2018 Pacifica 3500lb Towing Capacity, Recommendations

[rob.mwpropane]

What do people factor in for gear? We don't take much, clothes, blankets, cookware.... we usually buy food locally and cook at site. An ez up, a grill, tent and chairs are really all we pack in the van now.

 

[Sjm9911]

Well , you will have lots of stuff. Chocks, leveling blocks, pots and pans , silverware, maybe a folding table or 2, chairs, rug thing for the ground, waste hose, drinking hose, gray water container, extention cords, mods for the camper, so shelves, clothes lines, baskets or containers to store stuff, dishwashing stuff, so drying rack, etc. Blankets, clothing, flashlights, games, everything and anything you can fit you will pack. Thats on top of emegency supplies, tools, maybe a tarp or two. Electric heater. I could go on but i thing you get it. Its camping, but with more stuff. Maybe a box fan, awning lights. Plus about 30 other things you think you need but dont. Its like home, if you clear out a shelf in the garage, you collect more crap to put on it.

 

[popup-flyer]

I don't take it as scripture, but it's at least a light on in the room yeah?

Answering both your questions. A WDH is a more complex hitch system that helps move some of the weight to the front wheels and trailer axle by actually lifting up on the hitch with bars. Is it Bad? Not if your hitch and your trailer can handle a WDH. My last car had a factory tow hitch and there was a sticker the underside that said Max tongue weight and max tongue weight with WDH.

Yes the listed dry weight is a starting point but I suggest you add 50-100lbs to that number if you want STOCK, dry, unmodified weight after a battery and full propane tank(s) are added.

Now imaging buying a used one that someone has added sealant to over the years or bracing etc... added roof rails or a bumper mod to add toolbox. Cassette toilet has some liquid? water Tanks full? Maybe you have gray/black tanks? That is how weight can climb quickly.

 

[Sjm9911]

Answering both your questions. A WDH is a more complex hitch system that helps move some of the weight to the front wheels and trailer axle by actually lifting up on the hitch with bars. Is it Bad? Not if your hitch and your trailer can handle a WDH. My last car had a factory tow hitch and there was a sticker the underside that said Max tongue weight and max tongue weight with WDH.

Yes the listed dry weight is a starting point but I suggest you add 50-100lbs to that number if you want STOCK, dry, unmodified weight after a battery and full propane tank(s) are added.

Now imaging buying a used one that someone has added sealant to over the years or bracing etc... added roof rails or a bumper mod to add toolbox. Cassette toilet has some liquid? water Tanks full? Maybe you have gray/black tanks? That is how weight can climb quickly.

I would add more for the weight , an ac is like 100 lbs. Depends on the options but 225 to 325 over the dry weight is closer, and thats with water tanks dry. Carry some water and add 8.6 lbs a gallon. Its adds up.

 

[popup-flyer]

Since your other question... Gear:

Toolbox ~30-40lbs, Jack, universal lug wrench, power adapters for 50-30. Hoses for freshwater (50ft), waste tank(s) and/or hoses(50ft), extension cords, main power extension cord (both total 50ft), TV, microwave, ice maker, plates, utensils, pots/pans, cleaning supplies. 3 inch foam mattress topper....

Now you have food, clothes and bedding.

 

[popup-flyer]

I would add more for the weight , an ac is like 100 lbs. Depends on the options but 225 to 325 over the dry weight is closer, and thats with water tanks dry. Carry some water and add 8.6 lbs a gallon. Its adds up.

Yes I forgot A/C and I can lift mine solo. I'm a big guy but 100lbs is tough to wrestle. I assumed ~100-110 for A/C and ceiling air handler.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Do you guys still even call it camping?

 

[popup-flyer]

Do you guys still even call it camping?

To tell the truth, for us its more like a mobile hotel more often than "camping" our kids are in scouts, my wife is a leader in our daughters unit and I am in sons boy scouts so were out in actual tents monthly. The camper is a way to have conveniences in a remote setting outside of those camping trips but more for family outings to scenic venues/vacations.

Won't get Bison 10 feet from your door in a hotel like we did last month on the way to CO. We spent 7 days in a campground in Manitou Springs, CO but were hardly there. Went to Royal Gorge, cliff dwellings, cave of winds, pikes peak, Garden of the Gods etc... etc... so we left in the morning and came back in the evening.

Other places we have enjoyed the campgrounds that had onsite entertainment. The microwave and TV were a cheap "Just in case" that stay put up unless we need them but the ice maker... well, gotta have cold beverages..... Our first trip out it poured the entire time, it was one night. The wife gave me crap for the TV but in the end it kept the kids occupied.

I mean at least we don't have the portable washing machine or dishwasher

We can do more just outdoors camping when the kids are gone

 

[rob.mwpropane]

To tell the truth, for us its more like a mobile hotel more often than "camping" our kids are in scouts, my wife is a leader in our daughters unit and I am in sons boy scouts so were out in actual tents monthly. The camper is a way to have conveniences in a remote setting outside of those camping trips but more for family outings to scenic venues/vacations.

Won't get Bison 10 feet from your door in a hotel like we did last month on the way to CO. We spent 7 days in a campground in Manitou Springs, CO but were hardly there. Went to Royal Gorge, cliff dwellings, cave of winds, pikes peak, Garden of the Gods etc... etc... so we left in the morning and came back in the evening.

Other places we have enjoyed the campgrounds that had onsite entertainment. The microwave and TV were a cheap "Just in case" that stay put up unless we need them but the ice maker... well, gotta have cold beverages..... Our first trip out it poured the entire time, it was one night. The wife gave me crap for the TV but in the end it kept the kids occupied.

I mean at least we don't have the portable washing machine or dishwasher

Lol.... Sounds like a great trip!

We're interested in a camper for the AC / heat, beds and toilet / shower. We really like tent camping a lot, but get a few nights out there when it's 100% humidity and your clothes are sticking to you... well that's no fun. I am an eagle scout, so I know your pain tent camping. I also know what you mean about not being "home" while you're away. We spend next to zero time in the tent or even near the tent all day.

 

[popup-flyer]

Lol.... Sounds like a great trip!

We're interested in a camper for the AC / heat, beds and toilet / shower. We really like tent camping a lot, but get a few nights out there when it's 100% humidity and your clothes are sticking to you... well that's no fun. I am an eagle scout, so I know your pain tent camping. I also know what you mean about not being "home" while you're away. We spend next to zero time in the tent or even near the tent all day.

That is exactly why we got one and then the other things crept in, except the cheap, small smart TV I can plug a USB drive in with a bunch of movie/tv show files on to keep the kids occupied in late evening after dinner or games are over.

Being 14/16 they stay up later than they used to. The 21 YO doesn't go out with us as much.

After the second trip I said "You know, an ice maker would be nice" and the wife agreed so $90 at lowes we had one.

After the 4th trip we cooked more inside and thought it would be nice to have a microwave.

I totally forgot about the coffee maker. We used our propane powered drip coffee maker for 2 years but this last time, less fuss, fast cup of coffee with no mess and its VERY compact for a kuerig:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/chefma...YjCIzaVkcIV4fnsQ6HIaAqQVEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Sjm9911]

I use it for camping and as a mobile hotel room. Thats the thing, it can be what you want it to. I do have a TT now. So, we did disney, hersey, great advanture in lake ? , lake george, cape may. We also do state parks. So more kyacking, lake , and walking.

 

[yousah]

I haven't had a chance to read all of the replies, but we have a 2006 Fleetwood Victory that works fine with our towing limit (Honda Odyssey). It has the toilet/shower combo.

Don't have all the specs handy right now, but I did all the weight calculations when we first bought it, including getting everything weighed before our first trip. I even weighed different axles when I was setting up our weight distribution hitch so that I knew which bolt setting was the best to do the weight transfer to our van's front wheels.

As our kids got older, and heavier , I stopped bringing the cargo box we had installed on our van. I later removed a few seats from our van in order to stay well under all of the weight limits.

I always emptied our fresh water tank and water heater, but that wasn't even necessary in order to stay within the limits.

 

[BillyMc]

I'm a bit old school some say. I prefer to be over equipped. With our camper and all gear we are less than 50% of my TV's capacity. I've run the numbers and it is possible to tow even our HTT with our Town and Country with limiting what we pack. That said, I would to avoid cancelling a camping trip, but only if it's a short distance haul. I understand the desire to get as much camper as you can handle, but when you are cutting it close you don't have room to grow. More camper = less stuff less camper more stuff. I do a fair amount of off grid camping so a large battery supply, propane, and full tank of water is a must. Another thing is trailer brakes. Get them! I never thought much about them until we got the HTT. My truck stop as well, maybe better, pulling the camper as it does not towing.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I can see how that would happen.

So what do some of you guys do that have a payload limit of ~ 300lbs in your pup? Buy a new pup?

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Hey guys, just want to say thank you to all that posted. Reading back through this thread I'm picking up more and more. Starting to feel confident about making an educated decision on a PUP.

Are there any recommendations on a WDH to get, or do I need to know the PUP before I get that far? I'm online looking at what's out there and they're throwing a lot more numbers at me! ...Now I like numbers, but come on man I feel like my brain is topped off at this point with everything else!

 

[Sjm9911]

Lol. Look at the pup first, some with c channels for the frame usally can not use a wdh. Youll be ok as long as you dont get the biggest one on the lot.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback. I can see how that would happen.

So what do some of you guys do that have a payload limit of ~ 300lbs in your pup? Buy a new pup?

Most get a tt or hybrid. Get the pup to see if the camp life is qhat you want. Some keep rhe pup for simplicity.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Lol. Look at the pup first, some with c channels for the frame usally can not use a wdh. Youll be ok as long as you dont get the biggest one on the lot.

Most get a tt or hybrid. Get the pup to see if the camp life is qhat you want. Some keep rhe pup for simplicity.

I understand hybrid, what is tt?

 

[Sjm9911]

Travel Trailor.

 

[popup-flyer]

Hey guys, just want to say thank you to all that posted. Reading back through this thread I'm picking up more and more. Starting to feel confident about making an educated decision on a PUP.

Are there any recommendations on a WDH to get, or do I need to know the PUP before I get that far? I'm online looking at what's out there and they're throwing a lot more numbers at me! ...Now I like numbers, but come on man I feel like my brain is topped off at this point with everything else!

Wait till you get the PUP before you buy the WDH unless you have zeroed in on one or two you will accept. As has been said, the trailer frame has to support it as well as your hitch.

If you buy the WDH now and a trailer than cant support it you just spent $250-$300 for a paperweight.

I really like the e2 Fastaway Round Bar 600/6000 unit. Offers Sway control, supports backing up without removing (unlike chain variety).

https://www.fastwaytrailer.com/e2-hitch

I got mine for under $300

 

[booboo74]

This seems to me like a good floor plan. This is from the 2318G, but I see a lot like this. I'd want the optional shoilette. I've seen this with the front storage and without. The ones with might be getting a hair heavy for me.

Does anyone know if there's a model that has king beds on both sides?


View attachment 77819

We have the 2318g and pull it with our 2011 Rav4 (3,500 lbs towing capacity). No issues, other than low ground clearance. We have but rarely fill it with water and have not taken it through mountains.

I don't think there is king on both sides but could be mistaken.