Anyone tow a Fleetwood/Coleman E2 | E3 with their 100?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Pskhaat

Pskhaat

Tourer
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Threads
451
Messages
3,148
Location
38.0111,-109.9181
Website
www.alamosa.fm
Looking at either an E1, E2 | E3 camper. Prefer the E1 for size and weight, but family wants bigger into the E2-E4 category. Thinking A) too big to bring too far off-highway and B) too big to tow? and C) I don't like the "quad" parking/storage on them.

Any of you tow either of these (E2 | E3) with your 100? If so, can you comment?
 
I do not pull one of these, but I'm interested to see what others say. As far as I can see, 3500/4400 GVWR for E1/E2. What is the dry weight of these campers, typically 1/2 the GVWR? I am looking at getting a Scamp or Casita 16' this summer, similar dry weight of 1750 lbs. Should be a breeze, and your tent trailer will be even easier without the wind resistance. As for offroad characteristics, I truely have no idea.
 
Not the exact same trailer but similar;
DSCN1923.jpg

It is a Starcraft with an 8' box that I modified, SOA and larger wheels.

I have to keep reminding my self it's back there. We have a few thousand miles of towing time on it now. It has no affect on gas mileage. We have taken it over a few class III roads with no issues, plus a lot of miles of class II. However I'd like to add shocks. IIRC the E series don't have shocks either. If you plan on much washboard plan on adding shocks, these trailers get bouncy on rough roads at speed. Also plan on the trailer not lasting long if you tow it off pavement much, they just aren't built like a true off road trailer.
 
bkgee said:
I do not pull one of these, but I'm interested to see what others say. As far as I can see, 3500/4400 GVWR for E1/E2. What is the dry weight of these campers, typically 1/2 the GVWR? I am looking at getting a Scamp or Casita 16' this summer, similar dry weight of 1750 lbs. Should be a breeze, and your tent trailer will be even easier without the wind resistance. As for offroad characteristics, I truely have no idea.
Click to expand...
Because of the big cargo area on the E series the GVW is higher than most trailers.
The E1 dry weight is 2400, the GVW is 3400
The E3 dry weight is 3030, the GVW is 4400
No data on the website for the E2.

Read a lot of on-line reviews on the Scamp and Casitia before you buy. Also shop around, there are a ton of light weight trailers on the market now.
 
Dan, what do you mean by your "read the comments" comment? :) Would you personally be looking at these other options? What is your opinion on the Evolution series, in my--granted brief--investigation and crawling around various trailers it on the surface appears the Evolution is about the best-made without many mods for doing forest service roads &c.

Your thoughts appreciated.
 
rusty_tlc said:
Read a lot of on-line reviews on the Scamp and Casitia before you buy.
Click to expand...

Do you have an opinion on Scamp/Casitas? Or have you picked up a trend of info from your reading? I will definitely read some more, but your words sound like a warning...

...I am not planning on offroading my camper as the OP is. I plan to use it on highways and campgrounds. I will continue primitive camping for offroad trips.

Sorry Scott, I do not mean to thread jack entirely :)
 
i regularly tow my race car trailer. dual axle 1500lbs+2000lb car. no problem at all. just put it in pwr mode and it drives like a dream, for whatever reason i get better mpg like this too. you know its on there for sure but the LC pulls it well. i think it would pull atleast another 1000lbs no problem. i would imagine it would only be better if your truck is stock hieght/tire wheel setup. i will say the stopping distance is a bit longer than id like, but this is my first trailer so i cant really compare. might make a trip up a long moutain pass a bit slow but itll do it. isnt the tow capacity on 100s like 6000lbs?
 
Not sure how much space you need but for me and my wife (no kids) the Little Guy Rough Rider Off Road trailer is pretty much at the top of the list. If you have kids you can even expand it with an attachable tent. Little Guy trailers also makes a non-off road version of this trailer that includes a front platform for an ATV or bicycles. THe prices are WAY lower than Adventure Trailer (probably not the same quality but nonetheless).

I considered a trailer with front platform but read many reviews stating that an ATV or bikes at the front kills the aerodynamics and sucks gas so my plan is to carry our bicycles with a hitch mounted carrier at the back of the trailer.

Have fun picking out your trailer.
rough rider trailer.webp
 
Yep, if it was just the 2 of us I'd stick with our 2200 rooftent :) Need to expand for the growing fam of 5 and needing lots more space for extended foul weather stops. Keeping 3 small kids entertained in a tent (ground or roof) for 3+ days is miserable.
 
Pskhaat said:
Yep, if it was just the 2 of us I'd stick with our 2200 rooftent :) Need to expand for the growing fam of 5 and needing lots more space for extended foul weather stops. Keeping 3 small kids entertained in a tent (ground or roof) for 3+ days is miserable.
Click to expand...

Not really sure how many people can sleep in it but the Oasis trailer by Adventure Trailer looks pretty big.
 
Also try looking at the Starcraft 13 or 14 RT off road tent trailers.They tow easy with the trailer brakes,I think mine was around 3800 lbs. or so.I had an 06 that I sold,but I towed it with the 80 and with my T100 and it was easy.The 100 should be ideal,you will have power to spare!

We hope to get another one as we do miss it and I really want to tow it with the 100.Just have to hook up/splice in a brake controller.I also love the front decks on them as you can put bikes,firewood,coolers,ect.I was trying to keep mine lite and not tow any dirt bikes or quads(it helps if you have them also!) I did tow it with the water tank full also,I think they are around 35 gals.or so that adds lots more weight!!
 
Pskhaat said:
Looking at either an E1, E2 | E3 camper. Prefer the E1 for size and weight, but family wants bigger into the E2-E4 category. Thinking A) too big to bring too far off-highway and B) too big to tow? and C) I don't like the "quad" parking/storage on them.

Any of you tow either of these (E2 | E3) with your 100? If so, can you comment?
Click to expand...

We tow an E3 with our Hundy, and it tows real nice. It tows so much better behind that than behind our old 80 series going up hills.

We don't use the deck on front for quads or motorcycles, but it is good for firewood, our jerry cans, and any other camping supplies as we have the doggie in the back of the Cruiser.

We are lucky that my wife's parents let us park it at their house under a carport!
 
Last edited:
I have owned a e1 for the last two years. Looked at all makes and models. I wanted something that would extend the season. Heater:) I like some of the other models but they don't have heaters in the tent and to me are just a fancy way to carry a tent on the roof.

I have taken my trailer all over the desert roads of Utah and up an over some high mountain passes in Colorado. It is a great place if you want to have a base camp for at least 2 nights, etc. If you want to move around each night, I think it would be a little bit of a bother. I opted for the e1 because I need just a small front deck for firewood, gas cans, etc. I don't want a toilet in the main quarters. I used to have one on my boat...no thank you:)

The heater and fridge work out awesome. Use very little propane. I love the outside stove too...All and all very happy with my purchase. Just like everything though...there are pros and cons...

Feel free to contact with any specific questions, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom