Garyl53 wrote:
Hi All,
Seven years after selling our previous bunkhouse travel trailer we have just purchased a used 2007 Keystone Challenger 5ver. We are excited to be back to traveling/camping soon. However I need to obtain a tow vehicle for this new-to-me rig. We live in Colorado so high altitude mountain travel is the norm. Here are the 5ver specs:
Shipping Weight 9995
Carrying Capacity 2705
Hitch Weight 2375
Length 32’ 7”
Fresh Water 68
Waste Water 35
Gray Water 77
LPG 60
Tire Size 235/80R 16E
Rim Size 16 x 6
Please help me with a few questions:
1. I am estimating that we would add 1000 lbs to the UVW of the trailer bringing the actual 5ver travel weight to 11k. Reasonable?
2. The 5ver appears to have a high hitch weight (2375 unloaded) so I am a bit concerned if I will need a 1 ton diesel truck, but I would prefer a 3/4 ton diesel?
3. Previous owner ran a Ford F250 6.7L PS SRW Lariat w/tow pkg but when I ran the numbers with the 5ver at 11K lbs it appeared not enough truck(GVWR=10k,GCWR=23.5k,RGAWR=6290,GVW=7462). The GVWR-GVW=2538 before any pasengers, etc. load on the truck. With the 5ver at 2375 hitch unloaded isn't that too close? Do I have the correct ratings for the F250? The gasser version with lower GVW appears OK, weird..
Thanks for any help. Just trying to make sure I get the correct TV.
Gary
Well, kick out dry weight,( a joke to use), just add 9995 + 2705 and get GVW of the 5er you intend to purchase...go with "real world" weights..GVW of the 5er is 12,700# with a down to earth hitch weight rating of 2540# (20% of GVW of 5er)....now work from there.
I would prefer a 3500 SRW for no more extra that it would cost you over a 2500 and gives you room to grow perchance you want to "go bigger" some day.. If you ever think about going bigger and you're concerned about what the 3/4 ton can handle NOW, then purchase a 1 ton SRW truck and be done with it..
As far as how much you'll load the 5er to, who knows? It's amazing how much we carry around and don't realize it till you clean the entire 5er out....I wouldn't want to "guess" at what I'd load to....I'd go with "worse case" and do your math from there...a possible 2540# pin weight plus 200# for a hitch, plus full fuel tank, family, pets and whatever else you'll load in your truck, THEN figure weight of 5er..
