Stop Me! I'm about to buy a 2015 Axxess 8526FB

[solds88]

[p]GW Bushhog,[/p][p]
[/p][p]Until now, all of my TT's have been constructed with luan paneling stapled to inferior pine wall studs, a perfect recipe for water damage. Even when the exterior chalked seams did not appear to be compromised, I have found water damage.  In my opinion the premium price of the all aluminum Camp Lite is well worth it. Currently, there is not any long term resale data because the product is relatively new to the market. However, my guesstimate is that the long term resale value of these units should be well above the wooden stick built units. I've heard it said that "If you go aluminum you'll never go back"        [/p]

[tommyc]

Trailers themselves are great. Some of the components within are only as good as the manufacturer who supplies them... 26'  is a lot of trailer for a 1500 Eco depending on what version of the truck you have. Despite what is advertised tongue weight will be in the 1000# plus range. 

[hdrehder]

[quote source="/post/5735/thread" timestamp="1420036553" author="@david"] It is also one of the lightest trailers made. I couldn't have bought any other model of the same size and be happy towing with our Pathfinder.

David[/quote]I was in the same boat with trailer weight, using a Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, LL also combined tandum with the smaller trailer (14DBS). We were dead set on the dual axel and couldn't get it with Airstream until we increased length (and weight) quite alot.

[pinstriper]

[quote source="/post/5753/thread" timestamp="1420085607" author="@spunk4"][quote source="/post/5735/thread" timestamp="1420036553" author="@david"] It is also one of the lightest trailers made. I couldn't have bought any other model of the same size and be happy towing with our Pathfinder.

David[/quote]I was in the same boat with trailer weight, using a Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, LL also combined tandum with the smaller trailer (14DBS). We were dead set on the dual axel and couldn't get it with Airstream until we increased length (and weight) quite alot.[/quote][p]This. A trailer the length and weight of a 14DBS, with the advantage of dual axles, makes for a much more stable tow.[/p][p]
[/p]

[gnies]

[quote source="/post/5753/thread" timestamp="1420085607" author="@spunk4"][quote source="/post/5735/thread" timestamp="1420036553" author="@david"] It is also one of the lightest trailers made. I couldn't have bought any other model of the same size and be happy towing with our Pathfinder.

David[/quote]I was in the same boat with trailer weight, using a Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, LL also combined tandum with the smaller trailer (14DBS). We were dead set on the dual axel and couldn't get it with Airstream until we increased length (and weight) quite alot.[/quote]I wanted to get the 14DBS like you too and it was in stock at my dealer but my Ford Escape is only rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity so I went on the safe side and took the 13QBB I wish I had a better TV, but I think there is a guy on this forum that have an Ford Escape and have a 14DBS.

[dh50]

Trailers themselves are great. Some of the components within are only as good as the manufacturer who supplies them... 26'  is a lot of trailer for a 1500 Eco depending on what version of the truck you have. Despite what is advertised tongue weight will be in the 1000# plus range. 

YIKES!  It's the 'wife' here....firstly, to wish a happy, most blessed new year to each and everyone of you!  Secondly, to thank you each for sharing such helpful information with us.  How very helpful and encouraging you have been.  (rofl)

But back to my 'YIKES!' reaction after reading tommyc's post just now.  Please share any additional information in this regard that you may have.  [font size="4" color="e63219"]If our tow vehicle is not a good fit, please [font color="e63219"]help[/font] us see this...tomorrow's purchase day looms large[/font] as we ready our trade-in unit.   I will point out tommyc's post to my Husband as soon as he comes back in from trying to clean up our Coleman Hybrid trade-in.  My anxiety isn't helped that despite our best efforts to keep our Coleman TT washed, conditioned, and protected by an expensive cover designed for this moist climate and custom fitted for this unit, removing it today reveals mold all around, even inside the unit!  Very disappointing, but does go with life in Florida[font size="2"], unfortunately.[/font]

Please stop us from this purchase, the original intent for our post!  I know my Hubby has done a whole lot of research on the right WD hitch, though I'm not sure the conclusion of the matter.  Tomorrow's coming at us fast!

Thank you bunches!
The 'Wife' for the 'Husband' (currently covered in bleach!  x_x)

[hogtyd]

It looks like the Ram Eco has a tow rating of 9200 lbs, so with a dry weight of 5400 lbs, you'll have up to 3800 lbs of cargo weight before exceeding your tow rating...

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I think the best approach is to start with the towing limits stated in your owners manual. They usually address towed weight, tongue weight, and payload weight. Starting with the 5400# empty trailer weight you have to add all your "stuff" and the toys you'll be hauling. Generally people figure about 1000# of camping stuff, propane, water, batteries, supplies distributed between camper and truck bed. Add to that the weight of all passengers in addition to the driver. Then add the weight of the toy being hauled. That should give a close approximation of the towing requirement. Assume 12%-15% of that as the tongue weight and you should be able to compare these numbers to the rated capacity in your owners manual. I would expect a tongue weight in the 1000# range. Not knowing the exact truck you have and what you plan to haul I can't go much further, but my impression is you're getting very close to the limit.  More help may be found at [a href="http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/"]http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/[/a]   .

By all means Do NO be swayed by the dealer. He wants to do only one thing: Sell a trailer. Most don't know what they are selling. According to one a Tundra can tow the space shuttle  . If you have doubts come home and do more research. Good luck and be safe.
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[dakota]

I just traded in an older pop up for a quicksilver Two days ago.  The last thing the dealer said to me was to make sure you bring the 8.1 back to him if I ever wanted to sell it, even if not in trade.  Also, was truly amazed as to how it towed compared to a similarly sized camper.  I would not underestimate the value of having a super lite camper.  

[dh50]

Wow...lots a things to think about, i.e., low-hanging waste pipe & water tanks, potential for exceeding towing capacity with our particular TV, salespersons' pressures to sell with little actual product knowledge, no tank monitor, condensation/moisture under mattress issues.  Anything else?

Still just the 'wife' here, and at this writing, I still need to share all of your kind posts with my Hubby.   But I will update all of you should any have wondered: our trade-in cleaned up quite nicely!  It looks like new, and some good memories were revisited in the process.  I almost (emphasis on 'almost') want to keep it.  But again, just the 'wife' writing here.  Sleeping experiences in this TT were horrible with the tip-outs regardless of how we tried to improve it.  And it could never haul anything....nor could it ever open up to us like a toy hauler an incredible vista where if we linger, we can drink in God's incredible creation such a great expanse of ocean with all of its offerings from breezes to dolphins and manatees....dining and even sleeping next to it all.    Hmmmm...just weighing it all out.   8-)

Tomorrow, Friday, is coming fast. 

Thanks again for all of your input.  Definitely weighing it all out.

Blessings,
The Wife

P.S.  While we may not have enjoyed the 'tip-outs', our dogs sure did. 
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[joanne]

[quote timestamp="1420152169" author="@gwbushhog" source="/post/5773/thread"]Wow...lots a things to think about, i.e., low-hanging waste pipe & water tanks, potential for exceeding towing capacity with our particular TV, salespersons' pressures to sell with little actual product knowledge, no tank monitor, condensation/moisture under mattress issues.  Anything else?[/quote]
Low hanging waste pipe might be an issue, depending on how far off road that you go. You can always add tank heaters if you are planning on winter camping. I winter camp dry - no water in the tanks, water heater or pipes.

If there is condensation under the  mattress on the one you are buying, I'd be very, very  cautious. That should not happen on a Camplite, VRV or Axxess.

....nor could it ever open up to us like a toy hauler an incredible vista where if we linger, we can drink in God's incredible creation such a great expanse of ocean with all of its offerings from breezes to dolphins and manatees....dining and even sleeping next to it all.

I sometime wish I had a 7x20 VRV for that reason. Backing up to a stream or lake and lie in bed looking out the back...

As far as towing with your 1500 RAM, for me, an 8.5x26 is a big trailer. Livinlite measures the length of the box, not the overall trailer, so you are towing something that other manufacturers would call a 30' trailer. As far as hitch weight and gross weight, you'll have to do the math and see how comfortable you are with the numbers.

I'm really conservative on towing - for me, a 7x20 would be the largest trailer that I'd really enjoy towing with a 1/2 ton pickup. I really like the 7' width because I can see around it without special mirrors, and for state parks and forests, a 20' box is much easier to stuff into a camping space than a 26'.

Lots of others tow trailers that size and bigger with half-ton trucks though......

Mike

[pinstriper]

I think the TV is probably adequate if you didn't use it to haul any toys.

[charliem]

[quote timestamp="1420165325" source="/post/5777/thread" author="@pinstriper"]I think the TV is probably adequate if you didn't use it to haul any toys.[/quote][font size="3"]Sort of defeats the purpose, but I agree. The 5400# plus 1000 or so would be about right for that truck I think. [/font]

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/5773/thread" timestamp="1420152169" author="@gwbushhog"]Wow...lots a things to think about, i.e., low-hanging waste pipe & water tanks, potential for exceeding towing capacity with our particular TV, salespersons' pressures to sell with little actual product knowledge, no tank monitor, condensation/moisture under mattress issues.  Anything else?
[/quote][font size="3"]The lack of a tank monitor should be your least concern. It's easily rectified by installation of a SeeLevel monitor afterwards.

Re the condensation under the mattress: I recall some mention somewhere but I thought it was on a flip out bed where the underside is directly exposed to the outside. I could not find that post. I would not expect that on an Axxess.
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[jeeps]

[font size="3"]Concerning your tow vehicle, I agree about not believing everything they tell you at the car dealership.  Ours was pretty clueless and told us stuff that wasn't true.  Not that they lied.  They just didn't know.  

In our case, they told us the after-market installed tow package was identical to the factory-installed.  Not true, according to the manual.

Read your car manual and go with what it says.  Also it's about drag, not just weight.  Measure the height and width of the trailer and stay within what your manual, or the auto company's website, says.[/font]