Travel trailer for family of 4

[edmrc]

No problem towing my Jayco Jay feather 7. About 4500 lbs.

 

[liq001]

My family of 4 (2 kids) and we have this: https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/alpha-wolf/26DBH-L/4038

Thnaks. Nice TT, What is your towing experice? I feel you almost reach the limit of your truck.

 

[LaxDfns15]

Just becasue I am not going to tow a lot every year, limited will give me the best daily ride experiece. Thanks for your suggestions, I'll start to looking for loaded TT under #7000

Yeah and that was all just estimates. If you get your truck and it has 1300+ pounds of payload that gives you some more room for a bigger trailer or putting luggage in the truck. Remember, every item you put in your truck that wasn't there when you got it is weight reduced from your payload. You'll have guys tell you "Oh yeah, you can pull a 30 foot trailer with a Limited no problem these trucks can handle it." aren't the ones driving YOUR truck.

 

[liq001]

No problem towing my Jayco Jay feather 7. About 4500 lbs.

Nice set up, 4500 is the dry weight?

 

[edmrc]

Nice set up, 4500 is the dry weight?

The unloaded weight is 3630 lbs. This is the 2016 Jay feather7 xud.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Thanks. I just built mt truck last month. With the limited trim (5.7 hemi with etorque) I would expect the payload rating would be around #1300. I have 3.92 rear end. The combined weight of my family around #400. I have zero towing experience. That's why I am here for learning myself. I am looking for a TT around 25' to 27, is that too big for my truck?

What are the rest of the options in your Limited build?

25’ to 27’ is not too big, <30’ long will tow very nicely with good WDH setup

 

[NRitland2]

Thanks. That's exactly we are looking for. We need the bunks for sure. How is the quailty of your 2021 keystone? Do you use any WDH and sway bar for towing? I had the air suspension, but I believe the WDH is still an essential. Not sure about the sway bar, since the truck come with sway control right?

I believe in WDHs- enough I had one for out little 20 foot rPod being towed by a Tacoma. Probably overkill but it gave us peace of mind and worked for our set up. We utilized a Fastway e2- that is a WD and sway... Easy set up.

e2™ Hitch | Weight Distribution With Sway Control Hitch

The Fastway Trailer Products e2™ Hitch provides you with faster and easier weight distribution and sway control. Learn more here.

www.fastwaytrailer.com

Regarding the 2021 Keystone Bullet - all TT have their positives and negatives regarding quality and longevity- just like our Rams. We have only towed it without a WDH and it handled fine with the Ram abet a short distance (25 miles). We have not set it up at a campground yet. We winterized, cleaned, and cooked in it from home. It seems to not be a Friday afternoon special, the slide out/awning are great and the "vaulted" ceilings a prefect for me as is the shower enclosure (6'3). Prior owner had it set up with a solar panel and acts as a trickle/full charger for our battery. The bunks are extremely spacious and the dinette converts to a queen with the padding. I'm going in it today and will take a few photos.

Again, as has been said- you want to buy for your needs, setup, and payload.

 

[liq001]

What are the rest of the options in your Limited build?

25’ to 27’ is not too big, <30’ long will tow very nicely with good WDH setup

I also have towing group and pano sunroof. 5.7 bed, level 1 group, night edition group, anti spin axle. That’s all I have. Thanks and good to know that <30 would be good. Any suggestions for the WDH?

 

[Bt10]

Thanks. That's exactly we are looking for. We need the bunks for sure. How is the quailty of your 2021 keystone? Do you use any WDH and sway bar for towing? I had the air suspension, but I believe the WDH is still an essential. Not sure about the sway bar, since the truck come with sway control right?

You have to use the WDH anytime your tongue weight is over the truck hitch rating. Most hard side TTs will be above that threshhold. Almost all hitch makers have sway controls available as well. It is a physical addition to the hitch setup. It's job is to reduce sway from the hitch to a comfortable level during "regular" driving. The trucks electronic sway control is an "emergency" control, similar to stability control. Do you rely on stability control in regular driving? Wait, don't answer that!

 

[IvoryHemi]

I also have towing group and pano sunroof. 5.7 bed, level 1 group, night edition group, anti spin axle. That’s all I have. Thanks and good to know that <30 would be good. Any suggestions for the WDH?

I recommend the Equalizer 4-point sway

You have many options, here are a few

Freedom Express 257BHS


Outback 244UBH


Apex Nano 208BHS



Imagine 2400BH

 

[liq001]

You have to use the WDH anytime your tongue weight is over the truck hitch rating. Most hard side TTs will be above that threshhold. Almost all hitch makers have sway controls available as well. It is a physical addition to the hitch setup. It's job is to reduce sway from the hitch to a comfortable level during "regular" driving. The trucks electronic sway control is an "emergency" control, similar to stability control. Do you rely on stability control in regular driving? Wait, don't answer that!

 

[liq001]

You have to use the WDH anytime your tongue weight is over the truck hitch rating. Most hard side TTs will be above that threshhold. Almost all hitch makers have sway controls available as well. It is a physical addition to the hitch setup. It's job is to reduce sway from the hitch to a comfortable level during "regular" driving. The trucks electronic sway control is an "emergency" control, similar to stability control. Do you rely on stability control in regular driving? Wait, don't answer that!

Thanks for your input. That’s so helpful. Where to know the truck hitch rating? I assume all 1500 series has the same rating regardless the truck brand? What is the rating with or w/o the WHD? Are they the same?

 

[liq001]

I recommend the Equalizer 4-point sway

You have many options, here are a few

Freedom Express 257BHS

View attachment 116545
Outback 244UBH
View attachment 116544

Apex Nano 208BHS

View attachment 116546

Imagine 2400BH
View attachment 116547

Thanks for your picks. Those are cool TTs. I do like the Imagine, is this too heavy for my truck?

 

[HEMIJAKE]

This is what we have. Kz Escape 231bh. Bunks for the kids, 23' long, right at 4k pounds dry. Pulls great. The perfect size in my opinion. Sure I could probably go bigger, but I like to maintain some buffer room.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Thanks for your picks. Those are cool TTs. I do like the Imagine, is this too heavy for my truck?

Grand Design is nice, no the 2400BH is not too heavy. Their 2910BH was our runner-up choice, we decided on a Keystone Outback 291UBH instead.

 

[liq001]

This is what we have. Kz Escape 231bh. Bunks for the kids, 23' long, right at 4k pounds dry. Pulls great. The perfect size in my opinion. Sure I could probably go bigger, but I like to maintain some buffer room.
View attachment 116548

Beautiful TT. 23’ long is for the living space? The totals include A frame could be 25~26?

 

[liq001]

Grand Design is nice, no the 2400BH is not too heavy. Their 2910BH was our runner-up choice, we decided on a Keystone Outback 291UBH instead.

View attachment 116549
View attachment 116550

Your setup looks awesome. So nice. Looks like you have the limited too? What is your payload? Are you exceed the limitation with your Outback? Any reason you chose keystone Outback over grand design? Sorry I got too many questions, just because of I have zero experience

 

[HEMIJAKE]

Beautiful TT. 23’ long is for the living space? The totals include A frame could be 25~26?

Exactly. The cabin is 23' and I think overall with hitch and bumper it's close to 27'.

 

[NRitland2]

Beautiful TT. 23’ long is for the living space? The totals include A frame could be 25~26?

I would suggest attending local RV conventions (normally a good amount occur in the winter months (Jan-Mar) and local RV dealer lots.... Its very important to get inside them, walk around, get in shower stalls, and imagine yourself/your family in it.

There will be a RV for you and your current set up. It will ultimately be up to you & your family to find a type and floorplan. Once you do this you can hone in on a safe set up that will meet the Limited specs you are driving.

 

[IvoryHemi]

Your setup looks awesome. So nice. Looks like you have the limited too? What is your payload? Are you exceed the limitation with your Outback? Any reason you chose keystone Outback over grand design? Sorry I got too many questions, just because of I have zero experience

My payload is 1380 lbs, I’m on GVWR, but well under GAWR and GCWR.



Choose the Outback for a few reasons, mostly because we preferred the layout

Bigger bedroom windows, huge pantry storage, bigger shower, no entrance door to master bedroom, bigger axles/brakes, Coleman Mach A/C instead of GD’s Furrion.

I am jealous of Grand Design’s grey tank capacity and outside storage.