Newbie here. Many questions on light Pop Ups

[vespertillio]

Hey all, first time poster here. I put the same post in the classifieds section, sorry about that. I

[AustinBoston]

I

[vespertillio]

A common rule of thumb is to not try to pull more than 75% of your rating, especially in the mountains.  That would be about 1100 lbs.  Most tow ratings assume there is ONE person in the tow vehicle, and no cargo.  If you put "4-6 people" plus their luggage in the Element, you need to subtract that from the tow rating.

And in the mountains, it's not always what it can tow, but what it can stop.  There is a video that has made the rounds here of a small station wagon, smoke billowing out from under it, barely hauling a trailer up a hill.  Just out of sight, the car stalls, and the whole thing starts rolling backwards.  It didn't stop until it went off the road and hit something.  He got it part way up, but was unable to stop it at all.   :yikes:



A/C can add quite a bit to the weight of a light trailer.



There are very few (if any) pop-ups that will sleep six people and be light enough for you to tow.  One option would be to also pack a tent, so if extra people want to join, somebody sleeps on the ground.



This is important; what you should tow (not the same as what you can tow) is significantly less than say, someone in Florida, where a steep climb is the one going over the overpass.   :p

You might try looking at a Livin' Lite Pop-up:

http://www.livinlite.com/

Austin

Many thanks. I will look at those. I have also heard the is a Rockwood pop up that weighs in at 950. It would be the rarest occasion when 6 would go and tents would definitely be brought along. :-)

[wynot]

Hey all, first time poster here. I put the same post in the classifieds section, sorry about that. I

[flyfisherman]

Many thanks. I will look at those. I have also heard the is a Rockwood pop up that weighs in at 950. It would be the rarest occasion when 6 would go and tents would definitely be brought along. :-)

Have to watch out for these base weights as the manufacturer's do not disclose everything. For example, they do not include the weight of ANY options like the 3-way frig, the furnance, awning, electric brakes ... even sometimes the spare tire and even the L/P in the tank (if, indeed, the tank is also included). By the time you add this weight, plus your dishes, pots & pans, bedding and whatever else your bringing. This weight has to be accounted for, either in the camper or in the tow vehicle.  My point is this option & cargo weight can add up and you can have more weight to deal with than what the sales brochure indicates.


Good luck,


Fly

[jmckinle1]

Hi -

We were also shopping for a light popup.

We found many popup manufacturers make models based on 8' boxes that weigh around 1,000 lbs.  Fleetwood makes the Element series.

We were lucky to find a used 8' Coleman Taos that weighs about 1,000 lbs. and tows well.

If you are going to be in the mountains, trailer brakes may be important.

[OC Campers]

I was also going to suggest the Coleman Taos.  Friends of our have a 2004 Taos that they pull with a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid.  It pulls it no problem.  They  met us last year at a cg that was at  9,400 ft elevation and he said it pulled it like a dream.  This trailer is very basic.  2 full size bunks, a table, heater and fridge.  Very small with an 8 ft box but it is better than a tent and sleeping on the ground.  For 1 r 2 people it will work fine but if you have kids it will be way to small.

Jacqui

[GrizzlyTaco]

Here's a site with some light weight trailers, go to the bottem of the page and check out  "The Little Joe".    its not a PU but its nice and light......Ed
http://www.weiscrafttrailers.com/

[vespertillio]

Thank you all for the great responses. It looks like I will have to find either a Cobalt, Taos or Rockwood 1600 series. I went and saw some Aliners today. They are nice, but good god are they pricey. I think I  may just have to keep watching ads for used ones.

[chano524]

We've got a Palimino Pinto with just the basics, stove,ice box,heater. Only used it 2xs last year but plan on many trips this year. It pulls pretty good on our 850-900lbs, not over 900. I added tons of weight to that our first 2 trips with all the stuff I packed and we never used. Now that I've got my list ready I'm sure the load will be lighter on both my husband and the truck. Happy Camping everyone, I've got ants in my pants just thinking about it.