Topic: 3000lbs and under RVs

[Solstice2006]

I believe it was Airbalancer (IIRC) who mentioned the A-frame trailers to me.  As I am considering hybrid travel trailers (in the next 2-3 years).  Went to the Toronto RV show yesterday, 1/2 price Thursday and Friday.  Went to see the Rockwood Hard Side A-Frame trailers.  The only had the one floorplan available, but it gave me a good idea.  Quite nice, and you get the best of both worlds, the lightweight of a tent trailer, but no canvas to worry about like in a normal tent trailer. There are pros and cons of everything.

Tent Trailer

Pros: Affordable, lightweight, lots of selection, lots of interior space as the beds are at the ends and use no floor space, just to name a few.

Cons: Exposure to the elements (noise and weather), canvas to maintain (major negative for me), setup (not much, but more than Travel Trailers)

Travel Trailer Hybrid

Pros:  A bit more expensive, enclosed washroom, less canvas to maintain (just the bed ends), less setup. More features than tent trailers.

Cons: Less selection that weight 3000lbs and under.  Exposure to the elements on the ends. Canvas to maintain as well.

Travel Trailer

same as above but even more so, more than likely a tow vehicle of 5000lbs would be needed. 

Hard Side Tent Trailer (A-frame)

Pros: No canvas to worry about, fast setup, lightweight.

Cons: less space than tent trailers, have to change dinette to bed every night (when sleeping 4). Less selection, pricey.

[Fobroader]

We first started looking at hybrids and we found there is very little to no advantage over a regular, hardwall trailer.

[Solstice2006]

We first started looking at hybrids and we found there is very little to no advantage over a regular, hardwall trailer.

With the hard walled trailers (I assume you mean a travel trailer), the beds take up floor space, the hybrids don't.  So there is more walking around room.  And there are approx 300-500lbs lighter.  Which makes a difference if your trying to stay under 3000lbs.  Now, if you have a truck already, less of an issue. 

[Fobroader]

We first started looking at hybrids and we found there is very little to no advantage over a regular, hardwall trailer.

With the hard walled trailers (I assume you mean a travel trailer), the beds take up floor space, the hybrids don't.  So there is more walking around room.  And there are approx 300-500lbs lighter.  Which makes a difference if your trying to stay under 3000lbs.  Now, if you have a truck already, less of an issue.

The tradeoff between having no canvas around the beds was worth it. There are a lot of really light, travel trailers that we saw at the RV show. Those teepee style tent trailers didn't appeal to me, a lot of wasted space.

[Fobroader]

Winnebago had these retro looking motorhomes at the show....still a crappy Ford V10 powerplant but they looked cool

[HeliDriver]

We first started looking at hybrids and we found there is very little to no advantage over a regular, hardwall trailer.

With the hard walled trailers (I assume you mean a travel trailer), the beds take up floor space, the hybrids don't.  So there is more walking around room.  And there are approx 300-500lbs lighter.  Which makes a difference if your trying to stay under 3000lbs.  Now, if you have a truck already, less of an issue.

Is the plan to tow with the Odyssey?

If so, trailer weight is important, but frontal area is just as important IMO. Even if it weighs less than 3,000lbs, an 8' wide and 10' high travel trailer is not going to be much fun to pull behind a minivan.

[Solstice2006]

We first started looking at hybrids and we found there is very little to no advantage over a regular, hardwall trailer.

With the hard walled trailers (I assume you mean a travel trailer), the beds take up floor space, the hybrids don't.  So there is more walking around room.  And there are approx 300-500lbs lighter.  Which makes a difference if your trying to stay under 3000lbs.  Now, if you have a truck already, less of an issue.

Is the plan to tow with the Odyssey?

If so, trailer weight is important, but frontal area is just as important IMO. Even if it weighs less than 3,000lbs, an 8' wide and 10' high travel trailer is not going to be much fun to pull behind a minivan.

The plan to tow with the Odyssey is most likely.  Hard to say, as I plan on getting the trailer in 2 years.  By then it will be over 12 years old.  We will see.  I do have a class 3 hitch, with a brake controller.  Still need to add the transmission cooler this summer, and when ready to tow, some weight distribution. 

Planning on towing relatively short distances, and mostly flat.  I have seen several vans, and SUVs (with 3500lbs limits) towing the hybrid style travel trailers

[blotter]

Our friends who bought the R-Pod are pulling it with a new Odyssey.

They have a hitch weight distribution system which makes a huge difference they said.
There's going to be a big group of us camping at Turkey Point at the end of June.   
I'll take some pictures of their setup.

They have no issues on flat roads when it's not windy, but in the hills, the van works really hard.
they said when it's windy you can also really feel the pull of the wind.

They towed the trailer once to a big party we had this fall (everyone staying overnight)
Since it was a 20 minute drive they didn't put the weight distribution thing on and it was a windy day.
He couldn't believe how much the towing dynamics change without it.

[Solstice2006]

Most R-Pod floorplans won't work for us.  As you can't have a bed and dinette setup at the same time. 

[rrocket]

I believe it was Airbalancer (IIRC) who mentioned the A-frame trailers to me. 

I know I had mentioned the A Liners to you several times...

[Ex-airbalancer]

I believe it was Airbalancer (IIRC) who mentioned the A-frame trailers to me. 

I know I had mentioned the A Liners to you several times...

It was not me

But look at these trailers https://www.livinlite.com/camplite-overview.php

[Solstice2006]

I believe it was Airbalancer (IIRC) who mentioned the A-frame trailers to me. 

I know I had mentioned the A Liners to you several times...

Thanks, I knew it was somebody...

[blotter]

Most R-Pod floorplans won't work for us.  As you can't have a bed and dinette setup at the same time.

even us, without kids to worry about.  I'd prefer the dinette NOT be the bed.
That way you don't have to worry about re-setting the dinette area all the time.

[blotter]

But look at these trailers https://www.livinlite.com/camplite-overview.php

i like the aluminum build.   I've checked those out online.  Big money for those (but it's big money for anything all aluminum)
I've also noticed that any trailer considered "ultra light" earns a premium.

[Solstice2006]

Found this today, seems like a pretty good deal.  Bet if I were to order one today, it would be more, this was probably ordered when the Canadian dollar was higher. 

http://www.usedvehicles4sale.ca/used-rv/2015-Rockwood-A212HW/xzvLLGzvzLBxxPmzGxP

This is the biggest of the Rockwood hard side series, all the others use a 12' box, this is a 14'.  Dry weight of 2332lbs.  Wish it had the U-shaped dinnette though.