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Old 07-29-2010, 05:07 AM   #1
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towing 17 ft sunline

Hello to all. I have a 87Ford BroncoII, AT, good shape, with 140 hp V6. Planning on buying Sunline 1700, 2400 lb dry weight. Will this veh handle this size trailer? anyone out there with similar setup? thanks to all for help.
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Old 07-29-2010, 05:56 AM   #2
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It would be helpful to know the actual model number of the trailer. Dry weight is not important. GVWR (gross vehicle weight which includes allowable payload) matters.

It would also be essential to know more about your tow vehicle. Things such as axle ratio, GCWR, etc. all come into play in determining if a trailer/tow vehicle combination is safe and adequate. If you have the owners manual for the truck, it should have a towing chart that will give you a much better idea what you can tow with your particular vehicle.
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Old 07-29-2010, 07:03 AM   #3
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of course, what am I thinking. gcwr of truck , and trailer, 6,000 lbs. actual weight of truck 3300, axle ratio 3.73. would be marginal, I bet. what do you think?
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Old 07-29-2010, 07:19 AM   #4
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I tow a 15.5 foot sunline with a Honda CRV to Labrador and across the Rockies a few times without issue. Our Honda is a 4 cylinder 160 HP, 162 lbs of torque. We average 20 MPG. Our rig weighs about 2200 pounds loaded; a lot less than your's dry. We use a sway bar.

We obviously slow down on long steep hills but speed is not our issue. We generally drive at 55. We carry little in the way of weight in our Honda and there's just the two of us.

A big factor in towing ability is driving speed. For example there's 40% more drag at 65 versus 55; on the flat this is more critical than weight.

As well another important factor is the distance between the center of the wheels of your Bronco and the distance from the Bronco's rear wheels to the ball.

I would say your trailer would be about 3000 lbs loaded. This all suggests to me that you probably need more horsepower, particularly if you're doing any long distance towing.
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Old 07-29-2010, 10:32 AM   #5
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of course, what am I thinking. gcwr of truck , and trailer, 6,000 lbs. actual weight of truck 3300, axle ratio 3.73. would be marginal, I bet. what do you think?
Sounds like you will have too much weight for that 87Ford BroncoII .
I would not do it, but that's just me.
I guess IF your trips are VERY short (under 50 mis.) and you drive under 55mph with NO hills to climb, maybe a trip or two till you get a better TV. ...JMHO
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Old 07-29-2010, 12:38 PM   #6
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One of the things we talk about in the towing discussions is a safety margin between the tow vehicles rated capacity and the GVWR of the towed trailer. I'll use my truck and trailer only because I am familiar with the numbers. I have an '02 Dodge Ram Diesel Duallie. (We bought it to step up to a 5'er someday, but that's another story.) It is rated to tow 12,4000# and our '99 Sunline is GVWR'ed at 5,500#. I am running roughly a 150% safety margin which is admittedly overkill.

There's lots of discussion in the towing world about what is a realistic safety margin. The general consensus is somewhere between 25% and 50%.

On the subject of both the truck and the trailer's load capacities, what you take with you matters, a lot. People, dogs, gear, firewood, propane, food, ice, bedding, pots and pans, and a lot more all add up quickly. And then there's the holding tanks. Everyone has to travel with full tanks at one time or another. That means black, gray, and fresh water all filled up. Water is heavy - 8.5# to the gallon. The '87 T-1750 is spec'ed to carry 25 gallons of each. That's 637.5# of liquids alone. All of this and more needs to be taken into account.

Norm is our lightweight towing expert with thousands of miles of real-life experience, and I think he and Joe have already stated the case against your proposed combination pretty well. I would urge that you read back through the threads in the towing section to learn a lot more about the ins and outs of trailering.
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Old 07-29-2010, 01:01 PM   #7
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I completely agree with you, and the others. I need to get a Sunline T1550, but they are so hard to find. Oh well, I will just keep looking. Thanks so much to all of you for the honest and frank advice.

Terry
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Old 07-29-2010, 04:04 PM   #8
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The 1550 is a real neat trailer and towable by virtually anything. I think the other single axle sunlines might also fill your bill. There's a nice 16 footer with a rear corner bath and shower. The typical single axle trailer has a maximum weight of 3000 lbs, with some like the Que going to 3500 lbs.

We try to carefully manage our loading. We don't carry all the extras that many people do - no extra coolers and so on - not even on long extended trips to no where. We don't carry winter coats even in cold climates, using the ability to layer with lighter things. We limit all kinds of things. Now we do have two computers, wireless and sat TV so we're not naked but if we're not going to use it we don't bring it. If we add something as we travel, something else goes.

We don't carry ice, firewood, dogs, coolers, tarps, all those other things we see so many people carry. We meet tons of people on the road that attempt to have a home on wheels in the sense of having access to everything. We attempt to live with less, not that we're trying to save the world but trying to simplify our lives for our own sanity.




As to our tanks, we rarely if ever have full tanks. We empty our grey and black tanks regularly and only carry a half full water tank. If we're going into a dry camping or boondocking situation we fill our water tank, but just before we enter the situation. If we've filled our black and grey tanks we empty them at our first opportunity. If we're overloaded, though not likely we take it easyn particularly if we have full tanks it usually means we're on some back road, probably dirt.
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Old 07-29-2010, 05:34 PM   #9
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Wow! what a nice read. thanks so very much. I just closed deal on a 1994 Sunline T1550 and will pick it up Saturday.Can't wait to get it. Hope weather moderates so I can use it. We live in so Ga, so temps are 100 each day!! I hate to go camping and have to sit inside, under A/C. Again, thanks for your comments. I have met the nicest people on this forum.

Terry Martin
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Old 07-29-2010, 06:45 PM   #10
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Terry,
Wow that was quick. Good luck with your 1994 Sunline T-1550. Any questions just ask you are sure to get answers. Post some photos of the 1550 when you can. We all like to see photos here.
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Old 07-29-2010, 07:36 PM   #11
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I have learned, in a short time, the good ones don't last long. in particular, the T-1550 models. I will pick it up Sat and bring it home. A good wash and wax and then I will post some pics. Cheers.
Terry
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Old 07-30-2010, 05:23 AM   #12
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Even the not so good ones....my beat up 83 T-1550 gets unsolicited offers every time we go someplace new.
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Old 07-30-2010, 08:00 AM   #13
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wonder if the popularity of this model is related to the fact no more, like these, are being built? I have seen 1984 models sell for 3500.00!!
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Old 07-30-2010, 08:54 AM   #14
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The simple issue that RV manufacturers seem to miss is that a 1550 provides a full service trailer for two, weighs less than 2000 pounds unloaded and can be towed by virtually anything fully loaded.

Ours had been used happily by a family of four for 20+ years. We did make a number of mods for two (see Preparing a 1982 Sunline under Files on this site.)

Like Opie I was continuously approached by people offering to buy it. One guy said I don't care where you are in the country, I'll come and get it.

As well I'm always asked if our Honda CRV can really tow it. It's interesting that not that long ago, 162 hp engines were considered powerful.

Light and able, the beauty of a 1550 and even at $3500 a really good deal.
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Old 07-30-2010, 10:30 AM   #15
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NORM, I looked in files and didn't find your article. I would like to read it. what am I doing wrong? thanks. Terry
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Old 07-30-2010, 10:53 AM   #16
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For some reason the administrator must have removed it from the site. If you send me a private email on this site and your email address I'll send you the file.
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Old 07-30-2010, 10:54 AM   #17
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wonder if the popularity of this model is related to the fact no more, like these, are being built? I have seen 1984 models sell for 3500.00!!
WOW that is amazing I wish I could sell something for 2 times the book value never mind 400% more than book... @ $3,500. thats over 4 times NADA book value.

I think it's because of the low value, say under $5,000. Try selling a TT with a book value of $10,000. for $40,000. or even $20,000. NO CHANCE !


NADA
> Value Report

1984 SUNLINE M-1550

July 30, 2010 Travel Trailers & Fifth WheelsModel: M-1550 Length/Width: 15' x 7' Axles: 1 Weight: 1765 Self-Contained: YES
PRICING
Low Retail Average Retail Base Price $650 $780 ...Options AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING110 Volt - 10,000 BTU (Roof Mount) $60 $75
TOTAL PRICE $710 $855

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Old 07-30-2010, 11:05 AM   #18
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Too bad that file is missing...it was the best reference guide for older models...better than any of the official manuals.

I think that NADA value is way low...my 83 T-1550 has a leaky water heater, AC that only blows warm, peeling door stripes and is missing the awning, and I've been offered $2000 more than once.

Must be because I still have the original hubcaps !!
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Old 07-30-2010, 11:05 AM   #19
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Hi Terry,

If you haven't found Norm's report yet, it can be found by clicking the "FILES" tab at the top of the page, then scroll down to "Sunline Owners Club Member Tools". It is titled "Preparing a 1982 Sunline Travel Trailer Model 15.5".

This should take you directly to it.
Sunline Coach Owner's Club - Sunline Owner's Files - Preparing a 1982 Sunline Travel Trailer Model 15.5
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Old 08-05-2010, 10:07 AM   #20
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You have all made me feel I got a great deal on my '88 T-1550. I just got it from a couple moving from New Jersey to Texas. I paid $600.00 for it. The only thing I've found wrong is a blown tank on the water heater. Other than that, it's in great condition.

Bob in NJ
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