While still searching for the perfect TT for our family, we came across a Forest River Flagstaff Classic Super Lite. We liked several of the floor plans, but more especially the 8529RLWS. What I am concerned about though, is after walking through one, and looking at all the amenities, is we were amazed by how little it weighed. Unloaded - 9156GVWR - 10775I will admit that I am not an expert, but after looking at many different makes/models, I would have guessed this one to be at least 12K - 13K GVWR.Is anybody familiar with this trailer? What are some potential things to be concerned with? Since I have a F250 PSD, this could be a really good fit for our family.

I don't know anything about that particular unit. The only way they could cut weight that much is thru cutting back on the structure of the fiver. Less steel in frame for example. And they didn't do that by using more expensive but lighter weight components, aluminum for example. So I would expect those light weight units to have reduced longevity.

My Crusader 296bhs 5th wheel is about 9K dry.

Those are almost the same weight and GVWR as my unit which is 3 ft. shorter. Don't let heavier and more expensive be synonymous as with lightweight and short lived. The Torflex axles on that trailer are more expensive units than comparable hung axles. The weight pickup is probably with the frame but a properly engineered frame can perform extremely well. One note of caution with the Torflex axles: They may have specified them as they were needed to serve as structural cross members for the frame. If you need to lift the trailer to fit your truck it may not be as easy as the leaf spring axles. Mine are flange mounted in frame bosses and aren't going anywhere.Good luck, I really like that floor plan.

OP, weight wise your good to go. Plus what kind of engine? Gearing. These 2 will ultimately be your deciding factor.

Be aware that manufacturers do not always represent the weight correctly. It all depends on features. The brochure for our 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL stated that it weighed 8150 lbs but I found a build sheet in the packet of info that came with our unit stated it weighed 8750.......600 lbs more that I thought. Also consider weight may not include propane or water plus all your personal things. Trailers get heavy quickly when you are loading them up for the road. Also many people think our 27RL is 27 feet long when actually it is 31'11"At any rate you should check out Grand Design Reflection before buying. These units seemed a grade above everything else we looked at and they claim to be half ton towable. They have a 26RL model that supposedly weighs 7998. So far we are very pleased with Grand Design and would recommend the Reflection line. We have owned 3 Fifth Wheels and consider this one to be top grade.

Question about a light weight 5th Wheel | Good Sam Community

otrfun
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2017
Granted, there's a lot to like about a trailer that weighs considerably less than other trailers the same size.

For me, the concern about a "light" RV is where, specifically, did they make the weight savings. If it was something obvious like aluminum framing throughout (including the roof trusses), or parts of the frame or suspension used aluminum instead of steel, then hey, that's something tangible that I can potentially touch, see and appreciate technically, for better or worse.

RV manufacturers have trouble producing consistent quality using construction techniques that have been in place for many years. It would be nice if they'd get this process perfected first before attempting to trim the fat from an already compromised process.
alexleblanc
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
laknox wrote:

Tim, check out the KZ Durango 1500 and Jayco Eagle HT lines.

Lyle

we've been very happy with our Durango 1500 Line product - I'd say mine is among the heavier 1500 layouts too. over 10k km's and 50 nights last summer and it still looks and works like new.
shepstone
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
Just because they are lightweight trailers doesn't mean that they are bare bones, ours came with three slides & power awning & 4 point level up system all controllable with remote, More Ryde suspension, 50 amp power, polar package, three waste tanks, flat screen tvs, and the usual amenities. They aren't for everyone but this one definitely suits our needs for a mobile couples RV
Izzy211
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
Take a look at the Starcraft Ultralite. Recently purchased a 32' with 3 slides and rear living. GVW is 10,500, dry weight us 8500 with a pin weight of 1470.
albackore
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
Tim, looking forward to hearing what you end up with. We're looking for a lightweight as well, so this thread info is great fodder for research. Thanks to all!
PhoneDude_8289
Explorer
Jan 01, 2017
We have had our Rockwood ultra light 8289WS with three slides just over three years. Made a few repairs the first year but mostly trouble free. She scales right at 9300 # + _ with around a 1650# pin ready to camp. First two years I pulled it with a 5.7 Tundra, now with a 2500 Ram cummins powered. Prior to the Rockwood we pulled a 30' cougar for three years with the Tundra. The size and weight of our RV is perfect for the wife, myself and 2 four legged 20# pups.
shepstone
Explorer
Dec 29, 2016
4AggiesMom wrote:
We bought our Flagstaff over a year ago and have nothing but good things to say about it. We love it. Our F-250 tows it like a dream and we have traveled many miles with no problems. We have been all over Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
I suggest you do some more homework, but get the trailer that suits you. They all have good points and bad. We chose the Flagstaff because we liked the floor plan and we didn't want to dread driving with a giant, heavy trailer.

Which Flagstaff do you have?
4AggiesMom
Explorer
Dec 29, 2016
We bought our Flagstaff over a year ago and have nothing but good things to say about it. We love it. Our F-250 tows it like a dream and we have traveled many miles with no problems. We have been all over Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
I suggest you do some more homework, but get the trailer that suits you. They all have good points and bad. We chose the Flagstaff because we liked the floor plan and we didn't want to dread driving with a giant, heavy trailer.
shepstone
Explorer
Dec 29, 2016
We put around 10,000 ~ miles a year on our Cougar 28sgs (31ft, 7,500 lbs, 1,400 lb pin weight). Apart from the usual first year teething problems that a lot of new rv's seem to get these days it has been pretty much trouble free. I am of the opposite opinion from most. A light fifth wheel is a more mobile & agile platform than a lot of the bigger heavier units.
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 28, 2016
Lights are okay for weekend camping. I wouldn't want to rack up the miles on one year after year. If I were just heading out to a nearby CG 75-100 miles away and doing that 8-10 times a year then a light would be fine.
Problem with lights is that they almost always have really low CCC's. I like to be able to take what I want. I've been down the road where I had to decide what I could or couldn't pack. That really took the fun out of it.
I know some campers just pack the bare minimum and thats fine. If you pack that way and don't travel much then maybe a light will work for you.
Myself I like high CCCs and stronger builds. My 28' 5er has 4315lbs for CCC. I've got 5200lb axles under it. Dry weight is around 7400lbs. I would have no problem doing Alaska with it. We put about 4000 miles ayear on it. We would do more but time constraints do allow it.
I guess it all depends on what your needs and wants are.