Hybrid travel trailer

[guinea]

Hi Everyone,

I hope it is ok to post this thread here.

I never thought I would say this, but I have started to look at hard-sided and hybrid travel trailers (used).  Tell me what you think about the following:

2001 Trail Lite by R-Vision Hybrid travel trailer
23' with auto slide-out; manually operated awning.  Tent trailer beds at each end; full sized couch (looks like); full kitchen, microwave, stove, full refrigerator (I do not see a regular oven); dinette table; clothes closet; looks like a AC/heater unit on the roof; weight under 3600 lbs.  Price $5,995.  used to be $7,995.  

I own a Nissan Frontier truck (V6) (what do you think about my truck towing this trailer?

What do you guys think about using nitrogen gas in truck tires instead of regular air?

Glenna :yikes::-()

[wavery]

Hi Everyone,

I hope it is ok to post this thread here.

I never thought I would say this, but I have started to look at hard-sided and hybrid travel trailers (used).  Tell me what you think about the following:

2001 Trail Lite by R-Vision Hybrid travel trailer
23' with auto slide-out; manually operated awning.  Tent trailer beds at each end; full sized couch (looks like); full kitchen, microwave, stove, full refrigerator (I do not see a regular oven); dinette table; clothes closet; looks like a AC/heater unit on the roof; weight under 3600 lbs.  Price $5,995.  used to be $7,995.  

I own a Nissan Frontier truck (V6) (what do you think about my truck towing this trailer?

What do you guys think about using nitrogen gas in truck tires instead of regular air?

Glenna :yikes::-()

What year is your truck?

As a general rule of thumb.....TT = V8. Even thow that trailer is only about 4K# it has more windage than your PU.

The price on that trailer looks good. NADA shows avg retail around $8K (depending on options).
http://www.rvsearch.com/NADA/index.cfm?frame=2&tc=36265

Nitrogen is great. Best used in newer tires If you develop a slow leak, you will need a way to air-up and that becomes more complicated with nitrogen.

[guinea]

Hi Wayne,

I have a Frontier Nissan SE 2006 truck (4.0L, V6).  Maximum Towing Capacity 6,500 lbs.  

I was also concerned about their being a problem with trying to obtain the air if I was out-of-town.

Glenna

[wavery]

Hi Wayne,

I have a Frontier Nissan SE 2006 truck (4.0L, V6).  Maximum Towing Capacity 6,500 lbs.  

I was also concerned about their being a problem with trying to obtain the air if I was out-of-town.

Glenna

Towing capacity (in and of itself) tells you very little. The real # that you need is the GCWR........

Here's what I come up with on your truck:
GVWR   5,730 lbs.  
Payload   1,464 lbs.  
Towing capacity   6,300 lbs.  
GCWR   11,133 lbs.  
--------------------------

Take the GCWR.....11,133
subtract GVWR...... 5,730
Max tow capacity ...5,403......including passengers, cargo and fuel.

You will need the GVWR on the trailer and the listed tongue wt (which I can promise you will be under the actual scale wt) and the RAWR on the truck.

When you have those #s together, plug them into this calculator and it will tell you what you have:
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-tt.shtml

[Recumbentman]

Glenna

You might want to PM Laura (Azusateach). She just traded in her HTT and I know that she pulled it with a Ford Explorer with a V6. Her HTT was very clean and well taken care of. She could give you all the info on it and where you can go to look at it.
just a thought :sombraro:

[wavery]

When trying to determine the capabilities of a TV the worst thing that you can do is go opinion shopping IMHO. There will always be someone out there that will tell you that their far under-rate TV tows just great.

I always recommend collecting the facts and see where they take you. In the end, you're the one that is responsible for your decision. I wouldn't give that power to anyone.

I think that your TV may handle a light TT OK in most situations. However, it's critical that you know it's short-comings (if there are any). You will have a better idea once you get all the numbers and plug them into that calculator.

One thing that that calculator does not discuss is terrain but then again, that's a very slippery slope because there will always be that "one special trip" that may risk it all. IMO, It's better to be over-rated on your TV than under-rated.

[Azusateach]

Now that my name's been mentioned I guess I'll wade in here ...  

Glenna, I had a 19' hybrid -- you saw it this summer -- and originally pulled it with an Explorer V6.  The hybrid was 4800# "wet", meaning completely loaded with water, full holding tanks, etc.  My V6 was rated to pull 5000#, so I was within my limits, but not by much.  I never pulled it full, and was probably somewhere around 4200# max, as I don't carry much stuff.  I never weighed it (I know Wayne, I'm bad ...) but felt okay enough taking short trips around So. CA.  

One summer I took myself to the Redwoods in N. CA by myself.  If you've ever traveled 101 north of San Francisco you'll know that it's not nearly as flat as it is down this way.  My little Explorer had to work hard, but managed just okay.  But that was a pivotal trip for me, and I began to think about getting a bigger engine.  I lucked out and found an immaculate V8 Explorer that October and was able to make a good deal on trade.  What a difference!  It will always feel like there's something behind me, but I climbed hills much easier and felt much better about my car's abilitiy to pull the hybrid.

Glenna, if you're really wanting to look at hybrids, my guess is that mine's still sitting on the lot at Marjon RV in Moreno Valley.  If you'd like more information on it let me know.  It's a really nice unit and would suit you well.  I really enjoyed it but got to the point that I didn't want the tent-ends any more.  Not knowing why you want to do something different, I'd encourage you to think about a small (16-17') travel trailer.  It's just you, and I know that there are TTs out there that your car can pull.  

Anyway, that's my two cents' worth.  

Merry Christmas everyone!

Laura -- and Jed

[cjpoppin]

My 2 cents also.....Listen to everyone and make sure your truck has the extra power to pull those surprise grades........Know our new truck makes all the difference in the world....
Also,do look at Travel Trailers just think no more setting up much of anything just back it in un-hook and put out the awning or not....It's warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.....This statement should open up the can of worms.......On your mark get set go........

[guinea]

Hi Everyone,

Yes I am a little wary about my V6 engine and trying to pull a larger trailer.  I have seen some small trailers on the internet, but I have to admit that I like  extra room especially if I can sucker family/friends into going with me.  I found a scale here in Oxnard and I am going to try and get my truck and trailer weighed by next week.  I will then use Wayne's info and I will post what I find out.  I am already signed up for 5 trips in 2010.

Laura I went on the website for Marjon Rv and did not see your trailer.  Please send me the info on your trailer and I can call the lot.

[wavery]

Hi Everyone,

Yes I am a little wary about my V6 engine and trying to pull a larger trailer.  I have seen some small trailers on the internet, but I have to admit that I like  extra room especially if I can sucker family/friends into going with me.  I found a scale here in Oxnard and I am going to try and get my truck and trailer weighed by next week.  I will then use Wayne's info and I will post what I find out.  I am already signed up for 5 trips in 2010.

Laura I went on the website for Marjon Rv and did not see your trailer.  Please send me the info on your trailer and I can call the lot.

Are you telling us that you bought that trailer?:-()

[guinea]

never can tell!:-()

[OC Campers]

Hi Wayne,

I have a Frontier Nissan SE 2006 truck (4.0L, V6).  Maximum Towing Capacity 6,500 lbs.  

I was also concerned about their being a problem with trying to obtain the air if I was out-of-town.

Glenna

Our Dodge Ram has a V8 and tow rating of 6,500 lbs.  We have a 23 ft Jayco hybrid.  The truck pulls it fine but you definately know it is back there.  If we had it to do again, we would of purchased the hemi.  IMHO the V6 Frontier is too small a truck.  If you want to get a new trailer/hybrid, maybe look at a 19 ft model.  

If you already purchased the trailer, another thing that helps are air bags.  We put them on the truck and they help alot with the rear end sag.

Jacqui

[cjpoppin]

Maybe what she is really saying is.......[SIZE="5"][COLOR="Red"]"Should I buy that new Truck I have my eyes on!"[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Ho,Ho,Ho......Santa is working hard at her house....

[Azusateach]

Glenna, I sent you a PM.

Laura