Travel Supreme's best years

[coolbikeman1]

Hello to any Travel Supreme owners past or present. I have researched a lot of 5th wheels for full timing and after seeing and talking with a few owners near me, I have pretty much decided on trying to find a well taken care of Travel Supreme. I am looking mostly for a triple axle Select or Classic model, but would like to here pros or cons for some of the 2 axle 36 foot models I have seen. Are they really light enough for 2 axles? Also, I have found information that around 2004 or 2005 Travel Supreme started using aluminum for framing. Can anyone confirm this?

I would like to get as new a model possible that still has excellent workmanship and had the fewest problems since they went out of business.

Thanks for any information or experiences good or bad.

[ixsna]

In 2003 you could order a TS fifth wheel with the old side stacked 6 inch frame with wood construction or the single 6 inch frame with a plate on one side of it with aluminum construction. I chose the heavier frame with wood construction since it was already proven and had a lil better r values. I hope this helps you some

[Randu]

I owned a 2000 Travel Supreme Express which was their lower line at the time but a solid upper level rig. It was later replaced by the "River Canyon" name about 2003-2004. The "Select" later became the "Classic"

In 2000, TS was in transition with the "Express" being wood framed and the "Express 2000" being Aluminum Framed. I think it continued this way for a few years. I think about 2003/2004 when the Express changed to "River Canyon" that all Travel Supreme became Aluminum framed.
They were one of the 1st to go out in the 2008 downturn and I think they closed in Feb/March time frame.

Any Travel Supreme would be old enough now that it would be all about how well it was cared for more than how it left the factory.
Randu

[coolbikeman1]

I appreciate the information and advice from everyone. As far as Travel Supreme 5th wheels, are there any long time owners that frequent these forums? If so, was there or is there still forum for Travel Supreme 5th wheels? I know of one on iRV2 forums, but it is mainly for the motorhome owners. I posted there but haven't gotten any response yet.

Thanks:)

[larry_barnhart]

We had a friend with a 1999 F-250 and a triple axle TS. It was not a good sight watching arrive at an rv park. Then after setting up the concrete pigs were put on the patio for what ever reason that I could not think of at the time. that truck was so low in the rear and very slow going up the mountains but it towed several winters from Wash st to Texas. They finally bought a F-350 dually and dropped it on the new truck the first time they hooked up. Being a farmer he didn't think anything was over loaded.

chevman

[coolbikeman1]

Luke Porter wrote:
But, any late model one ton is easily rated to pull a Travel Supreme. I think they have GVW's of 18-20.

That is true, most of the late model 1 tons claim they are rated to pull it, but at a possible GVWR of a lot of the older 40' Travel Supremes, of 21,000 lbs( like the 1995 mentioned above), a heavier hauler with bigger brakes seems better. And they are cheaper than most of the late model 1 tons. I know of a 2004 Freight liner 4dr low miles for $40000.

I haven't kept up with the changes of the new 1 tons, so I was wondering just what they are changing on them compared to slightly older models to make them capable to pull and stop that much weight or accommodate a heavy pin weight?

[Luke_Porter]

But, any late model one ton is easily rated to pull a Travel Supreme. I think they have GVW's of 18-20.

[Me_Again]

coolbikeman1 wrote:

Me Again wrote:
If you are going to get a 40' one I hope you have a strong duallie TV, they are heavy. My kid just bought a 1996 Travel Surpreme 40RLTSO triple axle trailer and we paid to have it moved to his lot. Appears to be a really well made trailer.

Chris

Thanks for the information. My friends that have one have a 1995 since purchase have been using a Freightliner MDT truck to haul it. I am also looking for a good used tow vehicle, preferably an MDT. I currently have a 2008 Toyota Tundra pulling a 2002 32' Holiday Rambler travel trailer.

When I researched moving it from Northern Oregon to Southern Washington most people reported towing them with MDT or larger trucks like Volvo's. Chris

[Luke_Porter]

coolbikeman1 wrote:
I currently have a 2008 Toyota Tundra pulling a 2002 32' Holiday Rambler travel trailer.

So, you are used to puckering?

[coolbikeman1]

Me Again wrote:
If you are going to get a 40' one I hope you have a strong duallie TV, they are heavy. My kid just bought a 1996 Travel Surpreme 40RLTSO triple axle trailer and we paid to have it moved to his lot. Appears to be a really well made trailer.

Chris

Thanks for the information. My friends that have one have a 1995 since purchase have been using a Freightliner MDT truck to haul it. I am also looking for a good used tow vehicle, preferably an MDT. I currently have a 2008 Toyota Tundra pulling a 2002 32' Holiday Rambler travel trailer.

[Luke_Porter]

I was there around 2004 and they were using aluminum or wood, buyers choice.

One thing they pointed out, they put styrofoam inside of the aluminum to cut down on condensation.

[Me_Again]

If you are going to get a 40' one I hope you have a strong duallie TV, they are heavy. My kid just bought a 1996 Travel Surpreme 40RLTSO triple axle trailer and we paid to have it moved to his lot. Appears to be a really well made trailer.

Chris