light weight options/specs

[sewicamper]

Greetings from a newbie...
I'm looking at purchasing a small tt this year or next. Would love to search based on multiple criteria and haven't found anywhere to do this. There are simply too many brands out there to make sure I've covered them all!
I'm looking for your help to make sure i don't overlook any models that fit my criteria....

At or under 10' tall with a/c
At or under 25' overall length
Less than 4000# dry (lighter is better!)
Queen bed and 2 bunks
Dry bath
Enclosed underbody & heated tanks (has to at least be an option)
No tent pull outs
Hard slide may be tolerable (but will likely push weight past 4K#)

Some overall heights specifically mention 'including a/c' others don't (ie Rockwood Mini lite 2306).... not sure what height average a/c unit adds?

Thanks your help!

[gmw_photos]

The good news is: there are many to choose from, so you have many options.
That bad news is: there are many to choose from, so it can take a while and a lot of legwork. 🙂

I spent the better part of about 18 months shopping, before I settled on mine. I did not want to buy something, only to want to sell it off in two years to get "what I really wanted". My suggestion, as you can imagine, is take your time. You'll know it when you find the one that's right for you.

[bmj11]

Much thanks to those who have tossed out some manufacturer names...that's exactly what i'm after. There are simply too many manufacturers out there.

Their a lot of brand name but not a lot of manufacturers.

[profdant139]

Also check out the smaller Fun Finders. Don't know if they come with heated tanks as an option, though.

[Pod_People]

Have you looked at the Forest River line of R Pods. They have the bunks , the length, height, weight and most other requirements except the heated tanks. We have an R Pod 173 and have traveled all over the country for the last 3 years. We love it!! We've made a lot of modifications to make it better for our use. There is also an R Pod owner's forum that has a lot of info and helpful people. Here is the forest River site
http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=173&Image=5054&ShowParent=1
Look at the R Pod 172 or 176 model.

Here is the address for the owner's forum
http://www.rpod-owners.com/

good luck

Vann

[djsamuel]

Lowsuv wrote:
I also have a 10 x 10 garage door .
Looking around the lance 1575 will fit .
an airstream ( bambi ) will fit .
certain airstreams double axle will fit .

The LivinLite 21BHS will fit as well.

[Lowsuv]

I also have a 10 x 10 garage door .
Looking around the lance 1575 will fit .
an airstream ( bambi ) will fit .
certain airstreams double axle will fit .

[gmw_photos]

sewicamper wrote:
...snip....

I want my trailer to be as efficient (in all respects) as possible.

...snip......

That's fine, but if you are thinking that "efficient" means that you hope to get better gas mileage with a 3500 pound, 19' camper vs a 5000 pound 24' camper, then you are likely going to be disappointed. The fuel consumption of the truck is going to be the same ( or nearly so ) with either.

[sewicamper]

thanks for the help thus far everyone. I'm not new to the world.. simply this site..

Tow vehicle is new F150 crew cab with 5.0. Most stories on here are folks wanting to tow 5K# with their '03 Escape 4cyl... Not my situation; I want my trailer to be as efficient (in all respects) as possible.

I will most certainly focus on the 'dry weight.' From the comfort of my couch it's the best way for me to narrow down my choices for further research; I completely understand my loaded weight will likely be an additional +/- 1K#

Heated Tanks- I'm expecting nothing better than electric heat tape/pads. No four seasons camping, but may see some fall outings that dip below freezing.

The trailer will be stored indoors and I've got a 10x10 door to work with (additional height once inside)and conservatively 25' depth.

Much thanks to those who have tossed out some manufacturer names...that's exactly what i'm after. There are simply too many manufacturers out there. Livin Lite had never ever crossed my radar; not sure I would've found them without someone dropping their name here!

My best find prior to posting here has been the Rockwood Mini Lite 2306.

Keep em coming guys. And thanks again.

[JIMNLIN]

http://www.allencampermfg.com/Up-to-29--Travel-Trailers.html
Check out these small TTs.

I doubt you will find "fully heated" tanks on a small RV trailer.
I had a 27' trailer that had "heated" tanks. All they did was make a 4" hole in the floor for a 2" drain pipe above each tank for heated air from inside the trailer to flow down and around the tanks. The tanks had a plastic cover on the bottom and sides but was open at the top. Huge source of cold air into the trailer in the winter.

The trailer had two grey and a black tank. I closed of the holes in the floor and had my RV dealer encapsulate each tank with foam and a electric tank blanket under the bottom. We lived in this RV for seven months one winter with temps down to single digit and 40 mph winds. Nothing frozen.

[Bumpyroad]

hohenwald48 wrote:


I wouldn't ignore the dry weight. In order to view the yellow sticker I have to drive all over the place and take a look at each and every possible trailer. Using the published dry weight I can get a pretty good idea while sitting in my chair looking on the internet. Logically, a trailer with a lower dry weight will also have a lower configured weight assuming the weight of the options is likely about the same regardless of the trailer manufacturer.

makes perfect sense to me.
bumpy

[bmj11]

Lance 2185, almost everything you ask , running weight will be around 5000 lbs
Queen Bed, 2 bunk beds, dry bath and shower, 119 inches height, heated tank , etc
http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/2185/

[hohenwald48]

Campfire Time wrote:
Welcome!

First lesson is to ignore the dry weight. It is a fictional number. No one tows a trailer at it's dry weight. Dry weight does not include factory installed options like AC, awning, oven, or even the spare tire as is the case with some manufacturers. There is a yellow sticker on the driver side of the trailer that lists the "shipped" weight, which is always higher than the advertised dry weight.

.

I wouldn't ignore the dry weight. In order to view the yellow sticker I have to drive all over the place and take a look at each and every possible trailer. Using the published dry weight I can get a pretty good idea while sitting in my chair looking on the internet. Logically, a trailer with a lower dry weight will also have a lower configured weight assuming the weight of the options is likely about the same regardless of the trailer manufacturer.

[djsamuel]

SilverEscape wrote:
I remenered one I found a year or two ago. Livin Lite Camplite 21 BHS. Meets all of your criteria except for the heated tanks. For the enclosed underbelly, it looks like the option is spray on insulation. So you might want to call Livin Lite and see if it what they do would work for you. And ask them about heated tank options, they may be able to offer a suggestion.

https://www.livinlite.com/camplite21bhs-overview.php

This is what we have. It's been towed about 6,000 miles, and we used it a lot last year. It has been an excellent camper. As SilverEscape said, the 21BHS meets all of your criteria except the enclosed underbelly. However, I read on another forum about someone who just ordered a Camplite with an enclosed underbelly so perhaps that is now an option.

[campigloo]

With you're being new to all of this, have you considered loosening up a few of the requirements and considered used? You wouldn't sink nearly as much money into your first rig and could recoup most of your investment when you figure out what really works for you. There are many nuances you haven't thought about at this stage that will surface once you have used one a few times. Not saying there is anything wrong with your train of thought or desires, just that practical experience could save you a chunk of change later. Either way you go I hope you enjoy the entire experience.