Silverback 35QB4, 37BH, columbus by palomino F385BH,sierra/sandpiper, 365SAQ All big bunkhouse models. Silverback is framed and hung fiberglass, sandpiper is laminated with larger frame spacing, not sure if the columbus is frame and hung or laminated. Need advice on which trailer has the better construction methods and why. Appreciate opinion but really want facts to back it up. Im in full analysis paralysis and need final advice to pull the trigger. Weight and price are not the deciding factor.

TRN, I gave a quick look over each model, there is probably not a lot of quality difference, they both look pretty well put together for the price point. What I would start looking at over the next week is Customer satisfaction as it pertains to each manufacturer, and dealer satisfaction based on where you would purchase. After sale support is something that can really make or break your experience...good luck, keep us posted..

You can't beat Cedar Creek service....our Silverback is on its 5th year....no major issues....we still have that loving feeling

Tough decisions. The Palomino is a 5 slide unit the others are 4 so not quite Apples to Apples. I like the bathroom in the Palomino. But I don not like the living/kitchen floor plan. TV is in an awkward position. You would never position TV across counter tops in a stick house. Does not appear to be much storage in Palomino bunkhouse.Also take a close look at tank capacities. They are not the same.I am not a fan of outdoor kitchens so the Silverback wins in the end! LOLActually it's obviously your choice I just tried to point out the differences I observed. Good Luck.as others mentioned factor the selling dealer into your choice. The dealer can make or break your RV buying experience.

I liked the quality of the cedar creek as you can see in my sig. But at first was leaning to the Columbus 365rl. After much reading about both, some problems with the columbuses schwintek slide system was the deal breaker. I never had a problem with a hydrolic slide. Our camping cousins have a new silver back and love it. Search schwintek problems on this foroum and start reading. It could save you headaches down the road. Can't comment on the sierra/ sandpiper sorry.Hope it helps.RichHaven't needed cedar creek service so I can't comment ,but have read on this forum they were top notch.

Splashers3 wrote:You can't beat Cedar Creek service....our Silverback is on its 5th year....no major issues....we still have that loving feelingI believe CC's customer service is the best in the business,our Daydreamer is a beauty and I have a buddy with a silverback and it's been an outstanding fiver for him,CC's over-all construction and fit and finish is superior to most other manufactures. Next time you see a Cedar Creek at a campground you'll usually see a smile on the guy's or "Creeker" as we are known,face,ask him what he thinks!

Help me decide. I plan to buy in the next two weeks

23 Replies

Atom_Ant
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
TexasRedNeck wrote:
Funny about the snow brush though. We dont have a use for them in deep south texas! Maybe a broom handle.

hahaha - I didn't think about that. I just weighed in the other day and a snowbrush was all I could find to reach.
TexasRedNeck
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
Thanks for the help on the scales! That is really good info. Funny about the snow brush though. We dont have a use for them in deep south texas! Maybe a broom handle.

And yes i am really glad i made the call to buy a new truck. It is night and day from the old one and i feel safer with my family in it too. The engine brake is really helpul. I would have dumped money into something that was marginal at best which would have been a waste.
jevanb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
Glad you decided not to pull that with the lifted truck. What would of been a disaster, and taking the lift off would suck
Atom_Ant
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
Use a CAT scale at a truck stop. They have a phone App that you can use to find them.

Pull forward so your front axle, rear axle, and trailer axles are on separate pads (trailer axles together on one pad). You'll have to use a snow brush or something to reach the button to call the attendant.

When they say you are done, pull off and go in and pay and tell them you want a reweigh.

Park and disconnect the trailer and then go reweigh the truck on the same pads the truck was on before.

When they say you are done, pull off and go in and pay and your done.

The first ticket will give you the trailer axle weight and true weight on your truck's front and rear axles. Your axles weights should be within the axle capacity.

Take the total gross weight on the first ticket, subtract the trailer axle weight and the truck weight from the second ticket, and you get pin weight.

Pin weight = GROSS - (TRAILER AXLES + TRUCK)
TexasRedNeck
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013
Id like to use a scale instead of guessing. What it the ettiquette for using public scales and how to you weigh font/rear axle weight and then total?
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Maybe the light pin weight is the reason. weight will come as it is loaded.
chevman
tmoore2
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
The only thing I see wrong is the Longhorn emblem on the shirt. OU emblem would be better. :)
TexasRedNeck
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013

More pics
TexasRedNeck
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
TexasRedNeck wrote:
OK, decision made. Deposit on the 37BH Silverback. Will pick up the week of the 4th of July. I pick up a new GMC Duramax dually this Friday with which to pull it. Special thanks to all posters who provided feedback and some private messages.

I will post up picks of the TV and trailer when I pick them up.

Thanks!

Here it is. Towed it 1200 miles back from OH this week. First time towing a fifth wheel and it was a much easier than a bumper pull of any length. On smooth roads it was a piece of cake although there was a fair amount of surging (forward backward movement) when going over rough terrain.

Not sure if shocks on the TT will be the fix or some other adjustment, but am now on the look out for a fix to make that better.
sk734
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
You will like the B&W Companion-well built and easy hookup and disconnect. Nice pictures.