Model suggestions

[eundercoffler]

Hello All,
I'm sure the collective brain can point me towards some models I haven't found yet. So here is the deal, the wife and I are thinking about selling our pull behind and getting a 5th wheel. There seems to be several Keystone Fuzions and Raptors around here so we looked at quite a few. We found a nice used (will be buying used by the way) Fusion 393 that had a great big kitchen and loft bed for the kids but at almost 40 feet it's just bigger than I want to haul.
After doing some research I found that I really like the Keystone Fusion 302 and 305 floorpans. These are both 35 foot models with a pop out in the living area and an "L" shaped kitchen but the problem is I can't find any within a days (or 3) drive of me.

So here's what I'm looking for -
35-36 feet or shorter
At least 1 slide in the living area (though I wouldn't mind 2)
"L" or "U" shaped kitchen
Separate garage
Must have a sliding glass door from the living area to the garage for that "open" feeling the wife loves so much.
I would also prefer an aluminum framed unit
Would like a loft bed but it's not a deal breaker if it has the pull down bunks in the garage.

For the weight police out there I am towing with a 2016 GMC Sierra 3500, diesel, crew cab, long bed, 4x4. It has the heavy duty towing package and single rear wheels.

So what do you guys think, can anyone suggest any other models that fit that bill? Service isn't really an issue since we will be buying used and I do most of my own service anyway.

Thanks,
Eric

[eundercoffler]

dedmiston wrote:
Am I the only one who wants to yell out "Christie Brinkley" when I see the title of this thread?


(I don't know the names of any other models.)

Wow, you're dating yourself.

[dedmiston]

Am I the only one who wants to yell out "Christie Brinkley" when I see the title of this thread?


(I don't know the names of any other models.)

[eundercoffler]

Mmaxed wrote:

eundercoffler wrote:

Mmaxed wrote:
We have a '09 Fusion 302 that is close to what you are wanting. No loft, but drop down bunks in the garage. Frame is steel. Overall been a reliable unit. Friends have had rigs with more problems in the first year than we have had in 8 camping seasons.

Ya I like the 302 and 305. No loft but a more manageable size. If I could find one around me in good condition I would buy it. Do you know of any similar rigs?

Eric

It seems like Cyclone had one similar but a few feet longer. Don't know that I would recommend it though as I know several people that have owned Cyclones and Road Warriors. They all had lots of problems. Not saying that Fusion has the best build quality, some things make me cringe every time I look at them. It has held up well overall though.

My brother has a Raptor that is a similar floor plan, but no glass slider to the garage. Makes it seem much smaller. Can't open swinging door to garage with toys in.

Yes, I agree, the sliding glass door does make the space seem much larger. Besides, one of the great things about a toy hauler is that you can open the back up and enjoy the ocean or river or whatever it is you are backed up too. The sliding glass door still gives you this impression even if it is an illusion partially.

As to quality, I have only ever owned a Weekend Warrior and it is a constant maintenance issue. I have not been impressed with the quality in the least. All campers/RV's are made similarly but the few Raptors and Fuzions I have seen seem to be better quality to me than the Weekend Warrior.

That being said, I'm not tied to either of those models, I'm open to looking to something similar which is why I started this thread in the first place.

Eric

[Mmaxed]

eundercoffler wrote:

Mmaxed wrote:
We have a '09 Fusion 302 that is close to what you are wanting. No loft, but drop down bunks in the garage. Frame is steel. Overall been a reliable unit. Friends have had rigs with more problems in the first year than we have had in 8 camping seasons.

Ya I like the 302 and 305. No loft but a more manageable size. If I could find one around me in good condition I would buy it. Do you know of any similar rigs?

Eric

It seems like Cyclone had one similar but a few feet longer. Don't know that I would recommend it though as I know several people that have owned Cyclones and Road Warriors. They all had lots of problems. Not saying that Fusion has the best build quality, some things make me cringe every time I look at them. It has held up well overall though.

My brother has a Raptor that is a similar floor plan, but no glass slider to the garage. Makes it seem much smaller. Can't open swinging door to garage with toys in.

[freewayrandy]

Take a look at the Keystone Carbon. They have a 35 footer. Getting harder to find 35 foot haulers with separate garage. I have a Fuzion TEII at 35 foot, no sliding door to garage but the door is all glass.

[lincster]

eundercoffler wrote:

lincster wrote:
Good thing you are looking at smaller trailers, a 40' with slides will probably put you over your tow ratings.

I don't have any trailer suggestions, just addressing the weight police comment. 🙂

I would be right at my max fully loaded with a 40 footer triple slide. I know people do it and in fact I talked to a buddy of mine who has the same truck and towns a 41 footer. "Oh you would be fine" he says, "I do it all the time with no problem". Maybe that's true but I have towed trailers that were too heavy for the tow vehicle and I don't want to be in that situation again. That's why we are looking to go smaller. To be honest we loved the 40 footer we looked at, I just don't want to tow it!

Eric

Ahhhh, the good ole "I got a buddy and he said it would be fine"..... Go put it on a CAT scale fully loaded and let me know.

My 40', with NO slides, full water, a 2800lb sand rail and 1 full size quad, I am 17,800lbs for just the trailer.
That would be over the tow ratings of your SRW truck.
Why I have a dually.

But, like you said, you are going smaller so you should be fine.

[eundercoffler]

Mmaxed wrote:
We have a '09 Fusion 302 that is close to what you are wanting. No loft, but drop down bunks in the garage. Frame is steel. Overall been a reliable unit. Friends have had rigs with more problems in the first year than we have had in 8 camping seasons.

Ya I like the 302 and 305. No loft but a more manageable size. If I could find one around me in good condition I would buy it. Do you know of any similar rigs?

Eric

[Mmaxed]

We have a '09 Fusion 302 that is close to what you are wanting. No loft, but drop down bunks in the garage. Frame is steel. Overall been a reliable unit. Friends have had rigs with more problems in the first year than we have had in 8 camping seasons.

[eundercoffler]

lincster wrote:
Good thing you are looking at smaller trailers, a 40' with slides will probably put you over your tow ratings.

I don't have any trailer suggestions, just addressing the weight police comment. 🙂

I would be right at my max fully loaded with a 40 footer triple slide. I know people do it and in fact I talked to a buddy of mine who has the same truck and towns a 41 footer. "Oh you would be fine" he says, "I do it all the time with no problem". Maybe that's true but I have towed trailers that were too heavy for the tow vehicle and I don't want to be in that situation again. That's why we are looking to go smaller. To be honest we loved the 40 footer we looked at, I just don't want to tow it!

Eric

[lincster]

Good thing you are looking at smaller trailers, a 40' with slides will probably put you over your tow ratings.

I don't have any trailer suggestions, just addressing the weight police comment. 🙂