Hi allBelieve me, I have looked well. I have looked on these forums, and there was a recent thread that was similar, but not quite what I am looking for. I have also looked through different floor plans offered by manufacturers, but I still haven't found the best fit. But maybe all of you know some better options. I would really appreciate the help. I have a family of 4, 2 young kids, possibly another in the future. Tow vehicle is 2012 Ram 1500 Crew cab Hemi 3.92, payload 1150 (I know, so low).Therefore, I am looking to keep the GVWR of the TT around 6500 to 7500. Other things we want.-length 26-28-one slide-bunks (2 is fine, cause 3 or 4 prob require longer TT)-a door to the bunkhouse would be a bonus, but I haven't seen many in the 26-28 length that have a door-seperate room for wife and I, with door preferably. (this seems to be tough with the length I'm looking for)I'm not picky about brand/make, but I'm not sure which are well made and which aren't, so feedback would be welcome.

We really like our JayFlight 26BH. It does not have a slide, or a door to our bedroom, just a curtain, but you can get a double over double bunk bed in the back, which can help if there are more. They should be under 5000 lbs. delivered. Jayco does make a similar layout with a slide too, but it will cost more and weigh more.

Lots of bunk models by Jayco, Keystone, many more. I have a Keystone Sprinter, it's just the wife and I and I had a hard time finding a trailer used that didn't have the bunks. Quality wise we really like our a Sprinter just remember you have 31/2 tons of home bouncing down the roads so no matter what brand you settle on there will be things breaking from time to time.

I too am doing a very long search for the "right" TT..Here are the best sites.. The forest river inc. site includes all FR (which is alot!, Palomino, coachmen, shasta . Keystone is also a huge amount of products.All the below includes so many that if you cant find it in one of these manufactures, it probably does not exist.FRkeystone.. Many in here as wellopen rangeprime time..jaycostarcraft

Heartland NT 24BHS Length 27'11"GVWR 6,900#To get the 2nd door it looks like you need to exceed 30" NT KING 31BHDDIs it just a weight issue to your size? Some nice "light weights" out there.

We have a Forest River Salem 27DBUD -- 6500lbs empty, double bunks in back for the kids. They also have a 27TBUD -- triple bunks for 3 people in the back. All have 1 slide (couch and table/bench). Set up for maximum room inside for rainy days. Jayco has similar layouts.

Need help finding a TT with these features... | Good Sam Community

WoodGlue
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
X2 on the Lance 2185

Here is the floorplan:

A review in Trailer Life:

Feb 2013 Trailer Life

And here is a 2012 video. The salesman knows quite a bit about Lances:

2012 Lance 2185

The reason why Lance is so lightweight is because they don't use wood studs in the walls (They use Azdel) and Lite Ply wood in the interior, the same kind as you would find on a corporate jet.

3,930 Gross Dry Weight
500 Hitch Dry Weight
3,430 Axle Weight
2,070 Cargo Carrying Capacity
6,000 GVWR

WoodGlue
dacotahkid
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
I am looking at this camper.

It is a North Trail 28BRS
GVWR: 6900
Hitch Weight : 482
Length: 32'

Also look at the NT 24BHS
GVWR: 6900
Hitch Weight: 550
Lenght: 27'11"

I am in the same boat as my TV is a 2008 Chevy Crew Cab with a 5.3L and 3.73 rear end. I have a payload of 1552 a GVW of 7000 and a GCVW of 13000. I would never be able to load the TV and TT to max or I would go over 13000 but I've ran the #'s multiple ways and think this one will work for me so maybe it will work for you.

http://www.heartlandrvs.com/index.php?p=35&c=lightweight&sc=NTTT&i=NT+28BRS&view=floorplans&fcmd=showfplan
pmfinnegan2
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
Have you looked at the Jayco Whitehawk line?
Cotay
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
Goldstalker wrote:
Maybe this?

http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/2185/

or

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/item/2014-st240bh?category_id=103

That Lance 2185 is nice...dual pane windows and the triple bunk is well thought out.
Goldstalker
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
Maybe this?

http://www.lancecamper.com/travel-trailers/2185/

or

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/item/2014-st240bh?category_id=103
aarond76
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
Keep in mind some of your tongue weight will be transferred back to the TT axles with a WDH. We have friends with this layout ultra light that we like http://www.keystonervcenter.com/2014-forest-river-salem-cruise-lite-281bhxl-showstopper-new-travel-trailer-pa-i807142

The sizes and weights you are looking at are reasonable for your truck I believe. I would not recommend a non slide unit with a growing family.
Cotay
Explorer
Mar 03, 2014
vesh1717 wrote:
Ok, so I need way more help. I'm starting to really hit a dead end here. I'm trying to find all the features, but if I do, the hitch weight is usually around 700 minimum...and that's dry.

Does a travel trailer exist that meets everything i want, and has a dry hitch weight around 500 to 600? Friggin ram and this low payload...it's really screwing me.

We just picked up an Outback Terrain 250TRS. It's under 28 feet and weighs about 5500 with a tongue weight of 585.

We are planning on hanging a curtain with a compression rod between the pantry and bathroom wall to separate the forward bunk area.

There is also the Outback Terrain 230TRS (27 feet; dry weight 5075; hitch weight 555; partitioned front bunk/toy hauler area):

My neighbors just bought the triple bunk KZ Spree 240BHS which is just a bit over 28 feet. Weight is about 5100 dry with 570 tongue weight.
vesh1717
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
Ok, so I need way more help. I'm starting to really hit a dead end here. I'm trying to find all the features, but if I do, the hitch weight is usually around 700 minimum...and that's dry.

Does a travel trailer exist that meets everything i want, and has a dry hitch weight around 500 to 600? Friggin ram and this low payload...it's really screwing me.
nomad297
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
Check out the Crossroads Zinger ZT28BH.

Here's a link:

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/zinger/floorplans/item/2014-zt28bh

Bruce
scbwr
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2014
vesh1717 wrote:
Hi all
I'm not picky about brand/make, but I'm not sure which are well made and which aren't, so feedback would be welcome.

I suggest you do look very carefully. If you really take time to look at a lot of trailers from different manufacturers, you will see differences in how well they are built and finished. Our final two candidates were a Evergreen trailer and the Winnebago we purchased.

I would also give Jayco products serious consideration because of their two year warranty. I'm not keen on how they put shorter than necessary awnings on many of their lightweight trailers, but they do make a decent trailer, and a two year warranty gives you added protection and time to get any defects corrected.

More importantly, if you are careful with what gear you use and stow in the triler, you can keep the weight down.