Bunkhouse Travel Trailer for Behind the '15 EL?

[PrepVet]

I'm in the beginning stages of exploring the replacement of my old gasser Class A motorhome.

The motorhome is in good shape, just dated... I have done some some updates but it needs new flooring (easy) and the bathroom to be remodeled (can be a PITA); the body and paint is very good except for the vinyl is now starting to crack... just over this past winter mainly. BUT it is an old Ford V10 gas motor. It has almost no balls and it drives the wife nuts how slow it is... she won't drive it but I get it, it's a long drive even not going too far.

Behind it I use my DD '07 JK (2 door Wrangler) as my toad with it. I love the jeep and it serves me very well as my cheap DD and then functions as a perfect light toad (tow behind car).

However with my wife and 2 kids (maybe 3....) it can be alittle tight in there. I understand the feeling.

So my options are:

1. Keep the current RV (1999 Forest River Georgetown 35 footer and one slide out Ford V10 gas engine) and replace the flooring, remodel the entire head and just a few other things. And replace the JK with a used JKU as both my DD and a toad, that would give us the third seatbelt in the backseat for when we travel.

2. Get a newer bunkhouse travel trailer to tow, preferably behind the 2015 Expedition EL, but if push comes to shove I could use my 2005 Power Wagon. I would much prefer to use the Expy as it is much more comfortable but I don't like the idea of the wear and tear but that's life. I have a line on a 2013 Open Range 308bhs, but for simplicity it's max weight is 10,000lbs with all cargo in it and 1,000lbs tongue. The base weight of the travel trailer is 8,500. The max towing of the Expy is 9,200. I don't like those margins but I like the trailer. My main question is what nicer travel trailer bunkhouse can I safely tow behind the Expy?

Replacing the JK with a JKU and updating the current class a is the cheaper upfront option. However, if factoring in insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc the current setup with the upgraded Jeep things would be more expensive...

 

[Bedrck47]

I don't even like those numbers even if you were to tow the TT empty Plus one other issue would be the length of the TT You may have a case of the tail waging the dog

Just my opinion but I wouldn't tow any TT over 8500 GROSS with that expy. I am sure many would disagree

 

[LokiWolf]

I don't even like those numbers even if you were to tow the TT empty Plus one other issue would be the length of the TT You may have a case of the tail waging the dog

Just my opinion but I wouldn't tow any TT over 8500 GROSS with that expy. I am sure many would disagree

Totally agree. Max is max for a reason. There is some margin, but not worth the risk. Do you have the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and the load leveling shocks? Without the Heavy Duty Trailer package the capacity is 6600. Technically the 4x2 is 9200 with the HDTP, but the 4x4 is 9100 with the HDTP, so that matters also.

Pushing the limit is a bad idea when it comes to towing.

Here is the Ford Doc:

https://secure.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/15RV&TT_Ford_Expedition_Sep30.pdf

One thing to note, Tongue weight maximum is 920, and that is with weight distributing.

Hope that helps.

 

[Big Brian]

he is asking what nice trailer he could pull behind his Expy, he acknowledges that this one he is talking about is too much for it

I think that question would be better suited to an RV forum

 

[Bedrck47]

Most all questions about towing RV's on this forum would be better suited to be asked on a RV forum Although there are some members on this forum that wiil answer those questions with a intelligent response.

 

[Big Brian]

I understand that but he is asking about what travel trailer more than towing it

 

[Bedrck47]

Based on the subject of this thread and his statement "I have a line on a 2013 Open Range 308bhs, "

I was under the impression that he is looking for someone to confirm that it would be ok.
The subject alone shows he has his doubts.
After looking at the specs and the floor plan of the Open Road I can see why he would be interested him especially with a wife a 3 children.

I also know that there are members here that would say no problem or they haul much more weight that 10000 lbs.

Just my opinion. I would be looking for a TT that is at least 1000 to 1500 lbs under the max tow capacity of the expedition That is because I like a good safety cushion and I don't enjoy driving at max weights nor driving white knuckled.

 

[PrepVet]

It is a 4x4 so the max would by 9,100.

Yes I am asking because I have doubts about towing the one mentioned behind the Expy. I don't like playing that close to the limits.

I do "have a line on" the travel trailer mentioned above, but haven't commited in any way, I just like the lay out, a lot and have actually been in it. I have my truck to tow it if I were to get it, but would like to use the familytruckster rather than the toy to haul it. Hence why I was looking for opinions, here, from those whom own similar cars on what they might have behind theirs. If this site is just for lightbulb reviews I'll just post elsewhere. To those with helpful posts, thank you.

 

[Bedrck47]

Your not close to the limits on the TT and TV you are OVER and if you add a safety margin into it you are WAY over. Both in tongue weight and gross weight And most likely in cargo capacity of the Expy. One thing to keep in mind and that is your safety and the safety of your loved ones

Two things I would suggest for towing with your properly equipped Expy Keep the GROSS weight of the TT under 8200 lbs and the length of the TT under 31 feet.

Never use the dry weight of the TT as a starting point Unless you plan to ONLY tow the TT EMPTY which never happens always use the max gross weight

 

[Bedrck47]

I can understand you liking the Open Range I like the layout also But its time to be realistic

The 2005 Power Wagon may be the better choice to tow the Open Range TT I think it is rated to tow 11000lbs when properly equipped. And again My Opinion is that is cutting it close although its in specs.

Another thing you may want to look into is read the attached link

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f37/how-to-weigh-your-tv-tt-3871.html#post24549

 

[LokiWolf]

It is a 4x4 so the max would by 9,100.

Yes I am asking because I have doubts about towing the one mentioned behind the Expy. I don't like playing that close to the limits.

I do "have a line on" the travel trailer mentioned above, but haven't commited in any way, I just like the lay out, a lot and have actually been in it. I have my truck to tow it if I were to get it, but would like to use the familytruckster rather than the toy to haul it. Hence why I was looking for opinions, here, from those whom own similar cars on what they might have behind theirs. If this site is just for lightbulb reviews I'll just post elsewhere. To those with helpful posts, thank you.

And just clarify, you do have the HDTP? You can tell by the brake controller. If you have it, you are good. If not, your capacity is 6600...

 

[B-McD]

PrepVet - I have a 2015 Apex 300BHS Ultra Lite. (http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=62) About 6000lbs. dry. GVWR of 7600lbs. These new composite trailers are the way to go - never even looked at the old tin ones. Not as fancy as something like an Imagine but also about 1500 lbs lighter and $15K less expensive. Just upgrade the master BR mattress to a memory foam.

Just got back an hour ago from a 350 mile round trip with the grandkids visiting the Wisconsin Dells indoor water parks. We had 15-20 mph winds on the way back to IL today out of the north, which meant hitting me on the left at least half the way back. Except for a few times where we would be about 100 feet behind a semi and his draft was swirling around, the Expedition has absolutely no issue getting this thing up to speed and keeping it at 65 mph. I do use an Equalizer WD hitch setup which works great and seems to help in the wind. Heavy duty trailer package of course. Had to get the clamp on trailer mirrors but they do the job. Good luck with your search!

 

[tkoden]

Check out Grand Design RV. We tow an Imagine 2800BH with our 07 and it does fantastic. Dry weight of 5800 lbs GVW of 7500 puts it well within the weight limits of our vehicles.

Things I really liked about it is are the walk around residential size queen bed (I'm 6'7" tall so I need the extra room so my feet can hang off the end of the bed), you can get to all rooms when the slide is in including using the bathroom and kitchen. TONS of storage space and phenomenal customer support / community support. Very roomy bathroom and shower.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the trailer.

 

[theoldwizard1]

First, I ASSUME you have the heavy duty trailer tow option. This includes a HD radiator, an extra transmission cooler and all of the wiring for a 7 pin trailer connector. Of course, you will need an electric brake controller. If you do not have the HD trailer tow option, these upgrades are the first things you need to purchase.

Second, as multiple people have said, stay COMFORTABLY away from the max tow limit. Several manufacturers make floorplans similar to the Imagine 2800BH. My daughter's family has the Jayco version that they pull behind their 2012 Expedition EL 5.4l with no issues. I know it is much smaller than the Open Range 308bhs, but it is plenty big enough for their family of 6. The bunks are considered "doubles", but you would never get 2 15 year old kids in one bunk !

 

[07xln]

OP that trailer is waaayyyyy to big for the Expy. You need to look at some smaller options. I have a 2011 KZ MXT 301 that comes in at 8800lbs fully loaded and it pulls fine but I wouldn't think of going any bigger.

 

[tkoden]

The killer for our vehicles is not tow weight its tongue weight. You should figure 12%-15% of the trailer weight will be on the tongue. I know my vehicle has about a 950 lbs tongue weight limit so if you take a 8000 lbs trailer that's 920 lbs at 12% tongue weight at 15% you're way over capacity at 1200 lbs. Another thing that we did was upgrade to the E rated tires. It made a HUGE difference in handling.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am not a trailer tow expert ...

The killer for our vehicles is not tow weight its tongue weight. You should figure 12%-15% of the trailer weight will be on the tongue. I know my vehicle has about a 950 lbs tongue weight limit so if you take a 8000 lbs trailer that's 920 lbs at 12% tongue weight at 15% you're way over capacity at 1200 lbs.

Is the issue sagging springs (head lights too high), or the structural capability of the hitch/frame ? A load equalization hitch would solve the first problem.

Another thing that we did was upgrade to the E rated tires. It made a HUGE difference in handling.

I have read this also on RV forums. It really reduced the effect of cross wind.

 

[tkoden]

I am not a trailer tow expert ...


Is the issue sagging springs (head lights too high), or the structural capability of the hitch/frame ? A load equalization hitch would solve the first problem.


I have read this also on RV forums. It really reduced the effect of cross wind.

As far as I know the ~900 lbs thing is a structural thing.

 

[Don Leslie]

Head over to the trailer forum on RV.net for some recommendations and iRV2.com. Your are way over what you can tow. You will get a lot of good advice there and you can see who has what and what they are towing it with.

We had the same idea - trade our 2011 Itasca Impulse 26QP Silver and get a trailer since we were only using the MH one week each year. Bought the 2016 EXPY and then looked at trailers. Found that most trailers were very "cheap or junky" compared to the MH - unless one really wanted to lay out the bucks. Given our use it made no sense. So, we called the dealership that sold us the Itasca and they bought it back immediately for just over half of what we'd paid for it 6 years earlier. So after 14 years our RVing ended. When we go "camping" with my son and family later this summer in Petoskey MI we will be staying in a lodge at the KOA while they "rough it" in their trailer.

In looking at trailers I decided that the 9200 lb tow limit was really about 8000 lbs unless all passengers and "stuff" were filled with helium. Thus I set a limit of about 6000 lbs for the UVW of any trailer we might buy (Dear Wife does like to take a lot of "stuff").

I've been a bug on weights since we got our first MH - a used 34 ft 2000 Triple E Commander on the F53 with the V10. We learned very early that the balance was off and to put anything in the front storage compartment we had to have the fresh water tank (at the rear) full to take weight off the front axle. Quality wise it was good. Then we went to a 39.5 ft 2004 Winnie Journey with a CAT C7 and it had good storage and weight capacity. Then to a 41 ft 2006 Ambassador with a Cummins ISC that had somewhat more torque and an absolutely great interior and great storage. Then, after getting a park model in FLA started downsizing with first stop being a 2007 Jayco Kodiak with the 8.1L Vortec. All three new units were a PITA with the punch list always long. You will see a lot of Kodiaks around with the Duramax engine towing hefty trailers - and they are all way over the 26,000 lb GCWR (GVWR is 22,000 lbs). We got the gasser because GVWR was 19,500 with the same GCWR so we could tow our Tahoe. Then downsized again to the Impulse and it was virtually trouble free other than a couple of self inflicted wounds.

Now, I've got a 2016 Platinum MAX EXPY and likely will never be towing (at age 75 I've decided I'll leave towing to you younger fellows). I got the extended length because I traded a 2014 Town & Country and had to go that large to come close to the cargo volume of the T&C (which we need for our wintering in FLA). The EXPY is nice but I really don't need that much HP and torque (but just love that engine) so the new Pacifica would have been a better alternative. I'd love to be able to spec out a Transit with the 3.5L Echo boost since it has some great size options but I will not buy a "rear wheel drive only" vehicle (hear that Ford - put in AWD or 4WD please).

I should add that our last toad was a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. Great vehicle except we were the test group to debug the thing and had many problems as it was bristling with new features. When we sold the MH the Jeep was approaching 36 months of age and I would not continue with it unless we got the extended warranty. After we looked at various options I traded the Jeep (my dear wife's car) for a 2017 Escape Titanium and she loves it (and I have to admit - so do I). Our earlier 2011 Escape was fine but it turned out to be a lousy toad due to the transmissions overheating and burning up when being towed. The 2017 is not towable flat but we no longer need that feature. The Cherokee was great to tow with a transfer case with neutral.

More than you ever wanted to know.

 

[theoldwizard1]

IMHO, one of the best built travel trailer product lines on the market right now are the Camplite Travel Trailers. The entire frame, exterior and interior plus THE FLOOR are made out of aluminum. NO WOOD ANYWHERE except the cabinet doors. Even the counter tops are "solid surface". They only have one "bunk house" model, the CL21BHS. One slide out for the U-shaped dinette.

Gross weight (water, cargo, etc) is 6,000 lbs.