New and need Trailer options advice

[Jeff_R1]

Morning RV.netters

Over the past couple of days the wife and I have finally came to a decision and have started shopping for our first new trailer. In conjunction with the trailer we also have to upgrade our vehicle as well (lucky me 🙂

We viewed a few trailers on some lots and figure we are looking for something around the 28ft size, with a slide, and bunks for the kids. We are a family of 4 and have a dog so the bunks are needed and floor space would be beneficial.

Here's an example of a trailer we viewed and like very much.

www.keystonerv.com/share?brand=COUGAR-XLITE&model=28RBS

This should give you an idea of what we are looking for or "think" we need. Ultimately the goal is to have something for the next 5-10 years that our family can enjoy and grow into.

As for the new vehicle, with kids and the very likelihood of having more, we are limiting ourselves to large SUV's with a 3rd row seat. This is good and bad as there aren't many but unfortunately they are expensive.

We viewed the Ford Expedition and found an extremely good deal on a new 2015 Nissan Armada. I'm just concerned about the tow and whether or not an SUV like this could handle it.

Nissan says the Armada will tow 9000lbs but that seems high to me.

So I guess after all that my questions to you, the community are as follows:

1. What are some good trailers that offer our needs that are lightweight?

2. Does anyone out there have an Armada and what size (weight) trailer do you tow with it?

3. Are the Cougar Trailers recommended?

4. Any other tips or advice when shopping for both a Trailer and vehicle?


Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Cheers

[rbpru]

Before we purchased our TT, we looked at all the floor plans then rented what we thought we wanted for a week.

We changed our floor plan after that.

Floor plan, tow vehicle and cost, all have to match.

[dntndbrown]

Stay away from Keystone TT.
We have a Cougar XLite 30FKV TT, purchased new and it has been just horrible.
Quality is not one of their strong suits.
We have had to replace both axels, the motor on the A/C unit, have had an issue with the refrigerator. Have replaced the fresh water pump.
The supports that hold up the fresh, gray and black water tanks are held in place using large self-tapping sheet metal screws which they over tightened upon installation. This results in the heads of the screws breaking off and therefore the supports no longer supporting the tank/tanks.
Fortunately I found this out before the tanks came crashing to the ground. Stabilizing jacks are held on with the same screws and result in same problem but instead of using 4 screws to hold each jack on as they should have they only used two for each jack.
Now we are having spongy spots in the floor throughout the trailer due to the poor quality (cheap) materials used for the subfloor.
I hope this helps.
As far as the tow vehicle our trailer is 9,000lbs. loaded.
We have a F150 Super Crew that is capable of towing 12,200lbs.
Have towed this trailer through the mountains out west and it pulls like crazy, great motor (3.5 Ecoboost).
Good luck.
If you have questions feel free to contact me.
Dntndbrown

[APT]

Most half ton SUVs have 1400-1600 pounds of payload typically equipped as people buy. Receiver limits are 900-1000 pounds. One of those will be the limit for family RVing well under the 8000-9000 pound tow limits. Travel trailer tend to be a lot more stable with higher tongue weight percentage, closer to 15 than 10 percent. Take 1000 pounds as a loaded TW limit. That's about 7000 pounds loaded and 6000 pounds dry.

What if your family is heavy at 700 pounds and you want a luxury equipped SUV with only 1300 pounds of payload? Now you have 600 left for loaded TW, which is about 4500 pounds loaded. So play with your own estimates to refine what is realistic. This reason as well as some test drives/tows with current TT limited us to the 3/4 ton SUV.

Besides the payload issue, the 2015 Armada power train is the weakest available in half tons.

Are you open to passenger vans? The Nissan NV3500 relieves the payload issue, possibly receiver issue, but uses the same powertrain as the Armada. The GM Express/Savanna 3500 would be great, but the equipment offered from the factory is fairly low compared too SUVs. But they are cheap!

[camp-n-family]

The Armada is a decent tow vehicle and could tow up to 9k but only if it were empty. Plenty of power, low on payload, and the tow ratings decrease pound for pound as you add weight to the tow vehicle.

When shopping, your biggest concern should be payload. Forget about the fictional tow ratings as you will run out of payload far before reaching it. Most 1/2 ton SUVs (and trucks) have payloads around 1500lbs. Some more, some less depending on options. A tt the size you are considering will have a tongue weight around 1k leaving only 500lbs for the family, dog, etc. That Cougar is heavy for its size, my 31' double slide bunkhouse weighs less. There are similar floor plans that are much lighter.

I'd be looking for a tt with a loaded weight under 6k to keep the tongue weight under 800lbs. That should leave enough payload for an average size family (if the tv has 1500lbs payload). If you plan on keeping the set up for 10 years, you'd really be better with a 3/4 ton truck or SUV (but they don't make them new anymore). The kids won't get any smaller.

[PatRenee]

Check this one out... it is a new floor plan from a great Mfg.....We love our Open Range .... very well built.. 2 year warranty.....

https://www.highlandridgerv.com/products/2017/ultra-lite/travel-trailers/UT3110BH

[belairbrian]

I'm not so sure about that bunk setup. It might be fine with young children, but with your goal of 5-10 years are teenagers really going to want to share a bed?

FWIW, we just traded our quad bunk in two weeks ago. We had 4 seperate beds.

Also a bunk room with a real door is nice with young ones as they can go to bed while you stay up and not be disturbed.

[evanrem]

Get a grasp on the numbers as far as weight and how it all works. The closer you get to the max capacity the less enjoyable the tow. I towed a 8200 lb trailer 5 years with a 1500 Silverado which did the job but was night and day difference after upgrading to a 2500 as far as handling. It's such a hard decision because you are spending all this money and you can't test it all out first. We have some friends who upgraded from a 24 foot to 30 foot trailer towing with a Yukon and they have been struggling with some sway issues since. Good luck

[krobbe]

I'm just going to throw out some real numbers for you. (Nice trailer by the way)
Shipping Weight 6115 , Loaded up: 7800 to 8000# (includes some water)
Carrying Capacity 2085
Hitch 895 , Loaded up: 1200# +
Length 32' 2"
Height 11' 4"
Fresh Water 43 x 8.3 = 357#
LPG 40
And before you start juggling numbers to make it work(ie. "I won't carry water while traveling", etc.), just remember why you are doing this in the first place. For me, it's the freedom to travel with our stuff and not worry about it. Usually it's about the journey and not the destination.
Make it easy on yourself and get a tow vehicle(the first time) that will more than do it. Today's large SUV's just don't have the payload for this weight. Maybe consider an older 3/4 ton Suburban or Excursion like I did and travel happy. 🙂

[scbwr]

Winnebago Minnie with bunks!

A trailer such as the Winnebago Minnie 2451BHS may be the answer since the towing weight will probably end up around 6,000 to 6,500 lbs. But I would want a tow vehicle rated for at least 8,000 lbs.

As posted, payload rating will be the limiting factor. Is there any reason why you wouldn't consider a pick-up truck with two seats? A truck with a bed will provide more room for gear.

[Jebby14]

I would think you are going to have trouble with payload. towing capacity means nothing. my WJ for example is rated for 6500lb towing but 1000 lb payload. my trailer is only arouind 4000 lb but im MAXED for towing since I have 500lb of tongue weight. (tongue weight)+(my weight)+(wifes weight)+(kids weight)+(fuel and gear in the jeep) < payload