New to Travel Trailers

[tinkeringtechie]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply's!  The towing situation is definitely a factor we have to figure out as well.  We are very much interested in the CL DB16 with tipout or the rpod 178.  The CL dry weight 2750 but assume with options probably a couple hundred pound more.  The Pod dry weight is 2535.  Our tow vehicle is a Toyota Venza with the tow package.  It is rated for 3500lbs.  GVWR is 5270 and GCWR is 8770.  So I know we are tight especially on the CL16DB.  Would appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks

Having towed an RPod with a 3500lb rated vehicle I can tell you that it's passable, but only barely so. Honestly, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 13 ft Camplites, and you'd be even more comfortable with the 11's.

[pinstriper]

TANSTATMTV

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/4939/thread" timestamp="1415550488" author="@pinstriper"]TANSTATMTV[/quote][font size="3"]I admit I'm aging, but ? ? ?
[/font]

[leslie]

I think it has something to do with MTV, a channel that I never watch.

[djsamuel]

There are no such things as too much tow vehicle?

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/4942/thread" timestamp="1415555393" author="@djsamuel"]There are no such things as too much tow vehicle? [/quote][p]Winner.[/p][p]
[/p][p]There ain't no such thing as Too Much Tow Vehicle.
[/p]

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/4947/thread" timestamp="1415576915" author="@pinstriper"][quote source="/post/4942/thread" timestamp="1415555393" author="@djsamuel"]There are no such things as too much tow vehicle? [/quote][p]Winner.[/p][p]
[/p][p]There ain't no such thing as Too Much Tow Vehicle.
[/p][/quote][font size="3"]Or as I always say: There's no such thing as too much garlic.
[/font]

[gnies]

With the tow vehicule that you have you could look at the 13' models that's what I have with a 3500 lbs TV

[drdave]

We looked at RPods when before settling on our 16DB.   I thought the pros where the various well thought out floor plans.   Cons for us where the wetbath and the lack of a permanent awning.  Good luck with your hunting!

[mrt]

ExploringCarolina
  Well we may end up doing the same as you are thinking, get a different vehicle and the larger trailer.  I agree the CLs are really great trailers from what I have read and would be my choice if money isn't a factor.  Sorry have to figure out how to update my profile.  We are in Vermont and it would be great to talk to someone that owns a CL.  

Paul
  Thanks for weighing in.  I see your CL is 2015 model.  How many miles towing have you done with the combination if I can ask.  Do you find there are any drawbacks?  

TinkeringTechie
Thanks for the input.  It looks like the CL13 QBB is about 200lbs less than the R-Pod and 400lbs from the 16DB. So would give a little more leeway.  What was the biggest problem with towing your pod with a 3500lb rated vehicle?

 I guess what I am thinking is of trying it with the Venza (using WDH and sway control), as in the next couple years we will be doing mostly local or short trips.  My thought is that if we find it to not be enough vehicle we could then move up prior to getting to adventuresome. Do you think I am out of line or not being safe by doing so?
  Just wanted to mention I appreciate all the good info here and the advice folks are taking time to provide.  Really looking forward to having a TT to join in.  

Thanks, Dave

[spot1]

Dave,

Searched the forum and could not find anyone in Vermont, but someone else may be able to.

When looking for a CampLite 11, Don @ LivinLite told me where the closest one was located at a dealership in the US.
Purchased the CampLite later that week Don told me about. Not sure if LivinLite knows locations of CampLite owners.
Some manufacturers have a program for owners to show their camper to prospective buyers, but not familiar with any program
like this with LivinLite.

[tinkeringtechie]

TinkeringTechie
Thanks for the input.  It looks like the CL13 QBB is about 200lbs less than the R-Pod and 400lbs from the 16DB. So would give a little more leeway.  What was the biggest problem with towing your pod with a 3500lb rated vehicle?

The biggest problem was that it was under-powered and felt like it was getting jerked around all the time. Our vehicle didn't allow for a WDH, so we just had a friction bar. That helped keep it straight, but it was still really bouncy.

[mitch]

Dave where in Vermont are you? I'm near Glens Falls NY which is pretty close to the VT border.

[mrt]

Hi Mitch
  I am in Essex Junction.  Glens Falls is about 2.5 hours from here.  I have already looked at the CL 13 and 16 trailers.  We have a dealer 25 miles from here.  I see you pull your CL13QBB with a Toyota Tacoma?   Which model?  How do you like the 13Qbb?  We  are worried it is pretty tight inside, but nice to have the bed and bath.

Cheers, Dave

[mitch]

Hi Dave,

My Tacoma is the V6 4 (or 4.3) liter.  I really like the 13 foot but it is a bit tight for 2 people as far as moving around goes. I wanted the QBB because I didn't want to mess around with converting a table into a bed or any of that "stuff", in addition we got the dinette and not the sofa so there was no putting up a table in front of the sofa issue.  Bottom line was I didn't want to have to mess around with multiple configurations depending on the usage.  I did think about the 16 but in truth even with the extra footage the configuration is pretty much the same, dry bath notwithstanding. Overall I'm very pleased.