All ActivityMost RecentMost LikesSolutionsRe: new RV purchase advice 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.Re: new RV purchase adviceI 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 :-)Re: new RV purchase adviceSo 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.Re: new RV purchase advice 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.Re: new RV purchase adviceMy 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? ThanksRe: new RV purchase adviceSo 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.Re: new RV purchase adviceYes 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.Re: new RV purchase adviceThank you, That's a good guideline. I am coming to conclusion that I need a new tow vehicle with at least 6000 lb capacity. Most trailers that I am interested are 4200 lb. If I keep additional weight to 1000 lb I will be at 5200 lb. I don't intend to carry water other than emergency when I can not dump out gray/black water. Thanks Dry weights you list are the unit when shipped from the factory. Add two filled propane tanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 75 lbs At least one battery, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,45 lbs pots, pans, dishes, linens, towels, clothing ,,,,,,100 lbs Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon, how much will you need to carry? Food? Tools, Patio/lawnchairs? It all is counted on top of that dry weight. You will go past 4500 pretty quick.Re: new RV purchase adviceThanks for all feedback. I am considering two used units. 1) 2018 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S asking $18.5K dry weight 4251 lbs. 2) 2016 Rockwood Mini-Lite by Forest River 2109S asking $15.5K dry weight 4037 lbs. Anyone with this model can recommend it? My current SUV is rated 4500 lbs. If I keep additional load minimal can I tow this? ThanksRe: new RV purchase adviceHi Everyone, Great info... We really like Lance. Thank you all who posted various links. Lowest I can find is 30K new 2019 model. I will keep searching. I see link for NY location and it's not bad drive for us, 4-5 hrs. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 most normal things are not possible for shoppers. Like going to trade show or visiting local dealers to get an idea (that's the fun part, minus sales guys). May be I will keep shopping and wait a little. Keep information coming. I am still wondering how the factory service works for the first year? If I buy in NY or far place will they have dealer local to NH for warranty work? Thanks
GroupsTravel Trailer Group Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts