Thoughts - Travel Trailer

[nctraveler54]

Ok, new to the forum so please forgive stupid questions. My wife hit me with a new idea, buy a travel trailer. We have our beach condo on the market and she is looking at something different this time. First issue – I just bought a new GMC Canyon and do not want to upgrade it; just yet. Been doing some research regarding lite weight towable trailers. There is only the two of us, no need for something big. Any thoughts pleases – thanks.
Don

[Passin_Thru]

You can never buy too much truck. Too long, Yes. Too much, no. Buy a 3/4 ton. You won't have to worry about how much you can tow or if you can go over the Rockies or over Slumgullion Pass, The north side has the steepest grade of any continuously paved road in Colorado (9%),

[Lwiddis]

So we are still guessing about the Canyon’s payload. The number that changes with options. Pulling teeth is difficult too.

[SoundGuy]

downtheroad wrote:
First....what Canyon? Motor, packages, etc.

nctraveler54 wrote:
2017 Canyon 4WD 3.6L V6 gas tow/trailer package -

Axle ratio? :h

[Route_66_Travel]

The Trailer Life 2018 Towing Guide states that the Canyon with the 3.6 V-8 is rated to tow 7000 pounds IF it has the factory towing package.

That being said, I tow my 7000# Starcraft Autumn Ridge with a Toyota Tundra with a 5.8L V-8 and it tows like it isn't even there. I would never consider towing it with anything less. I would suggest before buying a TT that you find a place to rent one, or as a last resort rent a U-haul cargo trailer and load it to 6500-7000 pounds and see if your truck will handle it. You also need to consider your braking potential with that heavy load. Good luck...

[nctraveler54]

downtheroad wrote:
First....what Canyon? Motor, packages, etc.
After you post this info you will get much better, experienced advice. What trailer is all about what you are going to tow it with.

.....and, welcome to the Forum.

2017 Canyon 4WD 3.6L V6 gas tow/trailer package - thanks

[nctraveler54]

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
You will need to consider the possibilities and decide what you want to do.
Length of trips? 2 days, weeks, months?
Staying at resort type locations with full amenities? Or out in the woods no hookups, no neighbors?
Summer only? or looking to snowbird some?
What you look into getting is tailored to what you want to do with it.

Length - 2-7 days, until I retire / resort to start with, learn the ropes / spring, summer, fall - no winter to start with / thanks

[Lwiddis]

nctraveler may be MIA in a Canyon.

[SoundGuy]

bobndot wrote:
Look at the specs on this TT. http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=60

What model? :h

[goducks10]

Check out https://www.lancecamper.com/

[bobndot]

Look at the specs on this TT. http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=60

AT under 5k# , your truck might be able to handle this relatively short footprint making it easier to back into tighter spaces.

This floorplan offers an walk-around island bed, sofa or dinette. This floorplan will also work with the slide in. A nice feature to be able to use the TT at rest stops or parking lots with limited elbow room for parking.

[DutchmenSport]

The Canyon comes with 3 options:

DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE = 2.8 L Diesel = Max trailer rating of up to 7,700 lbs

2.5L 4-CYLINDER (GAS) = Max trailering rating of 3,500 lbs

3.6L V6 (GAS) = Max trailering rating of 7,000 lbs5 (with available Trailering Package)

And the disclaimer foot note at the bottom of the page:
5. Canyon’s 7000-lb rating requires available trailering package and 3.6L V-6 engine. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.
6. Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the trailering section of the Owner’s Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.


I do not think you will be towing anything significantly heavy, especially if you have the 4 cylinder gas version.

Remember, if you purchase a trailer that weighs at the max, 7,000 pounds, by the time you add water, propane, camping supplies and equipment, and stock the camper with your personal amenities, that 7000 pound trailer will very quickly increase in weight to 10,000 pounds.

You did the right thing though by coming to these forums and asking questions before you jumped in. If getting a camper is really in your future, you'll really need to consider a heftier truck. Sorry, you might not really have wanted to hear this.

Now, if you decide to go with a pop-up or an A-line or a Hi-Lo type trailer, a tear drop, or a smaller single axle light weight trailer, then your current truck will probably do just time. Before proceeding any further, you need to narrow down the size and weight of the camper that would suit your camping style the most, then make sure your current truck can actually tow it. If not, then adjust either the choice of trailer, or bite the bullet and go for the heftier truck.

[kerrlakeRoo]

A great option for you may be to go to East Coast RV Rentals in Benson NC. One of their rental units is a 21' jayco swift which weighs about 2500 lbs and should be in the same size range as you would be looking at for towing with a Canyon. A trip for a couple of days may give you an idea of what you want.

[westend]

For the best response for advice on trailers, the handling capacity of the Canyon will have to known. The "Cargo Capacity" weight numbers are on a sticker/label on the driver's side door pillar. Look there and report the numbers here. Tire info would be good too, as an estimation of the vehicle's towing capability. A lot of travel trailers can be heavy so estimating the towing numbers is necessary.

There should be many models of trailers that will fit your use. In FL, I might choose a pop-up camper as the weather is typically mild and the pop-up's low weight and small profile make for an easier tow. I have one parked in my backyard that was parked in FL for 6 mos. The AC will freeze me out if run on "high", lol.

Hard sided trailers also come in small sizes so picking one with the right layout and features will be a new guy's major concern. Don't forget, in your search, to factor in the things an owner can do by themselves like adding a TV screen, adding to outdoor space with awning screens or covers, plumbing in an additional gas hose for gas-fueled grills, etc.

Good luck with your search. I would suggest to visit a few sellers of used TT's to get a feel for what ownership is like. You may choose to buy a new trailer but the information gleaned will be valuable.

[George3037]

Your Canyon is only rated to tow 7700 lb. and only IF you have 2WD crew cab and the Duramax 2.8L diesel. The gas engine model with other body configurations will tow much less so you will be very limited finding a camping trailer light enough to safely tow. There are small trailers but very close quarters inside them (I've seen larger dog houses). If that's OK with you then go for it.

[coolmom42]

Get the correct tow rating and cargo capacity of the exact version of the Canyon you have. Those vary widely with trim levels and options.

Add about 1000 lb to the dry weight of the trailer to get a reasonable loaded weight. Your trailer will put 10-15% of its loaded weight on the tongue, and that becomes part of the cargo of the truck. So take the cargo capacity of the truck, subtract 2 people and maybe another 200 lb for "stuff", and that is what you have available for trailer tongue weight. That is likely to be your limiting factor in the trailer weight you can comfortably handle.

Tow rating is another factor. It's best not to be absolutely maxed out.

Dont guess, get the numbers.

The most important factor aside from weight, is the floor plan of the trailer. Most couples want an "island" bed so you don't have to climb over each other. Some people must have a big entertainment system, others don't care. Go to some dealers and just start looking, taking a list of your weight limits with you. Don't buy anything in a rush. Take your time.