9000 lbs. would be more than we're looking for by far. I am afraid of heights but love travelling thru the mountains so I really want as small as I can go just on my own paranoid fear factor level. They are making the trailers so much lighter these days. We used to run a 1972 Prairie Schooner that weighed about as much as a Lead Godzilla! Never Again! I'd like to stay with the hard sides if at all possible and hubby thinks he prefers the travel trailers over the fifth wheels. Basically because he's being told the same as you just told us. I'd like to stay in some of the parks like in Yellowstone Area that have certain camp grounds that don't allow hard sided campers. We are from Michigan and only get out that way every couple of years.

I also don't know where the riding areas or sites for riding are out in Montana or Wyoming or any of the surrounding states as we are so new to all of this. We are loving it but we are new to be sure. Anyone knowing more than us (which should cover about everyone) is welcome to share all insight with us so as to keep us out of trouble.

 

Check with Weekend Warrior. They have an UltraLite that just may be what you are looking for. It is manufactured with the 1/2 ton trucks in mind, and WW is second to none in quality. I own one(not the UltraLite) and I love it, top notch quality!!!