Forum Discussion

rvshrinker's avatar
rvshrinker
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2014

2011 Komfort Resort 249BH

Hello, I'm interested in buying a travel trailer, completely new to the hobby. I need a tow vehicle and a trailer.

A friend of mine has a 2011 Komfort Resort 249BH which has only been driven 3 times. It has all the accessories like a cover included. It has been garaged and well taken care of, I am confident about that.

I read elsewhere that Komfort was bought out by Dutchman and is now a defunct brand, and that the quality declined before the end. Is the 2011 vintage pre- or post-decline and buyout?

Overall she is asking $19k even including all the accessories, I don't understand them all but she says they are worth $2000.

Just on a big picture basis, is this a lead you'd continue to follow?

OK, second question about the tow vehicle. The plan was to get a Dodge Durango Hemi which has a capacity of 7200 pounds. The GVWR on this trailer is, I think, 7500 pounds. Is this a bad idea? Do I have to include the weight of passengers and luggage in the tow vehicle against the tow capacity (I know this sounds like a dumb question but I am really new to this).

Another option would be a Toyota Sequoia, which has a tow capacity of 7400 pounds, but I like the Durango better.

If neither of these will work and I need an even larger tow vehicle, I probably wouldn't go with this trailer.

Thanks for any thoughts!
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    IMO DO NOT buy anything until you understand your second question in detail and "no" is not a dumb question. Lots of info here and on line.

    OK, second question about the tow vehicle. The plan was to get a Dodge Durango Hemi which has a capacity of 7200 pounds. The GVWR on this trailer is, I think, 7500 pounds. Is this a bad idea? Do I have to include the weight of passengers and luggage in the tow vehicle against the tow capacity (I know this sounds like a dumb question but I am really new to this).
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2014
    No question I will not buy anything until knowing everything! I am not an impulse buyer and my friend is in no rush to sell. Thank you
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2014
    Mfg. published tow ratings are magical marketing numbers. You will run out of 'payload' capacity long before ever reaching that magical tow rating.

    Payload is what is available after weight of truck (all passengers, all cargo, hitch weight, everything in/on truck) is subtracted from trucks GVWR, while paying attention to weight on rear axle and tires vs their ratings.

    MFG. 'Fine Print' (often not seen/read or ignored)
    *Maximum trailer weights in pounds for properly equipped vehicles with no cargo

    *May vary depending on model, trim and/or powertrain.

    *Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10-15 (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15-25 (fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 pounds).

    *Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and hitch must be deducted from this weight

    So YES that GVWR trailer at 7500# is more than the Durango's 7200# rating and the Sequoia's 7400#
  • rugermark2's avatar
    rugermark2
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    rvshrinker wrote:
    I read elsewhere that Komfort was bought out by Dutchman and is now a defunct brand, and that the quality declined before the end. Is the 2011 vintage pre- or post-decline and buyout?


    The resort you are looking at is pre Dutchman kind of. They were still being manufactured under the old management of Komfort but Dutchman was starting to take over.
    I owned a 2011 Resort 24rk and it was a really nice trailer. The only reason why I got rid of it was for more room. Before you buy look the trailer up on NADA to see if it is a good deal. Also continue to research your tow rig a little more. I towed my resort with a Tundra and it pulled it just fine, but at this time I don't remember my trailer specs.
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Jul 30, 2014
    It does seem like a very nice trailer and I like the combination of used but owned by someone who took very good care of it.

    However if I have to get a bigger tow vehicle it seems daunting. Buying a Ram 1500 for example only seats 6 people. We were really hoping for a more versatile tow vehicle, something that could drive around 7-8 people, etc.
  • AirForceAngler's avatar
    AirForceAngler
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    rvshrinker wrote:
    It does seem like a very nice trailer and I like the combination of used but owned by someone who took very good care of it.

    However if I have to get a bigger tow vehicle it seems daunting. Buying a Ram 1500 for example only seats 6 people. We were really hoping for a more versatile tow vehicle, something that could drive around 7-8 people, etc.


    The only tow vehicles you're going to find that seat 7-8 and still be able to pull a trailer are Suburbans, Excursions (not made anymore) or maybe a 3/4 conversion van. Definitely not a Durango.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    Thor Industries wrote:
    Also in 1991 Thor acquired Dutchmen Manufacturing, now one of the leading brands of travel trailers and fifth wheels. Four Winds International, manufacturer of Class A and Class C motorhomes, was acquired in 1992. Komfort Corporation, builder of trailers and fifth wheels, became part of the growing Thor family in 1995. 1996 saw the start-up of Thor California, which became one of the most successful RV start-ups.


    http://www.thorindustries.com/corp/component/content/


    I have a 2007 Komfort Kampsite and a sticker on the outside says manufactured by Thor. I know you are referring to a 2011 model, but per Thor's website, looks like those acquisitions were in place for some time.
  • rugermark2's avatar
    rugermark2
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    RedRocket204 wrote:
    I have a 2007 Komfort Kampsite and a sticker on the outside says manufactured by Thor. I know you are referring to a 2011 model, but per Thor's website, looks like those acquisitions were in place for some time.


    This is correct. But before Dutchman took them over they were ran as a wholly owned subsidiary under Thor. Thor realigned Komfort under the Dutchman brand. When Dutchman took over Komfort the operations and the name got folded into one of Dutchman brands, it is no longer a wholly owned subsidiary.
  • rvshrinker's avatar
    rvshrinker
    Explorer III
    Jul 31, 2014
    So what's the take home message? The 2011 is considered part of the older, higher quality Komfort brand, or not?

    Any additional thoughts on the tow vehicle situation? To be clear I wasn't primarily wanting to bring 6-7 people AND tow the trailer simultaneously. I wanted to have a tow vehicle that was more versatile than a truck when I wasn't towing, since that will be most of the time.
  • RedRocket204's avatar
    RedRocket204
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2014
    rvshrinker wrote:
    So what's the take home message? The 2011 is considered part of the older, higher quality Komfort brand, or not?


    rugermark2 wrote:
    The resort you are looking at is pre Dutchman kind of. They were still being manufactured under the old management of Komfort but Dutchman was starting to take over.
    I owned a 2011 Resort 24rk and it was a really nice trailer. The only reason why I got rid of it was for more room.



    I would go off of what rugermark2 has in the quote above and then do some additional searching to see if there are many complaints for severe issues with Komfort post 2010. Keep in mind that it seems just about every RV manufacturer will have minor punch-list type issues on new RVs. Not saying it is right, just reality and very common...so keep that in mind when you continue your research.


    rvshrinker wrote:
    OK, second question about the tow vehicle. The plan was to get a Dodge Durango Hemi which has a capacity of 7200 pounds. The GVWR on this trailer is, I think, 7500 pounds. Is this a bad idea?


    Your real limiting factor will be Tow Vehicle payload which is found on the sticker located on B-pillar, driver side. This sticker will tell you the amount of weight that specific vehicle can be loaded up with excluding all vehicle liquids and a single 150lb driver. Everything else added to the vehicle (occupants, gear, W/D hitch and tongue weight) all subtract from the payload. For both the Durango and Sequioa, you will run out of payload well before you ever run out of tow capacity.

    Now, that also does not mean you will be reaching the GVWR of the trailer at 7500 lbs. See if the current owner/friend can get it weighed while it is unloaded, ready for sale but still has propane tanks and batteries. Then figure you will be adding between 500# - 1000# of gear to the trailer and you will know ~ weight of a loaded trailer along with tongue weight calculated at 13% of the loaded TT weight.

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