what is wrong with 2023 winnebago hike trailers

[anon125]

New 2023 Winnebago Industries Towables Hike 100 H1316SB several new unsold at supposedly half price!​

why? are they ugly? unreliable? etc?
thanks all
Hitch Weight 462 lbs GVWR 4200 lbsDry Weight 3200 lbs.
on a trailer what does gvwr mean?
is it the 3200 lbs that matters to the tow vehicle?

 

[Larry N.]

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the max weight allowable for the trailer (or other vehicle type) when fully loaded. Dry weight is supposedly the weight as it leaves the factory, but dealer add-ons, perhaps even some optional equipment is not included in that figure. So ignore the 3200 lb figure and use the 4200 lb figure when figuring towing capacity and such -- you'll probably never have a completely empty trailer, and it might even exceed the published dry weight when it's purchased new.

The GVWR is provided so that 1) you'll know how to keep from overloading it, since the GVWR is the maximum weight which it is actually designed to carry, including the weight of the trailer itself and everything on board.

The published Hitch Weight is roughly (because it's dependent on actual weight plus how that weight is distributed through the trailer) the amount of weight the tongue will put on the hitch, but in reality it needs to be a minimum of 10% of the trailer's actual weight at the time you are towing it, in order to minimize/eliminate trailer sway/handling problems, and 12-13% is much better.

We do have a Glossary of RV terms in our RESOURCES menu in the red bar at the top of the page, which should help, as well as a number of articles on a variety of RV-related subjects, from pre-purchase checklist to how a furnace works and lots more.

 

[RayIN]

I agree with Larry; I've never found a use for "dry weight", although some mfgrs, have began weighing each RV as it comes off the assembly line. However, when dealers install optional equipment "dry weight" is once again useless-well, unless that how you plan to camp-take nothing.

 

[anon125]

thanks guys

 

[Kirk]

several new unsold at supposedly half price!

Since this part of your post was not addressed, I will do so. RVs do not leave the factory with a manufacturer set MSRP as automobiles do so the dealership chooses what to charge for the RV once they receive it. While I too would be very skeptical of a claimed 50% reduction in price for an unsold RV of last year's model, it really doesn't matter what they claim as no two dealers ask the same price for the same make/model of RV anyway. Just ignore the half price claim and look at what you are willing to pay for a new RV that is now two model years old. You need to compare the price they ask to what other dealers ask for that same model that was sold and is now for sale. Compare those and make your decision.

 

[anon125]

what size engine will pull this trailer?
maybe a v6?
thanks

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I agree with Larry; I've never found a use for "dry weight", although some mfgrs, have began weighing each RV as it comes off the assembly line. However, when dealers install optional equipment "dry weight" is once again useless-well, unless that how you plan to camp-take nothing.

Federal FMVSS regulations now REQUIRE that the weight label be accurate within 100 lbs of actual as it leaves the factory. And if a dealer installs 100 or more lbs of equipment prior to sale, he must put an amended federal weight label on it.

The sole purpose of the Unladen (aka "dry") Vehicle Weight is to legally establish the Cargo Capacity (aka Payload). GVWR minus UVW = Cargo Capacity.

 

[rvlifer]

what size engine will pull this trailer?
maybe a v6?
thanks

Figuring out the right tow vehicle has advanced a lot beyond the days of picking the biggest sedan you could find or the number of cylinders. Getting familiar with how to properly calculate towing capacity is one of the most important things to learn when you are considering an rv. Here is a good starting article on it. If you can post the detailed specs and weight for the specific tow vehicle you are considering others here will be able to give you good feedback on whether it should be ok. In general the larger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the safer and more comfortable it wil be. Usually it is a tradeoff between cost of the tv and its capabilities.

https://www.rvtrader.com/blog/2025/02/28/picking-the-right-truck-to-tow-your-rv-trailer/

 

[oldryder1]

remember to consider the "new 2 year old" when determining what you will pay as any prospective buyer in the future is going to consider it's age as determined by the manufacture date not the sell date.

 

[Lou Schneider]

https://www.rvtrader.com/blog/2025/02/28/picking-the-right-truck-to-tow-your-rv-trailer/

This is an excellent article, but one point they missed is the Total Frontal Area of the truck and trailer, which determines the wind resistance going down the road.

As pointed out in the article, truck makers like to get their "pull" (towing) weights as high as possible for bragging rights. One thing they overlooked is usually this is determined while towing something like a flatbed trailer carrying a concrete block or a utility trailer that totally fits inside the tow vehicle's slip stream.

RV trailers aren't made that way, they're taller and wider than the tow vehicle which increases their wind resistance. If you've loaded the truck with the heaviest RV trailer it can tow, you will be operating at the minimum acceptable performance levels and may run short of power driving into a headwind going down the road.

Vacation towing is supposed to be a pleasant activity, not a white knuckle slugfest. An RV trailer's extra wind resistance, along with stability and having more than the absolute minimum performance is why experienced RVers like to keep their trailer weight at or below 80% of the vehicle's weight limits. That extra 20% capacity makes a good buffer for headwinds, emergency maneuvers, etc.

 

[dzg]

This is an excellent article, but one point they missed is the Total Frontal Area of the truck and trailer, which determines the wind resistance going down the road.

As pointed out in the article, truck makers like to get their "pull" (towing) weights as high as possible for bragging rights. One thing they overlooked is usually this is determined while towing something like a flatbed trailer carrying a concrete block or a utility trailer that totally fits inside the tow vehicle's slip stream.

RV trailers aren't made that way, they're taller and wider than the tow vehicle which increases their wind resistance. If you've loaded the truck with the heaviest RV trailer it claims it can tow, you will be operating at the minimum acceptable performance levels and may run short of power driving into a headwind going down the road.

Vacation towing is supposed to be a pleasant activity, not a white knuckle slugfest. An RV trailer's extra wind resistance, along with stability and having more than the absolute minimum performance is why experienced RVers like to keep their trailer weight at or below 80% of the vehicle's weight limits. That extra 20% capacity makes a good buffer for headwinds, emergency maneuvers, etc.

Just to give a real world example of this for the OP...


When i had my 2012 Salem 27RKSS, I was towing it with a 97 Ford F250 HD. 7.5L V8, 4.10 gears and an auto trans. Its rated for 10,000lb on a regular hitch, 12500 for a gooseneck/5th wheel and has a 3900lbish payload.


My camper stuck way above the truck, and was somewhat wider, and had similar aerodynamics to a slightly slanted piece of plywood.


The trailer rolling down the road was 7200ish lbs. Well within the trucks stated towing capacity. It handled it pretty good but on the freeway at 62-65mph (as fast as i wanted to tow it) with the wind resistance i had the O/D locked out and it would still kickdown on alot of hills, was it white knuckle? No. But it for sure wasnt the greatest experience. It felt like the truck was working WAY hard.


Now, contrast with this...i towed a 5000lb jeep on my 2500lb equipment trailer (7500 total) with the same truck. I could run 70-75mph, in O/D, pass at will, and the truck barely knew it was there.


The weight isnt/wasnt the biggest factor, its wind. The jeep on the trailer caught barely any wind, as to where the camper was a sail.

 

[RayIN]

This online towing calculator has everything but a calculation for frontal area.
Towing Capacity Calculator
Frontal area and drag: Aerodynamic & rolling resistance, power & MPG calculator - EcoModder.com
The chart dramatically shows how increasing speed affects towing.
Escapees full-timers also add in a 10% safety factor so a towing vehicle is not working at 100%, which greatly shortens life span.

 

[anon125]

wow! thanks everyone!