Consumer's Report on Recreational Vehicles

Here is the Consumer Reports equivalent for RV's

RV Consumer Group

Considering how much you are about to spend, the membership fee is pocket change.

They rate RV's from 1 to 5 stars on a number of categories. Helps you avoid the low rated rigs.

I used it when buying my Class C. Bought one of the very few 5 star rated rigs.

Also pay close attention to the frame that the trailer is sitting on.

We live in northern B.C. and bought a Nash trailer because the frame is more heavy duty. We have heard stories of twisted or broken frames from travelling on back roads.

Northwood Manufacturing

Have fun and good luck with your search,

Jaimie60 wrote:
To answere your questions ...

Truck - Dodge Ram, 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi engine , with tow package

I'm looking at this Trailer ..

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-260bhs

The Dodge dealership tells me not to exceed 7000 lbs on this truck Dry weight.
Weight for me is an issue because the wife and I would like to travel with the truck & trailer and taking into consideration the geographic terrain of British Columbia & Northern US States

The very first thing you need to check BEFORE purchasing a trailer is the payload rating of YOUR truck. There is a sticker inside the drivers side door or pillar that will state...

All occupants and cargo must not exceed XXXX lbs

That translates to Driver, passenger(s), cargo inside the truck, inside the bed of the truck, hitch components, and tongue weight.

My father-in-law has a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 with 5.7 Hemi, tow package, 4x4, and 20" rims. His maximum payload as per door sticker is 1080 lbs. My 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 Litre, 4x4, 20" rims, tow package has a maximum payload of 1420 lbs. Big difference for two nearly identical spec'd trucks in all other ratings.

Check your maximum payload first, then come back for some great advice. When checking your payload, also check the sticker on the hitch of your truck. That sticker will tell you maximum tongue weight without a WDH (weight distributing hitch) and maximum tongue weight with a WDH

There is nothing like Consumer Reports, Edmunds, KBB, or any other official review company for RVs. Brands are bought and sold often enough that the information would not be accurate. A search on these forums is a good place to start. There are lots of guides to help assist you with your first RV purchase.

From what I have read from owners Cruiser RV makes good trailers. If the model you want meets your needs, I have no problem recommending the Shadow Cruiser. I highly recommend a weight distributing hitch with integrated sway control like Equal-i-zer 4pt, Reese Strait Line or BlueOx Swaypro.

There is the RV Consumer Group ( link ) that you should check into. They are the only source of RV reviews that 1) do no take advertising from the industry and 2)aren't owners reviewing their own rig (and sometimes glossing over issues to justify the money they spent)

For me, better then their reviews was their book on how to inspect a rig your-self

To answere your questions ...

Truck - Dodge Ram, 1500 SLT 5.7L Hemi engine , with tow package

I'm looking at this Trailer ..

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-260bhs

The Dodge dealership tells me not to exceed 7000 lbs on this truck Dry weight.
Weight for me is an issue because the wife and I would like to travel with the truck & trailer and taking into consideration the geographic terrain of British Columbia & Northern US States

Well first, let us know what you're looking for in a trailer... Do you have kids and need bunks? Do you want an outdoor kitchen? Is floor space important, is bed size important? Many things go into picking the right trailer. I went to several RV shows before buying, look them up in your area, they're worth going to, and can be a lot of fun, I wouldn't buy a trailer without going to a few shows and a few large dealers to see what's out there.

Second, what do you have for a tow vehicle? Sometimes that is a limiting factor, and sometimes picking a trailer to match your tow vehicle is the hardest part.

Welcome to the site!