Need help finding a travel trailer

Keep in mind that 3500 LBS isn't that much. You also need to factor in the weight of the all the gear, passengers, etc. I think even pop ups are close to that 3500 range. I've seen some really nice ones on my local CL and you can even find truck and trailer combos up for sale online as well. A good place that has both the truck and trailer for sale as a combo would be Good Sam website. Many people endup wanting to sell the truck and the trailer as one and sell for good prices.
I guess a few more questions would help. Is your van a 6 cyl? How many are in your family? Once you load it all up and hook it up, your van will feel the weight and strain.
While pop ups are nice and lightweight, they are also more exposed to the elements and they are limited on conveniences like a shower etc plus your toilet is basically in the middle of your kitchen most times.
If there are any RV dealers in your area, go there first and see what they have, new and used and look at weights and ask them what they recommend. You will get a better idea of what you will be able to get by what your pulling vehicle can pull. That's going to be your limitation right there.
Other than that..........RV's are great for the family. We call ours the Memory Maker.
You might also look into Motorhome and then pull the van with you.

Keep in mind there is basic gear you will need and a trailer is like a 2nd home and you will wnat to outfit it with many of the things you have at home. Cleaning fluids, brooms, mop, all of the kitchen utensils, pots, pans, towels, bedding, clothes, and then comes the stuff you will need for the outside, sewer hoses, water hoses, leveling boards or blocks, etc.
There ARE TONS of cool things to add as extras like awning lights, and so forth. Camping World will give you an idea as to just how many things you can buy.
Just in our own we have everything from leveling boards, hoses, vacuum cleaner, all sorts of tie downs, wheel chocks, and the list goes on and on. Keep in mind that all these things add weight. Then there's food. Water in the storage tanks etc. It sounds like a daunting task, but over time you will acquire what you need.
The basic things for outside are the sewer hoses, a hose for city water hookup, the trailer comes with electric cable, some long boards for leveling, wheel chocks, as the very basics.
Also, go to a RV park if you have one close to you and ask someone to show you their rig and how it's all set up. Most people will take the time to walk you thorugh it. If they don't, ask someone else. Hope this helps.

Try here.
http://www.goodsamclub.com/rvcentral/FindanRV.aspx
If you are willing to buy outside your area there are great deals to be had. With small kids, I'd steer away from a soft sided pop up. They don't have much insulation or protection from the elements.
It all really comes down to what you all are comfy with and really how much you want to push the limit of the van. If most of your driving will be flat land, not so bad. But hills will push the limits of the van.
Best bet is to go to an RV dealership and look at all the different models and find one that fits your needs. Then it's just a question of whether you van will pull it without too much strain.

You can put an awful lot of gear in your RV/Travel Trailer. My wife can add 1000lb herself.... keep that in mind.

My V8 Dakota 4x4 was rated to tow 4700 lbs. My 3000 lb (loaded) 6x12 behind it was pushing it - not from a power standpoint, but from a suspension and braking standpoint.

3500 towing minus 600 in people weight, minus gear, coolers, food, toys ... sounds like the minivan is OK to tow a 5x8 utility trailer with brush or a lawn mower. Seriously, a pop up or small teardrop would be about the most it would handle.

For a 10K budget, another option to a used Class C to consider is trading in the van and getting a truck and trailer. Sure you might paying for a tow rig, but being a Craigslist nut, I see some fairly nice TT's on there for around $6-7K - but not ones that could be towed behind a minivan, but with a 1/2 ton HD or easily with a 3/4 ton.

So having no idea if your minivan is worth 5K or 15K, that could determine but let's say it's worth 10K. You can get a decent 1/2 ton HD for about 13K and a very nice used TT for less then 7K.

Sure, you might be spending more in gas, but probably less in difference then a new transmission.

Just some food for thought.

A mini van is not for towing a TT. Think SAFETY, you have many variables to consider such as braking, cross winds and etc. pulling something is the least thing that you should consider. The safety of your family comes first and the other folks out there on the HWYS that you are going to be on.

As a multi-year(decade) owner of RVs, Mini-vans, and travel trailers---I seriously urge you to consider alternatives.

Any vehicle can be rated to pull XXXX pounds by the builder.
That means that it cam pull it on a level surface without trashing the drivetrain.
It does not mean that it can control, stop, or handle an incllne with a trailer of that size without some external help such as equilizer bars or trailer brakes.

And I can confirm that the "real" weight will be much, much higher than the listed weight.

Until last year, I pulled a open comp trailer which weighed 2200-2500 lbs. with my 2006 GMC Safari van with factory towing package rated at 4000 lbs.
BS!!!
Mileage dropped from 19-20 to 12-13 and side winds kicked my ass!
She was struggling, for sure.

As someone mentioned above--the market is wonderful for used RV's and I bet you can find a nice Class C with lots of amenities (missing from an ultral-light popup) that would serve you well for several years while you and the family develop a long term plan.
And, there is low "down-side $$ risk" on a depreciated unit.

The "RV lifestyle" is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy it.

TIM

Just because a car can pull something does not mean damage is not being done. Do not ask me how I know this. 97 explorer RIP

tony76248 said:

You can put an awful lot of gear in your RV/Travel Trailer. My wife can add 1000lb herself.... keep that in mind.

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AMEN to that!! I spend the most time loading and unloading my wife's stuff than all other stuff combined!:shock:

KC_Bobby said:

My V8 Dakota 4x4 was rated to tow 4700 lbs. My 3000 lb (loaded) 6x12 behind it was pushing it - not from a power standpoint, but from a suspension and braking standpoint.

3500 towing minus 600 in people weight, minus gear, coolers, food, toys ... sounds like the minivan is OK to tow a 5x8 utility trailer with brush or a lawn mower. Seriously, a pop up or small teardrop would be about the most it would handle.

For a 10K budget, another option to a used Class C to consider is trading in the van and getting a truck and trailer. Sure you might paying for a tow rig, but being a Craigslist nut, I see some fairly nice TT's on there for around $6-7K - but not ones that could be towed behind a minivan, but with a 1/2 ton HD or easily with a 3/4 ton.

So having no idea if your minivan is worth 5K or 15K, that could determine but let's say it's worth 10K. You can get a decent 1/2 ton HD for about 13K and a very nice used TT for less then 7K.

Sure, you might be spending more in gas, but probably less in difference then a new transmission.

Just some food for thought.

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Good point about trading in the van. Give us a bit more info to work with. Is the van yours or wife's daily driver? Is there a second vehicle? Our first pulling vechicle was a 1/2 ton and this was with our 25ft bumper pull. Even with the weight dist. hitch(you may need one of these also and they are heavy) winds would rock us back and forth and even with the V8, the truck would feel the steep hills. And the truck was rated for much more. From there I traded the gasser for a diesel 2500 Dodge and pulled the same 25ft'er. HUGE difference all around. Gas milege, power and stability. Then traded up all together to a 33ft 5th wheel at around 9000 lbs trailer weight and to a Ford 350 diesel(not a dual axle). Bigger difference. Gas mileage not as good, but we are pulling a bunch of weight and didnt' expect to get great mileage anyway. But it's nice to know the power is there and that the truck and trailer are compatible. Plus, we need the extra space in the truck. The 2500 Quad cab was just too small in the back for the kids. The wife and I see it this way.........it's an investment in the kids and our family.
As stated, you have a nice budget to work with. Look at all the options. Like the Class C or trading in. Also consider things like having guests with you if that's an option. Before, we couldn't sleep any guests really. Now we can take the Grandparents and cousins and room so that everyone is comfortable.
DANG..............I need to go camping now!!:lol:

tony76248 said:

My wife can add 1000lb herself.... keep that in mind.

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You must be married to RobKC's wife (shudders at what she bought for Platte City).

If you've got 10k, look at CL or Cars.com and find a used crew cab for 5-6k then buy an enclosed cargo trailer with the rest. TrailersPlus in Olathe / Blue Springs is running a ton of CL ad's trying to get some business, and I saw a 7 x 14 enclosed for 3700 today.

crd26a said:

You must be married to RobKC's wife (shudders at what she bought for Platte City).

If you've got 10k, look at CL or Cars.com and find a used crew cab for 5-6k then buy an enclosed cargo trailer with the rest. TrailersPlus in Olathe / Blue Springs is running a ton of CL ad's trying to get some business, and I saw a 7 x 14 enclosed for 3700 today.

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Good point!!
With this option you could still keep the van and baby the tow vehicle on mileage and basically just use it for pulling. Works all the way around. Don't hesitate to buy used, many trailers are given up or traded or sold because it wasn't what the owners expected. After a trip or two they get rid of it, and are basically brand new!!

Man, I dont want to rain on your parade here but as someone that spends a lot of time on the road and a lot of time pulling a TT I dont think I would consider pulling a TT with a minivan. It might be rated for the weight but it is going to be damn hard on the trany at a minimum. You didnt say what kind of minivan it was so I am going to assume it is a front wheel drive. That leads to issues of tongue weight and lose of traction on the front end.
I do a lot of traveling and have seen many smaller pickups and SUV's pulling TT or I should say they were pulling them until the TT got away fro them and left them hung up on there sides in the ditch or worse. It is more than tow rating, remember you are hauling a 3000lb 18-25 foot slingshot behind you.

One thing of major importance is a proper hitch setup.
BTW I tow an approx 9000lb 32ft TT with a Duramax crewcab 4X4 all over the country. Not saying it wont work and to forget it but I am saying you are taking a chance with your drivetrain at minimum. Most minivans are not on a truck chassis like most SUV's are.

Heck of a deal if you can get it

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/rvs/1203954563.html

Would give you some extra $ for a truck and needs some elbow grease. Just a thought

smooookin said:

Man, I dont want to rain on your parade here but as someone that spends a lot of time on the road and a lot of time pulling a TT I dont think I would consider pulling a TT with a minivan. It might be rated for the weight but it is going to be damn hard on the trany at a minimum. You didnt say what kind of minivan it was so I am going to assume it is a front wheel drive. That leads to issues of tongue weight and lose of traction on the front end.
I do a lot of traveling and have seen many smaller pickups and SUV's pulling TT or I should say they were pulling them until the TT got away fro them and left them hung up on there sides in the ditch or worse. It is more than tow rating, remember you are hauling a 3000lb 18-25 foot slingshot behind you.

One thing of major importance is a proper hitch setup.
BTW I tow an approx 9000lb 32ft TT with a Duramax crewcab 4X4 all over the country. Not saying it wont work and to forget it but I am saying you are taking a chance with your drivetrain at minimum. Most minivans are not on a truck chassis like most SUV's are.

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WOW. Never would have put those two together........tongue weight and front wheel drive. Makes a WHOLE bunch of sense.
BigDog.........I hope you dont think we are being a rainstorm on your parade!! We are really trying to help you out. Smookin makes some good points here. Basically, we're not saying it can't be done, but we also dont' want to see the tranny on your van busted up either at the very least.
This is exactly how I learned. Matter of fact I still am, and still have a lot to learn. I really appreciate the advice from those that have beeb doing it a long time. I learned, or should I say, avoided a lot from their mistakes. You have any pics of trailers you are looking at, or any links we can check out?

Sorry to say but there is no way a mini van is pulling a TT. Just says the specs say it will pull it, doesn't always mean it will.
Those specs don't take into account the wind shear from pulling a TT.
Point in case. My Dodge Ram 1/2 ton says it will pull 8500lbs. My TT is 4500 dry weight. Add on the water and supplies your probably up to 5500. Still far under the 8500lbs it says it will pull. Add on some wind to the equation and you got yourself a fight.

I'm just saying. You'll enjoy the whole experience better if you get there safely.

I agree with Bobby. You have a lot of options with 10k to spend. Look at a class c, or a truck and and inclosed trailer.

Good luck.

Theres options from any type of trailer you choose.
View attachment trailer.bmp

Since you don't have a very good towing vehicle, have you looked into getting an RV? Seems like there are some good buys out there for them as the price of gas has most folks scared.