Shopping for a new camper

[RichT]

I'm shopping for RV's also, but my sights are set a bit lower on the scale. Leaning towards the Grand Design also though. They have a great service rep, but were also recently purchased by Winnebago, so some are a little worried they will slide. Seems they will run as an independent unit, but we all know how that eventually goes when profit expectations take over.

Also, don't forget that any after market mods are going to take away from that door sticker number. That is why I've not even done a bed liner yet until I finalize my purchase and get some real numbers.

Here are my current leans. Sounds like I am heading where you have already been. Good luck with the shopping!

 

[RichT]

This is did not work for me, but Keystone has a kingbed popout with bunks that may solve the crawling over the spouse issue for the OP + bunks.

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/outback-ultra-lite/floorplans/210urs-travel-trailer/

(edited, meant the 210, not 240)

 

[Johnvan]

This is my layout. Didn't want a slide and no crawling over the spouse. 5000lb uvw, 7000 gross. 29.3" bumper to hitch. Jayco 26bh.

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[geotex1]

I'm shopping for RV's also, but my sights are set a bit lower on the scale. Leaning towards the Grand Design also though. They have a great service rep, but were also recently purchased by Winnebago, so some are a little worried they will slide. Seems they will run as an independent unit, but we all know how that eventually goes when profit expectations take over.

Also, don't forget that any after market mods are going to take away from that door sticker number. That is why I've not even done a bed liner yet until I finalize my purchase and get some real numbers.

Here are my current leans. Sounds like I am heading where you have already been. Good luck with the shopping!

View attachment 16581

The mass consolidation in the recreational vehicle industry has not been to the customer's benefit. I loved my Open Range...till Jayco bought them under the pretense of it's own business unit.... Well, own business unit meant name and plant, but fully following the Jayco ways. I said goodbye to the Open Range as a result. Now we'll see how it goes with the Grand Design.

 

[slimchance]

Slimchance, last week I was shopping for a new truck and a dealership told me they would write a new truck as a loaner and I could take it home and hook to my tt and try it out.

with a larger TT and using the WD hitch, i think it would be rather hard to get a true feel for my TT on a loaner trk .... and towing a NEW empty TT with my trk would also not give a real feel for a new TT ... i know when i towed my 2018 Passport home from Milroy, Pa down RT 322 to near lancaster (2and a half hours) it was a completely different tow than when 3 wks later i towed it to north of Williamsport for our first 4 day match (dry camping) ... BUT i had no idea dealers, either trk or TT, would go so far to sell me something

 

[runamuck]

This is what we have. 28' long. hitch 550#. wt. about 6000# when on the road. the 2019 ram 5.7 hemi with 3.92 rear end pulls it great but I dont think I would want anything longer.

 

[Zinger]

I have a Passport 2670. 32' tip to tail. I towed it for 3 seasons with a 2003 Ford Expedition with a 5.4l and 4 speed tranny. With overdrive locked out it was a 3 speed. The trailer is 5200 lbs dry, I never weighed it but I figure 6000 loaded. 600 lb tongue weight with a WD hitch. Tow rating on the Expedition was 8900. Friction anti sway, and yes, I could feel some sway when tractor trailers would pass, but nothing major. I haven't towed it with the Rebel yet but I don't have any concerns. The Expedition did an admirable job but really suffered on the highway due to the 4 speed tranny.

I may be wrong, but I don't think a 32' trailer is any issue at all for this class of truck.

 

[CallMeChris]

This is what we have. 28' long. hitch 550#. wt. about 6000# when on the road. the 2019 ram 5.7 hemi with 3.92 rear end pulls it great but I dont think I would want anything longer.

What model is this? Is the house 28’ or is it 28’ bumper to hitch?

 

[Cmerkert]

I have a 31 sqb keystone its 31 foot box 35 bumper to Hitch. I'm pulling it with a 2013 Avalanche Black Diamond with airbags but it's way too heavy it has a lot of squat and sways. The trailer weighs 6800 lb dry and probably around 8,000 when fully loaded plus two generators in firewood in the truck. It's a great camper though for a family of 5 with the bunkhouse a full side to store clothes in most models give you the three beds but no storage got a compliment the wife on that one. 31SQB instead of the BH models.

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[runamuck]

It is a 2017 coachman freedom express 246RKS. It has all aluminum frame and heated/sealed underbelly and ducted a/c and 4 wheel electric brakes.

 

[CallMeChris]

Got the deal done, I go to pick it up Wednesday. Went with a 27’ fun finder bunkhouse...rated at 6600 dry weight and 660 hitch weight so real world numbers will be well within my rated capacities. I also just got a set of Timber Grove air bags ordered and am shopping around for a decent load range D or E tire. Between those and my weight distribution hitch, I hope to not have any sway issues when pulling it. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[trainman]

Wow, a 30 foot travel trailer with a 1500 series pickup, I'm big into travel trailer myself and I wouldn't even consider a 1500 for that size of trailer, 2500 series 3/4 for sure. Trying to make a 1/2 ton a 3/4 ton will never work, yes size of all components does matter when it comes to trailer pulling safety.

trainman

 

[Cmerkert]

Actually the current 1500's pull equal to what more the 2500"s did just 6 or 7 years ago. Didn't you pull then? And more than they did when most of us all started camping. As long as you know your weights, load appropriately and don't drive above what's safe and smart all is safe.