Soon to be RVer...E-Pro, GeoPro

[jbs1976]

Hello,  Glad I found this wonderful community.  The wife and I have finally decided to join the RV ranks.  We plan on travelling with our 4 year old son and are thinking of getting a 19 foot Rockwood GeoPro or Flagstaff E-Pro to pull behind our V6 Toyota Tacoma with tow package.

We are both pretty obsessive about safety (We're both State Troopers), so I wanted to get a trailer light enough to come comfortably below the tow capacity of the Tacoma (6,500). The TTs we're looking at come in around 3,900-4200 GVWR.

I have already installed an OBDii reader to monitor trans temps in the truck and would be getting an Andersen WDH along with adding a P3 brake controller.

I have towed trailers before and feel pretty confident in my skills. Are there any other safety considerations I should be worried about that jump out?

 

[SeilerBird]

It is way too small. It might be ok today but odds are your kid will grow and he will be very uncomfortable very soon. Three people in one tiny RV means your holding tanks will be filled almost immediately. 

 

[jbs1976]

It is way too small. It might be ok today but odds are your kid will grow and he will be very uncomfortable very soon. Three people in one tiny RV means your holding tanks will be filled almost immediately.

We do have a mild concern about this and have looked into a 25 foot bunkhouse model MicroLite we really like.  I would have to get rid of the Tacoma in favor or a 1/2 ton which we were trying to avoid.

We will be staying in full hookup campgrounds so the tank issue won't be a problem. We are also likely to be out an about a lot of the time.

You do have me second guessing again, though!  ???

 

[SeilerBird]

We do have a mild concern about this and have looked into a 25 foot bunkhouse model MicroLite we really like.  I would have to get rid of the Tacoma in favor or a 1/2 ton which we were trying to avoid.

We will be staying in full hookup campgrounds so the tank issue won't be a problem. We are also likely to be out an about a lot of the time.

You do have me second guessing again, though!  ???

I lived full time in a 32 foot class A for ten years and it was way too small for one person and his three cats. I suggest renting a small RV for a weekend and go camping locally to understand the small size problem. And while the tanks might not be an issue storage space will be an issue. A 19 footer has literally zero storage space.

 

[jbs1976]

I lived full time in a 32 foot class A for ten years and it was way too small for one person and his three cats. I suggest renting a small RV for a weekend and go camping locally to understand the small size problem. And while the tanks might not be an issue storage space will be an issue. A 19 footer has literally zero storage space.

Thank you for your input. A great suggestion about renting.

 

[IBTripping]

I've got a couple of suggestions. First, have you looked at a Coleman Lantern LT 17FQ? It's 21.5 ft and includes a bunk bed.

However, considering your tow vehicle capacity, a better option may be a pop up trailer. I'm sure you can find one that is lightweight, roomy, air conditioned, and your Tacoma can easily tow it. And, you'll get better gas mileage with a pop up than a travel trailer. Here's one that includes a bathroom. http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=155&Image=5056&ModelID=928#Main

Finally, a 3rd option that may work well for you is a type of trailer that is a combination of a pop up and a hard sided travel trailer. They are called a "hybrid" or "expandable" trailer. They look like a hard sided trailer when towing. But, when set up at your destination, the hybrid has beds that pop out the ends and are covered with a tent. Here's an example of a nice 22 ft one that has a gross weight of 4,750 lbs: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2016-starcraft-launch-travel-trailer-floorplan-19bhs-tr25324

Good luck finding an RV that works well for you and your family.

 

[Gizmo100]

And I'll throw in that you may plan on be out and about...But there will be times that you are stuck inside due to the weather....Rain and/or extreme cold.  That small space will get a lot smaller after a few hours.

 

[IBTripping]

And I'll throw in that you may plan on be out and about...But there will be times that you are stuck inside due to the weather....Rain and/or extreme cold.  That small space will get a lot smaller after a few hours.

Oh yeah! Especially with an active 4 year old.  :-\

 

[kdbgoat]

My thoughts- the size of the camper really depends on how you use it. For weekending, a small camper may very well work out for you. It's not like you're trying to full time in it. You don't need piles of storage for camping like you would if you're living in it. You said full hook- ups most of the time, so tank size  is a moot point. Even if no full hookups, with a bit of conservation, use of campground facilities, and a blue boy that will can be dealt with also.As far as the four year old outgrowing it, do you honestly think you will have it that long?  As far as being stuck inside due to weather, what law says one has to be stuck inside the trailer. Go to inside venues around the campground and in town. The biggest thing is get what will work best for you, and not what other folks say you need. It's great to get other's advice, but it's your decision in the end.

 

[jbs1976]

I've got a couple of suggestions. First, have you looked at a Coleman Lantern LT 17FQ? It's 21.5 ft and includes a bunk bed.

However, considering your tow vehicle capacity, a better option may be a pop up trailer. I'm sure you can find one that is lightweight, roomy, air conditioned, and your Tacoma can easily tow it. And, you'll get better gas mileage with a pop up than a travel trailer. Here's one that includes a bathroom. http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=155&Image=5056&ModelID=928#Main

Finally, a 3rd option that may work well for you is a type of trailer that is a combination of a pop up and a hard sided travel trailer. They are called a "hybrid" or "expandable" trailer. They look like a hard sided trailer when towing. But, when set up at your destination, the hybrid has beds that pop out the ends and are covered with a tent. Here's an example of a nice 22 ft one that has a gross weight of 4,750 lbs: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2016-starcraft-launch-travel-trailer-floorplan-19bhs-tr25324

Good luck finding an RV that works well for you and your family.

Wife says absolutely no canvas.  She watched a documentary on one being sliced open in the middle of the night and kids being kidnapped. 

I've researched a lot on TacomaWorld.com forums and am quite confident the Taco will pull the e-pro/geopro.  We would start out going less than 200 miles away from home for the forseeable future.

 

[jbs1976]

My thoughts- the size of the camper really depends on how you use it. For weekending, a small camper may very well work out for you. It's not like you're trying to full time in it. You don't need piles of storage for camping like you would if you're living in it. You said full hook- ups most of the time, so tank size  is a moot point. Even if no full hookups, with a bit of conservation, use of campground facilities, and a blue boy that will can be dealt with also.As far as the four year old outgrowing it, do you honestly think you will have it that long?  As far as being stuck inside due to weather, what law says one has to be stuck inside the trailer. Go to inside venues around the campground and in town. The biggest thing is get what will work best for you, and not what other folks say you need. It's great to get other's advice, but it's your decision in the end.

Are you my wife??  ;D  We've had these discussions almost exactly to the word.  We would not be camping for more than three days at a time for the forseeable future.  Our purpose in purchasing a smaller, less expensive camper is to test the waters so to speak to see if this is something we will do regularly during the spring/summer months.  We both will be retired in 5-7 years, so I'm sure a larger camper and truck or possibly a Class A/C will be in the works if we do enjoy it.

Thanks for providing input!!

 

[Koodog]

Are you my wife??  ;D  We've had these discussions almost exactly to the word.  We would not be camping for more than three days at a time for the forseeable future.  Our purpose in purchasing a smaller, less expensive camper is to test the waters so to speak to see if this is something we will do regularly during the spring/summer months.  We both will be retired in 5-7 years, so I'm sure a larger camper and truck or possibly a Class A/C will be in the works if we do enjoy it.

Thanks for providing input!!

Based on this info I agree with you, keep costs down until you decide if this is something you want to do for the long haul. A 10X10 screened canopy or similar can be bought along for added room if weather is poor and the little one needs a bit more room. Check youtube for creative ways folks increase space or make great use of smaller spaces. Also agree with your wife on the canvas issue. My first RV was a hybrid. While it created a lot of room it was always hot or cold and the tent sides caved in during a spring snow storm. Along with the awning of course! Moved to a hard side after that. Forest River makes a small RV with a slide and murphy bed you may want to check out. Don't recall the weight, but it was low. Happy shopping.

 

[IBTripping]

We would not be camping for more than three days at a time for the forseeable future.  Our purpose in purchasing a smaller, less expensive camper is to test the waters so to speak to see if this is something we will do regularly during the spring/summer months.

Sounds like a good plan. Please update us on which you decide to purchase and how much fun you have on your first camping trip. Enjoy.

 

[SpencerPJ]

You said your Tacoma could pull 6500#.  In the drivers door, will be a yellow sticker.  What is your payload? I'll be honest, those seem like very 'light weights' for those trailers.  Are you getting those specs from a salesperson, or Mfg website?  Rule #1 in RVing, don't trust the salesperson.

 

[SarniaTricia]

And I'll throw in that you may plan on be out and about...But there will be times that you are stuck inside due to the weather....Rain and/or extreme cold.  That small space will get a lot smaller after a few hours.

We had a 18ft with 2 adults, 2 adult sized kids and a 65lb dog... camping one weekend and it drizzled for a full day!!!

I suggest a good outside dinning tent, board games, books and rain gear. 
Thank god my step daughter and I planned with rain gear and a dinning tent. (The dog and the girls were willing to tough out the drizzle and hike anyway!) The boys spent the day in the camper with their electronics.

The mud was incredible the next day, but we had a decent get away and we have upgraded to a 21ft with a better layout for indoor needs.  ;D

A small camper can work .... just be prepared ...

 

[IBTripping]

I suggest a good outside dinning tent, board games, books and rain gear.

That's what I plan to get for my old, I mean vintage, TT. When I purchased, it didn't have an awning. Probably, wore out or was wind damaged years ago. A full replacement awning is expensive. But, I can get a nice dining tent with screens a whole lot cheaper and more useful. I hate mosquitoes, but they love me.