Standard vs Light

We have a 2013 Montana High Country 323RL and have no complaints. We spent 5 months last winter snowbirding in it, so it's had it's share of use. Only problem has been one light fixture, with a faulty switch. They call the lite units "Helium" technology. It includes aluminum framing, cable driven sliders and engineering that keeps the tongue weight closer to 15% of the trailers weight.

My brother in-law has that exact model from last year. It has been in for service for more days than he has spent in it. Caps are fading, Decals are coming off, the roof has staples popping out and other small issues. Other than that it is fine because he leaves it seasonal and doesn't have to pull it and find more issues. If you are looking for a light weight one that you are not going to spend long periods of time in or full timing then the layout is nice and you may not have as many issues so go for it. If you plan on keeping it for a long time then I would look around for something a step up in quality.

"lite" "light" what exactly does that mean???? there is no specific way to compare what that means in real terms. just like montana when they came out with "this rv is winterized," i think they just added some aluminum paper in the walls.

if you have a 3/4 or one ton you can pull just about anything, just get what you want.

why do you want to stay around 12K anyway? it makes not difference in towing when up there in numbers.

We are on our second "lite" rv with minimal issues, and those issues were easily repaired/upgraded. The drawer bottoms were somewhat flimsy so I added 1/2 strips of oak to the bottoms so not much weight added there. I would no hesitate to buy another in this classification from the same manufacturer.

From what I determined a few yrs ago the High Country reduces weight in two major ways. Interior cabinets are lighter, smaller and fewer ( less overhead cabinets, doors instead of drawers, etc.). But the biggest difference is cable operated slide outs rather than electric or hydraulic slide outs. Don't know if frame size is different, but that would be ez to check.

Go look at how the drawer fronts are held in place. I looked at some High Countries a couple weeks ago an RV show. The drawer fronts were held in place by a piece of what looked like 3/8" luan. Very cheap construction IMO.
The luan wasn't even the same height as the side of the drawer sides. Not sure if that was an indication of how the whole unit was made, but it was disturbing.

Makes me wonder where else they're cutting corners.

Keep in mind that often times "light" means it has a wimpy frame and suspension, is likely missing some cabinets and other niceties and is generally lacking compared to the normal heavier trailer.
They usually aren't light because they're made with exotic materials and quality components.

Everything is possible in the "Magic World" of advertising talk! Light is in the mind of the Copy Writer.

That trailers GVWR is 12,695# so for a 37' with 4 slides it 'light'

Shipping weight is 10,580# so in order to stay around/under 12K you only want to load 1420# total (including water, propane)

Our 5th wheel was part of the 'light' models GVWR is 14,380# and we FTd for 7 yrs routinely weighing 13,800# (+/-)