Solaris 19-21 ft models

nickster60 · 05-30-2007, 10:29 AM

I am interested in by a used Sunline Solaris 19- 21 ft trailer. Is there anything I should look for or look out for. Any advice about the product line would be helpful

**PTHutch** · 05-30-2007, 11:13 AM

Welcome to the forum. There’s a great bunch of people here that will be able to help you out with any questions you may have.

Things to take into consideration are:
> How you plan to use it, such as short trips, long trips, permanent location.
> Number of people, adults, kids, etc. will impact floor plan.
> Tow vehicle you have will impact weight.

There are personal preferences / conveniences, such as not always wanting to brake down the dinette into a bed or an island bed instead of a corner bed, etc. For this, let us know how large your family is and how you plan to use the trailer and we can provide you some insight from our own experiences that will help you make your own decision. The type of floor plan you choose is very personal. But one thing that’s guaranteed is the Sunline quality, no mater what model, floor plan, or year you decide on. The quality will be there!

Then there are safety considerations such as staying within your tow vehicles tow rating, gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and gross combined weight rating (GCWR). Here, let us know what your tow vehicle is (or what you plan to get) and we can let you know the Sunline models that best fit your tow vehicles capabilities.

Sorry for not providing more help. But give us a little more information and we can get started in giving you some specific suggestions and ideas.

Hutch

nickster60 · 05-30-2007, 11:26 AM

There just me and the wife. I have a f150 with the tow package. Actually it tows a trailer everyday(I own a lawn service) I want to keep it on the lighter side. I dont really want a big trailer

**PTHutch** · 05-30-2007, 12:24 PM

What year is your F-150, Reg Cab, Ext Cab, or Crew Cab, 2x4 or 4x4, Auto or Manual Trani, what size engine, and gears does it have?
F-150 tow ratings range from 5,200 lbs to 9,500 lbs based on cab style, engine and gears.

The trailer that your towing now is it an open or closed trailer. If it's an open trailer, remember you'll get a lot more wind drag from the more front surface on a TT. I'm just guessing but I would think your F-150 would handle any Sunline with a GVWR of 7000 lbs or less. Which would be any non-slide room model.

Would you prefer a corner bed or an island bed. Our first Sunline had a corner bed. That was the one thing we didn't like about it. Didn't like crawling over each other to get in and out of be. Plus it was more difficult to make. Our current Sunline has an island be, much more convenient.

The T-2499 is a very popular model and many members have that model.
Here's a picture of its floor plan:

Excellent floor plan for 2 people. Just ask any one here that has that model

. It's ~24' in lenght with a 7000 lb GVWR

Another option, a little smaller in length (~23') and weight (5500 lb GVWR) is the T-2363. Its floor plan looks like:

This is a nice floor plan if you don't like the pass-through bathroom.

Your F-150 should be able to tow either. Just get a good weight distribution hitch, anti-sway control and brake controller.

Sorry, I just re-read your oringal post and you said you were looking for a 19'-21'.

The T-2075's floor plan is:

And the T-1950 floor plan is:

GVWR are the same for both - 5500 lbs.

I personally like the T-2075, because as I mentioned we're partial to an island bed. However, many members in the Sunline Owners Club have the T-1950 and love it. You can’t go wrong with either.

Hutch

nickster60 · 05-30-2007, 01:10 PM

My truck has a 5500 towing capacity. It is a v-6 I have pulled the 4000 lb boat with no problems. I got such a deal on the truck when they had the employee discount plan in 2005. Plus I really want a smaller trailer. I only have so much yard 21 ft boat, Travel Trailer. Landscaping trailer.

**PTHutch** · 05-30-2007, 01:40 PM

You may want to look at the Sunline Que.

**Tweety** · 05-30-2007, 05:10 PM

The QUE is perfect for long weekends and even a couple weeks at a time, and will be easily towed by your vehicle. We love ours

The only disadvantage is making up the bed each night, but we have solved that issue with a double sleeping bag that is lined with removable sheets. The memory foam sofa is really comfortable.

nickster60 · 05-30-2007, 06:52 PM

Pam where is the bed. I have looked at the brochure and I am sure you must put it together. I am just not sure how

**Tweety** · 05-31-2007, 06:25 AM

We have the side entry model. The queen sized bed is made from the L shaped sofa that is in the front. There is a slide that you pull out of the side sofa. You then take the 2 backrests and lay them on top of the support that is created by the slide. We fold up the table and lay it under the bed instead of putting it in the closet where it technically is supposed to go. In the rear entry model, you have the same slide, but the entire front of the trailer becomes a king sized bed. Or you can use that one as 2 narrow twin beds. I really love the kitchen with all the counter space, and the batroom is the same as it is in many larger trailers. Another thing that's fantastic is the day / night insulating shades. I was hesitant about the whole bed thing at first, but it really hasn't been a problem since we use the sleeping bag. If you'd want to use sheets it would be a bit more of a pain to make every night.

pwb01 · 05-31-2007, 07:06 AM

As a point of reference, I have a T-1950 (see PTHutch's floor plan) and my tow vehicle is a 6 cyl Nissan P/U with a tow capacity of 5000#. It tows the trailer with no problem.

nickster60 · 05-31-2007, 07:09 PM

I think my truck would to ok with the t-1950 It is a 2005 f150 work truck with 144" wheel base and the full tow package. Tranny cooler, large radiator, and all the standard stuff. when I pull my boat 4200 lbs I run with the overdrive off,a nd pulls well. But there is a catch I live in Florida ,flat like a board. I dont know if it would do as well in the mountains

pwb01 · 05-31-2007, 07:42 PM

I know what you mean, stand on your toes in Sarasota and see Miami. The highest point in the state is Space Mountain I think. I pull my T-1950 around the Adirondacks and as you said, with OD off sometimes and I take it easy up the big hills. No rush. Even used my A/C last week in the 'dacks. A Que would surely be okay for you. I'd say the T-1950 is your limit as is mine. I would have liked the T-2360 but it's just over the line for me.

**Tweety** · 06-01-2007, 05:27 AM

I agree that you'd be absolutely fine with a 1950 in the flatlands and if you drive conservatively. We have friends who pull a 1950 with a V6. They're happy as long as they don't have to go up any big hills. We love mountains so knew we had to stick with the QUE

nickster60 · 06-01-2007, 06:05 AM

We are planning to move to Idaho in the future so mountains will have to be a consideration. There are many light weight models being made today, but the constuction is not the best on many of them. I got such a great deal on the truck when they where having the employee discount program it was only $15500 with a automatic and air. Plus it only has 18000 miles. So I dont want buy a new truck I will have to do with what I have

**PTHutch** · 06-01-2007, 06:39 AM

Nick,

I agree, keep your truck. I also agree, I have yet to see another light weight trailer that has the same level quality as the Sunline.

Look at the Ques or the T-1950. See if you like either of them. Your truck will be able to handle the Que with no problem. Will be able to handle the T-1950, but you'll need to be a little more conscious of loading of both the trailer and the truck.

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) of the T-1950 is spec'd at 3450 lbs. This weight will need to be adjusted to account for options, LP gas, cargo, & water (fresh tank, WH, Black & Gray Tanks). If you pull dry (i.e., empty fresh water tank, WH, Black & Gray Tanks) you can save a lot of weight.
So I'm guessing a loaded weight of the T-1950 could be between 4000 - 4500 lbs. That would be well within your trucks tow rating of 5500 lbs, leaving room for cargo & passengers in the truck. I haven't check the GVWR or GCWR of your truck, but I would think you would also be within those ratings with the T-1950.

Fords are very good tow vehicles and their ratings are true. If your conscious of loading I think your truck would be able to handle the mountains of Idaho pulling the T-1950.

Hutch

nickster60 · 06-01-2007, 06:48 AM

I like the t 1950 I like the sofa nd chair arrangement. Those dinettes in most of those trailers I can never fit in to, I am a big guy. Plus how much eating do you do, we spent most of our time outside. I can stay home if I want stay inside all day