2013 Camping Thread

[V]

I love my tent trailer. We don't have any issues with condensation inside the trailer.

[ken0042]

The hybrids are a great option. I went with a smaller trailer instead of a hybrid for a few reasons:

- Hard wall meant more "bear-resistant." We camp in the mountains quite often.
- Hybrid or tent trailers often require a drying out period if you put them away wet.
- I really enjoy spring and fall camping, and it's nice to have that extra insulation.

Boosterjuice- what is the towing capacity of your SUV? And how big is your family?

[Diemenz]

This is a picture of my new Trailer, Absolutely love the finishing on it. I did however leave a light on in the bathroom and killed the battery over the last month it would seem.



I also did the typical RV mistake which was buy a trailer bigger then your previous then realize your truck (Tacoma) might not be the best tow vehicle for it so I ended up picking up a new Ram 1500
And yes, I did manage to stay married.

[boosterjuice]

Originally Posted by ken0042

The hybrids are a great option. I went with a smaller trailer instead of a hybrid for a few reasons:

- Hard wall meant more "bear-resistant." We camp in the mountains quite often.
- Hybrid or tent trailers often require a drying out period if you put them away wet.
- I really enjoy spring and fall camping, and it's nice to have that extra insulation.

Boosterjuice- what is the towing capacity of your SUV? And how big is your family?

Thanks for the input. My towing capacity is 7200 lbs on my Mercedes ML 550. My family is: one wife, a 4 yr old, and a 6yr old.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by boosterjuice

Thanks for the input. My towing capacity is 7200 lbs on my Mercedes ML 550. My family is: one wife, a 4 yr old, and a 6yr old.

7200 is more then enough. Doesn't that model also have the stability assist where it breaks the SUV to prevent sway?
The trailer I posted above is 5700 full loaded and watered up.

With a proper weight distribution hitch and Brake controller you don't have to limit yourself to a hybrid, most TT's now are sub 4000lbs when your looking 25' and under.

[boosterjuice]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

7200 is more then enough. Doesn't that model also have the stability assist where it breaks the SUV to prevent sway?
The trailer I posted above is 5700 full loaded and watered up.

With a proper weight distribution hitch and Brake controller you don't have to limit yourself to a hybrid, most TT's now are sub 4000lbs when your looking 25' and under.

I'll have to look at the manual to see if it has stability assist. Your trailer is awesome by the way.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by boosterjuice

Hey campers!

I'm used to tenting as well. With kids and wife, I have no choice but to get a travel travel.

I'm looking into hybrid trailers that have fold-down canvas beds as they are light enough to be towed with our SUV. My one concern about these hybrids is the potential for leaking canvas to damage the trailer. Anyone have any positive or negative experiences with these hybrid style travel trailers?

We have a rockwood Roo (see pic of type earlier in the thread). Wasn't my first choice but was a nice compromise with the wife who didn't want a trailer at all.

The good, it's easy to tow (even though this is heavier than some of the ones you can get out there), Allows a ton of fresh air in the trailer when you take the canvas down, super easy to set up as opposed to a tent trailer, has many of the amenities of a standard trailer (of course depending on how much you choose to spend on either).

The cons - Ive really only found a few Its freakin cold for spring or fall time camping BUT you can always turn the furnace on if you have power or decent battery system. Loud, nothing more annoying then going out for nice and relaxing camping trip and getting woken up by the squirrels yapping away and the subsequent crazy dog resulting from it. Plus people can hear everything outside the trailer as well so forget about that drunken dirty sex romp if you think people won't be able to hear you!

All-in all i'm pretty happy with our little Roo but weve only owned it for one season and with a little one on the way that may change.

Cheers
RTTR

[Red]

Originally Posted by return to the red

We have a rockwood Roo (see pic of type earlier in the thread). Wasn't my first choice but was a nice compromise with the wife who didn't want a trailer at all.

The good, it's easy to tow (even though this is heavier than some of the ones you can get out there), Allows a ton of fresh air in the trailer when you take the canvas down, super easy to set up as opposed to a tent trailer, has many of the amenities of a standard trailer (of course depending on how much you choose to spend on either).

The cons - Ive really only found a few Its freakin cold for spring or fall time camping BUT you can always turn the furnace on if you have power or decent battery system. Loud, nothing more annoying then going out for nice and relaxing camping trip and getting woken up by the squirrels yapping away and the subsequent crazy dog resulting from it. Plus people can hear everything outside the trailer as well so forget about that drunken dirty sex romp if you think people won't be able to hear you!

All-in all i'm pretty happy with our little Roo but weve only owned it for one season and with a little one on the way that may change.

Cheers
RTTR

A Hybrid owner. I put reflectix in the windows for the cold weather and open one window a bit for condensation. Keeps it warm and dry.

Only concerns are noise in the mornings (some love it) and folding down when wet. You need to dry it after. Otherwise they are great. Open up end canvas and get it aired out daily, can't have that in a regular trailer.
Another plus is that it's a 26 foot trailer with a 19ft footprint. Fits in the driveway so no storage pains. And I am not talking about cost. It's the luxury of taking your time to pack/clean when the trailer is at the house versus rushing when you bring it from the storage.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Red

Fits in the driveway so no storage pains. And I am not talking about cost. It's the luxury of taking your time to pack/clean when the trailer is at the house versus rushing when you bring it from the storage.

That is an excellent point. My trailer is small; 16 feet. I had been looking at upgrading it however the biggest knock I had was not being able to store it at my house. (Without consuming most of the back yard.) Being able to have it at my house means I can keep the fridge running and the battery charged. Also as mentioned it's nice to be able to put things in as I get them instead of having to load the trailer.

There was one camping trip last year where we decided at 4:00 on a Friday we were going camping. We made a quick stop at the store for buns and chips and hit the road. The boys and I were sitting by the fire by 5:30. I also have a trip planned for later this month. A work trip almost got in the way; however I fly home the Friday afternoon, and we can go camping that evening.

[slots881]

Fixed this guy up last summer, can't wait to get out this summer in it.

[missdpuck]

That is so sweet. I'll be it's adorable inside.

[slots881]

Originally Posted by missdpuck

That is so sweet. I'll be it's adorable inside.

[KevanGuy]

That is fataing awesome.

[MacDaddy77]

Question for the trailer people in the know. I have a new journey rt with a 4000lb hitch

There is a trailer I'm looking at that's 3300lbs dry. With having food and clothes and dishes I think I'm looking at another 300 lbs. I won't be towing this trailer far (kananasks). Is this trailer too much? What if I buy a wd hitch to take some hitch weight off?

Thanks for your comments and advice

[Red]

Way too much. You will need to account for at least 4000lbs load and Journey is rated at 1000-2500 lbs depending on model.

[MacDaddy77]

Originally Posted by Red

Way too much. You will need to account for at least 4000lbs load and Journey is rated at 1000-2500 lbs depending on model.

I thought it was 3500. And why does the new pathfinder have 5000 lb when they have comparable engines and torque. Is it the transmission that makes a difference?

[ken0042]

There's a lot that goes into towing capacity. Engine, transmission, diff, cooling, and frame.

The other thing- 300 pounds of gear is not very much. I have a very small trailer and I am easily around 700 pounds with pots, chairs, food, beer. Propane alone is 40 pounds per tank, and 30 for the battery. Also be sure to look at what the trailer really weighs dry. My trailer has a "dry weight" of 2500 pounds on the website, and was 2800 delivered. The dry weight doesn't include things like the microwave, mattresses, window coverings, etc.

[#22]

Also, anything inside the vehicle (or on the roof-rack) except for the driver has to be added on to that total.

[Tailgator]

The biggest problem with toeing capacities is not the weight that can be towed so much as how it tows. A lot of half tons and SUVs' give you a towing weight capacity, which is pretty much for ideal conditions, I.e flat windless towing. There is a huge danger to towing a trailer too heavy for your vehicle and it's sway. All the anti sway protection in the world won't help when the tail starts to wag the dog.
Educate yourself, don't just believe a sales guy, both at a car dealership and an RV dealership will tell you you're fine to get your money. Our southern Alberta is a tough one for towing - windy, mountains, and bad drivers. Most people go way too fast for towing as well which contributes to problems.
We used to have a tent trailer and loved it. Once we had twins, a tent trailer got prett small, especially when it rained! We moved to a travel trailer and love it. Bolton creek is one of our faves. Used to like Mount Kidd, but it's actually an over abundance of snotty rich people with their giant rigs that thought they owned the world that wrecked Kidd for me. Last time we were there, this couple started actually cutting down trees because they couldn't get their trailer in while their dog ran around off leash killing ground squirrels and crapping all over the place.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by slots881

Fixed this guy up last summer, can't wait to get out this summer in it.

Love it - that's a classic!