Camper Trailer recommendations

[Scotty B.]

Scotty... have you had any issues with trailer sway? Thanks

Only when it's a super windy day. You gotta keep the trailer sway brake pretty tight and the trailer brake control sensitivity and strength higher.

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[STEVE_K]

Seems like a lot of options out there these days. Not sure I will ever get one... but I'd be happy with a small one with a shower/bathroom, fridge, sink, stove, and full/queen bed, and ac/heater.

 

[johnalan]

Only when it's a super windy day. You gotta keep the trailer sway brake pretty tight and the trailer brake control sensitivity and strength higher.

What brake control sensitivity do you use normally, and what during very windy conditions

 

[Scotty B.]

What brake control sensitivity do you use normally, and what during very windy conditions

It depends on what brake controller you have. They're all different. You'll have to play around with it. FYI...You want the trailer braking slightly before the truck, but not locking up the trailer brakes (it's a feel thing). I would guess cross winds exceeding 20-25mph will give you some trailer sway. Also, I run my solid load leveling bars at the fifth chain loop from the end of the chain (four loops hanging free).

 

[wrf61]

My 2024 Ranger XLT 2.3 with Advanced Towing Package, Road Active Suspension, and Lock N Roll hitch towing my 2025 Intech Flyer Explore. No problems towing or stopping

, just that 14mpg and Itty bitty 18 gallon fuel tank.

 

[johnalan]

It depends on what brake controller you have. They're all different. You'll have to play around with it. FYI...You want the trailer braking slightly before the truck, but not locking up the trailer brakes (it's a feel thing). I would guess cross winds exceeding 20-25mph will give you some trailer sway. Also, I run my solid load leveling bars at the fifth chain loop from the end of the chain (four loops hanging free).

I have a factory trailer brake with the advanced towing system. I usually keep it about 5.5. I do have a oad-leveling/sway control hitch.

 

[ExpoGuy]

Seems like a lot of options out there these days. Not sure I will ever get one... but I'd be happy with a small one with a shower/bathroom, fridge, sink, stove, and full/queen bed, and ac/heater.

I'm considering a small travel trailer with those features. Maybe 15 to 18 feet. But a good quality trailer with all the options and accessories will cost well above $40k. Then a Ranger configured the way I want will be another $50k. A lot of money and I don't know how often I'd use it.

 

[STEVE_K]

I'm considering a small travel trailer with those features. Maybe 15 to 18 feet. But a good quality trailer with all the options and accessories will cost well above $40k. Then a Ranger configured the way I want will be another $50k. A lot of money and I don't know how often I'd use it.

Had a similar discussion with some friends about this years ago. We kind of agreed that a trailer and nice rig isn’t really necessary unless you are going to be staying out in rural areas or you really really want that trailer. If your are just wanting to do road trips for vacation, a good reliable vehicle and hotels are just fine. You’d need about 400+ nights in a $40k trailer to break even.

Of course that’s all an individual decision for everyone to make.

 

[cb4017]

My Ranger hauls this R-Pod 171 with no issues. Gross weight is 3,250 pounds. This is the majority of my type of camping.

 

[John E Davies]

It is a really bad time to buy a new rv - a heavily discounted used one that has had most of its build issues fixed is wise, but only if you are prepared to do your own work on it. Good luck getting service work performed at a dealer.

Why RV Dealers Are Going Bankrupt in 2026 (What That Means for Used Prices)

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

Forgot this gem, if you live near the desert and are happy rough camping, no worries.

https://rvlifestyle.com/summer-is-going-to-be-brutal-for-rvers-go-anyway/

 

[superj]

We bought a 2 year old travel trailer, maybe 10 years ago. I had to replace some water lines because of leaks, replace tires and brakes, battery, and upgrade from a 5k to 10k ac.


The ac was the best repair I did. It went from low 80s at night to 55 inside all day long, if you wanted it that cold. The ac was ao east to change too, it was like doing a window unit, but on top. And saved so much money doing my own repairs.


Point of the story though, we had it 3 or 4 years, paid 12k for it, used it twice, and sold it for 12k with all the stuff I had to fix on it. I thinknit was inw of those hurricane trailers because this was right after one of the big hurricanes hit texas and the gov bought tons of trailers for temp housing. It would have been perfect for the ranger to pull. And it had a nice bathroom with tub and shower, just like in the house.

 

[Jon_M]

I have a 2.3L ranger & tow a Rockwood 1910ESP Popup that is in the low to mid 3000lb range loaded. I’m towing in Utah & Idaho primarily between 4000 to 10000 feet in elevation. The 2.3L & the 10 speed works great. I came from a 4runner with the 4.0L & 5 speed & the ranger is much better to tow with. The pop up takes a little longer to set up maybe than some others but it’s easy to store in my back car port than a bigger trailer. My wife & I wanted it because it’s simple & when it’s popped up with just the 2 of us there is plenty of room. Unlike a tear drop I can stand up to put on my pants & not lay down to do so. You can get an AC unit on them, but we decided not to get one. We didn’t care about an onboard toilet (although it came with a portable toilet), microwave, or AC. Unless you have a big battery setup you can’t use the microwave or AC, you will need to be plugged in. We have had our trailer for 10 years & have not had any big problems. They still make this model with maybe some updates. All trailers have little problems & things that do come loose. We like the layout in the Rockwood 1910ESP & not having the indoor showered toilet it has more floor space. If we are boondocking, there is an outdoor showered like you would have a most tear drops & if we are staying at an RV park, we just use what’s there. We took a trip a few years ago from UT to CA through the pacific NW & we were setting the trailer up every other day it we just had a system down & could get everything done in about 20mins. One thing that we do like a lot is the heated mattress. That is something you need to be plugged in to use, but my wife & I were thinking of getting a portable battery setup to run them at night. To be honest, the heater works great in the popup to keep things warm. The popup is not as dark inside as a lot of trailers either. I don’t want to be in a Dark hole in a trailer. Depending on how big of a trailer you may want check out the Lance 1575 trailer. It feels like you are going into a clown car with the space & for the size it is one of the brightest small campers I have been in. Lance has great build quality as well. You need to look at your budget & your want list. There are a lot of good options out there.

 

[Jon_M]

The integrated trailer break is easy to use & the cameras when changing lanes work great as well. I didn’t think I would like the cameras on the Ranger as much as I do.

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