Lightweight TT Options

The most bang for the buck, buy something that's 3 to 5 years old. Let the first owner of the trailer take the hit. With a small v-8, I would try to tow something with a low profile but you would want a hard sided trailer that would make your camping season longer. Your camping trips are long weekend type,the same as mine. Look at Hi-Lo Towlites, 2001 thru 2009 is when they switch to alumium framing.I have a 2006 22ft Hi-Lo towlite which wieghts 4000lbs.and I have a tacoma v-6 for a TV. They made hi-lo's from 1957 to 2010, 17ft.to 31ft. some with tip-outs.

4.8L 4-spd. Tahoe. What axle? You can look in the glove box for a sticker with a list or 3-character RPO codes. Look for GU4, GU6, GT4, GT5. You may or may not have a transmission cooler which is necessary or any high walled trailer.

Best case, I think 5k dry. You still won't be happy with performance, but it will do okay.

Hi Otto

We have a Ultra lite that we tow with a Expedition, it weight 4200 lbs before we put anything in it and the truck is rated for 9000 lbs.

On the inside of your drivers door there may be a sticker telling you all of the limits, if not you will find it in your manual. Call a dealer with the VIN number if nothing else but you need to know your limits before you buy.

Next is how do you see yourself camping? At a campground where you hook up to electric, water and sewer or out in the middle of no where with no hook ups? Will you be fair weather campers or will you be dealing with freezing temps? Over night is fine but day in and day out is harder.

Size is another thing. We saw 13 footers that had a bath, kitchen, heat and AC and thought how cute. In our 25ft we have more room and don't have to make the dinette into a bed. Other things are larger too like fresh water and holding tanks as well as storage.

Not much real info, more like things to consider.

Looking here it appears you have either a 4500# or 4800# tow rating.

Even if you held the unloaded weight to 4,000# you would still be pushing your limit one you were loaded.
There are a number of small TT's with 3500# gross ratings that you could tow with that vehicle.

mbopp wrote:
Looking here it appears you have either a 4500# or 4800# tow rating.

Even if you held the unloaded weight to 4,000# you would still be pushing your limit one you were loaded.
There are a number of small TT's with 3500# gross ratings that you could tow with that vehicle.

x2

Just went through this ourselves and ending up purchasing a 2011 Forest River Wildwood XLite 18 bhxl with a dry weight of 3500lbs our TV is rated at 5300lbs. So far we have been happy with the way it tows I'm sure once we get up into the mountains it will be slow going. We looked till we found what really suited our lifestyle and how we wanted to camp. Our mpg dropped to 11mpg from 17, but that's all part of it. If your not in a rush you can find nice new and used light weight tts out there. Rv trader is where we found ours. We did have to go out of town for it, but couldn't beat the price and condition of the TT. Weight distribution and sway control are something you really want/need to look into as well, the previous owners of ours left behind theirs which works for us as well. We had looked into big trailers ( before the truck was totaled ) but am glad we went with a smaller TT at least to start with. It is easy to tow, store, and maneuver, and we have found it also keeps us from sitting around in the trailer all the time. We were very specific about what we want, couch, dinette, and bunk beds, with no real need for a queen bed, so it took us longer to find.
Hope you find one soon and can start enjoying it. Start looking at campgrounds in your area s we'll as places you want to see and things to do. I know we have a list so we an call Thursday book a ite and leave Friday after work .

If you’re talking light, for the most part you’re talking small, too. Low profile is good if you can find a suitable one. If you post your TV specs you’ll get better responses from the posters. And you need to understand the ratings to make a good decision. But from Phoenix you’ll be climbing a lot of grades and I’d try to stay well under your max capacities otherwise you’ll be doing a lot of tiresome climbs.

My TT is an old 16’ and 3000# loaded. I pulled it with a full size Bronco with a 302 and it did well in all the mountain driving I did. It worked harder than my present F150 5.4, but I have no complaints about the 302. I haven’t kept up with the newer TT’s so I can’t offer you any specific suggestions. But you need to research TT’s that fit your requirements and balance that off with the size and weight you’re comfortable towing. Good luck.

check out the Ascend line. I really like the A191RD, but had to get the A171RD for weight reasons.
bumpy

Check out these.

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/fun-finder/floorplans

My 19' fundinder ( 189 FDS ) weighs just under 4000 pounds ready to pull out of the driveway. Pulls very well behind a Nissan Frontier, and would probably pull fine behind your tow vehicle. Set it up correctly with a good weight distributing hitch and sway control, and go camp.