Andrea in Colorado

[Abaker50]

Right now I'm looking for a trailer option that will satisfy my family. I want to do more traveling with my son. Our needs are pretty basic, but DH is tall & a reluctant camper. Add to that that our vehicle's max towing capacity is 1000 lbs and we have no space to store a trailer on our property. We don't need or want anything with tanks, sinks, heaters, air conditioners stoves, etc - just enough space to comfortably sleep 3 full-sized people and an "emergency" potty (bucket). We've considered building a teardrop-type trailer & converting a cargo trailer, but we both love the little fiberglass trailers, so we're considering getting a used shell and pulling out the extra stuff to get it down in weight.

We're also seriously considering the Teal Tailfeather. From some of what I've seen in previous threads, some of you will think we're crazy, but I really like what this company is doing & in many ways it might be a great fit for us.

Looking forward to learning more.
-Andrea

[David Tilston]

If you pull out too much of the interior of many fibreglass trailers, you will compromise the structure. The closet, and kitchen help to hold up the roof.

[Bob Miller]

Hi, and welcome to the group.


About all that will fit your needs (sleeps 3) and towing limits (1000 lbs) are the many pop-up tent trailer out there. I have rebuilt two in the past few years for my son and they are very happy with them. Here is a link to my last project, took about $1500 including purchase and rebuilding.
1988 Palomino Pop-Up Trailer Photos by advocateone | Photobucket


and here's a slightly smaller one.
1983 StarCraft 14 Foot Photos by advocateone | Photobucket
Both come in under about 700 lbs dry.


About the smallest/lightest all molded fiberglass rig is the Hunter Compact series, but almost all will be well over 1000 lbs loaded, only sleep two and anyone over 6' tall will be very cramped in the bed. Here's my personal Hunter:
Hunter Compact II Photos by advocateone | Photobucket


The Teal project has been around for a number of years but we have yet to see much in deliveries. But check the weight, the basic unit plus the weight of the utility trailer will get up to 1000 lbs very quickly and that's before you have put anything inside. Bottom line, In the world of FGRV's a 1000 lb tow limit is, basically, a non-starter.


Good Luck

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

If you pull out too much of the interior of many fibreglass trailers, you will compromise the structure. The closet, and kitchen help to hold up the roof.

Good point. - Thanks
-A

[CPW]

Check Chariot industries (Oldsmar, FL) They make enclosed fiberglass trailers to haul motorcycles. They can have side windows and an access door, and would easy sleep 3 with room for a porta-potti. They may be able to refer you to a pre-owned unit.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Jon in AZ]

Welcome to the forum, Andrea!

Beds for three, one of whom is tall, under 1000#, and fiberglass? Can't think of anything that fits the bill. One of the smallest, lightest units out there is this one: Little Joe Lightweight Trailer - Compact Camper Trailer for 2 by Weiscraft Trailers. It might fit three in a pinch. Dry weight is still a bit over 1000#. As to gutting an older 13'er, even empty I'm guessing they are still right at 1000#, and you have a new weight problem: you have to bring more camping stuff with you.

Have you considered a tent trailer? Livin' Lite makes a couple of under-1000# models: the 6.0 at 636# dry: QuickSilver 6.0 Automotive Tent Camper Floorplans | Livin' Lite RV, and the 8.0 at 865# dry: QuickSilver 8.0 Automotive Tent Camper Floorplans | Livin' Lite RV. They are aluminum, not fiberglass. They'd be garagable, and the smaller might even fit in the same stall as your car if you turned it sideways.

Be aware that manufacturer's dry weights can be misleading. They represent pretty much the empty shell without appliances, options, fluids, and your personal stuff. Actual loaded-for-camping weights can easily be 500# more than the dry weight.

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

Welcome to the forum, Andrea!

Beds for three, one of whom is tall, under 1000#, and fiberglass? Can't think of anything that fits the bill. One of the smallest, lightest units out there is this one: Little Joe Lightweight Trailer - Compact Camper Trailer for 2 by Weiscraft Trailers. It might fit three in a pinch. Dry weight is still a bit over 1000#. As to gutting an older 13'er, even empty I'm guessing they are still right at 1000#, and you have a new weight problem: you have to bring more camping stuff with you.

Have you considered a tent trailer? Livin' Lite makes a couple of under-1000# models: the 6.0 at 636# dry: QuickSilver 6.0 Automotive Tent Camper Floorplans | Livin' Lite RV, and the 8.0 at 865# dry: QuickSilver 8.0 Automotive Tent Camper Floorplans | Livin' Lite RV. They are aluminum, not fiberglass. They'd be garagable, and the smaller might even fit in the same stall as your car if you turned it sideways.

Be aware that manufacturer's dry weights can be misleading. They represent pretty much the empty shell without appliances, options, fluids, and your personal stuff. Actual loaded-for-camping weights can easily be 500# more - than the dry weight.

Yep - that's the difficulty. It's been really hard finding anything that fits our needs - which I know are oddly specific.

I talked with Little Joe - also local for us - and we concluded that it wouldn't work for us, even completely stripped. Love their little trailer though

The problem with a tent trailer is, as I said, DH is not as much into this whole thing as DS & I - which means we'll be on our own some of the time. I, frankly want a little more than canvas between us & the bears & psychos.

Thx -A

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by CPW

Check Chariot industries (Oldsmar, FL) They make enclosed fiberglass trailers to haul motorcycles. They can have side windows and an access door, and would easy sleep 3 with room for a porta-potti. They may be able to refer you to a pre-owned unit.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

Thanks - I'll look into that.

-Andrea

[Captleemo]

I have looked at those Teal trailers on the internet and I really like the idea especially if you already have a cargo trailer but they seemed a bit to pricey for what you get at least in my humble opinion.

[Mike Magee]

My wife feels the same way about the bears. As for psychos, they are mostly in the city and not often found out in the forest CGs. Except when I'm there camping, of course.

An empty Lil Snoozy shell is self supporting and would work for your needs, except it's about 1200 lb empty. And the wind resistance will still get you with any such trailer.

Really a popup or a teardrop-size trailer would be best for your tow vehicle. Since you are reluctant to go with canvas, perhaps you could find an older Aliner Scout. They are hard sided A frame popups. The current Scout is about 1200 lb dry weight, but I think they were somewhat lighter a few years ago. A popup doesn't push much air because it's the same height (or lower) as your car.

Actually the Chariot might be a good possibility as well... I don't recall how high they are, but I think they are shorter than a Scamp or Casita.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Abaker50

The problem with a tent trailer is, as I said, DH is not as much into this whole thing as DS & I ... I, frankly want a little more than canvas between us & the bears & psychos.

I came to the same conclusion as you. In my case, it is my wife who is not as into camping as I am. I didn't think about psychos, but we have bears. Of course, a determined bear can rip off a car door, never mind the flimsy doors on a FGRV. But it would slow a bear down more than canvas. More important, it gives my wife peace of mind.

Good luck!

[Glenn Baglo]

I'd be concerned about DH going psycho if you insist on pulling a Lego "trailer" with a Yaris.

[CPW]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

My wife feels the same way about the bears. As for psychos, they are mostly in the city and not often found out in the forest CGs. Except when I'm there camping, of course.

An empty Lil Snoozy shell is self supporting and would work for your needs, except it's about 1200 lb empty. And the wind resistance will still get you with any such trailer.

Really a popup or a teardrop-size trailer would be best for your tow vehicle. Since you are reluctant to go with canvas, perhaps you could find an older Aliner Scout. They are hard sided A frame popups. The current Scout is about 1200 lb dry weight, but I think they were somewhat lighter a few years ago. A popup doesn't push much air because it's the same height (or lower) as your car.

Actually the Chariot might be a good possibility as well... I don't recall how high they are, but I think they are shorter than a Scamp or Casita.

The Chariot 14 is right at 1000 lbs.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

I came to the same conclusion as you. In my case, it is my wife who is not as into camping as I am. I didn't think about psychos, but we have bears. Of course, a determined bear can rip off a car door, never mind the flimsy doors on a FGRV. But it would slow a bear down more than canvas. More important, it gives my wife peace of mind.

Good luck!

Exactly

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I'd be concerned about DH going psycho if you insist on pulling a Lego "trailer" with a Yaris.

You misunderstand me - we came to this trying to give DH what he wants within our budget & other constraints. If it were up to me, it would be very simple (and much less expensive).

[Glenn Baglo]

I still misunderstand.
I read this back in post #1 "Our needs are pretty basic, but DH is tall & a reluctant camper."

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I still misunderstand.
I read this back in post #1 "Our needs are pretty basic, but DH is tall & a reluctant camper."

Sorry I would have probably just gone with a simple teardrop, but DH insists that they aren't big enough. He's a lot happier with the idea of the Tailfeather than a teardrop, so that's why we're looking at it. Right now there just doesn't seem to be a Fiberglass option available that we can afford & tow with our vehicle. We've been trying to find a solution for months & I'm a little frustrated.

[Glenn Baglo]

Got ya.
You need the tow vehicle that will safely deliver you and family to the campsite. And, that's the crux of the problem.

[Abaker50]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

Got ya.
You need the tow vehicle that will safely deliver you and family to the campsite. And, that's the crux of the problem.

Maybe - but that's not an option

[Borrego Dave]

Welcome to FGRV Andrea, I'm a little late to your original post but you have never said what your tug is so we can only guess. I'm surprised no one else asked as that is the tipping point for what is a reality for you to what can be towed safely with it. It may be that what you have right now might put your ideas of a trailer for three out the window, sorry to say .
I have to agree with Glenn on the TV.