The little/light Camper Trailer Thread... - Page 66

hppyfngy · 07-09-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wittrrider

I owned one for a few years.
They are nice. Typical RV construction, seemed fairly well built.

At first I tried to tow it with my V6 Ranger, no go, way too heavy for it, ended up with a F150 with the small V8, towed fine.

How much could that little thing weigh?

I tow my Casita, at 2600+lbs just dandy with my V6 Frontier. Overdrive except when climbing. Never an issue at all.

In fact I got rid of my Expedition to tow with the Frontier because it helped with my gas mileage so much.

YMMV I guess...

hppyfngy · 07-09-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wittrrider

The advertised weight was 2300#

The motor was not the problem with my Ranger, I had a manual transmission that was rated to something like 3000-3300# (autos are over 5000#) it was the feeling of the truck getting pushed around and getting too close to the max capacity,that bothered me.

A quick look over on Nissan's website shows max towing capacity for a V6 Frontier at over 6000# that truck should have no problem towing an Rpod.

Gas mileage difference was a couple of mpg between the Ranger and F150 so I opted for the F150 with the small V8.

I am not the type of person who thinks bigger is better, but I do believe safer is better, I wanted to be on the safe side and not stress out a smaller truck, I would have rather kept the Ranger, but I made the choice to go with the F150 and I was happy I did.

One of the big things we wanted to do with our trailer was head out west to Colorado and Utah, which we did in 2009, and frankly I am glad I got the bigger tow vehicle, having 30 mph headwinds and crosswinds from Iowa all the way through Nebraska its was rock solid behind me. Not to mention going through the I70 mountain corridor up and over those passes. I was glad to have the extra size of the F150.

Gotcha. Yeah, I agree that safety is a more important factor over economy when towing. And I appreciated the massive disc brakes on the Expedition.

But when the Exped got long in the tooth I opted for the Frontier and it's great. Of course the Casita has e-brakes too. And I picked up at least 5mpg towing and when not towing, which is nice...

Ricardo Kuhn · 07-09-2012, 02:45 PM

hppyfngy · 07-09-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo Kuhn

After the very high wind storms we've had around here lately, that thing looks like a kite to me.

Cool, but I don't think I want one...

MooseKiller · 07-09-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRocker

I've looked at a couple, I like them but they're a bit heavy for
towing behind a Jeep and that's what I'm looking to do.

Wittrider hit all the points, but it is funny that this is posted now. We are looking at an R-Pod, but weren't sure on tow vehicles. There is a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited at our local dealer that we liked, but the tow rating is 3500 lbs. The trailer dealer states the axle rating of he R-Pod is 3200 lbs. Technically, the Jeep could tow it fine, but it is close to the max rating. We ended up buying a 2011 Nissan Xterra as it has a tow rating of 5000 lbs.

We're still on the fence about picking up a travel trailer... We were looking at some of the Camplites/Livinlites, but the one we wanted sold...

pvangel · 07-09-2012, 06:00 PM

Camped in Bingamton NY at the race track and were hit with a huge storm where all the popup's flew around and there was a 4 person tent that went for a ride around the track. High winds and heavy rain and I forgot to close the covers on the sides but because of the big window canopies not a drop of water made it's way into the tent. I was very impressed how well it survived the storm!

DriveShaft · 07-10-2012, 05:40 AM

Between a hardwalled trailer and one that has those fabric panels, is the hardwalled trailer noticeably more comfortable during hot hot weather or cold cold weather? (I'm assuming the use of an AC/heater in both scenarios).

codyh · 07-10-2012, 07:31 AM

My experience is that it doesn't matter with the smaller campers. I've spent a lot of time in a pop-up and a few different small travel trailers when it's been over 100 down to about 20 outside, and been completely comfortable inside.

mud · 07-10-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricardo Kuhn

What is this Ricky?

I have a friend who would find it VERY interesting.

DriveShaft · 07-10-2012, 07:59 AM

Trailmanor...anyone see one?

they've got several lengths/configs, of course. And I think all but the largest versions fall into the little/light camper trailer category, bcs they go into storage and tow amazingly small for the space they give you.

This...parks in an 18' enclosed garage with a foot to spare. about 2700 lbs.

Tows like a pop-up or hi-lo (so TV fuel efficiency is actually pretty decent). And when you want to pull off to catch a few zzz's or grab a snack... the whooole thing goes through a 2-minute transformation...to this:

...which is essentially like a 26' trailer!! 2 permanent queen beds, and room for 6.

1" insulated walls, and 3" insulated floors. AC, heater, fridge (a bit small, since it's a shorty)...nice trimmings.

Setup vid:

http://youtu.be/ly2fy7JG3MM

Christ those torsion springs must be pretty beefy. Almost as convenient as a full-size camper.

The smallest version: 16' long towed, has a rear deck.

I'm pretty impressed.

hppyfngy · 07-10-2012, 08:19 AM

All depends on what you need I guess. For me I'm either going solo or two of us plus a dog.

My Casita is the best IMHO for ease of use and quality build. We stop for lunch or just to have a pee and you just open the door and go in.

Clothes are in it and beer in the ridge right now, ready to hook it up and go.

Queen · 07-10-2012, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

All depends on what you need I guess. For me I'm either going solo or two of us plus a dog.

My Casita is the best IMHO for ease of use and quality build. We stop for lunch or just to have a pee and you just open the door and go in.

Clothes are in it and beer in the ridge right now, ready to hook it up and go.

We go back and forth (overandoverandover) between small van sized RV and a small travel trailer. Love the Casitas, especially the Liberty Delux! Any suggestions where to look at used ones besides the club forum?

DriveShaft · 07-10-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mud

What is this Ricky?

I have a friend who would find it VERY interesting.

https://sites.google.com/site/expand...uckandtrailer/

Rick Marintchev

DriveShaft · 07-10-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

All depends on what you need I guess. For me I'm either going solo or two of us plus a dog.

My Casita is the best IMHO for ease of use and quality build. We stop for lunch or just to have a pee and you just open the door and go in.

Clothes are in it and beer in the ridge right now, ready to hook it up and go.

I'm betting the Casita would win out on durability and heavy usage, not to mention convenience! Heavy, though...and pretty tough on the mileage, no?

hppyfngy · 07-10-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Queen

We go back and forth (overandoverandover) between small van sized RV and a small travel trailer. Love the Casitas, especially the Liberty Delux! Any suggestions where to look at used ones besides the club forum?

Contact Casita. They have a directory of owners that will happily show you one near you. Owners don't mind, (because we love them too and if you end up buying a new one, the guy who showed you his gets $100 from Casita.) I also love the 17' Liberty Deluxe, which is what I have, with all the bells and whistles. It's just a great little trailer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriveShaft

I'm betting the Casita would win out on durability and heavy usage, not to mention convenience! Heavy, though...and pretty tough on the mileage, no?

Kinda heavy for a single axle I guess, but it's all fiberglass "egg-shaped" shell helps with weight and aerodynamics.

I tow it with a V6 Frontier and get around 16mpg towing. (The Expedition only got around 12 towing.) It's listed around #2400 IIRC, so loaded might push #3k with water?

Am I disqualified for this thread?

07-09-2012, 02:45 PM	#978
Ricardo Kuhn a.k.a. Mr Rico Suave Joined: Sep 2001 Location: Salt lake city, Utah Oddometer: 11,582	__________________ I'm really Sorry but I'm "Out" of Rickybars, Actually I have a bunch of bars and a Ton of end pieces but Not that many clamps to offer them as a product anymore.

07-10-2012, 07:59 AM	#985
DriveShaft Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2005 Oddometer: 3,479	Trailmanor...anyone see one? they've got several lengths/configs, of course. And I think all but the largest versions fall into the little/light camper trailer category, bcs they go into storage and tow amazingly small for the space they give you. This...parks in an 18' enclosed garage with a foot to spare. about 2700 lbs. Tows like a pop-up or hi-lo (so TV fuel efficiency is actually pretty decent). And when you want to pull off to catch a few zzz's or grab a snack... the whooole thing goes through a 2-minute transformation...to this: ...which is essentially like a 26' trailer!! 2 permanent queen beds, and room for 6. 1" insulated walls, and 3" insulated floors. AC, heater, fridge (a bit small, since it's a shorty)...nice trimmings. Setup vid: http://youtu.be/ly2fy7JG3MM Christ those torsion springs must be pretty beefy. Almost as convenient as a full-size camper. The smallest version: 16' long towed, has a rear deck. I'm pretty impressed. DriveShaft screwed with this post 07-10-2012 at 08:23 AM

07-10-2012, 08:19 AM	#986
hppyfngy not dead yet Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Where the Skyline meets the BRP Oddometer: 3,631	All depends on what you need I guess. For me I'm either going solo or two of us plus a dog. My Casita is the best IMHO for ease of use and quality build. We stop for lunch or just to have a pee and you just open the door and go in. Clothes are in it and beer in the ridge right now, ready to hook it up and go. __________________ Caution: Happy Fun Guy may suddenly accelerate to dangerous speeds. If Happy Fun Guy begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head. Do not taunt Happy Fun Guy. ~ Randy DL650 DRZ400s

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07-09-2012, 06:00 PM	#981
pvangel Team AARP Joined: Sep 2005 Location: South Salem, NY Oddometer: 1,466	Camped in Bingamton NY at the race track and were hit with a huge storm where all the popup's flew around and there was a 4 person tent that went for a ride around the track. High winds and heavy rain and I forgot to close the covers on the sides but because of the big window canopies not a drop of water made it's way into the tent. I was very impressed how well it survived the storm!

07-10-2012, 05:40 AM	#982
DriveShaft Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2005 Oddometer: 3,479	Between a hardwalled trailer and one that has those fabric panels, is the hardwalled trailer noticeably more comfortable during hot hot weather or cold cold weather? (I'm assuming the use of an AC/heater in both scenarios).

07-10-2012, 07:31 AM	#983
codyh Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Oddometer: 61	My experience is that it doesn't matter with the smaller campers. I've spent a lot of time in a pop-up and a few different small travel trailers when it's been over 100 down to about 20 outside, and been completely comfortable inside.