Outdoor Rv's, Timber Ridge

I have a friend that couples together his two Honda 2000i gens to run the AC. I may do the same. I just bought the Timber Ridge 260RLS and do like it, although it doesn't cool off on those hot days due to the window design. The windows only open a small ways so the TT doesn't cool off very quickly. That's why I'm considering another gen. We'll see. Another issue is the mattress is about 6-8" longer than the plywood that supports it. Poor design IMO. I plan to replace the original plywood.

I do love the TT.

Larv

glovedad wrote:
Wondering if any members have ideas about the best generator to buy for the Outdoors Timber Ridge 280 RKS? I appreciate your help with this. Thanks much.

Yes, lots of stuff on the forum about generators. So far, we don't need one for the Air Conditioner so I'm leaning more to solar just to keep the batteries up. Even out East with the tree canopy they can be pretty effective if designed/sized right.

But please get a quiet generator like the Hondas mentioned. We recently had a great time in Great Smoky Mountains National Park where several people had the small Hondas. They were hardly noticeable (maybe because of the natural river noise). However last summer we were in Teddy Roosevelt National Park and one person had a huge construction generator on. It forced us out of the campground during the day.

There are smaller ones that are easier to handle, where two of them can be ganged together if you want to use the AC. People can just take one along if they don't need the AC.

There are lots of threads on the forum to look through about generators. It just depends on what you are wanting it for. I purchased a Honda EU3000 in case I wanted to run the AC. It works great but is heavy to move around. To be honest I have not used it at all to run the AC in my area. It comes in handy to recharge the batteries when we are dry camping. I might consider the smaller Honda 2000 if I were to do it again.

Wondering if any members have ideas about the best generator to buy for the Outdoors Timber Ridge 280 RKS? I appreciate your help with this. Thanks much.

I appreciate you guys' information so much. Again, so much to learn. We signed the papers today to buy the Outdoors Timber Ridge 280RKS. Very excited. I want to do what is right when it comes to safety. I have copied your information and will take you up on your suggestions. Thank the Lord there are forums like this that allow a person to ask specific questions and get information from people with experience. When you talk to a salesman you don't know if you are getting the straight scoop. I am sure I will have more questions and if you guys are willing to keep sharing your experiences, I will be most appreciative. Thanks again guys and take care.

Hey glovedad, When you put this together, I strongly recommend that you invest in a good weight distribution hitch with sway control. When I purchased my 2013 280FKSB Blackstone, I purchased the equalizer brand hitch. It did a fairly good job at controlling sway, but on a trip from Oregon to Yellowstone, towing with my 3/4 ton Ram diesel I experienced a white knuckle experience with sway, even with the equalizer (and to anyone wondering, yes, it was set up correctly) hitch. I could also feel quite noticeably when big rigs passed as well. Upon returning home, I did more research and ordered a Pro Pride 3P hitch and installed it. I have made three trips with the new hitch and I can say that this hitch is a sway elimination hitch vs a sway control hitch. The TT tracks like it is on rails and cannot feel big rigs passing anymore. Some will say that it's too expensive, but to me the added safety of the precious cargo I have with me was worth every cent that this PP hitch cost. Regarding quality of the trailer, I am convinced that every TT made no matter what brand, are lacking in attention to detail. I have had several quality issues with the Blackstone as well and it's Outdoor RV's flagship!

Cheers,

-Gaz

glovedad wrote:
Brulaz, I got the weight information from the brochure given to us by the TT salesman. It is a 2014. You are correct about the weights, 7900-985, and 1800.
Your info did not put me off at al. It was appreciated. We have had RV's for years, but they have been a Class C and a Class A. Never have towed.
Your info about the class 5 receiver is also appreciated. There is so much I do not know yet.
Feeling fairly blind about the best TV to buy. A 2014 is not in the budget. Hoping to find a lower mileage 2009-2012,under $30,000. Just not sure what brand.
Thanks

All the 3/4 ton trucks look good to me, so can't really comment on the different brands. I'd probably look at whatever is available and compare prices. In this area there is a huge selection of used Fords as that's the best seller new.

I looked briefly at used 3/4 and 1 tons here, but the majority had been heavily used in construction and other rough business. There are not many that have "only been driven by a little old lady to church once a week".:)

Brulaz, I got the weight information from the brochure given to us by the TT salesman. It is a 2014. You are correct about the weights, 7900-985, and 1800.
Your info did not put me off at al. It was appreciated. We have had RV's for years, but they have been a Class C and a Class A. Never have towed.
Your info about the class 5 receiver is also appreciated. There is so much I do not know yet.
Feeling fairly blind about the best TV to buy. A 2014 is not in the budget. Hoping to find a lower mileage 2009-2012,under $30,000. Just not sure what brand.
Thanks

sportsman16 wrote:

...
My only concern is going from a reputable brand that I have has no probelsm with(JAyco), to a newer brand(Outdoor) where I have read of some problems on these forums.

Hope I haven't put you off Outdoors RV. Jayco makes a fine product, but I don't think they are as rugged or 4 season capable as Outdoors RV or Northwood Mfg.

Don't know of any RV that is perfect, and I tend to report every little issue because I'm far from any dealer and usually end up fixing things myself, with advice from this board and the manufacturer. If you have a reputable dealer close by, that should not be an issue. And certainly there are more Jayco dealers around than Outdoors RV.

glovedad wrote:

...
My next question is about a tow vehicle for the 280RKS. The specs are 7900 lbs cargo capacity, 1800 lbs dry hitch.
...

Just to clarify, the 2013 catalogue I have says 7900# dry weight. 985# Dry hitch weight. And 1800# payload. This model is not listed on their web site, guess it has been discontinued.

Yes, you will want a 3/4 ton with probably a class 5 receiver as your wet tongue weight could be over 1200#. Mine was 1130# for the 240RKS.

This high a tongue weight can put a dent in any truck's payload. Diesels tend to be a lot heavier than the big gas v8's in the 3/4 tons. So if you are not driving all that much, I would stick to gas. Or if you do decide to diesel, go all the way to a 1 ton, especially if you want a 4x4 truck with the big cab and all the options.