Buying a new Hybrid Travel Trailer, need opinions

[brockeverly]

My wife and I have decided that we want to trade in the Coleman pop up for a HTT so we have began the looking and weighing options. I am currently pulling around 3200# without issue, but much less frontal resistance in the pop up vs a HTT. The dealers are no good in terms of giving vehicle specific info, so here I am. I am aware of the 5000# tow capacity and 500# tongue weight, I am also aware that most that want to stay cautious keep at 80% or less of capacity. Below are the two trailers I am looking seriously at, I wanted to get the thoughts of those that know our SUVs best.

2012 KZ Coyote 20C - Upgrade and Boulder packages (lifted baja frame and mud terrains)

Axle Weight
3,110
Dry Hitch Weight
350
UVW
3,460
GVWR
4,500
NCC
1,040

2012 KZ Sportsmen 19SBT

Axle Weight
2,393
Dry Hitch Weight
307
UVW
2,700
GVWR
3,500
NCC
800

The Sportsmen is much more economically priced, but less floor space and amenities. Ground clearance is better in the Coyote, but we are normally in state parks as of now so that currently doesn't matter. We do not carry water nor plan to carry any in the gray/black/or fresh tanks. The Coyote is better overall in terms of trailer only, but pushes the envelope a bit when it comes to weight IMO. This is going to be especially apparent in May/June when we load up for Yellowstone National Park with my wife, 3 year old daughter, and inlaws. The Coyote is also easier to finance as I can negotiate the price much lower due to a higher dealer markup than what is on the Sportsmen.

 

[SeattleMike]

Coyote all the way.

 

[Koz]

You may want to look at this!

New Trailer - Club Lexus Forums

Koz

 

[Titanpat57]

Tral Manors are sweet, but pretty heavy.

I think you'll be fine with the Coyote. You obviously tow responsibly so you understand the proper setup for hitch, braking, and maybe an airlift bag upgrade. I tow all the time with 350 lbs of tongue weight, and there are no issues.

Good luck with your choice, amenities always keep the girls smiling, which ultimately is the goal!

 

[philsey]

I like the added safety factor of dual axles. Does it have brakes on all 4 wheels? If not, is it an option? Braking capabilities are very important (to you), as are additional amenities (to her).

 

[brockeverly]

You may want to look at this!

New Trailer - Club Lexus Forums

Koz

I checked out a couple Trail Manors, but I want to get away from popping up to get in completely. They are also overpriced in comparison. If I needed to store it in my garage or something then I would get one or keep my popup, but I have a 15x50 storage space at our local RV storage yard.

Tral Manors are sweet, but pretty heavy.

I think you'll be fine with the Coyote. You obviously tow responsibly so you understand the proper setup for hitch, braking, and maybe an airlift bag upgrade. I tow all the time with 350 lbs of tongue weight, and there are no issues.

Good luck with your choice, amenities always keep the girls smiling, which ultimately is the goal!

I will be lifting my truck soon with the OME kit, and plan on putting airlifts in the rear while it is being done. I do not know that I will need them, but I don't want to do the work twice. I am apprehensive about putting a WDH on since our receiver is only connected to a cross member rather than the frame rails, but I have read a few posts that people have done it without issue. I already have a Prodigy brake controller, and the trailer has brakes on both axles. My biggest fear is having the 8x10 wall behind me causing all that drag, but most of that comes from never pulling a cargo/travel trailer. I have pulled plenty of car trailers and pulled my pop up over 5k miles this year, but neither of those have significant drag.

I like the added safety factor of dual axles. Does it have brakes on all 4 wheels? If not, is it an option? Braking capabilities are very important (to you), as are additional amenities (to her).

Ya it has brakes on both axles, and it is definitely built tougher than the Sportsmen. At 10k more, it better be though LOL

Coyote all the way.

This is my opinion as well. I would rather buy that trailer once and have everything I want (for now at least LOL) than buy the Sportsmen and trade it in for a bigger one in a few years. That being said, the cheaper trailer will lose less in a few years than the Coyote will so if we wanted to get something bigger later we aren't taking a large loss. Payments are the same either trailer, but its double the term (5-10 years).

I just bought the Coleman in June brand new, and part of my deal with the dealer is that I have no neg equity rolling and pay nothing out of pocket, so the Coyote is better in that due to a much higher markup (I have already negotiated the price down on that by around 6k :jaw drop: )

And the thought of my t4r on 285 duratracs, gobi rack, and the Coyote behind it on M/T :guitar3:

 

[philsey]

Coyote all the way.

Hey, Mikey's back. :bravo:

Welcome home man.

 

[Koz]

I checked out a couple Trail Manors, but I want to get away from popping up to get in completely. They are also overpriced in comparison. If I needed to store it in my garage or something then I would get one or keep my popup, but I have a 15x50 storage space at our local RV storage yard.

The Trailmanor is the most efficient, easiest trailer to tow and lightest trailer made (for its size). It uses aircraft technology in its design and construction this is why it costs more (not to mention they have a GREAT resale valve and sought after). The 27/20 (approx 2800 lbs) is seven feet longer and there are no soft sides or wood used. The setup takes only several minutes. Each hard sided top section is mounted with torsion bars that counter balance the weight of the section and can be pivoted open with one hand. The bottom section is opened by the push of a button (electric slide). The biggest advantage of the Trailmanor is you get a much bigger trailer that the average SUV/vehicle can tow (vehicles with approx 5K lbs tow ratings) not just its compact tow size and efficiency. The trailer you are looking at is approx 20‘ long and weighs approx 3500. The compatible Trailmanor would be 33’ feet long weighing approx the same 3500 lbs and would be easier to tow (at half the height). You are looking at “13 more feet”!

BTW - The retail price for my trailer was $37K (many options) and I paid $26K.

Koz

 

[Catchlight]

Owners love the Escape trailers. The are very well made and easy to tow, and have excellent resale value, partly because of the lack of seams keeps them free of leaks.
The 19' has two axles.

19 Foot Escape