First Timer :)

18 yr old and his buddies in a tent. What could possibly go wrong?

Seriously, we've done the tent thing and it's a great "overflow" option.

Funkeytaste wrote:

ACZL wrote:
GVW is 13,200 and shipping wt is 12,700? 500 pounds for stuff in camper? Am I missing something? Tires being mentioned to swap out are those on the RV from the factory. Pretty much all tires on RV's from factory are China bombs. Cannot spend extra $$$ and put branded tires on. Even ones above 50K to 150K may have China bombs on them.

Yes that is shipping weight, fully loaded its 15500 which will max out my load. And I didnt know that about the tires, whatever I get I'll change them out.

So after thinking about this for the past two days I think we are going to back off the bunk house and get something a little less heavy. The Grand Design does seem like a top pick for the money.

What other models compare to the Grand Design Reflection?

There =are= some "light-weight" models that are pretty good-sized. Biggest issue is that you end up losing cargo capacity on the larger models, as a lot of these "light" FW model lines will have a common GVW. (See the Jayco Eagle HT and KZ Durango 1500 lines, for example.) If you think about a smaller, pre-owned bunkhouse for the short term, you might be better off. I can almost guarantee you that the 18 y.o. will not be wanting to bunk with mom 'n dad for much longer. :-) If they want to bring a friend, or friends, along, a nice 8 person tent will give them plenty of room and privacy. Just not =too= much privacy. :-)

Lyle

I would tell my wife not enough truck so I could buy a new one lol

ACZL wrote:
GVW is 13,200 and shipping wt is 12,700? 500 pounds for stuff in camper? Am I missing something? Tires being mentioned to swap out are those on the RV from the factory. Pretty much all tires on RV's from factory are China bombs. Cannot spend extra $$$ and put branded tires on. Even ones above 50K to 150K may have China bombs on them.

Yes that is shipping weight, fully loaded its 15500 which will max out my load. And I didnt know that about the tires, whatever I get I'll change them out.

So after thinking about this for the past two days I think we are going to back off the bunk house and get something a little less heavy. The Grand Design does seem like a top pick for the money.

What other models compare to the Grand Design Reflection?

Id be looking at grand design. I believe they stand behind them better than keystone.

the other is 15, so when we take the fifth wheel to the lake I'm worried they will want friends to stay with us and we then won't have the room. ugh, decisions

That's what tents are for ;)

GVW is 13,200 and shipping wt is 12,700? 500 pounds for stuff in camper? Am I missing something? Tires being mentioned to swap out are those on the RV from the factory. Pretty much all tires on RV's from factory are China bombs. Cannot spend extra $$$ and put branded tires on. Even ones above 50K to 150K may have China bombs on them.

The GVW on the trailer is 13200 with 548 Water, tires I have are General Grabber which is H rated I believe.

Ive never towed a trailer like this, for those of you who have towed different length fifth wheels, is it a huge difference from a 37ft and a 40ft?

Funkeytaste wrote:
Hello everyone, we are looking to make our first purchase on a new fifth wheel, and spent a few months looking. We have narrowed it down to a new 2015 Keystone Avalanche 360RB.

Couple questions.
First has anyone had an experience with this model, and comparing this to the quality of the competition how does it match up?

Also I have a 2006 Dodge 3500 Diesel SRW, will this be enough to tow that trailer?

says on the Keystone website that its 12,725 Shipping weight

Thanks in advance,
Nathaniel

That's a big FW for a SRW truck, though it will likely handle the load. You're looking at between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs on the pin, if loaded to the 15,500 GVW, especially if you install a washer/dryer. Double-check your truck's numbers and see if they will work. Don't use brochure numbers, use the actual numbers off the door. You'll be adding at least 1 passenger, the hitch and "stuff" in your truck, all of which must be subtracted from the placard payload to get a net payload you can handle with that truck. It adds up fast.

First recommendation is to change the tires from the (likely) Chinese factory junk to a good LT, at minimum; Michelins or Bridgestone Duravis. If you have wheels that will handle 110 psi, go to an H rated tire. Your life will be a =lot= easier if you do.

Lyle

Thanks, we also have looked at the Grand Design Reflection and really like it, just doesn't have the bunk but its light weight and a nice layout. Im on the fence with a bunk, we have 2 kids, one 18 which is in college but living at home, the other is 15, so when we take the fifth wheel to the lake I'm worried they will want friends to stay with us and we then won't have the room. ugh, decisions