1988 bigfoot 17 - info please

[Arizona3313]

I am a newbee and just picked up a 1988 Big Foot 17 Delux trailer at an estate sale. The thing is in remarkable shape and appears to be light weight enough that I can pull it with my RAV4 V6. I can not find much info on this trailer so if anyone can point me to any souces I would appreciate it. Also does anyone have an idea of what the weight of this rig is. It has all of the goodies including AC with the heat option. I have heard anything from 1700 pounds to 3000 pounds dry.
Thanks
Rollie
Arizona

[Thomas G.]

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...rld-43010.html

[Donna D.]

Hi Rollie, welcome to FiberglassRV, we're glad you're here! Wow, purchased at an estate sale? I've heard of one trailer purchased at a garage sale, I'm gonna have to check out sales more often

We have a large group of Bigfoot owners, I know you can get all the answers you seek here from kind and helpful people.

Post pictures when you get a chance

[Arizona3313]

Thanks to all for the help. I checked the hitch weight on this trailer last night and it came in at 260 pounds and that was with two full propane tanks and a really big battery. I will take the trailer to a big truck scale and get the weight checked next week and will let you know what the weight is. I am hoping it stays below 2600 pounds.
I got lucky on this one and was able to pick it up from the estate for $2950 which included a 2000 watt generator, which looks like it was never run, and an adjustable hitch.The inside is in remarkable shape but the decals on the outside have faded due to the Arizona sun. Everything looks OK but I will have to check everything out today.
Thanks for the help.
Rollie

[deryk]

Hey Rollie, Congrads!

Now just out of curiosity as another rav4 owner (2008 sport with tow package) Did you get much rear squat when you hooked it up? I just ordered airbag/springs for mine... some folks also use a wdh.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ons-56020.html

deryk

[Arizona3313]

My Rav4 is the V6 sport model which I am told has a stronger suspension than the Basic or Limited versions. When I hook up my Bigfoot the back drops about 3 to 4 inches which is a little lower than my old popup trailer. I hope I will not have to go to a another type of hitch but I will try taking one of the propane tanks off the front to cut the hitch weight, plus this trailer seems to have an oversized battery in it as the person who owned it before me was into Boondocking.
I hope to get the hitch weight down to about 220 or so from the 260 it is now.
How does your Rav 4 handle the trailer? Any issues I should be on the lookout for. Also what kind of mpg are you getting when you pull.
Thanks
Rollie

[deryk]

Hey Rollie,

Well Im waiting on ups to deliver my air coils that Im gonna be adding to stiffen up the rear coil springs $100 that should fix the issue of it squatting.

Ive only trailered it once, bought it the friday before New Years, and it drove fine, didn't even feel it back there but you can see in the picture the rear end squat's down. driving 50-55mph the first half of the journey home I averaged 16.5mpg, the 2nd leg of the trip was rt 95 so highway driving I was averaging 65-70mph and I got 13.5mpg. Big difference. I usually try to drive 60-65mph but was running late due to traffic and a detour to avoid the baltimore tunnel since I have propane so it was a nice long detour. Still better mileage then my little gypsy caravan got and I can stand and shower in my ParkLiner lol.

Im happy with the Rav4, just wish they stiffened the rear end if your paying for the tow package, you might actually want to tow something with it lol

deryk

[ruscal]

Rollie,
Great find! You'll have fun with the FG trailer. Deryk has the right idea. Beef up the tow vehicle to suit the trailer. You shouldn't try to keep the car from squatting by removing tongue weight from the trailer. Your trailer will track best when a certain percentage of the trailer gross weight is applied at the tongue. If the tongue weight is too light the trailer will swap from side to side under decelleration and descending.
Russ

[Tom Trostel]

Rollie,
I own a 1980 Bigfoot 15B17G that I've had for 4 years. Ours is a Standard model without shower, hot water heater, oven, or awning but does have air conditioning. It weighs around 2600 lbs. loaded to camp and has a 340 lb tongue weight. We tow with a 2006 Toyota Sienna to which I've added Airlift 1000 rear spring helper air bags, McKesh towing mirrors, Derale series 8000 transmission cooler, Draw Tite single bar weight distributing hitch, and Prodigy brake controller. We love our trailer and hope to use it until we cannot camp anymore due to age limitations.

Lake Bardwell, TX photo by tomNjo | Photobucket

[partslady9]

Thanks so much for the Bigfoot pictures. I'd never seen one before, really nice unit. At least I'll know what they are talking about on the forum.
Elaine

[GPJ]

Thanks Tom - I think that the Bigfoots have an unmatched "warmth" among fiberglass trailers. Your interior photos really capture that.

[Garnet]

I am restoring a 92 Bigfoot 15B17G and I need to replace the wheels and the bathroom
i would be interested in any information about the bolt pattern of the wheels and the availability of any bathroom components that would fit the Bigfoot Goucho?

thank you in advance for your input!

[Arizona3313]

I see some discussion on adding air bags to a Rav4. Sounds like a good idea, any idea of where I should go to get a set?
Thanks
Rollie

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Arizona3313

I see some discussion on adding air bags to a Rav4. Sounds like a good idea, any idea of where I should go to get a set?
Thanks
Rollie

I've heard that JC Whitney is fast.

[deryk]

Well i beg to differ Tom lol....they ship from manuf stock and i heard its a 3 weel wait....got mine next day off of eBay...just checked they had it in stock first...def stiffens up the rear


Deryk

[ruscal]

Originally Posted by Arizona3313

I see some discussion on adding air bags to a Rav4. Sounds like a good idea, any idea of where I should go to get a set?
Thanks
Rollie

Rollie,
I found a few hits on Google for bags for my SSR. The Rav4 should have many options.
Russ

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by deryk

Well i beg to differ Tom lol....they ship from manuf stock and i heard its a 3 weel wait....got mine next day off of eBay...just checked they had it in stock first...def stiffens up the rear

Deryk

Just pulling yer chain......LOL

[deryk]

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Arizona3313

I hope to get the hitch weight down to about 220 or so from the 260 it is now.

Rollie

Welcome and congrats on your great find!!!

I am not sure that you want to push your hitch/tongue weight down to 220lbs as once you actually weight your trailer there is good chance you will be looking for ways to get your tongue weight up, not down in order to maintain a safe tow. Bigfoots Delux are not known for being light weight so you may find your trailer is going to come in close to 3000lbs or well over once loaded. As you can see for the Trailer Weights in the Real world that Tom posted earlier the only one 17.5' on the list comes in at 4,400lbs. We have number of Bigfoot's attend meets locally and I would be surprised if any of them came in under 3000lbs loaded. A tongue weight of less than 10% of the trailers weight can result in a very unwanted/unsafe sway problem.