Forum

We presently own and love a 2010 14rb. I pull it with a 2010 Xterra. I use air shock assist for the rear shocks on the Xterra and an antisway bar for the trailer. I usually pull no faster than 60 and get 15-17 mpg when towing. The Xterra does fine pulling the 14rb.

We have come across a used 2011 KZ Spree Escape19bh for sale and the additional beds look like a nice upgrade. It gets snug with three people and three small dogs in the 14rb when everyone goes on trips. The 14rb is great for just me and the wife.

Researching the differences between the two show that unloaded trailer weight will go up about 600-700 pounds. I don't think the things we put in the trailer will change much between the 14rb and the 19bh. An extra sleeping bag or two and a couple of pillows, etc.

The Xerra is rated for 5000 pounds towing capacity. Using the "80% rule" that would let me comfortably tow 4000 pounds.That's above the maximum loaded weight the 3500 of a 19bh . I won't be hauling extra folks in the Xterra when using the 19bh – they'll bring their own car. So figuring that I will be towing, at most, an additional 600-800 pounds, do you think there will be a huge difference in the towing experience?

In reading the forums it looks like folks pull 19bh trailers with everything from minivans to half ton pickups and most everyone seems pleased. Trailer height and width should remain the same – only the length will change. I expect the scraping of the trailer jack and rear bumper triangles that happens only once in a while on the 14rb will be worse with a longer trailer. My 14rb is stock – no axle flip. The 19bh we are looking at is also stock.

One other question – do you know if there have been significant improvements in the 2012 19bh as compared to the 2011 model? The used 2011 I looked at shows some tire rubbing inside the wheel wells on both sides. The trailer has been used for a trip up the west coast and pulled thousands of miles. It still looks like new. The tires still look good. I have read about axle flips but I really like the good mpg I get with the trailers left stock. I have also read about radius (crowned?) roofs on the newer models – any truth to that?

 I do wonder if that easy hitch and go feeling I get the the 14rb will disappear with a longer trailer. It's kind of hard to leave something you really like but the extra room would be nice.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Lee

He is asking 10500 for the used 2011 (individual, not a dealer) and I was thinking about offering 9500. I don't think I would give any more than that regardless of how much the present owner thinks it's wotth.

Can get a new 2011 19bh for about 11K and a 2012 for 12K (both prices before serious dickering so I don't know how much additional discount might be available). For a 1500 difference (11k vs 9.5K) seems almost worth it to buy new and for 2500 difference between new and used I could get a 2012. Wonder if the upgrades from 2011 to 2012 are worth another grand? Have not made any offers to anyone at this point.

I just got my 14rb modded the way I want it with shelving in the closet, undercounter tv, additional stabilizer jacks, eternabond tape around the aluminum roof perimeter, additional shower curtain, expansion on the couch for a short third person to sleep with more room, fridge baffle improvements, Wineguard wingman tv antenna mod and LED interior lights. But the wife would like more beds. A wife has powerful influence. LOL.

Lee

I would not expect you to take much of a hit to fuel economy.  Perhaps 1 mpg less due to extra weight.  Wind resistance will remain pretty much the same.

If it were me I would definitely use an Equal-i-zer or similar WD/swaycontrol hitch with a trailer that long.  What wanthony said about that is spot on. 

If you see signs of tire rubbing, what makes you think it won't happen some more?  And what will that do eventually to the wheel wells?  If the trailer sits lower than the tow vehicle, an axle flip may not make much mpg difference at all… but if they are pretty much the same at ground height, the flip could have 1-2 mpg impact.  Still, with the wear you see and the chance of bottoming out the back end in pavement dips, IMO it would be worthwhile.

Another factor to consider is financing (assuming you aren't paying cash).  A new trailer may get you a lower interest rate than a used one.  I got 3% at a local credit union.  That could make up some of the price difference.  A crowned roof sounds mighty nice; on my flat roof the dicor around the edges creates little pools of dammed water… kinda makes me nervous.