Hello all, My family is looking at getting a new travel trailer to start our RV'ing adventures. With all the different manufactures and such out there, looking for a little guidance. We are looking at a bunkhouse model as we always have our brood plus some. We are looking into a Catalina Santara 302bhck. I have an F150 Platinum, and its rated for 9300 lbs towing. The Santara comes in around 7500lbs. I was going to get the sway bars installed with the camper, as I read anything over 25ft or so this is recommended. I am looking for some feedback on perhaps the quality of the coachman trailers vs the other manufactures. In the price range of this trailer, is there something else that we should be looking at? We like a rear slide in the bunk house as this gives the kids there own little area. We like the U dinette with a slide as it fits more around the table. Do I have enough over head for the weight of the trailer vs the towing capabilities of my truck?The wife is a little particular when it comes to germs and stuff, so used is off the table. Plus with the it being after the peek season here in the north east, the discounts that are being thrown out there, its not that much more to pick up a new unit. I appreciate any feedback and sorry of this should be in a different forum. Thanks!

If the 7500lbs is the "dry weight" then the loaded to camp weight may be around 8200-8500lbs. Now subtract the weight of everything you put in the F-150 from the 9300lbs and see what you have left for wiggle room. If climbing mountains you may struggle.

Do people count towards that weight? The rv dealers didnt think it would be an issue, but im sure they just want to move units. PA is full of hills and mountains.Thanks!

People, gas, clothing...etc. All added items (even over the 150 lbs they consider to be a normal driver weight) is to be considered.

I was in your shoes this past January. We had a 5k lb dry trailer to get our feet wet but after a year we wanted something bigger. I had a 09 F 150 with 9,300k tow capability. In January of this year we bought a trailer almost identical to the one you are looking at (Keystone Cougar 31sqb). After towing it from Northern Kentucky down to the Atlanta area I was looking at a F 250 and soon traded for one. It's not like the 150 didn't make the trip, but the trailer didn't inspire confidence at all. I had professionally installed E2 weight distribution/sway control on the truck. I knew I'd be over Gross Combined Vehicle Weight with the 150 but I didn't care at the time. With the f-250 we put whatever we need into the truck and pack the trailer the way we want to and the drive is soooo much more enjoyable. Piece of mind goes a long way. The F-150 is a great truck but with a trailer that size I found the need for a little bigger truck almost unavoidable. Enjoy camping no matter what you get or tow with!!I've heard nothing bad about Coachmen trailers in my limited time on this forum, or at any campgrounds. My buddy bought a new chapparal 5th wheel which I believe is made by Coachman and he loves it to death.

That's 8500-9000 loaded with 950-1200 pounds of loaded TW. That's a stretch for the most capable half tons.You will likely be payload limited before any other rating. Find out how much payload you have by locating this sticker on driver's door or pilar and note what you have where mine says 2051. Then subtract off the weight of you plus family. The rest can be used for anything in the truck bed and trailer tongue weight.

Travel Trailor Purchasing advice | Good Sam Community

tewitt1949
Explorer II
Aug 08, 2013
If I bought a new trailer again, before picking it up I would have the trailer place fill all water tanks as much as can fit in right to the top, black and gray tanks and let them set a few day and then look for leaks. The bottom of my tailer is covered with aluminum with 6 inches of insulation. When we first got it we used it once and a while. There were very small leaks but insulation would soak it up and dry by the next time we use it. It always smelled musty but could never figure out why. Then well after warrenty ran out, we started using it for longer periods of time, then thats when we could see water dripping out of the bottom. What a pain to fix. It turned out there were 5 jount leaks. The leaks were very very small and only when about full.
Atlee
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2013
I use my neighbor's drive way a lot now. He offered to let me use it. So when we're coming back from a trip, about 20 miles out, we'll give him a call and he'll move any vehicles out of the way. Great neighbor.

It sure helps getting that trailer in my driveway.

DaJokerz wrote:
Just as an update: I went with the Tracer 3150bhd. It comes in just under 7000 lbs. I towed it home from the dealership with an equalizer weight distribution hitch and sway control. It towed fairly easy.

Only thing that was noticeable was that there where times when it felt kind of "herky jerky", it would seem like I was being pushed/pulled/pushed/pulled. This was without breaking, and would happen whenever I was doing some accelerating.

Hardest part of the journey was getting the 34ft trailer in my driveway. I need to learn some Jack knife driving skills! I pulled into my neighbors drive way which is directly across from mine, and backed it into my driveway. However some trees may have been slightly injured in the process.

Thanks all for the response, looking forward to doing lots of RV'ing.
Addison
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Really informative information about travel. I would like to say that transportation important source for moving for business purposes or personal purposes. Travel become an important part of human life.
JJensen79
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
Find a level area and read the owners manual for the equalizer. I had to make adjustments to get it right. After that the jerking and sway went away.
TheGriswolds
Explorer
Aug 06, 2013
I have to use my neighbors driveway too half the time...he doesn't care. One time I was in a hurry and started to back up the flower bed and threw bark and pine needles everywhere (the driveway is uphill). Looks like a cool trailer...When I towed with my half-ton I think I put 44 psi in the rear tires, that seemed to help with the humpty drive you're talking about. Either that or it isn't set up quite right with the hitch (but you said you were buying it from a dealer so I'm sure they set it up correctly). I had a little of that same sensation towing the 31sqb with the 1/2 ton.
DaJokerz
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
Just as an update: I went with the Tracer 3150bhd. It comes in just under 7000 lbs. I towed it home from the dealership with an equalizer weight distribution hitch and sway control. It towed fairly easy.

Only thing that was noticeable was that there where times when it felt kind of "herky jerky", it would seem like I was being pushed/pulled/pushed/pulled. This was without breaking, and would happen whenever I was doing some accelerating.

Hardest part of the journey was getting the 34ft trailer in my driveway. I need to learn some Jack knife driving skills! I pulled into my neighbors drive way which is directly across from mine, and backed it into my driveway. However some trees may have been slightly injured in the process.

Thanks all for the response, looking forward to doing lots of RV'ing.
tshirtman
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
I traded up to a 3/4 ton Diesel and love the power and the stability.
APT
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
I highly doubt a Platinum has 1870 pounds of payload. 1100-1200 sounds more likely. Please verify your door post sticker. I'm sure you open the driver's door at least twice a day.

You have plenty of power (5.0, Ecoboost, or 6.2L), plenty of gearing with the 6-spd, plenty of wheelbase. If you were towing a 9k boat with a single driver, go for it. But a travel trailer is probably the hardest type of trailer on a tow vehicle. Largest frontal area. Largest sidewall area for cross winds. Higher % of tongue weight.

RV salesmen will sell you want you are willing to buy. Generally, the bigger the more expensive and higher commission for them!
DaJokerz
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
All the dealerships that I have gone to seam to think the truck would be ok. They said if it was an older truck with 150k miles on it they would be concerned. I looked at the 31sqb as well. The payload I believe is 1860. I started looking a tracer model which comes in at 6800 dry. The 7500 on the coachman is the dry weight.

I cant go bigger then 1/2 ton since its used for work. They don't support a 3/4 ton.

Thanks for the feedback.

Jason
Atlee
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2013
Is that 5700 so called dry weight, or the loaded weight? If it's the loaded weight, you should be fine. If its the unloaded weight, you might have trouble.

joefrog wrote:
Hmm. Y'all have me thinking I have too much camper. I have a 28' that weighs in at 5700. I drive a 2003 GMC Yukon Denali, 6.0 engine.

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