springdale 5th wheels

I am in the exact same position you are! I have been in aTC for the past 6 years with 3 kids and we have loved it but literally have outgrown it. We picked up a used 2012 Springdale 249BHSSR last week. My wife loves the space and we like the bunks.compared to what we are coming from it feels huge. But for a 5th wheel it is still small enough and low enough for us to get where we want to go.

The prior owner put a hitch on it and we will tow tandem (motorcycles or boat), which is common in Colorado. With that said, I do plan to have the frame reinforced around the hitch to distribute any additional stress load. I have read here that many manufacturers dont cover warranty issues with the frame if you mount a hitch, but I am out of warranty anyway.

Overall i like the Sringdale so far, but many may think it is on the small side for a fiver. Quality is typical and it does not have all the bells and whistles that many of thelarger ones do. Our first big trip is this week to the CA Redwoods.

I am mourning my TC for the "go anywhere" ability but i knew this day would eventually come.

Nice trailer and has served well. I added a 2" receiver but the shop said keep it to 3500 max. I just use it for bicycles. Maybe some steel could be added to the frame.

Can't speak for the frame but the running gear is marginal as built. consider some 4400/5000 pound axles and springs if you are going to hang a boat off the back. I recently replaced my 7 yo springs with 4500 pound models as they had gone flat. Kept the 3500 pound axles.

The newer ones are probably better built than mine.

I had a 2011 model I bought new in may 2011 as my first camper. I wanted to do exactly what you want, double tow a boat. I think my model number was about a 279 or so. It had the door at the rear, 2 rockers in the back, couch, then u dinnette. I liked it a lot. Sure it was not as fancy as my current rig, but i really did like it, and it seemed built well. Only reason I traded it in was to go to a different floorplan.

I built my own hitch for it. I estimate my boat is about 2800-3k lbs. Heres a few pics.

Wow that is a great hitch!!!

I assume they put the same axles/frames on all their rigs despite the length and being on the shorter end I was hoping the frame would be stout enough to handle the added vertical tongue weight. I think the added pulling weight should be fine. I might be way off. I think I might email Springdale and ask exactly what they think. I am sure I will get the generic "Nope" answer but might be worth a try. I will post up what I learn.

We had a 2006 Springdale 249rls and we went from a camper to the short 5th wheel so we could tow our boat behind it. I had a hitch custom fabricated and welded and bolted to the frame. It preformed well and I did not have any issues. Another waterski buddy still has his Springdale and double tows with his trailer every summer. I would just make sure your brakes are working well on both vehicles.

We enjoyed the roominess of the trailer and it served us well. It was not a high end model so there was some repairs and additions that I had to do but it did what I wanted it to do. I say go for it.

Pat