Considering what to buy

[Gcginwindsor]

We are healthy retired seniors and own a 2013 4WD Explorer equipped with manufacturer trailer package. We are seasoned campers but have never owned trailer other than hard top. Musts for my wife are toilet, shower, comfortable bed. We will travel with two spaniels.
We have been looking at used ads and went through inventory at local dealer. My thought was that for towing and safety purposes my vehicle could have a 17' unit easily. When looking at units obviously the bigger the better the options and of course the wife really liked a 24' we saw. We are even considering whether a motor home would work for us but I do not know if they are flexible enough.
So now I am on this forum looking to experienced owners for advice.
What would be the maximum size weight and length you'd tow with the Explorer?
We are trying to stay within a $25,000 budget for the unit because we know there will be extras plus taxes etc in Canada are higher.
Any suggestions or questions will be appreciated.Thank you

[Colo_TJ]

beemerphile1 wrote:

Gcginwindsor wrote:
The Jayco White Hawk 23 in what we are looking at as well.

Would that be the White Hawk 23MRB? The one that weighs over 5,000# empty and has a GVWR of 6,500#? Way too much trailer for you. Even empty it is over your rating and how many times do you plan to tow it empty? Only time you tow it empty will be the day you take it off the lot.

Realistically when loaded with gear, food, and water it will probably be very close to 6,500#.

You need to be looking at trailers with a empty weight of 3,000 to 3,500 maximum.

Also don't forget that gear and passengers loaded in the tow vehicle have to be subtracted from the tow rating.

Yep.

Smaller trailer or BIGGER truck.

[SoundGuy]

Creekside_Camper wrote:
Not sure if available in Canada, but Lance has a good reputation. The Lance 1575 would be in your weight range.

The only Ontario Lance dealer I know of is Trailica in Limoges, just outside Ottawa ... and they do have a 1575, the downside is it's WAY out of the OP's price range.

[FrankShore]

If your tow rating is 5,000 you really should look at a Lance 1985 or Lance 1995 - they weigh in at 3,900 lbs. You should be able to pull one of these trailers easily. Oh, the 1685 too!

[Rustycamperpant]

Not sure what you have for dealers up there in the great white north. My neighbor tows a Sportsman like below with no WDH. Both of these are nice and well within your towing capacity. Just a suggestion, lots of the fun is in the hunt to find what you like. Good luck!

http://www.kz-rv.com/products/spree-escape-travel-trailers/E200S.htm

http://www.kz-rv.com/products/sportsmen-classic-travel-trailers/190.html

[Creekside_Campe]

Not sure if available in Canada, but Lance has a good reputation. The Lance 1575 would be in your weight range. But speaking from my experience in a similar sized Shadow Cruiser, it can get pretty tight with a couple of dogs. Plus, someone has to crawl over the other person to get out of one side of the bed

[rbpru]

It sounds like our situation. Must Items included, a bed we could exit without crawling over your spouse, a pantry, closets for cloths and a bath. We have a larger dog so we ended up with a 25 ft. Dutchmen lite with a short slide.

When we are loaded for a trip, we are at the cargo limit of our F-150 4x4. The rig tows great but any larger unit would require an F-250.

[Gcginwindsor]

I was away on the weekend but do appreciate the comments above. Thanks for the advise on the weight. Another option of course is to sell my Explorer and buy a 5th wheel. I know of a 2008 in excellent condition 30 ft long 3 slides full bathroom, large bedroom for $18000. Don't know whether this is best price but the unit has been well kept. Maybe I'll ask if his fifth wheel truck is for sale.

[gmw_photos]

Escape trailers are made in Canada, and have a very loyal following among owners.

http://escapetrailer.com/

[keymastr]

From personal experience there is no way you want to get even close to 5000 pounds with an Explorer. At 3500 pounds my trailer was pushing me around quite a bit and it felt squirelly. Independent rear suspension is not a good choice for towing heavy.

[SoundGuy]

Gcginwindsor wrote:
Just looked at video on Lil Snoozy. Quite awesome but I see it is in SC and we are in Canada. Will check to see whether they are up here or what duty and taxes apply. Might be too small for our needs.

You could always import one yourself but with your budget being $25K Cdn you sure won't be buying a Lil Snoozy which starts at $21.5K US. :E Since weight is such a concern I'd suggest you check out Taylor Coach right here in Ontario which specializes in smaller, custom manufactured trailers, all with a 4 yr warranty on components used. The company was established in 1967 and is still going strong. :B

[beemerphile1]

Gcginwindsor wrote:
The Jayco White Hawk 23 in what we are looking at as well.

Would that be the White Hawk 23MRB? The one that weighs over 5,000# empty and has a GVWR of 6,500#? Way too much trailer for you. Even empty it is over your rating and how many times do you plan to tow it empty? Only time you tow it empty will be the day you take it off the lot.

Realistically when loaded with gear, food, and water it will probably be very close to 6,500#.

You need to be looking at trailers with a empty weight of 3,000 to 3,500 maximum.

Also don't forget that gear and passengers loaded in the tow vehicle have to be subtracted from the tow rating.

[Gcginwindsor]

The Jayco White Hawk 23 in what we are looking at as well.

[Gcginwindsor]

Just looked at video on Lil Snoozy. Quite awesome but I see it is in SC and we are in Canada. Will check to see whether they are up here or what duty and taxes apply. Might be too small for our needs.

[Gcginwindsor]

Thank you to those responding.