Choosing between two 31 foot RLDS trailers

hvac wrote:
As I recall the build quality of an Award coach was excellent. You should be warned modern rv construction is not up to the standards of that coach.

isn't award the mfr. that sort of a pointed roof adding a little streamlining?

bumpy

As I recall the build quality of an Award coach was excellent. You should be warned modern rv construction is not up to the standards of that coach.

Wow did this ever get side tracked.
To the original question, I don't know much about either one except for the fact that they're both long standing and reputable manufactures. Pick the one that has the floor plan and stuff you like. Ok, you got info as valuable as what you paid for it.
Happy shopping!!!

AirSupport wrote:
Second, his choice of hauling around up to an 8,520lb trailer with brakes that went out, yet he made multiple stops and continued to do so to for 40 miles (all his words, not mine), makes me repeat that I'd never take any of his advice on towing. It shows a lack of common sense regarding safety for all on the road.

Wow, someone enjoys beating a dead horse and being quite sensationalistic about it in the process. There is no problem towing a trailer home with failed brakes as long as the driver is aware of the issue and adjusts their speed and following distance accordingly.

On my last trailer I completely severed the umbilical cord between the tongue and weight distribution bar pulling out of camp 350 miles from home. Knowing I would have to replace the whole thing, I patched it up enough to get brake lights and turn signals functional, but didn't worry about the rest, including the trailer brakes. I made it all the way home without even one close call.

Oregon doesn't even require trailer brakes on anything under 3,500 lb GVWR. The way you make it sound, there should be mayhem on the streets every time a compact car rents a small enclosed U-Haul trailer, loads it up, and hits the road.

AirSupport wrote:

Some have suggested that the "new trucks" have enhanced hauling capabilities than their older predessesors, which I have no qualms about. However when we look at proxim's previous posts, his truck has "142,000 miles" on it so I doubt it's one of these "new" ones that have been mentioned.

Second, his choice of hauling around up to an 8,520lb trailer with brakes that went out, yet he made multiple stops and continued to do so to for 40 miles (all his words, not mine), makes me repeat that I'd never take any of his advice on towing. It shows a lack of common sense regarding safety for all on the road.

Nah, the trailer was only 8240 then. Here are the specs on the truck.

GVWR = 6700
FAWR = 3700
RAWR = 3900
GCWR = 14000

Truck Weight (loaded with fuel) = 5,540

With the trailer attached

Steer Axle = 3220
Drive Axle = 3500
Trailer Axle = 7060
Gross Combined = 13780

Granted I was 20 lbs over GVWR when I went across the scale, but I'm not to worried about it. After burning off a couple of gallons of fuel, I'd be back under anyway. I typically run the tongue on the heavier side, around 15 percent. If I really wanted to I could shift weight around and lighten the tongue some. But I enjoy the way it tows in all kinds of conditions so I'll leave well enough alone.

AirSupport wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
I don't know where all this non-sense comes from about modern 1/2 ton trucks.Some have more payload than 3/4 and 1'ton trucks..They are the 3/4 tons of yesterday.

Since when does a "1/2-ton" rated vehicle ever have more payload than a "3/4-ton" or for that matter, a "1-ton?" Is this the new "common core" math everyone is talking about?

Some 1/2 tons have over 3000 lbs payload and quite a few have over 2000 lbs and most have over 1500 lbs..2000 lbs goes way back into the 70's on some 1500 trucks.

I was recently shopping for a truck to haul a pickup camper on and it's an eye opener looking at payload and GVWR..1 -tons with 2000 lbs or less payload and 3/4 tons under 2000 lbs.While 3300 or so for a 3/4 ton and 3900 for a 3500 is the standard so to say,it's not on every truck as every 1/2 ton isn't rated for over 3000 lbs.

1/2 tons get a bad rap here from people who have never pulled or hauled large stuff..Some are up to the task and others are not..The same goes for the 2500 and 3500's...There's more 3/4 ton and 3500 trucks overloaded with fifth wheels and campers than 1/2 tons,by far.

IndyCamp wrote:

AirSupport wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
I don't know where all this non-sense comes from about modern 1/2 ton trucks.Some have more payload than 3/4 and 1'ton trucks..They are the 3/4 tons of yesterday.

Since when does a "1/2-ton" rated vehicle ever have more payload than a "3/4-ton"

There are quite a few new gasser 1/2-tons with over 2K payload and quite a few new diesel 3/4-tons with less than 2K payload.

When I bought the truck in my sig in 2014, I also looked at a new 2500 RAM Laramie Longhorn with the CTD and the payload was 1,900.

Some have suggested that the "new trucks" have enhanced hauling capabilities than their older predessesors, which I have no qualms about. However when we look at proxim's previous posts, his truck has "142,000 miles" on it so I doubt it's one of these "new" ones that have been mentioned.

Second, his choice of hauling around up to an 8,520lb trailer with brakes that went out, yet he made multiple stops and continued to do so to for 40 miles (all his words, not mine), makes me repeat that I'd never take any of his advice on towing. It shows a lack of common sense regarding safety for all on the road.

I am not familiar with the Freedom Express but recently looked at the Surveyor closely. I was deciding between the Dutchmen Denali and the Surveyor. It was a difficult choice as I was impressed with both.

AirSupport wrote:

jaycocreek wrote:
I don't know where all this non-sense comes from about modern 1/2 ton trucks.Some have more payload than 3/4 and 1'ton trucks..They are the 3/4 tons of yesterday.

Since when does a "1/2-ton" rated vehicle ever have more payload than a "3/4-ton"

There are quite a few new gasser 1/2-tons with over 2K payload and quite a few new diesel 3/4-tons with less than 2K payload.

When I bought the truck in my sig in 2014, I also looked at a new 2500 RAM Laramie Longhorn with the CTD and the payload was 1,900.

My truck has a payload of 2015. Similar 3/4 ton with a diesel is about 300 lbs more. The difference is not worth it. If I ever need more payload, it's 1 ton territory.

The modern 1/2 ton is as capable as a 10 yr old 3/4 ton.