Trailer Comparison - Feedback requested

[DTay2014]

This is a follow up to my post for feedback last week-See my comparison of the 3 trailers in question in the image noted above.

About to pull the trigger on ordering either the Skyline Koala 23CI or Funfinder 233RBS or off the lot purchase of a North Trail 23RBS. This trailer will be our full time home for at least 1 year as we travel the country according to the weather. Planning to buy the Prodigy electronic brake controller and a WD hitch. Occupants of Expedition weight= 410 (including dog). Three floorplans are almost identical.

Some info about our vehicle- 2005 Ford Expedition 5.4 Liter with HD Towing package.
Tow vehicle GVWR= 7400
Tow vehicle GCWR=14,500
Tow vehicle maximum loaded trailer weight rating= 8,600
Tow vehicle maximum tongue weight rating= 895
Tow vehicle RGAWR= 4,128

Dry vehicle weights= Koala (4,475), Skyline (4,570) and yellow tag weight of North Trail =5,300.

Question: I think we can safely pull any of these. Is this correct?

Question 2: North Trail pushed that they are four season ready- is this a major pro compared to the other two? We aren't planning to be in cold areas for winter nor do we plan to be in the sweltering summer heat.

Question 3: Since we are planning to boondock some- should we avoid the 2, 20lb propane tanks on the North Trail compared to the 2, 30lb tanks on the other two? NT salesman pushed that 20lbs can be filled most anywhere compared to 30lb.

We think that we are comfortable with the construction quality of all three.

Helpful feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[handye9]

In floor plan pictures, I see a wall at foot of the bed in all three trailers.

We had a TT with that type of bedroom set up, with a short (60X74) queen bed. The front wall of the TT was sloped, so, there really wasn't 74 inches between that wall and the wall at foot of the bed. I like to stretch out in bed and at 5'8", my head touched the front wall and my feet touched the wall at foot of the bed. I did not sleep well.

The trailers on your list, only the Funfinder has a full size queen bed. It also has a higher ceiling and vaulted roof (rain and snow run off faster).

A note on holding tank sizes. Some manufacturers include water in the hot water heater (6 gallon standard) with the fresh water holding capacity. Your chart shows the Skyline with six more gallons in fresh water. The actual holding tank could be 36, just like the other two trailers.

If it were me, I would pick the Funfinder.

[campigloo]

If it were my decision, I would go with the Fun Finder because it is lighter and has more carry capacity. In all my years of filling propane tanks I have NEVER had a problem filling a 30# tank. There are campgrounds, hardware stores, feed supply stores, propane dealers and some lumber yards all over this country that will be more than happy to sell you some propane. You can't swap them at Wal-Mart, but a refill is cheaper anyway. 2 30# tanks are equal to 3 20# tanks. Fewer trips to the store. Might want to look at an extra battery or solar panel for boondocking. I pulled a 24' Coachmen, similar size and weights, with a 2000 5.4l all over the west and it did ok. Have fun and good luck!

[scbwr]

IMHO, avoid the Heartland due to the heavier weight. From my experience (limited), if you go with the Funfinder at a dry weight of 4570, added options such as the battery, propane tanks, spare tire, any awning or slide topper will add several hundred pounds, and then your gear could easily take your weight up to 5500 lbs. or more. That keeps you a pretty good margin of the 8600 lbs. your TV can technically tow. By keeping the weight down, the towing performance will be much better...especially if you plan to head through any higher mountains.

My Winnebago has a dryweight of 4820. With added options (2 20lb propane tanks, spare tire, 19' awning, slideout topper) and gear loaded minus food, and just a few gallons of fresh water in the tank, my trailer weighed in at just a little over 6100 lbs. My Tundra pulls it beautifully. I felt the Tundra would have been straining too often with my old Sunline that was between 8 and 8.5 thousand lbs. Yeah...the truck could pull it with no problem, but I wouldn't have been too thrilled about its performance if we get to head across the Rockies.

Good luck, and I hope you have many great experiences when you hit the road!

[Terryallan]

Your Expe should tow them all pretty well. I personally like the AZDEL, as it is lighter, and stronger than wood laminate, and will not rot, or have any water problems, even IF it does get wet.

[Drippin]

Easy to swap out the 20 lb LP tanks for 30 lbs. The dealer would most likely do that at a minimal cost. Don't let that determine which TT you buy.

[JA722]

I would go with the Fun Finder. Cruiser RV is a great manufacturer. Also they have the longer bed and vaulted ceiling. Everything else is comparable.

[myredracer]

I trust you have searched around the forums for issues with each one? I've read about a lot of unhappy Heartland owners - I think it's been over poor warranty support from the dealers and factory. Dealer quality and factory support is an important factor. Some dealers are just awful and even simple repairs can take many weeks by the time they get factory authorization, then order the parts, and then schedule the work in after the parts have arrived. Not good in the height of the camping season. Our last dealer was in the awful category and current one is excellent.

Ditto on the frame and CCC. You don't list CCC or GVWR. Sometimes CCC can get eaten up to nearly nothing with just basic stuff loaded. Dry weights are bogus figures to use so don't make a buying decision based on that. I'd allow 1500 lbs as a typical weight that will end up on top of the dry weights they list. Compare that to the GVWR numbers. Sometimes towing with just one full tank of water will put you over the GVWR.

Frames can be a real problem. I'd stay away from a frame if it's the 3-piece welded fabricated I-beam type. Notwithstanding other things, I'd choose the one with the better frame design. Some have better re-enforcement in the axle area. Check axle rating vs. the actual weight that will be on the axles. Sometimes they are too close. You can use GVWR minus 10% of that for tongue wt. to be conservative.

Never trust anything a dealer tells you. Research it for yourself.

On tow-ability, if it were me, I'd take your TV to a scale and subtract the weight from it's GVWR to get the actual available payload. Load it up with DW, kids, dogs and anything else you would take for camping and fill up the gas tank. Allow another 100 lbs for weight of the WDH. Since you won't know the actual tongue wt. in advance, I would take 15% of the TT's GVWR for a max. tongue wt. to be sure you'll be okay. Actual tongue weights can go way up from factory dry numbers. Ours is 14.5% for example - up from the factory 10% amount. You'll find that payload capacity in your TV is the limiting factor.

[APT]

I wonder why the Funfinder is 2' shorter. Where is that, middle, slide?

I would say Funfinder. Always liked them. You get the larger bed, larger CCC, higher ceiling. However, I love my North Trail. It offers some features that require the Caliber Edition now like slide out bike rack, solid surface counter, electric stab jacks.

[downtheroad]

All looks fairly equal...I'd get the one with the most carrying capacity. It will probably have more substantial components like frame, suspension, tires, etc.

Disclaimer:
(I have no experience with the quality or reputation of any of your choices)