Hi. First post here so thanks in advance for reading. We are a family of 4 from Michigan considering our first TT purchase. We love the layout of the FR Cherokee 264DBH. But what we are struggling with is the good, better, best on siding, frames, slide technology, window construction etc. Is the Cherokee going to hold up given our intended usage? Would we be better off paying $5-10k more and getting a similar layout with fiberglass and a better floor, frame, etc? We’re not planning on using this thing more than 21 days per year but would like it to last for 10 years. And what construction musts do you recommend?We’ll be towing with a Chevy Silvarado. UPDATE: THANKS for all the advice. The Silverado is a 5.3L with the 3.08 RA. The 2510BH Highlabd Ridge is looking more like what we need. Something 5000 poundsish with sturdier axles.

BobbieLee wrote:We love the layout of the FR Cherokee 264DBH. But what we are struggling with is the good, better, best on siding, frames, slide technology, window construction etc. Is the Cherokee going to hold up given our intended usage? Would we be better off paying $5-10k more and getting a similar layout with fiberglass and a better floor, frame, etc? We’re not planning on using this thing more than 21 days per year but would like it to last for 10 years. And what construction musts do you recommend?We’ll be towing with a Chevy Silvarado.Uh Oh, here we go again .... :WYou haven't indicated at all just what model of Silverado you have but if it's a conventional 1/2 ton with a 5.3L engine that Cherokee 264DBH is WAY too much trailer for that size of truck and with a GVWR of almost 8000 lbs is clearly in 3/4 ton territory. I know you didn't ask but all this other stuff you're asking about means little if you can't safely tow the darned thing. ;)

Wood framing with corrogated aluminum siding was used for years and years with great success. No matter what construction is used water leaks is, has, and always be the biggest killer of any RV. Pick a floor plan within your budget you like and go. After sale YOU as the owner need to learn how and be meticilous about maintenance. You simply cannot leave it sitting without taking care of it. Doing so will ensure many years of enjoyment.

We have been confused about this for the past week. Chevy manual says it can tow 9600. But combined 12000. So combined at full weight is a concern. However it’s a lease and we will be trading it in in 2020. We called the Chevy dealer, the hitch place and the RV dealer and they all give thumbs up. Our first season of travel will be local. We will not be transporting fluids. But I personally would prefer not to be nearing the max. So your feedback echos my own concerns.

Look at the listed "dry weight" of the RV. You will probably add about 1000 lb to that if you travel light and 1500 if you take tons of stuff. You will have clothes, food, bedding, etc. Also, the dry weight doesn't usually include propane tanks and battery. Pick 1200 lb as a number added to the dry weight.10-15% of the loaded weight of the trailer has to be transferred to the tongue and thus the hitch. This becomes part of the cargo of your trailer. So pick 12% for a good intermediate number.Calculate 12% of the loaded weight. Add about 60 lb for the weight of a good sway control/weight distribution hitch system. Add that to the weight of the passengers, their stuff, and whatever else will be in the truck. All that is the cargo weight of the truck. Add the curb weight of the truck, and see if you are over the gross weight (not combined weight) of the truck. Quite often, cargo weight is the limiting factor on a 1/2 ton truck.My advice is to buy a lighter, cheaper, smaller RV for a starter unit. Find a used one if you can. Quite often people sell them in the fall on Craigslist. Keep it at least until you are ready to trade up in truck. Then trade the truck up for something that will comfortably tow the RV you want.

Good luck with any FR product. Like 'Ollie' says, build 'em cheap, stack 'em deep'.....Get a 3/4 ton truck and don't look back.Don't matter if you carry 'fluids' or not. You will be carrying 'stuff' and stuff weighs something and that includes you and your occupants.Being in Brighton I figure it's either the dealer in Chelsea or General RV. Neither will tell you the truth, they both want to sell a unit and remember, once you buy it and leave with it, it's all about you (and not them).

Mechanical stuff... | Good Sam Community

BobbieLee
Explorer
Jul 16, 2018
Thanks for all the feedback.

I looked at Lance and LivinLite. The axle weight comment someone made really has me changing my direction. We are willing to go with a little shorter and lighter RV and trade my lease in for a second, better tow vehicle. The problem I am finding is that everything with the creature comforts we want is either $20k for low-end construction or over $40k for an overbuild - we ain’t living in it. We can’t find the better in “good, better, best”
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
No kidding! :E All 3 GM 5.3L trucks I've towed with have run a 3.42 axle which itself isn't all that great for towing, I'd much prefer a 3.73 even with my current 2012 Silvy which is equipped with the newer narrow ratio 6-speed transmission. 3.08 for towing anything but a popup is a non-starter IMO. :(

Grit dog wrote:
Then you should just get a bigger truck next time instead of complaining about the poor performance even though you've made the same choice 3x in a row as I read it.

Nope, not a chance when a 1/2 ton Chevy works so well for all other uses. Badgering me doesn't change the fact that a 3.42 axle is only so-so for towing purposes, anything higher (lower numerically) is terrible, and the better choice would be 3.73 or lower (higher numerically). The OP apparently says their truck has 3.08 which is GM's attempt to improve fuel mileage returns in general driving around but it's totally unsuitable for towing.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 15, 2018
free radical wrote:
BobbieLee wrote:
Can’t rent or buy used. Germs. Lol. That is why we want an Rv...to avoid the hotel funk. But we can be happier with smaller and lighter.

Casita is small :)

Im a carpenter by trade,and would never buy any TT built from those tiny sticks stapled together and aluminum skin..anything that needs recaulking is a no no in my book..

Id only buy good quality fiberglass or solid aluminum such as Airstream..
There are others but dont recall the names right now..

Sure it cost more up front but Im not so rich to waste money on cheap junk that needs continous maintanance and fixing..
good luck finding what you want

Agree on the quality thing to a point, but idk about you. I see thousands or tens of thousands sticks n staples RVs going everywhere. Doesn't seem like they just fall apart.
But you know. Someone posts a question on here and within 2 pages they're an idiot and nothing but a new 1 ton diesel and an Airstream will will even make it out of the driveway much less to a campground....
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 15, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
BobbieLee wrote:
We’ll be towing with a Chevy Silvarado.

UPDATE: THANKS for all the advice. The Silverado is a 5.3L with the 3.08 RA.

bikendan wrote:
Even with the newer higher speed transmissions, the 3.08 rear end is lousy for towing. A 3.42 would be much better.

No kidding! :E All 3 GM 5.3L trucks I've towed with have run a 3.42 axle which itself isn't all that great for towing, I'd much prefer a 3.73 even with my current 2012 Silvy which is equipped with the newer narrow ratio 6-speed transmission. 3.08 for towing anything but a popup is a non-starter IMO. :(

Then you should just get a bigger truck next time instead of complaining about the poor performance even though you've made the same choice 3x in a row as I read it.
On the flip side, I've drug 6k to 14klb trailers around with my 2016 5.3 Silvy work truck. Perty sure she has 3.42s, but nonetheless, it seems to do do fine. Even in the low alt mtns we have here.
Will my hopped up diesel pull the pants off the little Chevy? Sure, but equating a new fillsize half ton with the big engine to no greater than a popup is just talking to hear yourself talk.....
tomman58
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
lIKELY THE BEST AND MOST HONEST tt DEALER IS IN tAWAS AND THEIR OTHER COMPANY IS IN aLPENA. Opps. They are Jayco dealers and I have used them for years. To us they are not far from our summer cottage. You will find the dealer is your most needed friend. Also the best TT deals are not in the tricounty area.
Optimistic_Para
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
free radical wrote:
Im a carpenter by trade,and would never buy any TT built from those tiny sticks stapled together and aluminum skin..

The people with bus conversions like to point out that when a bus gets into an accident, it looks like a bus got into an accident. When a motor home or trailer gets into an accident, it looks like a tornado hit a trailer park! :)
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
BobbieLee wrote:
We’ll be towing with a Chevy Silvarado.

UPDATE: THANKS for all the advice. The Silverado is a 5.3L with the 3.08 RA.

bikendan wrote:
Even with the newer higher speed transmissions, the 3.08 rear end is lousy for towing. A 3.42 would be much better.

No kidding! :E All 3 GM 5.3L trucks I've towed with have run a 3.42 axle which itself isn't all that great for towing, I'd much prefer a 3.73 even with my current 2012 Silvy which is equipped with the newer narrow ratio 6-speed transmission. 3.08 for towing anything but a popup is a non-starter IMO. :(
free_radical
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
BobbieLee wrote:
Can’t rent or buy used. Germs. Lol. That is why we want an Rv...to avoid the hotel funk. But we can be happier with smaller and lighter.

Casita is small :)

Im a carpenter by trade,and would never buy any TT built from those tiny sticks stapled together and aluminum skin..anything that needs recaulking is a no no in my book..

Id only buy good quality fiberglass or solid aluminum such as Airstream..
There are others but dont recall the names right now..

Sure it cost more up front but Im not so rich to waste money on cheap junk that needs continous maintanance and fixing..
good luck finding what you want
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2018
Here are my comments for what they are worth.

First almost all RVs are built poorly. Not just a little poor but grossly poor construction and design.

Buy used whenever possible. RVs depreciate rapidly. Many of them are only used a few times before the owners realize they made a mistake.

When buying a trailer start by considering the axles, wheels and CCC. Many are built so flimsy they cannot safely carry anything. Personal items, clothing, cooking gear, and other essential add up quickly.
bikendan
Explorer
Jul 15, 2018
BobbieLee wrote:

We’ll be towing with a Chevy Silvarado.

UPDATE: THANKS for all the advice. The Silverado is a 5.3L with the 3.08 RA. The 2510BH Highlabd Ridge is looking more like what we need. Something 5000 poundsish with sturdier axles.

Even with the newer higher speed transmissions, the 3.08 rear end is lousy for towing. A 3.42 would be much better.
Does your leased Chevy have the factory tow package and can you use it for towing with a WDH?

The UVW of the 2510BH is 5385lbs. That's without battery, options, cargo and water. It will easily weigh over 6000lbs loaded for camping.

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