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RE: Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
I see all these old towing pics and wonder how they did it? 1974-85 engines and quality were even worse.
1973 Ford 250, 460CI, 245hp/340tq, 4260lbs towing a 3500lbs airstream.
2012 Lincoln MKX 226CI, 305hp/280tq, 4251lbs...better brakes, suspension...actually better everything than '73.
The Mustang 2900lbs, maverick 2900lbs probably had the 302CI 141hp/241tq towing 1400-1800lb campers.
I'm not trying to be difficult. I just don't see what I'm missing for trying to tow 1200lbs (around 1500lbs total). I think it'll be pretty easy.
Thanks for everyone's posts.
https://i.imgur.com/VBEm7QJ.png
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TravelingDreamer
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09/25/23 11:06pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
Sorry, its PTU,on every AWD vehicle. I fixed my post. For about 20yrs, Ford made their PTU too small and jammed it in between a hot engine and hot exhaust manifold, so oil fails prematurely. As long as the oil is changed, then I heard there is no problem.
I just found out that on the tow package MKX's rated at 3500lbs, use the same PTU as my standard non tow MKX, so maybe I'm just paranoid.
https://i.imgur.com/lF3GMRf.jpg
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TravelingDreamer
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09/23/23 05:19am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
Thanks everyone. I have a 2012 Lincoln MKX AWD with 70K and aftermarket hitch. Only issue that worries me is these Ford PTU's fail around 70K if not fluid not maintained. If maintained, they last on average 250K. Ford says to change PTU fluid every 100K in owners manual but many have proven fluid starts looking like mud by 40K, (probably 10K if towing).
I used to drive a 40 foot corporate marketing truck (never towed anything) to show off our products for 8yrs and 47 states, usually never the same customer twice. drove m-f, stayed in hiltons or holiday inns every day, fly home weekends, so this will be my first camping experience. There were a few places I'd like to go back to since sometimes I didn't have any time to look around. I'll try to detour around mountains such as taking I-80 around Rockies or taking I-71/75 instead of traveling thru West Virginia.
Sure easiest is to get a Ford F450, but I like challenges in my life...(and to save money)
I just found online probably the best camper for me. An Apache Yuma camper which is only 1200lbs with more room than the Aliners. I'd remove the front bed and just have a wall there since its just me. (probably reduce it 100lbs). Only problem is not many of these campers survived.
Youtube shows these Apaches are just as easy to setup as Aliners. Great idea if there are any millionaires out there that want to start a camper company. So if I start with 1100lbs. After restoration, upgrades and my stuff, I'll probably be up around 1500lbs total. Do you think this will work?
https://i.imgur.com/8ONuVUS.jpg
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TravelingDreamer
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09/21/23 06:02pm |
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RE: Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
I don't know much about towing. From what I've read, since my SUV's towing max is 2000lbs, I should keep total weight under 1600lbs, correct? Looks like the Aliners hard walled pop ups are my best option. Thanks for your posts.
https://i.imgur.com/Y50AKCN.jpg
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TravelingDreamer
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09/14/23 11:21am |
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RE: Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
KD4UPL - Thanks. I forgot about passengers...because I won't have any. Its just me. Ford says the capacity assumes a 150lbs driver. I'm about 50lbs over that. I already have tools, heavier tires than the gas sipping OEM tires so I'll probably add 200lbs. A lawyer friend of mine said even if accident is not your fault, lawyers will argue that anything over 90% is unsafe and they usually win.
Boomerweps - Thanks. Cargo trailers are out for me. I've built many things from scratch before. However, I'm too honest to be a good salesman and never make any money. Too easy to turn into a money pit.
canoe on top - I didn't research wind resistance, so thank you. I looked into it and I should be OK. My SUV's height is 68". Typical small camper height is only 90 inches, so only 22" is sticking up. Width is less than a typical camper too. Most of these small campers are slanted on the front, so I should be OK, correct?
Trailmanor and Unobtainium weigh too much but thank you for your posts.
I'd like to find a good deal on a used Prolite Mini/Cool/12V. Most Prolites don't have A/C so guessing another 100lbs on a mini split (not AC unit), but any under 1200lbs should be OK, correct?
Thanks
I was surprised picture from Prolite website - 1390lb towed by mini. Technically it's within Mini's tow capacity, but yeah say goodbye to that Aisin tranny.
https://i.imgur.com/tTaxsuZ.jpg
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TravelingDreamer
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09/11/23 04:53am |
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RE: TT Wear on one tire..only took few short trips
All great info above, but start with the easiest. Check tire for out of round. Tire could have been manufactured poorly. Easy to check. Just jack up and spin tire. It should look perfectly round from front and side.
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TravelingDreamer
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09/08/23 09:48pm |
Travel Trailers
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Hard sided campers under 1500lbs with 6' int ht spreadsheet.
I found similar posts but I guess I'm too picky. If anyone knows of any other camper, let me know. It has to be under 1500lbs, at least 6 foot interior height and hard sided, (no canvas). Some like Runaway Rouser interior height of 5'10" are close but I don't want to bang my head, so its not my spreadsheet.
My SUV's tow limit is 2000lbs, so I need to keep it under 1500lbs dry weight since my personal stuff with be 300lbs and 200lbs for the 90% of capacity rule, correct?
Why do some mfrs keep interior dimensions a secret? I made an educated guess on some. Weight also seem to fluctuate depending on year and dealerships so I tried to put a realistic weight on each. Its within 100lbs.
If you think any data is incorrect, let me know and I'll update it.
Thanks!
https://i.imgur.com/Du1fHKl.jpg width=700
https://i.imgur.com/jOJ24gq.jpg width=700
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TravelingDreamer
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09/08/23 09:38pm |
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