TrailManor Owner's Forum - View Single Post

**Bill** · 07-30-2004, 10:27 AM

Trail-Lite's web site is not forthcoming with any weight numbers (strange for a product whose primary selling point is low weight), but a couple comments on the discussion boards suggest that the sticker dry weight of a 17' Trail-Lite is about 2900 pounds. The TM web site says that the sticker dry weight of a 3125KS is 3185 pounds. Neither of these numbers bears much relation to the real-world weight of a trailer packed and ready for the road, but it does say that you would be increasing the weight your Explorer tows by about 300 pounds.

On the other hand, the TM has less wind resistance than a Trail-Lite, and at highway speeds, that is important.

Perhaps the first conclusion is that a new TM would be roughly comparable to the old Trail-Lite. IF you are going to tow the new TM to the same places you towed the old Trail-Lite, and IF you felt safe and comfortable towing the old Trail-Lite, then you might not feel much difference.

However, I have to agree with Ray, that's a lot of weight for a V-6 Explorer. You didn't specify the year of your Explorer (and Ford has a lot of good web info once the year is known), and you didn't specify whether your Explorer has the factory towing option. If you don't have the towing package, I'm pretty sure that either trailer is beyond the ratings of the Explorer.

In rainy wet weather, the TM's A/C will wring the humidity out of the air very nicely.

Bill

07-30-2004, 10:27 AM	#5
Bill Site Team Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The mountains of Scottsdale, AZ, and the beaches of Maine Posts: 10,098	Re:Prospective Owner Trail-Lite's web site is not forthcoming with any weight numbers (strange for a product whose primary selling point is low weight), but a couple comments on the discussion boards suggest that the sticker dry weight of a 17' Trail-Lite is about 2900 pounds. The TM web site says that the sticker dry weight of a 3125KS is 3185 pounds. Neither of these numbers bears much relation to the real-world weight of a trailer packed and ready for the road, but it does say that you would be increasing the weight your Explorer tows by about 300 pounds. On the other hand, the TM has less wind resistance than a Trail-Lite, and at highway speeds, that is important. Perhaps the first conclusion is that a new TM would be roughly comparable to the old Trail-Lite. IF you are going to tow the new TM to the same places you towed the old Trail-Lite, and IF you felt safe and comfortable towing the old Trail-Lite, then you might not feel much difference. However, I have to agree with Ray, that's a lot of weight for a V-6 Explorer. You didn't specify the year of your Explorer (and Ford has a lot of good web info once the year is known), and you didn't specify whether your Explorer has the factory towing option. If you don't have the towing package, I'm pretty sure that either trailer is beyond the ratings of the Explorer. In rainy wet weather, the TM's A/C will wring the humidity out of the air very nicely. Bill