just beginning to look...advice please? (kinda long...)
Auntshy9
What would you suggest for a safe weight to pull? Also, I have gotten some
material on Coleman, Jayco and Starcraft pop ups, but would like input on the
difference between the fiberglass roof vs the seamed aluminum ones. Do you
think the top of the line models from these companies worth the difference in
price from the moderates? How about the usefulness of cassette potti/shower if
we plan on always being in a campground? How does it work hygene-wise to have
the " bathroom " in such close quarters with dining and sleeping areas?
Thank you for your reply!
Lynnie
Hope to buy in 2000!
Jeff Miller
I will pass on the weight issue...As far as brands, I think all that you mentioned
make a quality (as much as there is in a pop-up) product. There are personal
preferances for each brand, but I believe that your decision should be based on
Floorplan/Features/Dealer rather than brand specific.
We do not have a shower, but we did buy a portapotti for the wife and kids - for us
the shower was not a requirement, but the potti was (either that or I take the boys
to the bathroom at 3:00 AM). As for closeness to eating/sleeping - the toilet
chemicals get rid of any smell, and we have actualy never eaten in the pop-up (we
have the screen room and prefer to eat outside, although the boys have eaten
inside).
Just curious, no mention of family size (important selection factor), or location
(perhaps some good/bad dealers could be recommended/avoided).
Anyway, good luck with your shopping!!!
Jeff Miller
1999 Starcraft Galaxy
fiset
You will find a lot of info on this site as far as towing and
advice on picking a camper.
Too make sure the Sienna will pull what you buy, read the
section on towing carefully.
Brakes on camper are required if you pull over 1000 pounds.
Sway bar required if you pull over 2000 pounds.
Total loaded weight of Sienna and camper should not exceed 7800.
I have a 2000 Sienna.
Good luck on your choice of camper.
Gene
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
Auntshy9
travel to dealerships anywhere in southern New England. We really like the
floorplan of the Starcraft Classic Starmaster. We would love the bump out
model but think it is too much for our Sienna to tow. Are you pleased with
your Starcraft?
Gene- Glad to hear of another Sienna owner towing a camper. I haven't seen one
towing anything, so I was a bit worried! How does it do on the road?
Lynnie
Dell Phinus
good.
Do a search on www.deja.com and www.remarq.com in this newsgroup
(although the deja archives are kinda flaky right now.) The
"which should I get" subject comes up fairly regularly, and
there's lots of good stuff in the old posts.
Shop VIGOROUSLY for price. We found a LARGE variation in price
on the exact same model/year at different dealers.
Consider storage space and cargo room when the camper is folded.
We thought we wanted a slide out model, till we figured out we
couldn't haul lawn chairs and coolers in it. That was important
for us.
If you like to tinker and are handy, a lot of money can be saved
by adding things yourself: water pumps, outside faucets, water
heaters; one regular even added his own inside shower!
Check out the dealer you're considering with other customers.
Our dealer gave us a good price, but I won't let their service
guys touch my camper now.
Find a floor plan and options you like. (I meant to say it
twice! :-) )
Dell*Phinus
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Jeff Miller
We looked at one of the slideout models, but for us the Galaxy floorplan was
better. We have three growing boys, and the Galaxy gave us 4 seperate sleeping
area's. We have only had ours a year, but yes, we like the Starcraft.
Jeff Miller
1999 Starcraft Galaxy
fiset
This may get posted twice. Something happened to the message I
was typing.
I have only towed with the Sienna from Concord, NH to home.
This is about 35 miles but had no problems.
I am planning on a camping trip to Campton, NH this weekend. It
will be about 60 miles to the campground over hilly
countryside. I'll let you know how it does when I get back.
I have not seen Siennas towing anything on the roads but I have
seen a lot of them with hitches so I assume there are people out
there who tow with them.
One of the reasons I purchased the 98 Mesa was the weight. It
has a dry weight of 1940 and loaded, it will probably be about
2350 which is pushing it with the Sienna.
The 2000 Mesa is about 200 pounds heavier mainly due to the
front storage compartment (I think). I would not try to pull
something like the Bayside with it. I am not sure of the weight
but I think it would be too heavy.
I purchased the Mesa at Outdoor Sports in Concord, NH. He made
his money on the trade but I have been happy with their attitude
and willingness to do a little extra.
Personal opinion: With 2 kids, don't go smaller than a 10 foot
box and I would go with either a Jayco or a Coleman. I would
stay away from Rockwood (Personal bad experiences with dealers
and camper)
Good luck
Gene
Dell Phinus
friends and cousins with us. The 99 Galaxy floorplan is pretty
good. We sure do enjoy ours.
Dell*Phinus
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Jim Redelfs
aunt...@aol.comnojunk (Auntshy9) wrote:
> We have a Toyota Sienna with a tow package that is rated to pull 3,500 LBS.
> What would you suggest for a safe weight to pull?
The rule of thumb (here, anyway) is 75% of the rating: 2625 lbs in your case.
> would like input on the
> difference between the fiberglass roof vs the seamed aluminum ones.
Probably little difference in reliability. If made and maintained
properly, I don't believe the single seam is likely to leak. Then there's
the design flaw in recent one-piece, ABS roofed rigs, so a one-piece is
certainly no guarantee of durability.
> Do you
> think the top of the line models from these companies worth the difference in
> price from the moderates?
Probably not.
> How about the usefulness of cassette potti/shower if
> we plan on always being in a campground?
Cassette toilet is a MUST HAVE, IMHO. The shower would be optional for me.
> How does it work hygene-wise to have
> the " bathroom " in such close quarters with dining and sleeping areas?
No problem. Keep it clean and your hands washed and you should have no concern.
:)
JR
Jim and Diane
has. You may have the same size v-6. We pull a 99 Coleman Cheyenne with a
base weight of 1950. With camping gear and added frig and furnace we are near
2400 or 2500 I would estimate. We have no problems at all towing. Only if you
start out on a steeper hill then you have to hit the gas hard. Without towing
we get 21 or 22 mpg,(highway) and towing the pop-up we get close to 16-17
mpg.(highway)
Jim, Diane
99 Coleman Cheyenne
99 Toyota 4-Runner
Bedford, Ohio
fiset
The rule of thumb (here, anyway) is 75% of the rating: 2625 lbs
in your case
Coould you clarify for me.
The 2625 is 75% of 3500 pounds. Tow rating is 3500 pounds.
Does this mean you are leaving 875 pounds for passengers and
luggage?
I have seen this recommendation on other posts but am a little
confused by it.
Thanks
Gene
fiset
Mark Filice
>Does this mean you are leaving 875 pounds for passengers and
>luggage?
>
>I have seen this recommendation on other posts but am a little
>confused by it.
>
It can get confusing. There is a towing capacity limit for your
vehicle. Conventional wisdom is not to exceed 75% of that limit
with the trailer you are towing. So you should not tow a trailer
that weighs more than 75% of that limit.
I prefer another method: The Gross Combined Weight Ratio. Your
tow vehicle has a Gross Combined Weight Ratio limit (expressed
in lbs.) That number is the maximum weight you can drive with
while towing. That number includes everything: actual weight of
vehicle, trailer, passengers, gear, fuel, water--EVERYTHING.
As an example, my Ford Ranger has a GCWR of 9,500 lbs.. My truck
weighs about 3,500 lbs. with one passenger and a full tank of
gas. That leaves 6,000 lbs. of trailer, gear, additional
passengers, etc. that I can load up with to get to the maximum.
75% of 6,000 lbs. is 4,500 lbs.. That means that I can safely
drive with 4,500 lbs. of weight (trailer, passengers, water,
gear, et al)
My pop up has a dry weight of 1,600 lbs.. Loaded with gear, it
weighs approx. 2,000 lbs.. I probably put no more than another
250 lbs. of stuff in the back of the truck. Add to that my
passengers (wife, kid, dogs) and I am well under the 75% of
GCWR.
Your vehicle and your trailer each have their own Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). This is the maximum amount that each can
weigh fully loaded. If in adding the two figures together, this
number exceeds the GCWR of your tow vehicle, it is considered to
be a bad match of trailer to vehicle.
Unfortunately, if you ask your dealer (either auto or RV) about
GCWR, most of the time you will get a blank stare. All you most
likely will get is "of course, your vehicle can tow this trailer
with no problem."
Then, if you frequent this newsgroup, you will read statements
like "I towed my Coleman Niagara all over the United States with
my Chevy Corsica with no problem".
It can get confusing. But if you know the GVWR of both the tow
vehicle and the trailer, and the GCWR of your tow vehicle, you
KNOW if you are overloaded or not.
Mark Filice
1999 Starcraft Starflyer
1990 Ford Ranger
"I have taken a vow of poverty, to upset me, please send money"
Mark Filice
>
>It can get confusing. There is a towing capacity limit for your
>vehicle. Conventional wisdom is not to exceed 75% of that limit
>with the trailer you are towing. So you should not tow a trailer
>that weighs more than 75% of that limit.
>
the trailer, gear and everything but the tow vehicle itself. My
Ranger has a tow limit of 6,000 lbs.. That added to the
approximate weight of the truck equals the 9,500 lbs. GCWR
number. 75% of the 6,000 lbs. equals 4,500 lbs.
So if your towing limit is 3,500 lbs., your pop up, gear,
passengers, etc. should weigh less than 2,625 lbs. to adhere to
the 75% tow limit....
Sorry for the confusion....
Auntshy9
looking for advice on what to buy that I found a website that has about 175
reviews on tent trailers by owners @ www.rvamerica (sorry I don't know how to
make a hyperlink)
Happy Hunting!
Lynnie
fiset
Me thinks I may be over the limit.
Sienna GVWR is 5250
98 Mesa GVWR is 3000
Total Weight 8250
Manual says that max towing weight is 7800
Me thinks I may be over by 450 pounds?
Using the other method:
75% of 3500 is 2625.
Mesa dry weight is 1940 plus figure 250 for heater, furnace and
stuff loaded.
This gives me a weight of 2150
Does this give me a passenger, etc weight of 475 pounds.
You are right, this is darn confusing but I appreciate the help.
I knew I was pushing the limit but I didn't think I was this bad.
Thanks
Gene
Mark Filice
>Me thinks I may be over the limit.
>
>Sienna GVWR is 5250
>
>98 Mesa GVWR is 3000
>
>You are right, this is darn confusing but I appreciate the help.
>
>I knew I was pushing the limit but I didn't think I was this
bad.
>
Actually, compared to some of the tow vehicle/pop up
combinations people post about in this NG, you are not in too
bad of shape. The GCWR is arbitrary--IMHO it should never be
exceeded as it could lead to premature vehicle breakdown, loss
of handling, inability to stop, etc...
The 75% number is voluntary. What you may find (as others have
posted) is that you may be disappointed with the performance of
your tow vehicle such as:
* Climbing hills
* Entering freeways
* Stopping distances
* Engine/Radiator temperature
Then again, you may be just fine. I have seen in this NG several
instances where people have bought new tow vehicles and
written "Wow, what a difference!"
Mark Filice
1999 Starcraft Starflyer
1990 Ford Ranger
"I have taken a vow of poverty, to offend me, please send money"
fiset
Please don't even mention a new tow vehicle. The Sienna was
supposed to be the tow vehicle.
I do appreciate your time and patience.
I will see how it goes this weekend on our first camping trip.
Gene
presto...@yahoo.com
shopped that the cassette potti was a must. We stopped in at a local
dealer and actually LOOKED at one. My wife then asked me how hard it
would have to be raining before I would use the thing in the middle of
the night after chili for dinner? Not a lot of privacy with that
shower curtain, my answer was that it would have to be hailing.
Gregg
'93 Explorer
'00 Cheyenne
On 07 Jun 2000 19:19:27 GMT, aunt...@aol.comnojunk (Auntshy9) wrote:
>We have a Toyota Sienna with a tow package that is rated to pull 3,500 LBS.
>What would you suggest for a safe weight to pull? Also, I have gotten some
>material on Coleman, Jayco and Starcraft pop ups, but would like input on the
>difference between the fiberglass roof vs the seamed aluminum ones. Do you
>think the top of the line models from these companies worth the difference in
>price from the moderates? How about the usefulness of cassette potti/shower if
>we plan on always being in a campground? How does it work hygene-wise to have
>the " bathroom " in such close quarters with dining and sleeping areas?
>
Auntshy9
So glad to hear your first big camping experience went well. Yea Sienna!
It's such a great vehicle-we have had ours for 10 months, even drove to Orlando
in it and haven't had any regrets. Thanks for your report as now I have a good
feel for the weight range I'm looking for. Just curious as to what kind of
hitch you are using. Did you get it installed at the Toyota dealership?
Lynnie
fiset
I have a Drawtite hitch and sway bar. It fits nicely under the
rear bumper and is out of the way when you remove the drawbar.
I had it installed as part of the purchase price of the Mesa so
I can't give you the cost. It was not broken down. Part of my
deal was the hitch and electric brakes.
From what I understand, the Toyota hitch is on the pricey side
but I don't know the cost.
If you look at some of the posts here, it seems that Coleman
recommends the Reese 350(?) I am not familar with it.
Have you tried going to the Edmund.com site and looked at posts
on the Town Hall. There is some discussion on towing with
Siennas there.
We have had the Sienna since Dec 1 and have about 12000 miles on
it. No problems so far other than an annoying rattle in the
back seats. Mileage has been in the 20+ range which is good
considering what is happening to the price of gasoline.
Good luck on your choice of campers. We have been camping for
about 11 years and have had a great time. Kids are well
travelled and often are able to add to discussions at school
because they have been there and seen it.