aerolite 25 or 21ft.
Tim Trask
I would be a first-time Aero-lite buyer.
We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
21ft = 1999(new)
25ft = 1998(new)
My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit. We like the idea of having a
full size permanent bed on the 25ft although I am unsure about the handling
for this size trailer with the Dakota. On the 21ft , I like the
size/combination but we go to dinette sleeping.
Any and all comments welcome , the floorplans on the 21 we have option of
Rear Bunks or Rear Double Bed. On the 25 it is either a front or rear Queen.
These trailers meet our budget and are priced the same. I am interested given
similar choices how others would go from your experience.
Best Regards,
Tim
"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." - Navajo
Proverb
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
R Bishop
Tim Trask <main...@my-dejanews.com> wrote:
>Looking for comments or experience with size and layout.
>I would be a first-time Aero-lite buyer.
>
>We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
>
>21ft = 1999(new)
>25ft = 1998(new)
>
>My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit. We like the idea of having a
>full size permanent bed on the 25ft although I am unsure about the handling
>for this size trailer with the Dakota. On the 21ft , I like the
>size/combination but we go to dinette sleeping.
>
>Any and all comments welcome , the floorplans on the 21 we have option of
>Rear Bunks or Rear Double Bed. On the 25 it is either a front or rear Queen.
>These trailers meet our budget and are priced the same. I am interested given
>similar choices how others would go from your experience.
Remember the rule of towing is, keep the total weight down to 3/4 of your
total limit. And also, remember that passengers and contents of tow vehicle
are to be subtracted from that total. I'd venture to say you are under-powered
for what you want to tow.
Sue
>
>Best Regards,
>Tim
>
>
>"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." - Navajo
>Proverb
>
>-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
>http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
There are few ills in the world that a hot bath and a pitcher of Marguerita Gold cannot cure.
With apologies to W. Somerset Maugham
twoc...@my-dejanews.com
be happier. We looked at the 25' model but decided that the extra length was
not needed. My wife and I sleep on the dinnette and out daughter gets the
bunks. (She is 8).
We use the 3rd bunk (over the dinnette) to store our sleeping gear, setup and
breakdown of the bed takes about 5 minutes. We drop the table, drop the
front bunk, pull the 2 adult sized, zipped together sleeping bags down. Store
the back cushions on the front bunk and are done. Clean up is done in
reverse. We keep our morning clothes up there also. The only mistake we
made was buying two sleeping bags of the same temp rating. If I were to do
it again, I would buy a warm weather bag and a cold weather bag. That way
you could temp regulate the bedding by choosing what side to place up.
We debated the rear bed, which is VERY small in my opinion, but looked at how
we would use the space. By having the adults sleep in the front, we gave our
selves a larger bed, the ability to come and go at night with out disturbing
our daughter, the ability to get up first and have a quiet cup of coffee
while she still sleeps. We were going to purchase a Nash 24' model with a
front bed...but the trailer was heavy..(and VERY well built)..we saw the
aerolite and realized it met all of our needs, with a lot less to pull. In
fact, fully loaded, it weighs only 200 lbs more than our 14'Jayco pop up did
(fully loaded) as verified on a certified trucking scale.
The Aerolite tows like a dream...hardly know it is there. I towed it with a
V8 ford explorer last year...could pull it up a cascade pass, full of gear at
55 mph in 4th.
We sold the Ford...lots of reasons...and moved to a Mercedes ML320 V6. I
have not towed the trailer yet..we've had a wild winter in the Pacific
NW..but anticipate no problems. In fact, one of the reasons we went "down"
to a V6 was the extremely nice tow manners of the Aerolite.
Understand, that my philosopy of RVing, is that less is more. We choose to
make the outdoors our living room, the trailer our bedroom and rainy day
kitchen, and did not want or need the extra space or weight of some of the
larger rigs.
F150Owner
From a tow vehicle standpoint, you might want to consider the weight rating of
the trailer. I know, I hated to hear the same thing when I was shopping. Why?
Pounds count. Although your truck may be rated at 4800lbs, the 25' trailer is
probably rated at that same weight rating as well. (meaning once you load the
luggage, bikes, food, tools, firewood, etc. you could be pushing your trucks
performance envelope to or over the max). Remember, dealers are there to move
stock, so buy something that you like and that you can tow safely with good
performance. BTW, I like the Aerolites.
My opinion only - which could be completely off the wall. Good luck - and
have fun! Spring is almost here!
Duane
>We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
>21ft = 1999(new)
>25ft = 1998(new)
>
>My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit.
Please remove STOPSPAM from my email address when replying - Thanks.
Tim Trask
with a Catalina light 23ft. , dry weight was 3500lb, by the time you add
options etc it was over my limit. The whole experience was gut wrenching
since we came down to the wire on a decision. I guess it would be no surprise
that I had to raised the "real weight" question to the sales manager. I also
told them to update the bogus weight limit chart for tow vehicles they tried
on me at the last minute. The Aero-lite figured well within my 1000lb safety
factor and the dealer has been easy going and honest.
Regards,
In article <19990303160942...@ng-fi1.aol.com>,
"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." - Navajo
Proverb
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
Tim Trask
when I said narrowed down that I meant the tow weight as well. I know someone
who weighed their 21ft-7wide Aerolite empty with same options at a nearby
truck scale and it came in at 2490 or just call it 2500lb. Fully loaded it
with , chairs, food, firewood, clothes, etc. and 25Gal freshwater tank it
weighed in at 3299lbs. If I allow 300lbs of additional hauling weight for the
Dakota I am within your 75% (3600lb) or my 1000lb (3800lb) safety factor.The
25ft is amazing in that it adds just over 200lbs to the total weight.I
recieved the Dakota with a factory towing option and have the heavy springs
and extra trans. cooler as well. I am also going with the Reese 550
equalizer.
Thanks again,
In article <7bk46m$a...@dfw-ixnews4.ix.netcom.com>,
R Bishop <bis...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> In article <7bjsm5$e52$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
> Tim Trask <main...@my-dejanews.com> wrote:
>
> >Looking for comments or experience with size and layout.
> >I would be a first-time Aero-lite buyer.
> >
> >We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
> >
> >21ft = 1999(new)
> >25ft = 1998(new)
> >
> >My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit. We like the idea of having a
> >full size permanent bed on the 25ft although I am unsure about the handling
> >for this size trailer with the Dakota. On the 21ft , I like the
> >size/combination but we go to dinette sleeping.
> >
> >Any and all comments welcome , the floorplans on the 21 we have option of
> >Rear Bunks or Rear Double Bed. On the 25 it is either a front or rear Queen.
> >These trailers meet our budget and are priced the same. I am interested given
> >similar choices how others would go from your experience.
>
> Remember the rule of towing is, keep the total weight down to 3/4 of your
> total limit. And also, remember that passengers and contents of tow vehicle
> are to be subtracted from that total. I'd venture to say you are
under-powered
> for what you want to tow.
>
> Sue
>
> >
> >Best Regards,
> >Tim
> >
> >
> >"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." - Navajo
> >Proverb
> >
> >-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
> >http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
>
> There are few ills in the world that a hot bath and a pitcher of Marguerita
Gold cannot cure.
>
> With apologies to W. Somerset Maugham
>
>
"You can't wake a person who is pretending to be asleep." - Navajo
jbba...@hotmail.com
I test towed a 1998 21ft Aerolite RDB with my 1996 Ford Ranger Supercab
with towing package (max. 3900lbs towing weight) and 3.0L engine. I used a
class IV hitch, with brake controller, with no equalization, and no sway
control. The good news is the trailer pulled real well, no sway, no problem
with porposing or bucking, and the weight was not a problem. This unit had
full options but was empty i.e. no propane or water or clothing. The bad
news is with my truck's horsepower I was using full throttle at 60mph on the
flat. The frontal area was too much for my truck to handle, too much area.
Ford limits frontal area on trailers for my truck to 50 square feet, I was
right at that limit on this 7ft. wide trailer.
Every dealer I visited insisted I could pull almost anything on the lot,
I was shown anything and everything. Their only goal was to move it off the
lot. I ended up test towing three different styles of TT. I am now
interested in a pop-up slide in camper. Insist on a test tow to make sure
you can be comfortable with the towing characteristics of the trailer. Keep
in mind how far you are traveling, and the terrain you are planing on going
through.
If you have any specific questions I will be glad to answer, I spent a
lot of time learning my lessons. BTW I was really impressed by the Aerolite,
and was ready to buy it that day before I towed it.
Good luck,
jbbaucom
Tim Trask wrote in message <7bjsm5$e52$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Looking for comments or experience with size and layout.
>I would be a first-time Aero-lite buyer.
>
>We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
>
>21ft = 1999(new)
>25ft = 1998(new)
>
>My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit. We like the idea of having a
>full size permanent bed on the 25ft although I am unsure about the handling
>for this size trailer with the Dakota. On the 21ft , I like the
>size/combination but we go to dinette sleeping.
>
>Any and all comments welcome , the floorplans on the 21 we have option of
>Rear Bunks or Rear Double Bed. On the 25 it is either a front or rear
Queen.
>These trailers meet our budget and are priced the same. I am interested
given
>similar choices how others would go from your experience.
>
>Best Regards,
>Tim
Robert Whitehouse
conversion van with, unfortunately, the 4.2 V-6. Do you think this van will pull
this trailer. We towed from the dealer to home, but have not really had it out
on the road yet.....
Thanks.....
randy.l...@tek.com
> I would be a first-time Aero-lite buyer.
>
> We (wife, one 5 year old) have narrowed a choice for 21ft or 25ft Aerolite.
>
> 21ft = 1999(new)
> 25ft = 1998(new)
>
> My truck is a 97 Dakota , 3.6L w 4800lb limit. We like the idea of having a
> full size permanent bed on the 25ft although I am unsure about the handling
> for this size trailer with the Dakota. On the 21ft , I like the
> size/combination but we go to dinette sleeping.
>
> Any and all comments welcome , the floorplans on the 21 we have option of
> Rear Bunks or Rear Double Bed. On the 25 it is either a front or rear Queen.
> These trailers meet our budget and are priced the same. I am interested given
> similar choices how others would go from your experience.
>
> Best Regards,
> Tim
>
> Proverb
>
> -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
> http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
>
Tim, My first TT was a '67 15'KIT, well made but without any self
containment. I camped in this for three years and learned alot about what I
really wanted in a TT. My next unit was a 20' Komfort Lite with two bunks in
the rear and a large dinette/bed in front similar plan to the Aerolite. That
unit worked real good when the kids went to bed before us and got up after
us. 12yrs later the two teenagers are up later than us and get up before us
demanding breakfast. The also began sleeping in their own tents so we ended
up making the dinette bed every day anyway. We decided it was time for a
change in floor plans and went with a rear double bed plan. I opted for a
'99 Trail-Lite brand (I also looked at Aerolite, and Fleedwood) I tow with an
'89 Chev Astro, 4.3L 3.73 4-speed auto. I can easily do 65 on the flats, I
slow to 45 or so on most grades. Somehow that is pleanty fast enough for me.
If I were you, I would go for the 21' with bunks - and plan to change later.
d3
ratio (truck already has 180,000kms). I towed the unit from the greatlakes
area to the East Coast and back with no problems and 30-40 shorter trips
since. I have a class IV hitch,anti-sway bars. I looked at several models
but chose the RBH because of the flexibility. The difference, from a towing
perspective, between a 21' and 25' are negligible at best. I can't
remember, but I believe the weight difference between a 21' and 25' (same
model type) is ~200 lbs. The biggest difference would be the factor from
cross winds. From an interior perspective, the difference is enormous.
I do remember though, at first, being overwhelmed at the size of the 25' and
thinking I would be happier with a 21'. After a few trips though, I
realized the 25' was the right decision. Think rain or cold, then think big
(4 ft makes a huge difference in comfort).
>>
>> Tim Trask wrote in message <7bjsm5$e52$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
Tim Trask
First I appreciate all the great advice from everyone out there.
Well I went with the 21RBH Aerolite and just returned from our first trip. We
loved this camper and quickly appreciated it when setting up in a rainstorm.
I did this before with tents what a nice dry difference. Towing with the
Dakota was no problem on the flats (65mph). I went through the Smokey
Mountains and found I was able to maintain speeds of 40-50 uphill with little
problem. I could have pushed for more but I tried to keep the engine at or
below 3500rpm. The only complaint I had was the condensation that forms on
the inside mainly on the metal surfaces during the cold mountain nights. I
spoke to many other trailer owners at the campground with similar
condensation problems. One other thing I noticed is that the slant design of
the front window creates a small well that traps a small amount of water. You
have to sweep it out - no other way for it to drain. Overall very satisfied
with our Aerolite and we look forward to the next camping trip.
PS : After the rain the weather turned nice , caught a 4lb Rainbow and it
tasted great.