Elkmont versus 2720SD

[Gerry 1950]

I have been planning to purchase a 2720SD for my retirement. I visited the factory in Lake City, TN a few weeks ago and was introduced to the Elkmont.
I will be 61 when I retire and my wife is 53 and already retired. We will be the only ones using the trailer on a regular basis. My tow vehicle is a 2004 4Runner sport edition with a 4.0L engine and a towing capacity of 5,000Lbs., tongue weight 500lbs. (factory equipped). My suv gets about 23-24 mpg at posted highways speeds, i.e. 65 and 70 mph. Here is the dilemna. There are obvious conveniences to the elkmont(walk around bed, full size refrigerator,
slightly larger bathroom, ease of use during travel..) that seems to be more important as we get older, however, gas prices are increasing again and the future is uncertain. Is it worth losing a few mpg for convenience. I really would like to hear from an owner who has traded from a fold down trailmanor to an elkmont with their views concerning towability, gas mileage, etc. My local dealer advised me that my mileage will be cut in half and I will have to install anti-sway devices. This seems a little extreme even to a novice like me who has never owned nor towed a trailer. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[ib4classics]

Gerry, my wife and I are seniors too. We just purchased a 2006, 3023 in mint condition.
I tow with a 2008 Toyota 4 Runner with the V8.
I towed the trailer home from South Carolina (134 miles) to Johnson City TN. over a long 6% grade with just the 2" ball and hitch. My weight distributing hitch is still set up for my old trailer, a 2000 Skyline 190 LT 3500 lbs. dry weight it's a regular type trailer about 20' long.
I would never tow my old trailer without a WDH, and I hated towing the 3023 without a WDH.
The rear of my 4 runner squated, the front of the TM dipped, and I had to use a hydraulic floor jack when I got home to get the hitch high enough to uncouple the trailer.
The trailer was empty and dry and only my wife and I were in the car.
The WDH makes a huge difference, and you are going to have the wind resistance I had with my old trailer.
We have towed something most of our 40 years of marriage and I can tell you, with the right equipment, some practice, and a willing partner RVing can be wonderful.
My 4 Runner has a 7000 lb. tow rating, with all the towing I have done I will not exceed
5000 lbs. or so, leaving a healthy margin.
As an example, in climbing the long 6% grade, I maintained 55-60, the trans dropped to
3rd (5 speed) and the rpms were near 4000. That was with the V8.
The WDH will keep you safer, give you a better ride, and be less strain on you 4 Runner.
Best of luck with your choice, Trailmanor is a great product and company and we hope to see you at a campsite soon.

[ib4classics]

Gerry, more follow up. With our 3023 we have not increased our total lengt form our old trailer which was 23 '. We have greatly expanded our living and usable area with the 3023.
I know it was a short trip but there was the 6% grade and I lost 2 miles per gallon towing the 3023.
We took a week long trip to Florida a few years ago with the old trailer and I had a Tundra with the same V8 then, 390 axle ratio on the Tundra and 373 on my current 4 Runner which I think is the same axle ratio yu have. We got 8-9 mpg towing the convential trailer, loaded but dry, which had the about the same dry weight as our current 3023.
No we can't just walk back and walk in the trailer but after having had both I would take the 3023 or the 2720 over a conventional trailer.
We have had pop ups, cab over camper on a pickup and pulled a boat, motorhome and pulled a small car behind, conventional travel trailer, and for leisure rving at an affordable price, I pick the original Trailmanor.
Sorry to be so long winded but I know this is your first time and it's a big choice.:)

[kenngeri2720]

Gerry
In April of this year we traded in or 2009 2720SL in on a 2009 Elkmont. The big advantage for us and the reason we traded which is the getting in an out of the 2720 bed. I tow with a 2007 4runner and found that I may have lost 1 to 1.5 mpg going to the Elkmont. The Elkmont tows like a dream here in the Colorado mountains and I feel very little movement when I am passed by a large truck , but a bit more than with the 2720. Overall we are very happy with the Elkmont and the way the trailer is laid out. Both are very good trailers, but the Elkmont just works better for our needs. The wife had full knee replacement and getting in and out of the bed made it difficult and took some of the fun out of camping

[ng2951]

As you get older it gets old setting up the trailer. The Elkmont will reduce the need to do that, plus you don't have to take everything off the counters.

I would certainly some more fuel numbers, but from what I have read the Elkmont fuel bite is very small.

[BOB_STRONG]

We have looked at the new Elkmont trailers at Bryant's RV, and we were very impressed with the storage space, larger bathroom, and huge refrig. As soon as TrailManor starts production of the larger dual axle Elkmont with the bathroom across the back and a large side dinette, we will be trading in our 2002 3326 King. From what I have read and heard, I don't think the gas mileage will be much different than what I get pulling the 3326 with my Durango with a Hemi.

[Bob&Karen]

John,

That 6% grade you're talking about must be either Saluda Mtn. or Sam's Gap - we live in Gray and have pulled those grades many, many times with different campers, from a pop-up to a fifth-wheel. Love the way the TM pulls better than anything we've ever had.

As far as the Elkmont is concerned, I'd really want to tow one at speed on the interstate before I made a decision. I've towed conventional travel trailers and I DO NOT like the sway that's intorduced by the full-height campers. The fifth wheel we had was easy to pull, although it was very heavy. Somehow I can't see how a lightweight Elkmont wouldn't be blown all over the road by the semis on the interstate, but maybe I don't know enough about them to have an informed opinion. I do know that our 3124KS pulls like a dream and I have never had any issues with sway.

Regards,

Bob

[lnussbau]

As far as the Elkmont is concerned, I'd really want to tow one at speed on the interstate before I made a decision. I've towed conventional travel trailers and I DO NOT like the sway that's intorduced by the full-height campers. The fifth wheel we had was easy to pull, although it was very heavy. Somehow I can't see how a lightweight Elkmont wouldn't be blown all over the road by the semis on the interstate, but maybe I don't know enough about them to have an informed opinion. I do know that our 3124KS pulls like a dream and I have never had any issues with sway.

Regards,

Bob

Of course I've never pulled one, but during the tech talk at the Trailblazers Jubilee last month, Mike (son of the TM founder) talked specifically about sway, and he said the same principle and calculations for axle location on the Elkmont were used as those on the folding TMs. To me, that means sway shouldn't be an issue, any more than it is with any other TM.

Perhaps some actual Elkmont owners could address this issue more fully, as Ken did above.

[Bill]

Gerry -

No matter which way you go, load up your trailer for camping - and then weigh it! Dry weight has little meaning - but I think even less on the Elkmont.

Bill

[rubydoodle]

My husband and I are retired and love our TM 3023. I love all the drawers. We use a step-stool for me to get in and out of the bed since I am only 5'3". We have had two pop-ups, two travel trailers, and the TM is our favorite by far. My husband loves the lower profile and the way it tows with our Honda Ridgeline (used to tow with a Toyota Sienna minivan). Even though most of the time, it is just the two of us, we love all the space, and it is really nice to be able to take a couple of grandchildren every now and then.

[robertkennel]

I just purchased a 2720SL and I'm 45. If I had a place to store it and was 61 yrs old I would go with the Elkmont. I'd rather not deal with the hassle of a check list and going through the motions if I didn't need to store it in the garage. I towed it over the Grapevine in Southern California( I think it's a 5 or 6% grade) and I did 45 mph with a Dodge Ram 1500. Definetly won't being using my wife's 2007 Hylander. I didn't like the lack of power with the Dodge(trailer empty),going down was no problem,engine braking was sufficient. Pay a little more in fuel and enjoy no hassle camping. That's my opinion. Good Luck Robert

[Bill]

I'd rather not deal with the hassle of a check list
Robert -

I have no quarrel with your conclusions, but I think you'll find that after two or three outings, you'll no longer need a checklist for opening or closing. After that, any checklist for the 2720SL will be the same as a checklist for an Elkmont. Probably limited to grocery lists while on the road, plus possible pre-trip lists (tools, clothes, etc.)

Bill

[robertkennel]

Bill,

I agree after a couple of trips I won't need a check list. The advantages of the Elkmont are more than checklist related. Can stop for 20 minutes and have a quick bite to eat with a fully set up camper. Stop for couple of minutes and use the bathroom or get something out of the refrigerator. Trailmanor also realized the benefits of not having a fold up trailer that is why they started making them and they are successful. I don't want to pay for storage or have a good outside place to store it so the fold up is good for me. Robert

[Gerry 1950]

I would like to thank everyone that replied to my question. My wife and I ordered the 2720SD and should be available in mid september. This decision was finalized when we visited the dealer in Hanover, PA. (We live in Bel Air, Maryland.) We were able to open and close a 2720 with no problems. My rationale for buying a trailmanor was the ease of towing and gas mileage. The tradional trailmanor still meets the criteria better than the Elkmont. Again, thanks to all!

[RogerR]

I would appreciate some advice on the Elkmont vs. the 2720sl. We tow with a Jeep Liberty with the diesel engine and get 18 to 19 mpg. We both like the 2720 but a recent knee replacement makes the bed almost unusable.
Has anyone tried towing the Elkmont with a Jeep Liberty. Any opinion on sway, fuel use or other problems?
Thanks and see you down the road!

[Bill]

Wow! I'm thinking that the Liberty is kind small for a plain TM (though some of our members have had good luck), but wildly too small for an upright trailer. Among other consideratiions is the short wheelbase (106") on a Liberty. Gas mileage is NOT the primary consideration. Other owners please chime in.

Bill

[commodor47]

Roger,

As a previous owner of a 2003 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4, I would agree with Bill on the advisability of using your CRD to tow an Elkmont. While we had a good experience using the Liberty to tow our 2003 2720 SL for two seasons, I would not want to pull a full size unit with it. Unfortunately our Liberty was totaled (fortunately there were no serious injuries) which meant we had to find a replacement TV. As you can see by our signature, we settled on a used Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 4x4 which has a much longer wheel base. Wheel base becomes a very important factor when negotiating turns or making quick maneuvers at highway speeds. My recommendation is to look for a better suited TV if you do purchase the Elkmont.

Dick

[Carol & Lou cornell]

We took our Elkmont from Florida up through Georgia, SC, NC Va and Md this summer, through rolling hills and up major highways. No big pulls through mountains. Have a Toyota V6 Highlander with a tow rate of 5000 lbs. Had no trouble on roads or highways. We have a weight distribution hitch and sway was not an issue, even on I-95 when trucks went by, so that worked well. Noticed reduced 3 -4 mpg mileage difference over when we'd travelled with the 3124, but convenience of the upright was well worth it to us. We're both around 60 years old and while set up of the 3124 wasn't hard, we like not having to do it anymore. Honestly, the thing we like the best is the full size refrigerator, holding tank toilet and walk around queen size bed. Also, being able to pull into a rest stop and get lunch in the camper is another plus for us. We travel with 2 dogs, and if we want to leave the boys in the camper for a few minutes while we both go into the convenience store at the gas station, now we can do that. We don't use the installed table, we use TV trays instead, which gives us walking around room. We're thinking about buying a new truck next year as a TV to take a trip west through mountains, but are still in the thinking stage. Honestly, the only thing that would make the Elkmont better for us would be a slide out, but of course that would add a lot of weight. This summer want to go up the east coast to Maine and New England to visit friends and come back down through NC and Tennessee, then maybe over to Texas for more visits. Can't wait!

[P and B]

I guess my 2 "sense" here is the difference between camping and longer term housing. We have the 3124KS and I can see where it would get old if I were to try to live in it long term as I moved about the country. That said, we don't so we're more of the camping variety (OK...."glamping") so the foldable style has many advantages and for the relatively short time we use it, the hassles of set up and take down aren't an issue.

One thing I'd like to point out too is that, regardless of what kind of "RV" you go with, as soon as you start moving, you need to stow things away safely. We had a class C for many years and I think packing it up to go took every bit as long as the TM does after you've been sitting for a day or so (I'm always amazed at home much stuff we can get out in a very short period of time).

Granted, being able to get at the bathroom and kitchen easily while on the road is a definite plus of the fixed type RVs.

Phil

[PopBeavers]

I am in the middle of my annual fall cleaning, before storing the TM in the garage for the winter, which has not yet arrived. this consists of removing all food items, washing all dishes in the home dishwasher and wiping down everywhere I can get my hand with a PineSol solution.

I have reached the conclusion that owning an RV does not make camping easier than the old tent days. It just makes it more comfortable, and some of the work can be scheduled.

[P and B]

Wayne,

I think you can stay out longer too. I totally agree with you though ;-)

Phil

[oldsteve]

We took delivery on an Elkmont 24 last week. We're both retired and in our early 70's. For the last ten years we camped in a 24 ft. Towlite 23TD, made by HiLo, and similar to the HiLo in operation. We really liked it, but puting stuff away before moving and getting it out again when we stopped was getting old along with us, as someone else said. Packing the wheel bearings every year was getting old, too. (We heard a couple of weeks ago that HiLo has gone out of business.)

We travel a lot if miles, and we, too, were concerned about gas mileage. The trip home from the dealer (Dave Arbogast in Troy, OH) was about 400 miles, and we took three days to do it. Gas mileage was about 12.5. We got about about 13.5 with the Towlite, so we are happy with the Elkmont. The Towlite was about 500 lbs heavier (including a Hensley Arrow hitch) than the Elkmont, but it collapsed down to a lower towing height. I thought the lower weight of the Elkmont might make up for the lower towing height of the Towlite, and it almost did.

The salesman at Arbogast said it would tow like a dream, and it does. No problems at all with sway or stability, even on the interstates. The tongue weight this morning was 528 lbs, with 1 1/2 tanks of propane and 1/4 tank of water. and nothing of consequence stored forward of the axle. We tow with 2003 Tahoe. There were a couple of other small problems, but Arbogast is taking care of them.

I have read a couple of posts about problems with roof leaks. We went through a couple of pretty bad rainstorms on the way home, with no leak problems.

We really like the Elkmont. A lot of thought obviously went in to its design, from both the layout and useage standpoint, and with regard to weight and towing characteristics.

[PopBeavers]

For Memorial Day weekend we went boon-docking. I towed the TM with the 2500HD and my wife towed the ATV trailer with the 1500HD. The last 3.7 miles took more than an hour. The mud was nearly a foot deep in places. I used 4wd low range most of the way.

Any trailer taller than my truck will hit tree limbs.

Unless you have 4wd you aren't going with me.

But, very few people have the desire to go where I go.

First time I ever had snow on the ground while camping with the TM.

[brulaz]

Steve,

Glad you like your Elkmont. We really like ours too. It handles exceptionally well for an upright, especially now that I've got my WDH configured right. And we love the kitchen space, big frig and bath.

It's good to hear that you have no leak problems so far. But I would keep my eyes open. Some of our leaks have developed over time and after hauling the trailer all over the place. There's not much worse than opening up a trailer that has been stored over-winter to find water damage.

You might consider paying a little bit to become a regular forum member here. It's been one of the best investments I've made.

Cheers ...