Forum Discussion

teraandjim's avatar
teraandjim
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014

Finally got the wife to choose a trailer. Some questions?

If you have looked at my old posts, you will know that we have been looking for a while. Well at the Flint RV show we (she) has found the trailer that she likes and we are happy with. Its a little bigger than I want but having owned 30' and longer before not a big deal. I will be a needin' a bigger truck though and here is where my some of my questions are coming from. But for starters here is the trailer we like, it the Cougar 31SQB by Keystone. Looks like a 9000# trailer when its all said and full. So a 2500 is in my future.
Questions:
Does anyone own this trailer or a Keystone product and how do you like it?
I will be getting a new 2500. I really like the Ram 2500 with the 6.4 and have read all the posts about it, i'm very impressed. Does anyone have a Ram 2500 6.4 and a trailer around the same size for some feed back as to towing and living with it on a daily basis. It will be my daily driver.
Does anyone have experience with the new 2015 2500 Chevy/GMC with 6.0L. I'm a GM man and my 2003 1500 is a great truck, but it is time to go. The 6.0L is the weakest of the 2500 gas group. But maybe in my configuration it will be ok.
Thanks in advance for all the thoughtful responses.
Jim
  • Dog_Folks's avatar
    Dog_Folks
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    Been in our Keystone Outback, full time, for 7 1/2 years now.

    Good value for your dollar.
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    I own a 2011 Keystone Outback and have been happy with it. No major problems and it seems well built. The only drawback I see as somewhat serious is some of the parts are really hard to come by. Keystone will not give part #'s or advice, but will be happy to give a dealer's phone number. Hopefully the dealers in your area are better than the ones in my area. One really good thing Keystone did do for me was settle a warranty dispute. The original estimate was up to 3 days response time, but when they saw the paperwork for the charges for what should have been warranty work, the dealer was apologizing all over themselves and sending refunds within 2 hours! To me, that was impressive!!!
  • PMcColley's avatar
    PMcColley
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    I would be more concerned with the new 5 link suspension in the 2500 and make sure you add the airbag load leveling option.

    The 6.4 is the hemi they have used in the SRTs for a while now. They changed the intake and tunning on the engine. In the past the engine tunning (especially on the 6.7 cummins) took multiple updates over the first 3 years to get it spot on, they had many problems with turbo fouling, bad mpg and many other issues.

    Here are the new suspensions on the 2500 and 3500.






    I have a 2012 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 towing 8000# with the similar 5 link and its a great ride with no load but when you add some weight it gets squishy fast and is all over the place. Adding airbags has helped but its nothing like the old HD setups the Rams used. If you can ask the dealer to let you do a test tow with your trailer and see if you like it.
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    The newer generation GM 6.0 it 6sp is a proven power train. I strongly recommend the 4:10 axle if you are going to do serious Towing.
  • jujububbajr's avatar
    jujububbajr
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    I tow 9k lb TT with a '14 silverado 2500 6.0. It does just fine. I towed through the hills of East Tennessee last week with no trouble. The newer 6 speed transmissions are awesome. Put it in M5 and tow/haul mode and let her eat.
  • Speedogomer's avatar
    Speedogomer
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    MFL wrote:
    The Ram 6.4 looks like it will may be a great engine, as was the 5.7, but I would wait a year or two for it to prove itself.

    I like my Ford 2013 6.2, but would not have jumped in right away in 2011.

    If you like GM, the 6.0 should be plenty strong with the 4.10 gears.

    Jerry


    The 6.4L had been around several years, it's just the first they're putting it in a 2500 truck. It's been very reliable in other vehicles (SRT models), and has been detuned some for the 2500. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, as it isn't an entirely new engine.

    I have family with a Ram 2500 5.7L, and he has no complaints. He tows less than half of 9000# though.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 27, 2014
    The Ram 6.4 looks like it will may be a great engine, as was the 5.7, but I would wait a year or two for it to prove itself.

    I like my Ford 2013 6.2, but would not have jumped in right away in 2011.

    If you like GM, the 6.0 should be plenty strong with the 4.10 gears.

    Jerry
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2014
    GM's 6.0L has been the weakest since 2011. It's still a solid reliable engine/trans combo. If you like the rest of the truck, go for it.

    Only read one person on here with a 2015 GM HD and he has a couple issues with it.

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