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Hard to find TT under weight for newbie

leamaarie
Explorer
Explorer
I am a newbie when it comes to travel trailers and need some advice. We will be driving from Washington to Louisiana and not only camping in between, but also living in it for a month or two while waiting for housing. We own an Acadia that has a towing capacity of 5200 pounds and a gvwr of 6400 pounds. We are looking for a bunkhouse model with a queen bed and room for all (2 adults and 3 small children). We would love a slide-out, but I am having problems finding one within our weight. I do not want a canvas expandable because of safety and condensation. I have looked at so many trailers and many are over the weight capacity. We found an 20BH Eco Camp with the slide-out, but there are no dealers around us that have any anymore. I even looked for a expandable with a bunkhouse, but I cannot find those either or they have some over the weight limit. I have found trailers, but most are very, very small to fit us all.

Are there any that anyone can recommend that would be great that I have not seen yet? We get advice from dealers, but the trailers that they have mentioned are way over our weight capacity or at the very top. I looked at the Micro Lite 25BHS with a dry weight of 4377, but nervous that that is too much weight.
Is the smallness of a trailer really going to be a huge issue anyway?

Any advice would be great.

Thank you
20 REPLIES 20

dalejiw25
Explorer
Explorer
Check out one of the new Vikings. They have a couple with bunks and they're all under 3700 GVWR and under 400 lbs. hitch weight. Nice campers IMO. They are made by Coachmen and reasonably priced. OOps these are HTT. My bad.

3LittleDucks
Explorer
Explorer
Check out this page, has a summary of older trailers that might work, complete with specs. Could at least provide model numbers if you are looking for pre-owned.

http://wesleggett.com/4+1.htm
2008 Nissan Armada TV
2007 Trail Cruiser 21RBH HTT

Cotay
Explorer
Explorer
That Acadia is going to limit you severly I'm afraid. I wouldn't tow more than 3500 (fully loaded) with an Acadia. You've got a 500 lbs max tongue weight and your tow vehicle rear axle max payload (which will need to account for the tongue weight) is likely limited. As has been noted, the weight of the passengers is going to also limit your weight limits.

Something like one of the ligher KZ Spree Escapes might work (like the E196S) (see the Spree Escapes here: http://kz-rv.com/spree-escape/floorplans.html). Without your full weights specs, it's hard to know.

3LittleDucks
Explorer
Explorer
You might be ok with a 21ft bunk model...jack and jills in the back and a U dinette at the front that converts to a queen bed. Trail Cruiser made one, a few friends have it (we have the HTT version). Works for a family of 5, I think it would be tight without the flip out, but doable. Your tow capacity will definitely limit your choices.
2008 Nissan Armada TV
2007 Trail Cruiser 21RBH HTT

DavisK
Explorer
Explorer
I don't think you will be able to find anything that the 5 of you can comfortably live in for a month that can be towed safely by an Acadia. Don't forget that all of your food, clothing, toys, etc. has to be included in the gross weight. Have you considered a 3/4 ton crew cab truck?
2013 Silverado 2500 HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2014 Sunset Trail SF270BH
Holly & Buster, rescued mini Dachshunds

lbrjet
Explorer
Explorer
Keep in mind that the weight of any passengers and cargo inside your SUV reduces your tow rating pound for pound.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000