t-1700 vs 1550?

Tego · 03-10-2014, 05:03 AM

Sorry to keep asking these stupid questions.

Someone contacted me with a 1991 t1700. It has dual axles. Is this a lot bigger than a 1550? Does the 91 have the ventilation (windows) of the mid-80s?

Anyone got pics of the inside and out of one or similar? Thanks.

jim44646 · 03-10-2014, 07:40 AM

No such thing as a stupid question. We all were beginners at on time on another.
At the top of page there is a tab called files. It's full of brochures of different models and years to comparer. Also floor plans and stats.

Tego · 03-10-2014, 02:37 PM

I was actually hoping to see pictures of someones 1700.

Is there a way to find those on here? It seems theres only a few albums on here.

**JohnB** · 03-10-2014, 04:55 PM

Hi Tego, send SunLine Fan a PM to see your post. He might have some.

bunjin · 03-10-2014, 06:10 PM

Tego,

Keep asking all the questions you like. I believe the idea here is to help each other as best as we can.

Sunline seems from what I can see to keep things interesting which in turn can be confusing from year to year and model to model, year to year....... Not following me right?

Some examples: The 1983 T-1550 has a axle weight (Lbs.) Empty Approx. 1,605 and the length is 15'-11" (Total: bumper to tongue hitch). The 1991 T-1550 has a axle weight (Lbs.) Empty Approx. 1,835 and the length is still 15'-11" (Total: bumper to tongue hitch). The width and height is still the same for both years. The 230 Lbs. difference is I assume standard equipment through the years. A little more on this at the end of this long winded story.

Also in 1983 there were 7 1600 series models and in 1991 there was only the T-1661.

1991 has the T-1700 Solaris and the T-170 StarRay. The biggest difference I can see is that the Solaris has more "standard" features, whereas the StarRay starts more stripped down.

I point this out as the file section can be a very important resource as the same model has some different available features from year to year. This in turn can impact weight.

The T-1550 is 15'-11" long. Body width is 7'. Interior height is 6'-1". The T-1700 is 17'-10" long. Body width is 7'. Interior height is 6'-1". The T-1550 is a single axle with a tire size of 14". The T-1700 is a tandem axle with 13" tires.

The T-1700 is laid out much different than the T-1550. On the T-1700 you enter on the tongue end much like the T-1550, however the lounge is on your right as you do so and it has windows on three sides like the T-1550 on this end. The T-1700 has the dinette on your left as you go toward the rear. It has a nice large window the length of the dinette area. The sink, range and refrigerator are opposite the dinette. You walk between dinette and sink, range, refrigerator to get to the bathroom in the rear of T-1700. There is a window over the sink which is close to the lounge area. There is a window in the bathroom above the toilet which sits at angle with a wardrobe above it. The shower is a sit down/tub combo.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the T-1700 is 4000 Lbs. and a Hitch Weight Empty Approx. 325 Lbs.

The T-1550 (year 1991) Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 3000 Lbs. with a Hitch Weight Empty Approx. 235 Lbs.

It is interesting that the GVWA of the 1991 T-1550 is 2070 Lbs. with the Hitch weight of 235 Lbs., yet in 1983 the T-1550 is a GVWA of 1605 Lbs. and a Hitch weight of 165 Lbs.

I point out hitch weight as for me it means I can maneuver my T-1550 with a simple hand hitch dolly, whereas with the T-1700 it is heavy enough that I couldn't.

I'm guessing this difference to things such as propane tanks, etc.

This is where the "file section" and "brochure and specification sheets" are very handy to download as you look for your "new to you" Sunline. Each model year is a little different.

I hope this helps.

Mainah has a 1990 T-1700 I believe. He may be able to help with photos.

Tego · 03-11-2014, 04:19 AM

Thanks for your help, Bunjin. The 1700 seems a little bigger than I want/need.

What I would really like is an older (mid-80s) 1550. I agree that it's interesting that there's all the extra weight '83 vs '91. Is it a case of "they sure don't make 'em like they used to"?

bunjin · 03-11-2014, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tego

Thanks for your help, Bunjin. The 1700 seems a little bigger than I want/need.

Is it a case of "they sure don't make 'em like they used to"?

I don't think so. I think it is more of the extra's added as standard features as time moved on. Things like speakers, monitor systems, etc.

mainah · 03-11-2014, 11:04 AM

I have a T1700 and I really like the dual axles it tows beautifully. The drawback you cannot move it with a dolly, well you can you just can't steer it because being twin axle the tires have to actually slide side ways. I’m not sure about the 1550 but the 1700 has a gaucho bed that becomes a couch when it’s folded up giving you a lot more space inside the camper for rainy days I don't know why the modern campers don't do that a full size bed takes up a lot of space in a small camper. You can’t go wrong with either one the 1700 does have a good bit more room and a larger bath. I would be glad to post some pictures if you like.

bunjin · 03-11-2014, 11:54 AM

I like the 1700. The larger bath is a nice feature.The tandem axle for pulling as well as having extra wheels in the event of a tire blow out is nice. I would love to see pictures of it. I do like the fact that the 1550 has the water tank and the grey tank over the axle. It does pivot very nicely with a dolly, which is very important in my driveway. I also like the windows on all 4 sides. Yes it also has the gaucho bed/couch.

My truck is 19' and the 1550 is 16'. I have to pull combo straight up my driveway pass house on one side and tree on other. Being only 7' wide is a plus here. I pull to back of house ending with trailer just inside gate at end of house and truck in back yard. I unhitch, pivot trailer and pull to side. This allows me to back truck back along side of house.

I could use/build a round house maybe.

Tego · 03-11-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

I have a T1700 and I really like the dual axles it tows beautifully. The drawback you cannot move it with a dolly, well you can you just can't steer it because being twin axle the tires have to actually slide side ways. I’m not sure about the 1550 but the 1700 has a gaucho bed that becomes a couch when it’s folded up giving you a lot more space inside the camper for rainy days I don't know why the modern campers don't do that a full size bed takes up a lot of space in a small camper. You can’t go wrong with either one the 1700 does have a good bit more room and a larger bath. I would be glad to post some pictures if you like.

I'd like to see pictures if you have them. I assume you already have them and won't have to dig through two feet of snow.

I'm not sure where in Maine you live, but you could easily be less than 100 miles from me. Therefore, I'm guessing you have the dreaded 10-20" snowstorm in your forecast. Do you get channel 8? (wmtw)

mainah · 03-11-2014, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunjin

I like the 1700. The larger bath is a nice feature.The tandem axle for pulling as well as having extra wheels in the event of a tire blow out is nice. I would love to see pictures of it. I do like the fact that the 1550 has the water tank and the grey tank over the axle. It does pivot very nicely with a dolly, which is very important in my driveway. I also like the windows on all 4 sides. Yes it also has the gaucho bed/couch.

My truck is 19' and the 1550 is 16'. I have to pull combo straight up my driveway pass house on one side and tree on other. Being only 7' wide is a plus here. I pull to back of house ending with trailer just inside gate at end of house and truck in back yard. I unhitch, pivot trailer and pull to side. This allows me to back truck back along side of house.

I could use/build a round house maybe.

I pull mine with a Tacoma that is a good bit shorter than 19' But I can tell you that you will not be able to man handle it with two axles. I tried in my garage with the hitch jack on a 4 caster platform back and forth no problem but it won't turn. The T1700 has lots of windows two big ones and 4 smaller ones. I'll post some pictures.

mainah · 03-11-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tego

I'd like to see pictures if you have them. I assume you already have them and won't have to dig through two feet of snow.

I'm not sure where in Maine you live, but you could easily be less than 100 miles from me. Therefore, I'm guessing you have the dreaded 10-20" snowstorm in your forecast. Do you get channel 8? (wmtw)

I'm in the foot hills/mountains 12-18" is what we are looking at I'm putting the loader bucket back on the tractor tomorrow before the storm I don't think my 5' snow blower will deal with the heavy wet snow and the plow has no place to push it. I'm near Fryeburg bit east of Conway NH. Yes I get WMTW I can see the tower lights from my fields! I'll post a few pictures.

mainah · 03-11-2014, 05:37 PM

It's kind of hard to tell the size the one picture is looking forward and the counter is the same size as it was but it is not what came with the camper I have done a bit of interior work the bath is some what changed but still the same size.

Tego · 03-12-2014, 04:52 AM

The backsplash is amazing! Very nice!

I also have a Tacoma (2013 extra cab V6 4x4) so I guess that answers my question if I can pull it or not.

I'm quite familiar with the area you live in. My wife and I are yearly Fryeburg Fair people. We bought our canoe from Saco Bound and seldom drive by the LL Bean outlet.

What do you think of Camping World of Conway?

mainah · 03-12-2014, 07:09 AM

I actually live in Brownfield just a bit south of Fryeburg. Brownfield is the home of two large canoe rental and camping outfits. I do part time work for Wood Land Acres camp ground and am good friends with the owner and if you need a place to camp in the area that is the place. Both outfits rent canoes and on a good day in the summer they may have over 500 canoes out add another 500-800 from Fryeburg and the river becomes a zoo. I own about 1800 feet on the Saco so I often go watch the canoers for entertainment value.
The Tacoma will tow a T1700 with no problem I take it to Canada pretty much every year and have to be careful on the highway I have caught my self doing 80.
Do you stay at the fair grounds during the fair?
I am not a big fan of any Camping World I don't like the way they do business. If you aren't a member their prices are expensive if you are a member their prices are about the same as any other parts supplier I haven't seen any thing there that I could not buy cheaper else where. They are like WalMart coming to town they are huge and have huge buying power. I knew the woman that owned the Conway store they bought and she told me they could sell campers for what she paid for them.

Tego · 03-12-2014, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainah

I actually live in Brownfield just a bit south of Fryeburg. Brownfield is the home of two large canoe rental and camping outfits. I do part time work for Wood Land Acres camp ground and am good friends with the owner and if you need a place to camp in the area that is the place. Both outfits rent canoes and on a good day in the summer they may have over 500 canoes out add another 500-800 from Fryeburg and the river becomes a zoo. I own about 1800 feet on the Saco so I often go watch the canoers for entertainment value.
The Tacoma will tow a T1700 with no problem I take it to Canada pretty much every year and have to be careful on the highway I have caught my self doing 80.
Do you stay at the fair grounds during the fair?
I am not a big fan of any Camping World I don't like the way they do business. If you aren't a member their prices are expensive if you are a member their prices are about the same as any other parts supplier I haven't seen any thing there that I could not buy cheaper else where. They are like WalMart coming to town they are huge and have huge buying power. I knew the woman that owned the Conway store they bought and she told me they could sell campers for what she paid for them.

We only go to the fair for the day. We're usually the first ones in the gate the day we go. It's not a long trip from where we live in VT.

Again, nice camper.

mainah · 03-12-2014, 03:33 PM

We go on seniors day every thing is free! We go early and have breakfast at the Fryeburg Congressional Church stand (just a really good breakfast) see all the sights and get out of there by early afternoon it's only a 8 mile ride for us.

Tego · 03-12-2014, 04:19 PM

We always go on seniors day as well even though we won't be seniors for another 15 years. My parents are seniors and they always go with us. That tuesday is also the first day of the horse races which is fun. That and a turkey leg are a fall ritual. It's about a two hour drive for us.

I didn't see the older guy riding the bike with the monkey thing last fall and wondered where he was.