Travel Trailer vs. Rent Trailer

[Matt's4Runner]

Edit: Stupid autocorrect - that should say Tent Trailer, not Rent Trailer

Any thoughts, experiences, words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. There are five in my family - kids are 2, 5, and 7. My driveway is just under 19 feet and, as you all know, the 4Runner tops out at 5000 pounds. We're planning on renting an E1 tent trailer in July to see how it will work, but there are a couple of well priced ultralight TTs in the area and I'm tempted.

 

[Phaedrus]

The only advice I have in regards to the TT vs tent trailer is that, at this very moment, your kids are the smallest they will ever be. If you wanted to sell one of your kids, I think you could make do with the tent trailer. With 3, I can see running oot of room very quickly with the family and all the gear that accompanies them.

Where did you find a place to rent an E1?

 

[Matt's4Runner]

I found a guy on Craigslist who rents his own. No "fees" and he charges by the night used, will even let me pick it up the day before our trip for no extra charge. That helps with getting the kids' stuff packed up and to be ready to hit the road worry free in the morning.

 

[Biggcrisp]

19' driveway

I can list:

E1 Pros
The E1 will fit your driveway. Very cool campers. Your off the ground. You can be inside when need be.

E1 Cons
Does your family have the time and patience required for tent trailer camping. You won't be just throwing the door opened and camping lol.

TT Pros
In your case a few will fit your driveway. The first Three feet of a TT are the tongue.

TT Cons
At 15' of living space you will be very limited on sleeping space, cooking space, trying to walk past someone in the same space lol.

Having said the above. There are some very innovative small TT's out there.

Please keep us posted with pics and of course enjoy!

 

[Mike G.]

My recommendation is to forget the trailer and buy quality camping gear, including a good family tent. Camping is so cool for the kids, they will never forget the experience and the best thing you can give your kids is memories.

 

[Ryan1975]

Any thoughts, experiences, words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. There are five in my family - kids are 2, 5, and 7. My driveway is just under 19 feet and, as you all know, the 4Runner tops out at 5000 pounds. We're planning on renting an E1 tent trailer in July to see how it will work, but there are a couple of well priced ultralight TTs in the area and I'm tempted.

I've towed upwards of 7k lbs with the 4Runner. With a brake controller I wouldn't worry about anything over 5k lbs.

 

[brockeverly]

I've towed upwards of 7k lbs with the 4Runner. With a brake controller I wouldn't worry about anything over 5k lbs.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. You have also, if I recall correctly, towed car trailers. An 8x10 travel trailer wall is quite a different monster. I towed a three horse slant with two geldings in it, far above the 5k rating. No issues. Towing a 22ft travel trailer that weighs 4500# wet and 3500# dry, white knuckling almost the entire way.

I have towed horse trailers, travel trailers, and tent trailers with a 4Runner. No way would I recommend going with such a small travel trailer for that many people, and no way would I tow a large travel trailer with the 4Runner again. You can get a sweet highwall tent trailer that will open up to 22+ft and still be below 5000#. A tent trailer takes about 15-45 minutes to set up depending on what all you set up. I could have my old Coleman Santa Fe up and ready to go in 20 minutes tops. Much faster than a tent, and not sleeping on the ground. If you get a tent trailer I would recommend getting one with a small deck on it to hold stuff. Packing in 3D is no fun, and if you have any slides or anything you will have literally no space inside the trailer to store things when it is closed. This was a big reason we bought a travel trailer and a Tundra.

 

[Ryan1975]

 

[Matt's4Runner]

We looked at a trailer that's 19ft tongue to tail with two bunks and a queen bed/dinette. There's space to put a cot for overnight. I've seen some of these have a bunk over the dinette, so I was thinking I could make one. The seller had a good idea as well: hang a hammock over the dinette. It's a 2008 Thor Eco Ultralight 716FD. He's asking $11,000.

 

[TheOnlyQP]

Subscribed. We are looking into trailer vs camping options also.

 

[Matt's4Runner]

Here's the trailer we looked at: Thor Ultra Light 16' Trailer 2008

It wasn't as tight as I expected. I liked that the dinette was big enough that we could all actually sit together and not be cramped (for now). I get the point about tent camping. We've done it but it's been a pain packing all the things we need into the 4Runner. The inconvenience precludes a lot of short, spur of the moment/1 night trips.

I thought of getting a camping dedicated little trailer to haul stuff in, but when you start looking at prices and realize that they're not too far off from having something with a bathroom for the kids, well, it just becomes a slippery slope. The tent trailer would be bigger when expanded, but I've been told that it's a pain in windy situations because of flapping. Living in Southern California we will most often camp in the desert or at the beach - both high wind locations. I also like the idea of being able to pull over on longer trips to rest, use the bathroom (wife/kids), etc. Really, a TT makes sense at this point in our family, I'm just worried about towing the thing with the 4Runner.

 

[Pete Curry]

Wort a look

Probably smaller than what you want, but worth a look. Good build quality.
Cricket Trailer
Shouldn't kill you on your mpg. I'm in Wyoming and everybody here has a 1 ton diesel pulling a 40' toy hauler, not my style.

 

[calcrc]

Hello, I am going on a camping trip with the family on the last week of June.
I would also go with good camping gear.

That's just me, a lot cheaper than a trailer.
But if you have the budget and the space to put it go for it, but camping with a tent is more fun imo

 

[Biggcrisp]

You will know something is back there

My personal RV driving experience has been an F150 supercrew towing a 26' TT. Then decided I wanted a class A. Downsized in 2008 back to a 19' TT. After buying the 2012 4runner we realized it had the potential to tow more and now have a 23' TT.

When new, the 4runner ran smooth in 4S between 55 - 60 mph when towing. Now at 13,000 miles it likes 5S and 60 - 65 mph while towing. Stopping, hills, narrow winding roads have never been a problem. Headwinds will cause the whiteknuckle experience.

My only mod was to add a trans cooler and spin on trans filter. FYI when checking tha trans fluid, the fill plug was crazy tight and the fliud was a little low from the factory. Ten years from now that fill plug would never be unscrewed without damage IMHO.

 

[Matt's4Runner]

Thanks, that makes me feel more at ease.

 

[brockeverly]

Here's the trailer we looked at: Thor Ultra Light 16' Trailer 2008

It wasn't as tight as I expected. I liked that the dinette was big enough that we could all actually sit together and not be cramped (for now). I get the point about tent camping. We've done it but it's been a pain packing all the things we need into the 4Runner. The inconvenience precludes a lot of short, spur of the moment/1 night trips.

I thought of getting a camping dedicated little trailer to haul stuff in, but when you start looking at prices and realize that they're not too far off from having something with a bathroom for the kids, well, it just becomes a slippery slope. The tent trailer would be bigger when expanded, but I've been told that it's a pain in windy situations because of flapping. Living in Southern California we will most often camp in the desert or at the beach - both high wind locations. I also like the idea of being able to pull over on longer trips to rest, use the bathroom (wife/kids), etc. Really, a TT makes sense at this point in our family, I'm just worried about towing the thing with the 4Runner.

That is tiny. Five people in that is going to be beyond uncomfortable. Here is a highwall tent trailer that is around 26ft open, 15ft closed. Lower profile will have far less sway, better mpg, and with a little lift you can put it wherever you want. If you get stuck a couple of hours with kids in the rain in that thing you are going to go crazy. Put everyone in your bathroom or bedroom closet, you will see.

Towing is not about being able to pull, anything can pull. It is about controlling a load. There are plenty of videos and photos floating around of SUVs turned on their sides when a trailer got out of control and the truck was not big enough to control it. The short wheelbase of the 4Runner is far from optimal for a travel trailer. You have the most important things in your world in the truck with you (your kids), is it worth the risk? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying buy a different ride, only saying buy a different trailer. Given your use in "high wind" areas you are going to notice it even more. If you are set on a travel trailer, I would recommend getting a bigger ride. I have pulled my trailer now with both my 4R and Tundra. No way I would pull it more than just around town with the 4R. The weight is within the spec, but it simply is not safe.

 

[brockeverly]

This proves nothing, that is not a travel trailer. Wind resistance is not even close to the same. Your advice and lax ideas about towing safely put others at risk. I wish you would stop and understand just because you are willing to risk the safety of yourself and others, not everyone should. Proof is shown right in your photo, your front end weight is all off. One nice bump and you will easily lose steering control. You should be within 1/2" or so of the unloaded height. Anything more and your distribution is off and you are an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Matt's4Runner]

So, Brock, I've been checking out a Rock Warrior Tundra at the dealership where I bought my Trail since we started looking into travel trailers. I liked a lot of things about it (backseat has way more room for three kids, I like the bed for bikes, etc.) but I'm also worried about fuel economy. My daily commute is 12 minutes each way on city streets. Unless we're doing something outdoorsy/off roady, we usually travel in our minivan on the weekends, so highway miles are rare. Having said that, I've had the Trail since February 2012 and have just passed 7500 miles two days ago. I am averaging 14.6 miles/gallon over that span.

What's been your experience with the Tundra as far as comparable fuel economy/off road worthiness?

 

[Matt's4Runner]

Did you have a Weight Distribution System and an Anti-Sway Bar installed on the 4Runner?

On another note, I don't understand how the expandable nature of a tent trailer gives you more living space. Isn't the expandable part bed space only? I'm also thinking a "tiny" trailer like that is still better than all of us being stuck in a tent during a rainy day.

 

[Titanpat57]

This proves nothing, that is not a travel trailer. Wind resistance is not even close to the same. Your advice and lax ideas about towing safely put others at risk. I wish you would stop and understand just because you are willing to risk the safety of yourself and others, not everyone should. Proof is shown right in your photo, your front end weight is all off. One nice bump and you will easily lose steering control. You should be within 1/2" or so of the unloaded height. Anything more and your distribution is off and you are an accident waiting to happen.

Good call Brock...I agree with this X100

I totally agree with this...he has touted that picture several times...and to me provides "picture proof" of complete and total irresponsibility, and a real lack of care or concern of the safety of those around him. The vehicle is blatantly overloaded, and far exceeds the safety parameters determined by engineers.

The sad part is, he has admitted to "towing " like that (that and his 60, which is probably even heavier)... when and if it does goes bad, hopefully he won't take a family in their minivan with him.