Bigfoot 17.5 weight?

[hoppy1962]

Hi

I was wondering why the dry weight of a 17.5 Bigfoot travel trailer from the 80's are around 1800 lbs and the new one's are over 3,000 lbs. why the 1,200 lb difference???

[Carol H]

the ones that people claim were 1800lbs were never weighed!
If there ever really was one it was a dry weight that did not include a battery, propane, fridge, stove, awning, furnace, toilet or AC etc.

Check out the thread Trailer Weights in the Real World

[Bob Miller]

I think that the dry weight figure that BigFoot and others post in the trailers was bone dry and was as low as possible as, in some locales, taxation is based on mfgs weight at purchase. The 13' Lil'Bigfoot is listed at about 980 lbs dry, and if you take off all the options, Lp bottle, etc it might get down to that figure.

[hoppy1962]

Originally Posted by Carol H

the ones that people claim were 1800lbs were never weighed!
If there ever really was one it was a dry weight that did not include a battery, propane, fridge, stove, awning, furnace, toilet or AC etc.

Check out the thread Trailer Weights in the Real World

Checked the "Trailer Weights in the real world" thread and only two 17.5 Bigfoot's are listed #54 is 2600 lbs and # 107 is 4040 lbs. That's a 1,440 lb difference. I wonder why???

[Bob Miller]

Just visually there are several differences between an early 17' Bigfoot and a later 17.5' Bigfoot, and I thought that there was a two axle version at that longer length as well.

But what I would still compare is the mfgs. "Dry Weight" and see how much difference is between early and late in those numbers. In gaining that .5' it may have also gained a new frame as well as a new insulated belly pan etc. It would be more useful if sometrhing like "Shipping Weights" were available, but I haven't seen that for BigFoot trailers.

But, bottom line, what's the real issue. I wouldn't look at the specs for a 2005 RV mobile and expect them to apply to the 1987 model either, even if they looked somewhat the same. Basically, it is what it is.....

[Jack L]

The newer Bigfoot also has insulated holding tanks and insulated (double glass) windows.

[hoppy1962]

Thanks all

Makes sense now!

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by hoppy1962

Checked the "Trailer Weights in the real world" thread and only two 17.5 Bigfoot's are listed #54 is 2600 lbs and # 107 is 4040 lbs. That's a 1,440 lb difference. I wonder why???

Cant say for sure but it may be the heavier one is a newer Bigfoot that regularly attends the Bandon meet and it has a front box, Microwave and AC and a fairly large fridge, perhaps 2 propane tanks, amongst many other options and as has been mention the newer ones are better insulated. I think you will find that the older model Bigfoot 17's come in at about the 2600lbs as listed - although that may even be on the light side... again a lot depends on the options in/on it and it would not surprise me if many of the older ones creep into the 2800 & over range.

[Robin G]

Originally Posted by Carol H

the ones that people claim were 1800lbs were never weighed!

Or are just Delusional! And just go with what they read or hear and don't take the time to actually know what their trailer weighs!

But saying that, I do agree with Bob and Jack that newer trailers have different features that perhaps weigh more than the features of the same trailer made 20 years ago.

Still the only way to know what the trailer actually weights is to weigh it! Just a fact! That is why Frederick weights trailers for rally attendees so they will know what their particular trailer weighs............


Love that a perspective buyer is actually taking the time to even understand weights! Bravo!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Bob Miller

Just visually there are several differences between an early 17' Bigfoot and a later 17.5' Bigfoot, and I thought that there was a two axle version at that longer length as well....

There are substantial differences in construction (and likely width and equipment) between the old 1500-series 15B17 and the newer 2500-series 25B17.5.

As for the two-axle version, perhaps you're thinking of the 19-foot model, which was a tandem.