Forum Discussion

2017Momof3's avatar
2017Momof3
Explorer
Aug 20, 2017

Purchasing this week - need peace of mind

Greetings all! We are making our family's first travel trailer purchase this week and are torn between two that we love. We have 3 SMALL Kids so the back bedroom separation is a must (2 infants won't sleep on bunk beds nor sleep at all with a simple curtain sepration). We have a few years before the double bunk situation works for us. I'm nervous about weight and quality...

Our vehicle: 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLT 4WD
Payload: 1567 Towing: 8200

The two:
(Husband's top pick)
Keyston cougar Half Ton 31SQBWE
www.keystonerv.com/share?brand=COUGAR-HALF-TON&model=31SQBWE

HighlandRidge Ultra Lite UT3110BH
https://www.highlandridgerv.com/uploads/admin/floorplans/256/UT3110BH.pdf

The great number of years' experience from these forums is invaluable to people like us just starting out and we are truly grateful for any feedback on the above!!

9 Replies

Sort By
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2017
    No. Neither of these trailers is suitable for your Yukon, they are both too heavy and too long. If it were me, I'd look for something that is ~6000 ready to camp, and under 30 feet ball to bumper.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 20, 2017
    Too big and too heavy.
    The TT in my sig. is within the specs on the TT your looking at but is a load for my 1T and requires lots of hitch to keep from pushing me around the road.
    Also keep in mind that manufacturers lie about weights and the trailer you get will be much heavier. Use the GVWR for your choice and not the "Unloaded wight" - which isn't real.
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2017
    Those trailers are 36 feet in length!!!! WAY TOO BIG!!!!!! Those trailers would only be acceptable if you put them on a seasonal/permanent site. Get down to the 28 foot lengths...they will be what you can to saefely.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Aug 20, 2017
    Rule of thumb is, if it says 'Lite' in the name, run away from it. Nothing Lite about an RV. It's a copied buzzword and nothing else.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Aug 20, 2017
    Don't be fooled by the "half ton" naming sales gimmick. They are both likely too big and heavy for your Yukon.

    Don't go by dry weights either as they don't included options, some won't even include batteries and propane, and nobody travel with an empty trailer. Go by the actual yellow sticker which lists the real weight as it left the factory. It can be several hundred pounds higher the the brochure weights.

    Those trailers list at between 6800 and 7300lbs dry with 900lbs+ tongue weights empty. They will be over your tow rating once loaded with tongue weights over 1k which won't leave you much payload for people and gear in the tow vehicle. Those kids aren't going to get any lighter either.
  • LarryJM's avatar
    LarryJM
    Explorer II
    Aug 20, 2017
    2017Momof3 wrote:
    Greetings all! We are making our family's first travel trailer purchase this week and are torn between two that we love. We have 3 SMALL Kids so the back bedroom separation is a must (2 infants won't sleep on bunk beds nor sleep at all with a simple curtain sepration). We have a few years before the double bunk situation works for us. I'm nervous about weight and quality...

    Our vehicle: 2017 GMC Yukon XL SLT 4WD
    Payload: 1567 Towing: 8200

    The two:
    (Husband's top pick)
    Keyston cougar Half Ton 31SQBWE
    www.keystonerv.com/share?brand=COUGAR-HALF-TON&model=31SQBWE

    HighlandRidge Ultra Lite UT3110BH
    https://www.highlandridgerv.com/uploads/admin/floorplans/256/UT3110BH.pdf

    The great number of years' experience from these forums is invaluable to people like us just starting out and we are truly grateful for any feedback on the above!!


    Assuming you have a 1/2T IMO both those TTs are TOO LONG (35+ ft) and TOO HEAVY (9K GVWR) for your growing family of FIVE. AGAIN IMO you are going to BUST more than one rating along with your SANITY with that overstuffed sock. Look for something in the under 7K GVWR with UVW of around 5-6K and under 30'.

    Larry

About RV Newbies

4,030 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 20, 2025