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Shop RVs by Weight in Barrie & Simcoe County

Welcome to the Bella Vista RV Centre Weight Directory. The most important step in buying a new travel trailer isn't picking the floorplan—it's ensuring your vehicle can safely tow it. Located on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte, we prioritize your family's safety on the road above all else.

Whether you drive a compact crossover, a mid-size SUV, or a half-ton pickup truck, we have a camper designed for your payload. Use our directory below to browse our inventory based on tow-weight categories, taking the guesswork out of the buying process.

Browse by Tow Weight (Directory)

Select your weight class below to view compatible trailers. (Always verify your specific vehicle's towing capacity in your owner's manual).

Under-3500

The Ultra-Lightweights. Campers designed for minivans, compact SUVs (RAV4, CR-V, Escape), and smaller crossovers.

  • What to Expect: Teardrops, A-Frames, and compact single-axle travel trailers built with ultra-light composite materials.

  • Popular Matches: Prolite Lounge, Aliner campers, Bontrager Compact, and Keystone Hideout Sport Single Axle.

SUV-Towable

The Mid-Size Sweet Spot. Trailers typically weighing between 3,500 lbs and 5,000 lbs (dry), perfectly matched for mid-size SUVs and V6 engines (Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee).

  • What to Expect: Narrower body widths (7 to 7.5 feet) for better visibility, aerodynamic profiles, and smart space-saving features like Murphy beds.

  • Popular Matches: Coachmen Catalina Summit Series 7, Keystone Hideout Mini, and Coleman Light.

Half-Ton-Towable

The Family Standards. Trailers built for the most popular vehicles on the road: the half-ton pickup truck (Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevy Silverado 1500) and full-size SUVs (Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition).

  • What to Expect: Full 8-foot wide floorplans, dual axles for stability, deep slide-outs, and large bunkhouses.

  • Popular Matches: Coachmen Catalina Summit Series 8, Coachmen Legacy Edition, Keystone Hideout (Standard), and Coleman Lantern.

Towing Safely: Understanding the Numbers

When shopping for an RV by weight, it is critical to understand the terminology. Our team at Bella Vista RV is always here to help you do the math, but here are the basics to keep in mind:

1. Dry Weight vs. GVWR The "Dry Weight" (or UVW) is what the trailer weighs when it leaves the factory—completely empty. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the absolute maximum the trailer is allowed to weigh once it is fully loaded with water, propane, gear, and food. You should always ensure your vehicle can tow the GVWR, not just the dry weight.

2. Don't Forget Payload Capacity Your truck or SUV has a maximum "Towing Capacity," but it also has a "Payload Capacity." Payload is the weight pressing down on your vehicle's axles. The tongue weight of your trailer (usually 10-15% of the total trailer weight) counts against your payload, as do your passengers, pets, and the gear in your trunk. Many vehicles max out their payload before they hit their maximum towing capacity.

3. Equipment Matters Towing safely isn't just about weight; it's about the right gear.

  • Brake Controllers: If your trailer has electric brakes (which almost all of ours do), you need a brake controller installed in your vehicle to stop safely.

  • Weight Distribution Hitches (WDH): For our SUV-Towable and Half-Ton-Towable categories, we highly recommend a WDH with sway control. It levels your tow vehicle and trailer, preventing rear-end "sag" and keeping you stable on windy days crossing the Skyway bridge.