RV Towing

[SpookyJeeps]

My husband and I own a 2020 Rubican Gladiator and we love it! We have been looking for an RV that we can pull safely but that has the amenities we want. We like the 2021 Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE. The weights are (Unloaded Weight4674 lbs GVWR 5995 lbs) and length is 21' 11". According to one dealership. Another has the GVWR at 6400. Both are assuring us that it would not be a problem for us to tow. It would be rare for us to have any water in the tanks but I do not want my husband stressed. I would appreciate any advice on whether this is a good choice or any recommendations for similar RV that weighs less. Thank you in advance!

Hi

My husband and I own a 2020 Rubican Gladiator and we love it! We have been looking for an RV that we can pull safely but that has the amenities we want. We like the 2021 Grand Design Imagine XLS 17MKE. The weights are (Unloaded Weight4674 lbs GVWR 5995 lbs) and length is 21' 11". According to one dealership. Another has the GVWR at 6400. Both are assuring us that it would not be a problem for us to tow. It would be rare for us to have any water in the tanks but I do not want my husband stressed. I would appreciate any advice on whether this is a good choice or any recommendations for similar RV that weighs less. Thank you in advance!

Hi there,
I just ran across this thread and may be a little late but we have been towing a Trailmanor hard sided pop up. These things are amazing, 3800lb, no sway and everything you need. Just thought this may be helpful.

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[SpookyJeeps]

 

[xpcdoojk]

I am a big fan of Trailmanor. I am going to buy an Airstream, but TM are awesome little trailers.

 

[gsbfree]

I'll add my experience towing... We wanted to stay within 50-60% of the JT's towing capacity. We have an Escape Industries E19 fiberglass trailer which weighs 3,802 lbs with fresh water and propane tanks filled. I installed Red Arc brake controller and love it. The weight distribution/sway control hitch is critical in my experience. We use a Fastway e2 hitch and I've been very happy how the JT handles the TT while towing. Our mpg has ranged from low of 12.2mpg to high 14.3mpg while pulling serious grades in Idaho. On a recent 865 mile trip with approx 600 miles being freeway speeds ~65-70 mph we avg'd 13.6 mpg. Two axles make a tremendous improvement in tow experience.

The trailer makes a great base camp.

 

[Desirayray]

Just made the trip to Overland West in Flagstaff. I'm guestimating i weigh in at 2500-2800 pounds or so. Towed fine but feels heavy. I could hold 75 in 6th gear on the flats. 5% grade is 4th screeming and maybe 55-60 @ 8mpg. Got about 12 MPG overall. All temps were normal. The softopper made a huge difference with airflow. For those of you who are asking about towing 6000 pounds, I think that's 3000 pounds too much. To keep from squatting, I had to run airbags. Maybe its a Mojave thing with the softer springs, But I think its well sorted out now...good luck!!

 

[jsalbre]

Just made the trip to Overland West in Flagstaff. I'm guestimating i weigh in at 2500-2800 pounds or so. Towed fine but feels heavy. I could hold 75 in 6th gear on the flats. 5% grade is 4th screeming and maybe 55-60 @ 8mpg. Got about 12 MPG overall. All temps were normal. The softopper made a huge difference with airflow. For those of you who are asking about towing 6000 pounds, I think that's 3000 pounds too much. To keep from squatting, I had to run airbags. Maybe its a Mojave thing with the softer springs, But I think its well sorted out now...good luck!!

If you're having an issue with squatting it's because you (normally) should be running a weight distribution hitch with a trailer that heavy. The axle on your trailer is also very far back, putting a higher percentage of it's weight onto your Jeep. It looks like a military trailer with that lunette ring hitch so I expect it was probably pulled by something like a deuce and a half which wouldn't have even noticed it back there.

I assume you're running that hitch and no weight distribution because you use that trailer for off-road travel, so the squat is just a consequence you have to accept in that case. If anyone is pulling a 6k pound trailer without weight distribution and sway control they've made some very poor decisions.

 

[Ferg]

I love my GeoPro 19FBS. It’s small enough to easily tow with my JTR but big enough to be comfortable when I stop for the night.

 

[KC_H]

Here is my 2021 Rubicon gas engine with 2017 Casita Independence....

SOMEWHERE IN TEXAS

IN A DRY COUNTY, SOMEWHERE IN MISSISSIPPI
I don't remember the name of the county but the sign upon entering the county said "Possession and consumption of alcohol in XYZ county is illegal and is strictly enforced". I toasted them with a couple of bourbons.

The trailer weighs about 2480 pounds empty and the most it has weighed loaded is about 3200 pounds, I only pull it with water if I am going boondocking.

I do not use a weight distribution hitch, but most assuredly I use an anti-sway bar (Curt). Harbor Freight has a decent $30 knock off.

CURT ANTI-SWAY BAR

Tongue weight is about 330 pounds and I plan to install air bags to reduce sag...

Here are my trailer specs.

Casita 17' DELUXE MODEL SPECIFICATIONS
Overall length 17'
Overall height 8'-11"
Interior Height 6'-1 1⁄2"
Overall width 6'-8"
Approx. dry weight 2480 lbs.
Approx. hitch weight dry 365 lbs.
Tire size 15"
Axle capacity 3500 lbs.

No issues pulling it, but it is slow going in the mountains.

 

[jsalbre]

I love my GeoPro 19FBS. It’s small enough to easily tow with my JTR but big enough to be comfortable when I stop for the night.

That model is on my list of potentials. Can you give any feedback on it?

 

[Ferg]

That model is on my list of potentials. Can you give any feedback on it?

I really like it. The 190W solar panel is now standard, as are the "off-road pkg." (translation: it's lifted a bit) and the 12v compressor fridge. The trailer itself is an easy tow and is comfortable. I've enjoyed it very much.

 

[jsalbre]

I really like it. The 190W solar panel is now standard, as are the "off-road pkg." (translation: it's lifted a bit) and the 12v compressor fridge. The trailer itself is an easy tow and is comfortable. I've enjoyed it very much.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[jsalbre]

I really like it. The 190W solar panel is now standard, as are the "off-road pkg." (translation: it's lifted a bit) and the 12v compressor fridge. The trailer itself is an easy tow and is comfortable. I've enjoyed it very much.

Thank for your input, it was super helpful in making our decision. We picked up an E-Pro 20FBS last week and spent two nights in it in Kamiah, ID. Pretty similar to your 19FBS but a foot longer and some items shifted a bit. Super easy tow and great trailer!

Of course, we finished the trip and discovered the hitch head was loose on the shank. Turns out the dealership that installed my Equalizer hitch for me didn’t actually torque anything at all. Bolts that should have been 320ft-lbs were at 50ish. Thankfully no incidents and no damage, and it was easy to fix after I made a run to a local farm supply store for tools.

 

[Ferg]

Thank for your input, it was super helpful in making our decision. We picked up an E-Pro 20FBS last week and spent two nights in it in Kamiah, ID. Pretty similar to your 19FBS but a foot longer and some items shifted a bit. Super easy tow and great trailer!

Of course, we finished the trip and discovered the hitch head was loose on the shank. Turns out the dealership that installed my Equalizer hitch for me didn’t actually torque anything at all. Bolts that should have been 320ft-lbs were at 50ish. Thankfully no incidents and no damage, and it was easy to fix after I made a run to a local farm supply store for tools.

I love the new 20FBS models -- especially because of the NS beds rather than the EW bed that I have. Congrats on a beautiful trailer!

 

[jsalbre]

I love the new 20FBS models -- especially because of the NS beds rather than the EW bed that I have. Congrats on a beautiful trailer!

Thanks!

The NS bed was really the primary factor. We really would have preferred a dinette over the couch, but the bed won us over.

 

[Radio Guy]

Here is another recommendation for Casita fiberglass trailers. This 2014 16ft is about 2,200lbs empty and I suspect about 3,200 fully loaded and it has a kitchen with fridge and microwave plus bathroom with shower. Sits six and sleeps three.

It hauls like a dream and I use an Anderson No Sway hitch. I put air bags in my rear shocks and run about 25lbs in those then use the adjustments on the hitch to do the final leveling on the truck. There are several other brands of fiberglass trailers that are similar to the Casita that have all the benefits of the leak proof fiberglass shell and light weight.

I put a 3" lift on this trailer and it handles mild off roading just fine.

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