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

aclay
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I know when I started looking at RV's everyone said to get a big truck and big trailer when you start or you will be upgrading shortly... exactly what happened to us. We had a Jayco 26BH, a small bunkhouse that was around 7500# and we towed with a 5.3 yukon XL (we loved our 26BH, jayco makes great trailers). Yes, it was within spec, but in the hills/mountains it was miserable. And I never felt super confident. Fast forward 2 years and we have Sprinter 311BHS (35') and a Chevy 3500 duramax. The difference in confidence with the HD truck is night and day.

I'm on the other side of the fence now, if you want a mid size or larger TT, then get an HD truck.
Doug33
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
Don't forget that certain things weigh a lot, including water in the hot water heater and/or tanks, hitch and weight distribution/sway control, propane, appliances (like added TVs/laptops, etc.), food and drink, pots/pans and especially firewood.
rightyouareken
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I also recommend taking a look at your payload sticker. The platinum is likely the heaviest F150 they make and you might not have more than 1100-1200 lbs payload available for people, cargo, and tongue weight in the truck. It's payload you need to worry about, not the tow rating because you'll max your payload long before your tow rating with a travel trailer.
joefrog
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
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.
Atlee
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2013
I have found that most 1/2 tons at least, run out of payload capacity long before they run out of trailer tow weight.

My 2005 F150, 4x4 Scab w/ tow package and 5.4L V8 has a CCC (payload) of roughly 1450#. (don't remember exactly off the top of my head). It also is rated to pull a 9300# TT. A 8,000 pound trailer with a 13% tongue weight subtracts 1040# from my CCC. Once I substract for me, DW, and 20# dachshund & his crate, and the bed cover I have, I'm either at or over my CCC limit. That would mean running with an empty pickup bed.

That's why my last TT was 5500# GVWR, and my new one is 4950#.

APT wrote:
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.
APT
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
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.
TheGriswolds
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
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.
_40Fan
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
People, gas, clothing...etc. All added items (even over the 150 lbs they consider to be a normal driver weight) is to be considered.
DaJokerz
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
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!
usmc616
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
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.

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