Hello – New Guy Here – Have a couple questions but first a little background.We are ready to move up to a FW this year. We have been camping for years, tents and pop-up. We sold the pop-up last year in anticipation to get a FW in the near future. I also ride a Goldwing. SO isn't too up on traveling cross country on the back of the wing so my though is to get a Toy Hauler so that we can get to destination and then ride. I currently have a F350 SRW (been anticipating this move for some time, but this is the year!) so I'm set in that department.I have found a (new) unit I like but a couple features concern me. I would like to know your thoughts regarding these features. Would they be a deal breaker for you?First feature is a water capacity. Fresh = 100, Black = 32, Grey = 42. Is the Black being 32 going to be a problem? It seems to be on the low side. How long would that last a typical couple camping? Maybe it’s a non issue if most of our camping will not be boon docking.Next concern is the bed. Its 60”x74”. A camper queen as I understand it. I’m 6’4”. Is there a work around to either make it larger or should I just plan on hanging over the end?Thanks for help. Happy New Year!

No advice on the bed, I am short.On the black tank: We have a 32 Gallon tank and it takes three adults, four to 5 days to fill it up and that is with our bathroom sink plumbed into it to help provide extra water. (7 years of full time living experience) How and why do I know? Because those confounded gauges inside haven't worked right since day one! Hope this helps.

The bed could be an issue depending on how it is arranged. We have a Fuzion 383 and when the slide is closed the end of the bed is right up against the dresser. That would make installing a longer mattress a bit of an issue. So you would have to check for clearance. It would be possible to have a longer mattress, but it would have to be propped up when the slide is closed.If you're not going to be boondocking, any of the tank sizes are unimportant as you will be hooked up. In any case I don't think the black tank size will be an issue if there is just the 2 of you, and you aren't without sewer for more than a few days and are aware of the size. As far as being "set" with the SRW F350, maybe, maybe not. Toyhaulers are notorious for being very nose heavy, especially when unloaded. Usually more so than a regular 5th wheel. But if you pay attention to the GVWR of the toyhauler and don't get carried away you should be fine. You should be good for many good sized toyhaulers.

You should be able to stretch the black tank out to at least 10 days. I think the gray tank at 42, would be the bigger problem, without sewer hookup.The bed should work. If I am stretched out, I prefer to have my feet hang off the end.Jerry

Our tanks are 30/30/40 gallons, and I'm not sure which is the black tank. But we (two adults) can go a week betweens dumps, and there has never been a case of black tank filling up.Can't help with the bed issue.

If you have concerns keep looking around. There are lots of toy haulers out there. Nearly every manufacture makes them. Heartland makes a couple of brands. Search on the internet to review floor plans then find a dealer to look at the unit. Deprecation is big on these things so find one you like then sleep on it a few days before making the leap.The black tank capacity will generally last as long as the fresh water tank.

New Guy needs advice on features | Good Sam Community

DannyA
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Don't see black water tank being a problem, they use very little water.
Gray water tank is a different story, taking showers uses much more water.
I have never understood why some companies make these tanks the same size.
GiveMeTheRoad
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Thanks for comments.

Sounds like tanks won't be much of an issue. That's good to know.

On the other hand, the bed could prove to be a problem. The arrangement is with the head centered at the nose of the unit. No slides in the BR. So I take it adding a longer mattress is the easiest option. Has anyone added some type of spacer (foam, wood/foam) at the head? After all, my head is generally on a pillow anyhow and doesn't require 'mattress' support.

As far as the truck, looks like my rig has a GCWR of 13,700 and the FW is listed at 13,243. Should be OK, right? As long as I'm below I shouldn't have any issues, right? Will I find mountains to be a problem or I suppose that's more dependent on the engine.

Thanks for your input.
12thgenusa
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Tanks are a non-issue if rarely boondocking. 60 x 74 seems to be the common "short" queen bed in a lot of campers. We pull the mattress out 4" to 6" at night and stuff a couple of pillows in the gap and push it back during the day.
Atom_Ant
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Just based on spec to spec - 32 gal is pretty small, however that tank is the slowest to fill, so it would not be a show stopper to me.

I could probably work with the bed too. They don't make a perfect rig I guess. There always seems to be a few trade-offs.
AUWing
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Being on a Wing and not a GS, guessing but there may not be a lot of boon docking in your plans so you'll likely be parked where hook-ups are available. Having water, electric and sewer will overcome the tank issues.

I'm over 6' and the short bed was a problem. We swapped it for a full queen mattress and it helped but because there was little support at the foot end, sheets were always loose.
dbbls
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
If you have concerns keep looking around. There are lots of toy haulers out there. Nearly every manufacture makes them. Heartland makes a couple of brands. Search on the internet to review floor plans then find a dealer to look at the unit. Deprecation is big on these things so find one you like then sleep on it a few days before making the leap.
The black tank capacity will generally last as long as the fresh water tank.
RoyF
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
Our tanks are 30/30/40 gallons, and I'm not sure which is the black tank. But we (two adults) can go a week betweens dumps, and there has never been a case of black tank filling up.

Can't help with the bed issue.
MFL
Nomad II
Jan 01, 2014
You should be able to stretch the black tank out to at least 10 days. I think the gray tank at 42, would be the bigger problem, without sewer hookup.

The bed should work. If I am stretched out, I prefer to have my feet hang off the end.

Jerry
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2014
The bed could be an issue depending on how it is arranged. We have a Fuzion 383 and when the slide is closed the end of the bed is right up against the dresser. That would make installing a longer mattress a bit of an issue. So you would have to check for clearance. It would be possible to have a longer mattress, but it would have to be propped up when the slide is closed.

If you're not going to be boondocking, any of the tank sizes are unimportant as you will be hooked up. In any case I don't think the black tank size will be an issue if there is just the 2 of you, and you aren't without sewer for more than a few days and are aware of the size.

As far as being "set" with the SRW F350, maybe, maybe not. Toyhaulers are notorious for being very nose heavy, especially when unloaded. Usually more so than a regular 5th wheel. But if you pay attention to the GVWR of the toyhauler and don't get carried away you should be fine. You should be good for many good sized toyhaulers.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014
No advice on the bed, I am short.

On the black tank: We have a 32 Gallon tank and it takes three adults, four to 5 days to fill it up and that is with our bathroom sink plumbed into it to help provide extra water. (7 years of full time living experience)

How and why do I know? Because those confounded gauges inside haven't worked right since day one!

Hope this helps.

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