Forest places I want to get to. I definitely have the truck (Ram 1500 Outdoorsman). At 3200 lbs, this should be easy to tow. I went with a Fastway E2 hitch.

So, looking forward to posting here for another decade or so as we adapt to a hardside life. We retire here in a few years and may move to a larger unit. I was on Pop Up Explorer for 13 with the pop up and looking around here over the years.

[SoundGuy]

SoundGuy wrote:
Read my post again, not referring to your truck but your new trailer's limited CCC. :R

Kavoom wrote:
Oh, habit of 13 years of tow police going after my Subaru and pop up. Yes, that 650 doesn't seem like much but we primarily use our trailer as a rolling motel room. We should be OK.

"Weight police", "tow police", are tired, old terms still used by those wanting to justify a towing combination that can be inadequate for any one of a number of reasons ... and are a waste of time. :R In this case it would seem your only option is to pack lightly - really lightly - as you're going to lose some of that brochure advertised CCC right off the bat, as will clearly be demonstrated by comparing it's brochure dry weight to it's actual sticker UVW. Add to that a battery or two, some water, perhaps in propane in the tanks and the situation will be even worse - not a whole lot of CCC remaining. As I said, congrats for moving up to the world of travel trailers a.k.a. The Darkside - but keep an eye on that cargo load. 😉

[Kavoom]

Lwiddis wrote:
In addition to seconding Soundguy’s comment I recommend upgrading your tires at least one load range. Blowouts on single axel trailers are challenging.

I will go this season on them, but yes, I see your point.

[Kavoom]

SoundGuy wrote:

Kavoom wrote:
1650 lbs

Me and significant other 300
2 big Dogs 200
hitch 500
full tank 256
winch/bumper 150 over OEM
Stuff in back - We are there...

Yep! The biggest weakness of today's pick ups. 10,150ish towing capability and 1650 carrying capacity.

Some of the new full size pick ups are in the 1200 to 1300 lb range

Read my post again, not referring to your truck but your new trailer's limited CCC. :R

Oh, habit of 13 years of tow police going after my Subaru and pop up. Yes, that 650 doesn't seem like much but we primarily use our trailer as a rolling motel room. We should be OK.

[Lwiddis]

No question, Soundguy, that OP has a TT weight capacity issue...serious issue. Dang single axel TTs. However, they are cheap...and unsafe.

[SoundGuy]

Kavoom wrote:
1650 lbs

Me and significant other 300
2 big Dogs 200
hitch 500
full tank 256
winch/bumper 150 over OEM
Stuff in back - We are there...

Yep! The biggest weakness of today's pick ups. 10,150ish towing capability and 1650 carrying capacity.

Some of the new full size pick ups are in the 1200 to 1300 lb range

Read my post again, not referring to your truck but your new trailer's limited CCC. :R

[Lwiddis]

Yet my Tahoe has a 1595 payload.

[Kavoom]

1650 lbs

Me and significant other 300
2 big Dogs 200
hitch 500
full tank 256
winch/bumper 150 over OEM
Stuff in back - We are there...

Yep! The biggest weakness of today's pick ups. 10,150ish towing capability and 1650 carrying capacity.

Some of the new full size pick ups are in the 1200 to 1300 lb range

[Lwiddis]

In addition to seconding Soundguy’s comment I recommend upgrading your tires at least one load range. Blowouts on single axel trailers are challenging.

[SoundGuy]

Kavoom wrote:
I definitely have the truck (Ram 1500 Outdoorsman). At 3200 lbs, this should be easy to tow. I went with a Fastway E2 hitch.

Loaded & ready to camp this trailer will use most if not all it's limited CCC but nonetheless an easy tow for your Ram. Congrats. :B