Hoping to buy a livin lite camplite

[oar]

Hi All,

thought I'd introduce myself.  been lurking for a day or so found this board by accident (accidentally hit wrong link with my finger, ha).  

My wife and I have decided to jump into the travel trailer market.  So far the camplites have been meeting our likes as far as durability (aluminium construction), layout, and the fact that we can tow most with our Toyota highlander Hybrid (max 3500#). 

I have lots of questions in regards to towing and GVWR. but I hope to find those answers in the forum or elsewhere.

The only thing I currently tow is a utility trailer. 

Cheers!

[tinkeringtechie]

Welcome to the forum!

With a 3500# tow vehicle I'd recommend sticking with the 11-13ft models. LL is pretty optimistic about their dry weights and all the items that aren't in the dry weight add up to quite a bit (batteries, propane, A/C, water, waste, camping gear...). Even if you could keep it below 3500 for one of the larger models you wouldn't have much of a safety margin.

[oar]

Thanks for the welcome.
I'm conservative by nature so I was hoping to stick to the 13BHB.  I should have 500#'s to spare according to the 13BHB GVWR of 3000#.
going to the 14ft model I would be on the limit of 3500#.  too close for my comfort.  There is a BHB in town that I will go check out over the weekend.  I will confirm but I suspect all these trailers have 7 pin connectors.  I will have to arrange to install a 7 pin if that is the case.

[tinkeringtechie]

Good call. You should be fine with the 13BHB.

They all have 7-pin connectors for the electric brakes (except some QS models). It's pretty easy for any dealer to add the 7-pin connector. Just make sure they use beefy wires and connect the load line through a relay so that the car is disconnected when it's turned off.

[charliem]

They all have 7-pin connectors for the electric brakes (except some QS models). It's pretty easy for any dealer to add the 7-pin connector. Just make sure they use beefy wires and connect the load line through a relay so that the car is disconnected when it's turned off.

[font size="3"]If you are going to a dealer, specify at least #10AWG wire for the pins 1 and 4. These are the aux battery charging lines needed to recharge your trailer battery from the TV.
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[daplumbr]

I have a HiHy too and have some limited experience towing with it (and none of it with our 16TBS). Be prepared for dramatically lower gas mileage. When towing, the gas engine will both do all the work of pulling and will also be taxed with recharging the hybrid battery that will draw down very quickly when accelerating. The HiHy will do fine with a 13, but keep your expectations very low for mpg---in the teens. The difference between towing and not towing is extreme with hybrids. The advantage, of course, is that when you're accelerating you have that wonderful instant torque of the electric motors that will be perfect for merging and in situations where you need to move fast. My HiHy is the fastest accelerating vehicle I've ever driven. You'll like the Camplites, which are relatively very light for all their utility and features. Glad you found this board. 

[pinstriper]

I agree with everything everyone has said so far. I have a 14DBS and am very glad to be towing with a 4Runner rated at 5k. I think an 11 or 13 will do fine for you. The 14DBS is still a 2-person trailer, unless the third is a child under 10 on the convertible dinette-ette. In fact, a 13 with a tip-out bunk will sleep more than a 14 DBS. You do have to deal with choosing between bed and table at any given point in time.

Something folks fail to acknowledge is the relative weight of the TV to the trailer. The more the TV outweighs the trailer, the less it will be affected and the more it will be in control. You want the TV to be the dog wagging the tail, not the other way around.

[oar]

Thanks all.  Great advice and great information! I will contact a local trailer hitch shop to get a quote to install the brake controller and get a 7 pin connector.  I will also get a quote from my Toyota dealer to compare.

@ Merlin: I agree with you about the HiHy being a fast accelerating vehicle.  I love the instant torque from the electric motors.  as you mentioned I can see where that can help merge and passing with a trailer. I sometimes forget to take the lead out of my shoes so I know all about low gas mileage in the HiHy. I have to remind myself to keep it steady  and leave the HiHy in ECO mode. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Currently we have 2 young kids (under 4) so the 13BHB will fit us all for now.

[shovelhead]

Welcome from North GA.

[leslie]

Welcome to the board, and we will look for you at the campgrounds!