First TT - Of course plenty of questions!

[roook]

I am looking to fire-down on my first TT for the family.

In the running:

• Kodiak Ultimate 29TBHS - ~6000lbs
• Keystone Cougar 29BHS - ~6700lbs

Does anyone own a Kodiak Ultimate 295TBHS? If so, what are some things to look out for? Anything I should do on my walk-through of the unit?

Any general thoughts on what to look for before taking ownership?

Any thoughts on the sales process and how to obtain the best deal? Currently I am at 28.8k For the Kodiak + load-leveling hitch + tax,tags,etc. Looking at rvtrader this seems "fair".

[SoundGuy]

roook wrote:
Why not get a 2500HD? I would love to, but with two young boys, dogs and other **** my lifestyle cannot afford to drop to a crew cab.

ALL of which counts against your truck's real world payload capacity, leaving not a whole lot to account for trailer tongue weight transferred to the truck when hitched. To establish what your particular truck's actual payload capacity is as equipped weigh it with a full tank of gas, if you're in it at the time subtract your weight from the scale reading. The result will be it's actual base weight, but not including the weight of any weight distribution system you may eventually use. Subtract this base weight from the truck's GVWR listed on the driver side door jamb and the result will be it's actual payload capacity, that which you will use to account for the weight of everyone and all cargo added to the truck plus any tongue weight transferred to the truck from the trailer. Count on it - you won't come anywhere near the truck's listed GCWR nor even it's so-called trailer tow rating before running out of payload capacity. Exceed that number and you're almost sure to exceed it's GRAWR - Gross Rear Axle Weight Rating. Crunch the numbers and it should be obvious 8000 lbs is 3/4 ton territory and just too much for most 1/2 tons, particularly when we haven't even discussed axle ratio which can dramatically affect how well or poorly any given vehicle may tow a heavy load, especially upgrade and in heavy wind conditions. JMO, but with this vehicle you should be looking at a much lighter trailer.

[Lwiddis]

"Things have pretty much forked to talk about towing."
Because you asked..."Any general thoughts on what to look for before taking ownership?"

Look for a smaller, lighter TT or a better TV.

[Lwiddis]

I tow with a Denali similar vehicle...Tahoe...and my payload is slightly more at 1,595. You'll be at least 37 feet total for the TT. Add 17 for the TV...that's 54 feet. Long rig for a newbie...or me at 43 feet. And I agree with others, you'll be over weight.

[roook]

rbpru wrote:
Before you fork out the big bucks rent a s similar unit for a week or so. You will learn a lot.

Not a bad idea. I will see if there is anything around here.

So, no comments on my original post? 😉

Things have pretty much forked to talk about towing.

[rbpru]

Before you fork out the big bucks rent a s similar unit for a week or so. You will learn a lot.

[Lwiddis]

"and I won't be traveling with full tanks."

Just enough to use the toilet? Great! If you find a magical dry campsite, you can't stop. If the CG's water supply is yucky or is shutoff, you can't stay. And don't travel out West...lots of USFS and BLM CGs are dry.

[roook]

westend wrote:
Payload rating and max tow rating are two different weight ratings. You need to understand the relationship of the different tow weights to your vehicle. You will probably exceed the payload rating of 1500 lbs before you reach the max tow rating (considering WDH, passengers, and cargo).

Besides the ratings questions, have you ever towed anything with the Denali? You may wish to ask some online Forums about how it handles the weight and aspect of a travel trailer. Typically, towing a trailer at the max ratings of the vehicle is an arduous journey. You may have to focus all your attention on keeping everything with the shiny side up, a "white knuckle" experience. Or, it may all work out fine. I've never owned a Denali so have no opinions on the towing characteristics.

Yes. I realize the two I are different. I simply was calling out the differences.

Yup. A 12fter motorcycle trailer and a 16ft vnose. Nothing of this length or weight. And no load distribution hitch. I will be getting a Load distribution hitch.

Again, I think the Kodiac is the best bet, and it sounds like you all agreed simply due to weight and the need for bunk houses.

[westend]

Payload rating and max tow rating are two different weight ratings. You need to understand the relationship of the different tow weights to your vehicle. You will probably exceed the payload rating of 1500 lbs before you reach the max tow rating (considering WDH, passengers, and cargo).

Besides the ratings questions, have you ever towed anything with the Denali? You may wish to ask some online Forums about how it handles the weight and aspect of a travel trailer. Typically, towing a trailer at the max ratings of the vehicle is an arduous journey. You may have to focus all your attention on keeping everything with the shiny side up, a "white knuckle" experience. Or, it may all work out fine. I've never owned a Denali so have no opinions on the towing characteristics.

[roook]

At least that is my plan, rolling with dry tanks.

[roook]

westend wrote:
Soundguy is right for asking about your tow vehicle. With just the few things that have been stated in this thread, I'd bet you will be either right up against or over your Denali's payload rating.

FYI, a fully loaded trailer weight of 7000 lbs will get you a tongue weight of 900 lbs. Add to that the weight of a WDH, your passengers, and cargo. Examine the total weights involved.

It is my understanding payload doesn't count against the towing weight. Payload being people and some of the gear.

Even considering that. The Kodiac has a max of ~7500(loaded). Giving me 600lbs still - and I won't be traveling with full tanks.

[westend]

Soundguy is right for asking about your tow vehicle. With just the few things that have been stated in this thread, I'd bet you will be either right up against or over your Denali's payload rating.

FYI, a fully loaded trailer weight of 7000 lbs will get you a tongue weight of 900 lbs. Add to that the weight of a WDH, your passengers, and cargo. Examine the total weights involved.

[roook]

SoundGuy wrote:

roook wrote:
I am looking to fire-down on my first TT for the family.

In the running:

• Kodiak Ultimate 29TBHS - ~6000lbs
• Keystone Cougar 29BHS - ~6700lbs

Any general thoughts on what to look for before taking ownership?

So that Cougar with a family using it could easily top out with a GVW of at least 8000+ lbs loaded & ready to camp, with as much as 1000 to 1200 lbs of gross tongue weight. You have a vehicle capable of handling this size of trailer while still transporting your family & all their additional cargo? :@

Yeah, I know - you didn't ask ... but then newbies unfortunately often don't. 😉

Haha! Yes. I struggled with this one. I had a post on a RV Facebook group to get some opinions. But I suppose I can get some here too.

I have a 2015 Yukon Denali with a max tow of 8100 and a max payload of 1500.

The Kodiac is my first choice simply due to the configuration and weight. The Cougar is pushing it.

Why not get a 2500HD? I would love to, but with two young boys, dogs and other **** my lifestyle cannot afford to drop to a crew cab. Maybe one day later in life I can have a truck again.

[roook]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
since you seem settled on the Kodiak, I would suggest you look at the deal you have been offered of $28.8 and inquire as to what fees and other hidden cost they will put in the final package. Shipping is frequently quoted at $2 per mile, so for NC expect upwards of $1400, many will add another $1200 - $1500 for dealer prep, an additional documentation fee of as much as $399 and in a few cases another $500 for your PDI or walk through. The dealer may not want to talk about these but everything is negotiable.
Some dealers may be asking a little more than others, but not have all these fees. Look at the ones you found on RV trader and see if they tell you hat they have for hidden charges. Then use hat info to verify your getting the best deal you can.

The Kodiac is local. But, I am not totally settled. I am interested in more trailers if people have suggestions!!

[SoundGuy]

roook wrote:
I am looking to fire-down on my first TT for the family.

In the running:

• Kodiak Ultimate 29TBHS - ~6000lbs
• Keystone Cougar 29BHS - ~6700lbs

Any general thoughts on what to look for before taking ownership?

So that Cougar with a family using it could easily top out with a GVW of at least 8000+ lbs loaded & ready to camp, with as much as 1000 to 1200 lbs of gross tongue weight. You have a vehicle capable of handling this size of trailer while still transporting your family & all their additional cargo? :@

Yeah, I know - you didn't ask ... but then newbies unfortunately often don't. 😉

[wanderingaimles]

since you seem settled on the Kodiak, I would suggest you look at the deal you have been offered of $28.8 and inquire as to what fees and other hidden cost they will put in the final package. Shipping is frequently quoted at $2 per mile, so for NC expect upwards of $1400, many will add another $1200 - $1500 for dealer prep, an additional documentation fee of as much as $399 and in a few cases another $500 for your PDI or walk through. The dealer may not want to talk about these but everything is negotiable.
Some dealers may be asking a little more than others, but not have all these fees. Look at the ones you found on RV trader and see if they tell you hat they have for hidden charges. Then use hat info to verify your getting the best deal you can.