My first TT, Outback Terrain 260trs (updated with pictures)

Put the bikes in the truck bed. That's what its for! You may or may not end up over payload, but the truck should handle it well.

Congrats on the new RV!

NJ6PACK wrote:
Nice Trailer...Good Luck with it

Not knowing how your rear bumper is mounted I would say proceed with caution on the rear bumper bike rack, Do a search here and you will find hours worth of reading on weather this is a good idea or not...Do your homework

As for weather or not a rear bumper bike rack is a good idea or not I would say don't do it because of your rear slide. I also have a rear slide and we find that we open it many times while traveling, When we are stopped at a rest stop it's opened so everyone can fit inside. You also might activate it and hit the bikes and damage something.

You might want to consider a bike rack for the A frame, The Rear bed of your truck or even install a front mount hitch and mount them there.

Good luck and enjoy your TT.... Spring is 2 days away!

Chris

Definitely something to think about... I may just mount a rack there for coolers... The rear slide would open over them, although with the rear slide in, it does not block much in the unit... The fridge and bathroom are still accessible, the only thing it blocks is one couch and the dinette.

I appreciate the help and will def look into other options.

Nice Trailer...Good Luck with it

Not knowing how your rear bumper is mounted I would say proceed with caution on the rear bumper bike rack, Do a search here and you will find hours worth of reading on weather this is a good idea or not...Do your homework

As for weather or not a rear bumper bike rack is a good idea or not I would say don't do it because of your rear slide. I also have a rear slide and we find that we open it many times while traveling, When we are stopped at a rest stop it's opened so everyone can fit inside. You also might activate it and hit the bikes and damage something.

You might want to consider a bike rack for the A frame, The Rear bed of your truck or even install a front mount hitch and mount them there.

Good luck and enjoy your TT.... Spring is 2 days away!

Chris

Don't forget to take the bikes off the rack before you open up the rear slide or you'll end up with some unhappy campers/bikers.

Bruce

Payload is approx 1500lbs, and I agree the tongue weight is high. There is a large rear storage area in the rear of the camper, and pretty limited storage in the front of the unit. We're going to add the heaviest items behind the rear axle of the TT as to not overload the truck. If anything, while loaded we plan on the tongue weight being reduced slightly or staying even. I plan on adding a rear bumper rack as well to keep bikes, coolers, ect.

What's the payload rating on your Ram? Loaded the tongue weight on that rig will be 1000lbs already.

Cotay wrote:
Congratulations on the new TT! I am glad you found that the 260TRS works for you and that you got it for such a fantastic price! I noticed that the East Coast dealers seem to have more leeway in their pricing. Out here you can't find a 260TRS for less than $25-$27K. I really liked the 260TRS, but my wife thought the 250TRS was a better fit for us. Definitely upload some pictures when you get a chance. We took ours out this past weekend on our shakedown cruise. We only had a few small issues/adjustments that needed to be made; our door locks/jams were not aligned properly, but I was able to adjust them. I suggest two 6V batteries and an powered tongue jack. If you have any questions about the unit, feel free to PM me.

I was very happy with the price, other dealers couldn't even come close. The last dealer I called said "for that price, go buy it from the other guy".

Got it from Lerch RV in Milroy PA. They were extremely helpful, and went out of their way to be nice and welcoming.

The tongue jack would definitely be a plus, but the hitch weight is already relatively high. I'll prob kick it old school and keep the manual jack.

We looked at the 250trs online but couldn't find any locally. We really wanted the large outside kitchen anyways, and liked the idea of a separate bunk room. Realistically, we'd have been happy with either unit.

The truck towed beautifully. From Lerch RV to our house is as hard of a toeing test as there is. The journey of 120 miles includes: over a mile long hill at 8-10% grade up, and down the other side which winds down a mountain road. Small tight back country roads, some interstate through city traffic, a local road with a more than 10% grade with a 180 hairpin in the middle... Basically everything to test the brakes and engine you can handle. Had a Greyhound bus pass me doing 30mph faster than me, sway was controlled very well.

Pictures to come tomorrow, for now, I'm hanging out in my new Outback Terrain, watching TV with the fiance and dog.

Congratulations on the new TT! I am glad you found that the 260TRS works for you and that you got it for such a fantastic price! I noticed that the East Coast dealers seem to have more leeway in their pricing. Out here you can't find a 260TRS for less than $25-$27K. I really liked the 260TRS, but my wife thought the 250TRS was a better fit for us. Definitely upload some pictures when you get a chance. We took ours out this past weekend on our shakedown cruise. We only had a few small issues/adjustments that needed to be made; our door locks/jams were not aligned properly, but I was able to adjust them. I suggest two 6V batteries and an powered tongue jack. If you have any questions about the unit, feel free to PM me.

Wishing you nothing but luck with it. Have a great time.