My brother needs a smaller very light TT

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

My brother has accepted a job where he will be traveling and staying in different places for a while. He has rented his house but he had also bought a dodge caravan before he decided to do this. He isn't really in a position to sell it and take the loss so he is looking for something he can tow over the rockies with a caravan once a month or a little less. I've already suggested taking the loss and buying a truck but he doesn't want to.

We were looking for used Scamp 16s because he has a girlfriend and wants a private bath as well as a dedicated bed.

Can anyone suggest something less than 1500# or so. BTW, he doesn't want a pop up but may be interested in a hybrid.

Thanks.

[Jackalope123]

What year of Caravan does your brother have? Do you know what engine? I'm just a little concerned if it would be up to the task. Certain years of Chrysler minivans were known to have a high risk of transmission failures. If it's a newer one you may be ok towing a 16 ft Scamp standard with front bathroom/side dinette but don't get the deluxe since the added weight of wood may be too much. A 13 foot standard Scamp with front bathroom might work if he is ok with changing the bed to a dinette table daily. Just trying to reduce the risk of mechanical failure of that van while still meeting his needs.

Another good resource would be fiberglassrv.com forum but just be aware it can be a cheerleading forum and that honest, tactful and objective sharing of challenges with various brands are deleted or can be attacked quickly. Otherwise take it with a grain of salt and you or he can get valuable info from there.

[SOI-Scamp_Owner]

One of the best sites to look for small Molded Fiberglass Travel Trailers: www.Fiberglass-RV-4sale.com

[mhardin]

atreis wrote:

mhardin wrote:
It appears from the original post that the guy is going to be full-timing with a girlfriend. If that's the case, forget it - anything small and lightweight enough to tow over the Rockies with a Caravan is too small for two adults to full-time.

Perhaps for you. Some people are more creative and/or willing to compromise than others.

Sounds like the OP's brother is now looking at small Class C's - not a bad option.

Ha! What took you so long? 😉

[atreis]

mhardin wrote:
It appears from the original post that the guy is going to be full-timing with a girlfriend. If that's the case, forget it - anything small and lightweight enough to tow over the Rockies with a Caravan is too small for two adults to full-time.

Perhaps for you. Some people are more creative and/or willing to compromise than others.

Sounds like the OP's brother is now looking at small Class C's - not a bad option.

[bakerkids]

Sweet Burro!

[KevSchofield]

My brother just bought this 1999 Burro..

U shaped dinette in the rear can be made to full time bed..
Front end has a dinette for two..
Stand up shower / potty room..
Stove, sink, etc.. Self contained unit with holding tanks..

I think it weighs 1800 with a 180 pound hitch weight..
I towed it home for him with my Durango and couldn't hardly
tell it was back there.. tows really well.

Don't think a recent Caravan would have any issue moving this along.









This one was $5000.. they range all over depending on condition..

[mlts22]

If possible, I'd look for something at least 2003 or newer. On Fords, it would be good to at least make sure the two piece spark plugs are replaced (the biggest issue), but other than that, the V10 is a solid engine.

Too old, and one will be spending more time buying the odds and ends needed to keep running versus enjoying the trip.

[Sunbird]

'96 class C, be prepared for rubber parts that have perished from age. Tires, belts, coolant and fuel hoses, motor mounts, wiper blades, etc. They can add up. Stuck on the side of the road really sucks.

[Whitehawkmn]

We've actually been talking about upgrading to a larger TT and want to sell our very light Trail lite Bantam 17ft. We've pulled it all over with a Honda Odysey Van and it pulls like a dream. It has one bed that comes out the front and a bathroom. Check out my signature for a picture otherwise I can email you a picture.

[Fixed_Sight_Tra]

Thanks for all the input. You guys essentially confirmed what I had told him. The caravan doesn't have a tow package so he is looking at $500 or so just to get started and for what he wants to do still wont work for very long. For what he wants I suggested a PU and truck camper but it turns out we may have a line on a Class C from someone who would have taken good care of it. We're going to look at it tomorrow. I don't know much about it except it's a '96 with a 460 gasser. I'll let you know and thanks again for the input.

[Sunbird]

Does the Dodge have a tow package? If not some upgrades are in order. Trans cooler, brake control, a quality (not el cheapo) hitch, wiring, etc.

Trans coolers are very much cheaper than a trans rebuild.

[rexlion]

The rounded, lower-height molded fiberglass trailers will do fine with a Caravan. Less wind resistance is the key to success here. They won't win any speed races up the mountains, but on those curvy grades who can go fast anyhow?

[mhardin]

It appears from the original post that the guy is going to be full-timing with a girlfriend. If that's the case, forget it - anything small and lightweight enough to tow over the Rockies with a Caravan is too small for two adults to full-time.

[atreis]

In that weight range, you're really stuck with the fiberglass eggs (Scamp, Casita, EggCamper, Escape) or some of the smaller options in trailers (CampLite). You'll likely not find one that has BOTH a dedicated dinette and bed. It won't be hard at all to find one that has a dinette/bed and a bathroom, but if the dinette/bed is to remain a bed they'll have to eat somewhere else.

He could consider one of the above trailers, leave the dinette/bed as a bed, and get a screen enclosure to use with the awning and use that area for eating.