new RV purchase advice

[robertz]

Hi,
Looking for some advice on purchase of Travel Trailer.
I had Starcraft popup that I bought in 1996 and just sold it.
Other than work to set it up, it never gave me trouble. What quality for 24+ years.
Moving up to TT and we are sure that's what we want.
Not interested in motor homes.
We are close to retirement but never will be full time RV campers.
We might want to do cross country trip few weeks at a time in the next 5 years. Mostly local trips 2-3 times a year. (Live in New Hampshire).
I am fairly handy so I don't mind purchasing used 2 or 3 years old unit where original person has worked out most issues with mfg.
My requirements...
Like to keep it around 3500-5000 lbs empty (but with all installed options and no liquids).
Like to keep it around 20-25 feet long so I can park next to my house.
Mostly it will be me and wife but occasionally take kids or friends. Needs to sleep 4 comfortably (I like the FR Rockwood G19RB design for this purpose). Mostly don't use tent bed on one end but available for a company).
Most G19RB models meet my above requirements but materials look cheap, flat colors etc. We like cherry wood type decor (does not have to be actual wood). We liked interior of 2019 GRAND DESIGN IMAGINE XLS but bad reviews putting me off.

It must have slide out.
Currently I have 2003 Acura MDX which is listed for 4500 lb and had no problem pulling my Starcraft rated 2500 lb empty.
This is why if I purchase 3500 lb trailer I can use this car for a while.
I don't mind getting SUV that pulls 7000+ (there are several).
If I get used SUV for this I can go up to 5000 lb for trailer.

So what am I asking?
Advice on a reliable brand.
Model recommendation that meets my criteria.
Planning to spend 15-25K.
Recommendation of reputable dealer in Manchester NH area (about 100 mile radius).
Any other recommendation you might have.

Thank you,
Robert
PS: I did notice lately RV market has gone to sellers...(may be due to COVID19).

[robertz]

jwfails wrote:
You need to check out Lance Owners of America (LOA). The web site is not affiliated with the manufacturer, it’s made up of owners. They will be able to help with any questions you have about your Lance, and help you spend more money on modifications.

Thank you for that pointer.
Haha Spending more on trailer 🙂 I have spent enough!
Though I will invest in keeping it safe from leaks etc.
Luckily owner provided cover, stabilizing hitch etc.

[jwfails]

You need to check out Lance Owners of America (LOA). The web site is not affiliated with the manufacturer, it’s made up of owners. They will be able to help with any questions you have about your Lance, and help you spend more money on modifications.

[robertz]

I bought Lance.
I had put down deposit on Starcraft but my 03 MDX could not tow it so I backed out of that deal.

If I had to buy new car might as well get the bigger trailer that I wanted in first place 🙂

[2012Coleman]

robertz wrote:
So it's coming together.
2016 Lance 1685 - GVWR 5500. (I seriously doubt two of us will load it up above 5000 lbs total).

The trailer comes with stabilizing hitch that should help.

Car I am waiting to pick up will be 2016 MB GLE 350.
That has towing capacity of 7200 lbs.
It already has a factory hitch and wiring (7 pin round plug at the back).

I bought the Curt wireless controller that will plug in at the back of car and the trailer wiring will plug into the controller so no plugging the controller at the front.
I would have done it except the small 4 pin connector that goes from standard controllers to specific car plug would not come in time. This wireless one if works well allows to be used on any other car with 7 pin plug.

I went with the above car because it would save us $400 one way flight 2 ppl. $1000 for U-Haul. That's $1400 right there.

Eventually I have to buy a car and if no hitch, MB is complicated to install hitch (saw video) so another $500-600 to get it installed.

Only negative about above plan is it's going to be 2800 miles round trip.

Previously, you stated:

robertz wrote:
So we ended up purchasing used 2017 Starcraft 16KS that was in perfect condition.

It's bit on smaller side (perfect for 2, tight for 4).

GVWR 3790 lbs.
Factory weight with propane tank (but no other liquids) = 3045 lbs.
Cargo weight/Payload = 745 lbs.

This should be OK for my 03-MDX that has two rating of 4500lb.

This is temporary for next 2-3 years till I purchase a better tow vehicle and next trailer.

So what did you get -the Lance or the Starcraft?

[robertz]

So it's coming together.
2016 Lance 1685 - GVWR 5500. (I seriously doubt two of us will load it up above 5000 lbs total).

The trailer comes with stabilizing hitch that should help.

Car I am waiting to pick up will be 2016 MB GLE 350.
That has towing capacity of 7200 lbs.
It already has a factory hitch and wiring (7 pin round plug at the back).

I bought the Curt wireless controller that will plug in at the back of car and the trailer wiring will plug into the controller so no plugging the controller at the front.
I would have done it except the small 4 pin connector that goes from standard controllers to specific car plug would not come in time. This wireless one if works well allows to be used on any other car with 7 pin plug.

I went with the above car because it would save us $400 one way flight 2 ppl. $1000 for U-Haul. That's $1400 right there.

Eventually I have to buy a car and if no hitch, MB is complicated to install hitch (saw video) so another $500-600 to get it installed.

Only negative about above plan is it's going to be 2800 miles round trip.

[Grit_dog]

robertz wrote:


Actually after posting this I found that I can purchase.
"Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake controller" from Advance Auto part locally.
I can just use that on U-Haul trailer and then to my car.

Nope.

Get a vehicle setup for towing. It will save you $ and consternation in the long run.

[Grit_dog]

Robert, stop. Pump the brakes...figuratively.

First, your "upgrade" to a newer (presume relatively newer) Pathfinder isn't much of an upgrade for towing ability/capacity, at all. On paper, yes, but it's not 6klbs if it doesn't even have a trailer hitch.

I mean, it's "ok" but are you buying for now or buying for your future plans of alot of trips and several x country trips a year? Either way, it is a less than ideal vehicle to tow a full height trailer anywhere but shorter trips, especially long grades and altitude.

IMO, either commit to buying a tow vehicle or just run the old Acura and save spending needless money on not much of an upgrade.

And get a real, hard wired brake controller. Specifically since you don't know much about towing. If the vehicle you're towing with isn't pre-wired for brakes and sporting a hitch receiver from the factory, you're sort of throwing good money down the drain.

[Skelshy]

Congrats! Enjoy the ride!

[robertz]

jwfails wrote:
You can buy your own brake controller online. I have a Prodigy, ($100-$150) you have to buy a separate wiring adapter ($20) for your specific vehicle. They are plug and play. Once plugged in you have to follow the directions to set sensitivity. I believe you need a 7 way plug in for brakes to work. I have used U-haul before and they were very knowledgeable about brake connections.

Hi, This is what I want to do for the new car.
Buy Prodigy and wiring adapter...

Actually after posting this I found that I can purchase.
"Curt Echo Mobile Trailer Brake controller" from Advance Auto part locally.
I can just use that on U-Haul trailer and then to my car.

[jwfails]

You can buy your own brake controller online. I have a Prodigy, ($100-$150) you have to buy a separate wiring adapter ($20) for your specific vehicle. They are plug and play. Once plugged in you have to follow the directions to set sensitivity. I believe you need a 7 way plug in for brakes to work. I have used U-haul before and they were very knowledgeable about brake connections.

[robertz]

My plan to use MDX to two GVWR 3800 lb, didn't work out so I backed out of the purchase of above trailer.
Confusion came about because if you search on google it shows 4500 lb for my 03 MDX. Except that is for boat trailer only. For travel trailer it's 3500 lb only.

I actually found a good Lance camper and have a deal on that.
I am going to buy Nissan Pathfinder.
My question is:
I know trailer has electric breaks.
When I have U-Haul install the hitch on the car do they have to install break controller? Without break controller will trailer use electric breaks based on just regular connectors?
On U-Haul site it didn't show me option to add break controller so I am not sure how to go about this.
Should I just buy wireless break controller and take it to U-Haul and have them wire it up?

Thanks

[robertz]

So we ended up purchasing used 2017 Starcraft 16KS that was in perfect condition.

It's bit on smaller side (perfect for 2, tight for 4).

GVWR 3790 lbs.
Factory weight with propane tank (but no other liquids) = 3045 lbs.
Cargo weight/Payload = 745 lbs.

This should be OK for my 03-MDX that has two rating of 4500lb.

This is temporary for next 2-3 years till I purchase a better tow vehicle and next trailer.

[APT]

If the dry weight is 4500 pounds, loaded will be 5000-5500 pounds with 650-750 pounds of TW. I would be looking for something closer to 7k pound tow rating. Durango, Grand Cherokee, or any of the half tons.

[robertz]

Yes most trailers I am interested in will not tow with 4500 lb capacity of 03 MDX.

What do you guys think of SUV that can tow 6000 lb?
Most trailers I am interested have 4200-4500 lb dry weight.
Hitch weight under 500 lb.
GVWR under 6000 lb.