Tailwind Trailers?

[BC_Explorer]

I am thinking of replacing my 6x10 CT with a 7x16 Trailwind Trailer (manufactured by Forest River). I was out at the dealer today and had a look. The 7x16 below is $9800.00 plus tax (Canadian), keeping in mind that like purchasing a vehicle, you don't pay sticker price.

I am looking at this particular brand and model is that there is already a lot of work and options done before it leaves the factory with the most notables from their website.

Enclosed trailer with rear ramp door, 4" lift kit, led light package, lined and insulated, 2 windows, 14' awning, side door with flushlock and barlock, roof vent, 2 l.e.d. interior lights, porch light, 12v battery, 6-5k d-rings, 3/8" plywood wall liner, 2-3500 axles with 15" tires, silver powder coated rims, 54" tongue, rear post stabilizers, 24" atp rockguard on front, up front corners and 6" down each side, atp fenders. Empty weight is 2800 lbs. with a payload of 4200 lbs.

As I would be doing a factory order, the trailer would be optioned with one more window, extra roof vent, white aluminum wall liner, white vinyl ceiling liner plus a few other options that I will probably want. The reason for the more factory options is I really do want to spend my time on another build from scratch as I would rather be able to start directly on cabinets, bed etc.

All that said, I have not completely decided yet and am wondering if anyone has any feedback on this particular brand of trailer?

[tnriverluver]

Interior height would be my biggest concern. I can't really tell by that picture how tall the inside is. 6 '6" is ideal. I would also much prefer it already have an RV style side door latch instead are the bar lock but you can convert that with a little work. Price is pretty good I think for that trailer with all the extras you're getting and Forrest River backs their products very well.

[zroadhouse]

That's a nice configuration! I'm looking to buy one in almost the same state but on at 7x14 Road Force. I looked at the Tailwind - it's a little less expensive but doesn't have the 4 yr warranty. I couldn't tell the difference in construction from the RF. So brand and warranty seem to be the main diffs

[BC_Explorer]

Interior height would be my biggest concern. I can't really tell by that picture how tall the inside is. 6 '6" is ideal. I would also much prefer it already have an RV style side door latch instead are the bar lock but you can convert that with a little work. Price is pretty good I think for that trailer with all the extras you're getting and Forrest River backs their products very well.

The inside height is 6' 6". I am 5'' 10" but I will probably have another 6" added to the CT as I was standing in another CT at the same dealer that is 7' inside and that extra 6" really makes a difference. The extra height would allow a bed across the back that lowers from the ceiling. The side door does have the RV latch.

I am going to spend the next while sketching out some ideas and floor plans.

The trailer as is, has a curb weight of 2800 lbs and tongue (hitch) weight of 260 lbs. Assuming once I add a few cabinets, bathroom, small table, lightweight couch, bed, onboard 20 gallons fresh water, the CT is now in the 4000 lb range. Add in camping gear, food etc, I expect the trailer to weigh around 4500 lbs. If so, I roughly calculate the new tongue weight of around 424-450 lbs. Is this a close estimation?

[BC_Explorer]

That's a nice configuration! I'm looking to buy one in almost the same state but on at 7x14 Road Force. I looked at the Tailwind - it's a little less expensive but doesn't have the 4 yr warranty. I couldn't tell the difference in construction from the RF. So brand and warranty seem to be the main diffs

I live in Canada so our choice of trailer dealers is limited. The only company around here who sells the Road Force is very expensive. Also when I was there a couple of years ago, they were only interested in selling what they have on lot and did not encourage factory ordering. I thought this was kind of strange but in a local ATV forum, there have been similar feedback.

[hankaye]

BC_Explorer, Howdy;

The trailer as is, has a curb weight of 2800 lbs and tongue (hitch) weight of 260 lbs. Assuming once I add a few cabinets,
bathroom, small table, lightweight couch, bed, onboard 20 gallons fresh water, the CT is now in the 4000 lb range. Add in camping gear, food etc, I expect the trailer
to weigh around 4500 lbs. If so, I roughly calculate the new tongue weight of around 424-450 lbs. Is this a close estimation?

Weight and Balance ... all depends on where you put what ... 20 gal. of water will weight about 8.4 lbs./gal. or roughly 168 lbs. plus the weight of your
container and plumbing plus attaching hardware as an example. Soda pop and beer will weight about 25 lbs./case of 12oz. cans and 27 lbs./case for 12oz. bottles.
I used to be a loadmaster for a cargo type of aircraft in a previous life. Weight the heavy items, use the axels a zero change zone as it is your fulcrum point.
Try to keep 60% of your weight in front of the axels and 40% behind them. Step back from the side and look at where the axles are ... you'll notice that the same ratio
is already there as 60% of the trailer is already in front of the axels.

hank

[BC_Explorer]

Weight and Balance ... all depends on where you put what ... 20 gal. of water will weight about 8.4 lbs./gal. or roughly 168 lbs. plus the weight of your
container and plumbing plus attaching hardware as an example. Soda pop and beer will weight about 25 lbs./case of 12oz. cans and 27 lbs./case for 12oz. bottles.
I used to be a loadmaster for a cargo type of aircraft in a previous life. Weight the heavy items, use the axels a zero change zone as it is your fulcrum point.
Try to keep 60% of your weight in front of the axels and 40% behind them. Step back from the side and look at where the axles are ... you'll notice that the same ratio
is already there as 60% of the trailer is already in front of the axels.
hank

Thanks for the info Hank. I don't drink beer or Soda (AKA just as "Pop" in Canada) so I can save some weight there! I ran into a potential problem with this CT size. My parking pad at home is off an alley which is not that wide and has a fence on one side and a shallow drainage ditch on the other. So I am not sure if I have the room to maneuver and back the CT into the pad. Also the pad itself is barely deep enough for a 7x16 (19'10"overall length) trailer so there is not much maneuver room there either.

I may rent a similar sized length trailer such as an empty flat deck for a few hours and see if I can back it in. If not, I may have to step down to a 7x14 which is 2 feet shorter at 17' 10" overall length and only 3' 10" longer then my current 6x10 V-Nose CT.