new to the forum and soon to RVing.. and have a question...

[The_German]

My wife and I consider buying a 2016 Coachmen catalina 293rldsle and one of my biggest problems, whenever we look at such an investment, is that I search the internet for reviews of the model and manufacturer. Most of the time, as people tend to share more negative experience than positive, this gets me back to the point where I am not sure if this model/manufacturer is the right decision...

Long story short - does anybody have positive experience with Coachmen TT (2014 or newer) or is their quality really as far down the drain as the reviews on the internet made me believe?

The other open question is in regards to the towing capacity of our 2007 Infiniti QX56. It can handle up to 9000lbs, the Catalina weights 7800lbs empty with up to 2000lbs added on. Understood that this will be - considering we only travel with 2 adults and 3 dogs - the upper limit of what we should to. Any concerns with this configuration from the more experienced RVers?

[wing_zealot]

The German wrote:
Thank you all for the quick responses! Greatly appreciated!
Yes, I get that it will not be an investment, but that is the same if I take my wife and fly somewhere for a vacation. And over a time of 7 years, the cost is roughly the same, but an RV gives us so much more freedom like simply going somewhere for a weekend, taking the dogs, taking the kids that I am sure that we will not regret the investment (and while it will be a new RV to me, I camped with my parents (way back...) for 15+ years and really enjoyed it.

I share the concerns with the weight and we already looked at an alternative that has about 1000lbs less weight and should be more in the reasonable range for the QX56. We also asked the dealer, if they would hook it up to our car and let us test drive it.

Regardless of what the dealer said, I would be surprised if they really let you tow a new TT. In order to do so, they would have to mount a WD system to the frame of the TT. That includes drilling holes and such in the frame of a brand new TT - not likely. That also means they got to supply a new WD system that they will later have to sell as used. Not to mention a brake controller for the TV and who knows what else. They may have said "yes", but the real answer is "it is extremely unlikely it will ever happen". They will have a 101 excuses why it isn't necessary.

[APT]

Your vehicle has several ratings you should understand with respect to RV towing. No one tows and empty RV more than once - when purchased new and empty. At 7800 pounds dry, it will likely exceed your tow rating at 9000 pounds when loaded with a long weekend of gear and a full water tank. 940 pounds of dry tongue weight will likely be in the 1100-1200 pound range when loaded. That will likely exceed your receiver rating as well as payload of the big Q. I would not tow that TT with my Suburban which has every towing related rating higher than your Q.

So how much weight should you consider? It is wise to stay below all your vehicle's limits - GVWR, axle, receiver, and tow rating. Take a look for a sticker on the receiver itself for a limit. If not there, then the owners manual may also list a tongue weight limit. I thought yours was in the 900-950 pound range when using a WDH. Here is a sticker from mine for example:



Most to all of the tongue weight is supported by the tow vehicle's axles so it is considered against the payload of your vehicle. Every 2006+ model year vehicle sold in US/Canada has this sticker usually posted on the driver's door or door jam for how much payload is available with the exact equipment from the factory. Note what your has wat mine says 2051:



Take your number, subtract your estimate of people and cargo inside the SUV. Take the lower of that or receiver for what is available for TW. Multiply by 6.5 for a reasonable dry weigh estimate. I suspect you'll end up close to 6000 pounds which will make for a comfortable towing experience. Get a WDH with integrated sway control and proportional brake controller. Make sure your Q has the proper heavy duty towing equipment which I believe includes the optional shorter gears and large capacity transmission cooler.

[mabynack]

I know you asked for recent experience, but I still wanted to share my experience with a much older rig. My first travel trailer was a 24 foot Coachman Catalina that we bought 25 years ago and we loved it. The only issue we had was with brittle plumbing elbows and that problem was fixed many years ago. We bought the coach brand new and it never went back to the dealer for any type of repairs. It was a great entry level coach and we travelled from California to Maine to Florida and back to California in it without any problems at all.

I towed it with an F-150 with a 300 Cubic Inch straight six and a four speed manual. I had to use an equalizer hitch to keep the back of the truck from getting too low. I managed to get the trailer through the Sierras and the Rockies, but not very quickly. I traded the F-150 in for an F-250 and was much happier.

[ncrowley]

Find out what the GVWR is. This is the weight the coach, its contents and anything it is pulling can be. Do not push this weight. Just taking it for a drive at the dealers will not tell you how it will handle for many miles over mountain passes. Do the math and make the decision. Looking at what you are trying to do, I would not be surprised if you will be over weight. Also, do not believe anything the salesman tells you. I was looking at purchasing a diesel class C and the salesman told me I would be fine pulling my 4500 lb Jeep Rubicon because the hitch was 5000 pounds, but they did not mention that I would be at least 500 pounds over the GVWR. You do not want to do this.

[2012Coleman]

Post a picture of the door jamb sticker.

[The_German]

Thank you all for the quick responses! Greatly appreciated!
Yes, I get that it will not be an investment, but that is the same if I take my wife and fly somewhere for a vacation. And over a time of 7 years, the cost is roughly the same, but an RV gives us so much more freedom like simply going somewhere for a weekend, taking the dogs, taking the kids that I am sure that we will not regret the investment (and while it will be a new RV to me, I camped with my parents (way back...) for 15+ years and really enjoyed it.

I share the concerns with the weight and we already looked at an alternative that has about 1000lbs less weight and should be more in the reasonable range for the QX56. We also asked the dealer, if they would hook it up to our car and let us test drive it.

[DutchmenSport]

I *really* think that is too much camper for your tow vehicle.

About quality? They are all about the same. They all take constant attention. It's really just a matter of how much you are willing to invest AFTER you purchase it. You really have to think of them as a very expensive hobby.

[pconroy328]

So I don't have a new Coachmen, I have an older one - pre-acquisiton by Forrest River.

I agree that first and foremost, you need to rethink towing that thing with the QX56. My two cents is that while it may pull it, you won't enjoy it and it'll really be rough on the SUV.

I'm in a similar quandary considering a purchase of a newer Class C. I think when it comes to quality, most of the manufacturers in that price range are going to be very similar. They all build them as quickly as they can. One cuts corners as much as the other. They all source their appliances, pumps, components from the same suppliers.

In short, IMHO, it's a **** shoot. Stop analysis paralysis and pick one. 🙂 Read up on how to do an inspection before you take delivery. Read up on how folks have fixed common issues. Read up on what kind of experiences folks have had with warranty work.

That's where my head's at with our pending purchase.

[donn0128]

Please do yourself a BIG favor. Quit looking at new. RVs are definitely the opposite of investment. These things are huge deprecating assets. Any RV can be good or a nightmare. It all depends on how mechanically inclined you are. These things take a lot of effort to keep on the road.

[Dick_B]

Do the same searches on this Forum. You might also want to contact the RV Consumer Group, www.rv.org for their reviews.
Before buying I visited a bunch of campgrounds talking to RVers about what they liked/disliked about their rig. On this Forum pay more attention to the negatives.

[Chuck_thehammer]

and do not believe the Empty weight.. is fact....

my empty trailer is 800 pounds more then posted on paperwork.

[bikendan]

You're making a newbie mistake by only focusing on towing capacity.
You'll run out of payload capacity WAAYYY before you get near the towing capacity, especially with a SUV.

what's the driver door sticker say is the payload capacity of your vehicle?

With a DRY tongue weight of 940lbs, I'm sure that loaded, it will exceed your Infinity's max hitch capacity.
And NO way would I tow a nearly 34' TT with your vehicle.

I suggest you scale down your TT choices.