Given that the pop up I pull with my E weighs 1785lbs empty, this 19' long camping trailer weighs only 1750lbs!!! http://www.taylorcoach.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1180

They have other models such as a few 14 footers that are 1000lbs empty. Who's gonna buy the first one?

I'm skeptical, mainly because the laden weight of a trailer that large (space wise) might be significantly higher than 1750lbs. Figuring equipment, food, and other consumables.

What does matter is the size of the mass. Kinda like havin' a too big of a sail on a boat. Just my unprofessional 2 cents worth.

Those are "dry weights" just like any other company posts and it's illegal violating Federal and State laws to put a sticker on a vehicle that doesn't represent the true GVWR as well as the dry weight. And those don't include any options added. But if one of those trailers really weigh 1100lbs dry and you add bikes, food, drinks and 10gal of water for a family of 4 for a weekend you'd be around 1600lbs GVWR which the E could tow no problem.

I keep looking at the 2 dinette 14' and think thats about right for my family and my E, although the 12' Bobbie with the overhead bunk would also work for us and the weight ratings are spot on. Only drawback for me is they are in Canada, not that that's a bad thing just not sure on importing a trailer from another country. Drew:)

12 - 14 ft seems safer:evil:

Having towed 14" Camper trailers with the Isuzu trooper in a cross wind. I would not be hasty to try it with my E.

Granted, It does not Exceed the towing weight, but it's not the only confederation in the Equation. The trailer I towed was of the pop up type. Something that is as tall as the one in the photo, would be a handful IMHO.

Still if you pick your days, stay off the road when it's windy, it would be doable. Just not my first choice.

Dom

I agree, I'd go with the 14' instead. Either way, looks pretty spiffy! Now I just gotta get that hitch installed...:rolleyes:

And I agree, the wind's gonna take you something fierce! I fairly regularly drive I-90 from LaCrosse, WI west up the hill through the Mississippi channel. The winds coming down those passes can be nasty and I've actually seen more than one truck/SUV with a camper literally blown to the side of the road by them. Tower beware!

The wind will be your biggest concern the lighter and larger you go with the trailer. If the trailer is too light it will just get tossed around in the wind like a kite. Keep the weight centered low when transporting your camper as well.

Some weeks I would put 1500 miles on the company exlplorer up and down I95, most stores take delivery in the wee hours 3am - 10am...I saw wrecks all over the place, I witnessed a couple. The one that stands out in memory was an Explorer just like mine (2001) pulling a 20' travel trailer south bound on I95 @6:30 am. I was headed North and made eye contact with this guy who has being whipped by the steering wheel as the trailer was snapping his ass end around and into the center divide, I watched as that trailer exploded its contents and came to a stop. I whipped a U and ask if the needed help, they had called FHP.. They were scared ****less, no blown tires didn't know what happened, just got blown out of the lane by passing semi and lost control. Wow. I also watched as box trucks have blown over on exit ramps, it just takes the right mix of wind and speed. I'm hoping some one has pulled something that big before I would try it. E's are a little tippy already..

why not just get ursa minors camper top?

better yet,


why dont you guys just find a motel?

why not just get ursa minors camper top?

better yet,


why dont you guys just find a motel?

RV vacations cost 70% less than hotel/airfare vacations including the cost of the RV. For instance if you have 3 kids and go to Disneyland...$3000 flight + $200/night hotel + $150/day food dining out = $5450 for one vacation for 7 days. That's 1/3 the cost of my 25 foot travel trailer.

RV 1000miles at 10mpg = 100 gallons * $3.199 = $320 travel. Disney Fort Wilderness Campground $20/night * 5 nights = $100 Groceries for a week $400 total RV trip cost = $820, factor in $200/mo for RV payment and insurance = $2400 + $820 = $3220...over $2000 cheaper. If you used that to pay off your RV faster then you would eliminate the $200/mo payment then your vacation cost would be $820-1000 for a week anywhere you want within 500 miles. Double the fuel cost for a 1000 mile destination.

You get to bring more personal belongings and things like bikes, you get to use a bathroom and sleep in a bed that only you have used, plus you get to deduct the interest on your loan since it counts as a second house. Not to mention it's better to invest your money into experiences rather than things and an RV will bring many experiences to your family that your kids will remember forever. In fact that's why I bought an RV, because of my memories as a child--I always got excited to go camping no matter where it was!

I didn't see anyone else mention this, but what is the tongue weight on that 19'? I've got a steel bed car hauler, that could probably be pulled by the Element, but would be afraid of tongue weight more than anything else... So, I won't pull it with the E...

RV vacations cost 70% less than hotel/airfare vacations including the cost of the RV. For instance if you have 3 kids and go to Disneyland...$3000 flight + $200/night hotel + $150/day food dining out = $5450 for one vacation for 7 days. That's 1/3 the cost of my 25 foot travel trailer.

Dear GOD, $3000 airfare??? What in the world airline are you traveling, and are you buying your tickets at the gate?? Sorry but that just sounds REALLY bizarre compared to what I normally pay for airfare!!

I didn't see anyone else mention this, but what is the tongue weight on that 19'? I've got a steel bed car hauler, that could probably be pulled by the Element, but would be afraid of tongue weight more than anything else... So, I won't pull it with the E...

I believe the rated tongue weight is somewhere around 150 pounds. In other words, most guys can't stand on the hitch :sad:

Dear GOD, $3000 airfare??? What in the world airline are you traveling, and are you buying your tickets at the gate?? Sorry but that just sounds REALLY bizarre compared to what I normally pay for airfare!!

Airfare for 5 people??? Unless you fly Skybus you don't get there and back in coach for less than $480 a ticket.

Airfare for 5 people??? Unless you fly Skybus you don't get there and back in coach for less than $480 a ticket.

I dunno, just doing an Expedia spot check for Columbus, OH to Anaheim, CA (Orange County) for 2 adults and 3 kids on a 7 day stay says highest ticket price is somewhere around $330 and for some dates it's much lower ($238 or so). Nowhere near $3000 total airfare!

I dunno, just doing an Expedia spot check for Columbus, OH to Anaheim, CA (Orange County) for 2 adults and 3 kids on a 7 day stay says highest ticket price is somewhere around $330 and for some dates it's much lower ($238 or so). Nowhere near $3000 total airfare!

You're searching for off season flights or way in advance flights. If it was May and you tried to book a flight to Orlando/Disney in July it would be $500 as it's peak season. Either way once the trailer is paid for there is no comparison in cost plus you're investing in long term experiences with the trailer, something you can't put a value on.

You're searching for off season flights or way in advance flights. If it was May and you tried to book a flight to Orlando/Disney in July it would be $500 as it's peak season. Either way once the trailer is paid for there is no comparison in cost plus you're investing in long term experiences with the trailer, something you can't put a value on.



if you say that hes searching for flights waaaay in advance, you getting a camper is preparing and buying MANY MANY flights for WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY in advance.

might i mention, very very looong flights hence also uncomfortable.

heck by not towing at all you save your car the wear n tear, you dont havto listen to kids shout and cry all day, groceries dont need to be bought, food doesnt need to be cooked, plates dont have to be washed and the rv doesnt haveto be drained of waste. i mean. an rv is fun if your gonna have fun visiting places on the way there, the whole road trip with buddies deal; but when you wanna get somewhere have as much fun as possible and get back as fast as possible when your all sick of it, an rv is not your best friend.

Pretty sure that the element does not have enough mass to safely pull a trailer like that. Ideally the trailer should weigh less than the car pulling it!

if you say that hes searching for flights waaaay in advance, you getting a camper is preparing and buying MANY MANY flights for WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY in advance.

might i mention, very very looong flights hence also uncomfortable.

heck by not towing at all you save your car the wear n tear, you dont havto listen to kids shout and cry all day, groceries dont need to be bought, food doesnt need to be cooked, plates dont have to be washed and the rv doesnt haveto be drained of waste. i mean. an rv is fun if your gonna have fun visiting places on the way there, the whole road trip with buddies deal; but when you wanna get somewhere have as much fun as possible and get back as fast as possible when your all sick of it, an rv is not your best friend.
RVing is not for everyone, that's a given...
After 24 years of family vacations in every possible way, our family prefers RVing..
Personally I hate what flying has become. I hate the wait at the airport, I hate the insult of security, and I hate being cramped up with 300 other people for any length of time

to each their own...

Pretty sure that the element does not have enough mass to safely pull a trailer like that. Ideally the trailer should weigh less than the car pulling it!
It's usually a 3/4 rule. The trailer should not exceed 3/4 of the tow vehicles weight. The E weights 3600 lbs, therefore it should have no problems with up to 2700 lbs...

This is a simple rule of thumb that was used long before unibody's came out...
Doesn't mean you can't do it, with the right hitch, trailer brakes, experience, etc...
But you should pay attention to manufacturers rating if you are unsure about whether on not you should...

Personally I hate what flying has become.
to each their own...

Ditto.

To me, air travel = business travel and work. Camping/trailering = fun......

Ditto also.

I have not flown since I was discharged from the Army in 03'.
Veterans get the same "security screening level" as "persons of interest." Also being an ex airport employee with high security clearance puts me under more undue scrutiny. In my opinion the air transportation system is less safe than it was before 9/11. We don't need to be afraid of "terrorists", we need to be afraid of masochists with badges and elbow length rubber gloves.:twisted:

If I cannot drive then I don't want to go.
I'll take my chances on the interstate.