HEY we need a sticky for our TT pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Viken]

I was just looking at 5er's, toy haulers, and slide in, sites and they have a sticky for their rig pics. We don't. I just saw that. Is it just me or do we TT guys and gals need a sticky for our rigs. I say yes we do.

[wayfun]

Here is a photo of our setup in Ruskin, FL. This was an overnight stop on our way to Jensen Beach FL. We bought this trailer this summer and other than an overnight at a campground close to home this is the first time we've pulled it a significant distance.

[DavidP]

[Slate_CM]

csijeep, yes you will have just as good or better results with the Tundra. Just remember the 5.7 makes peak torque around 3500rpm. Although most of the time I don't get much over 3k while towing.

[csijeep]

This was our camping setup until last week when we traded the 09 Ram SLT with 5.7L in on a 14 Tundra SR5 TRD with 5.7L both with factory towing packages. This is a 2011 Salem Cruise-Lite 28 BHXL. The Ram pulled the trailer without effort. I haven't pulled with the Tundra yet as we are still in the break-in period. I'm expecting equal to or better results with the Tundra.

[jackquontee]

Travels with Yoly wrote:
Reply to jackquontee ....

Thank you.

[Travels_with_Yo]

Reply to jackquontee ....

Capacity never came up as a problem for us. We use a weight distribution hitch which transfers weight evenly to both axles of the tow vehicle. The general rule of 15% tongue weight can be increased closer to 20% with this hitch (by pre-loading it more) which basically gives you an additional 575 to 700 lbs to play with. We also pull with a pick-up so there's plenty of room in the back (protected with a shell) for additional gear and heavy items. I did upgrade the Chinese tires which I deemed to be marginal to Khumo LT tires made for trailers exclusively. We did over 8,000 miles this summer with it and it towed beautifully without a hint of problems. The tires (and wheels) were comfortable to the touch even on 110 degree days. In fact, we towed it across Kansas in high winds and then discovered that I had forgotten to tighten the clamp on the sway control and still didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Also, since it's just the two of us, we don't need to bring a lot of stuff. It was very comfortable for us and we had a great time. After 6 weeks in it, we found that we needed more dinette space primarily as we spend evenings with laptops and cameras connected downloading video etc. We also would have liked to have a larger freezer for longer remote area stays and although the shower worked better than I imagined it would, it was still a bit cramped for us. The FF214 with the single dinette slide-out solves the problem for us and icing on the cake, it has a much larger fridge/freezer and shower.

Also, we usually traveled with the fresh water tank about 1/3 full just for obvious back up and tried to empty the other tanks anytime we had sewer access regardless of their current levels. There was one time when water wasn't available so I filled the fresh water tank and didn't notice any difference towing that day.

The only actual issues were the fact that our two bikes on the bike rack cantilevered behind the rear bumper caused the bumper to begin to collapse in on its two mounting struts. The bumper is rated for 150 lbs and our bike/rack combo was only 90 lbs. The rough roads and pounding contributes to this very common type failure. I simply moved the bikes to the back of the truck. It's easily solved by simply welding gussets where they need to be. In fact, we had taken it to a dealer to have this done when we saw the FF214 for the first time ... the rest as they say, is history (we pick up the 2015 FF tomorrow morning):B

[jackquontee]

Travels with Yoly wrote:
We purchased a 2014 Cobblestone i18 made by Travel Lite in June.

Note: As much as we loved our new TT,..........we traded it in and are picking up our new rig this week .... stay tuned 🙂

Interesting turn of events. It was coming across your vid on YouTube that got me interested in considering the purchase of the same trailer. I've been reluctant to move forward with the purchase because, outside of your vid, I have not been able to find other reviews, video or written.

Was curious to know, however, how you did with the limited cargo capacity. I know it's just over 500lbs, and assume that does not include the battery and propane. Doesn't seem that much can be carried beyond those two items, not to mention when you consider the weight of water.

[Army11Bravo]

My Mother-In-law camped with us this weekend and mentioned her idea of traveling includes staying in motels and hotels. I explained our travels give us beautiful places to stay where we enjoy family time on the water, around the camp fire and playing games. Who doesn't want a view like this?



My son kayaking.



This morning's sunrise.

[tll]

Here is a few pictures of our 2015 Starcraft 299BHU. Picked it up at the end of June this summer and have towed it about 5000 miles. Longest trip was from Wisconsin to Mt. Rushmore. Yellowstone, and Glacier National park. We also made many more local trips.

Somewhere in Montana


KOA, Billings MT


Hinkley MN


Glacier NP

[ReneeG]

Small world! Yes, we've camped before at Ponderosa. It's a nice park. Enjoy your travels!

[Travels_with_Yo]

ReneeG wrote:
Looking forward to your new TT. For us we spent a trip like yours with a 22' TT and upon return upgraded to a 27' with a slide - DH said one long trip in that narrow TT was enough. After that, and several years later we upgraded to a 32' with a full room slide, then to our current fiver.

Hey Renee,
We'll probably be content with upgrading from the 18 to a 22 with a slide out. The Cobblestone was very comfortable and suited our needs with a few exceptions. We're really excited to be picking up our new TT this coming Thursday and heading to Great Smokey National Park the following week to take in the fall colors. We also have plans to spend 6 weeks down in FL this winter. We have friends in Meridian and we normally stop there for a few days when we pass through but they were up in Maine with their new TT when we passed by in August. You'll probably recognize Ponderosa State Park which is just up the road from you.

[ReneeG]

Looking forward to your new TT. For us we spent a trip like yours with a 22' TT and upon return upgraded to a 27' with a slide - DH said one long trip in that narrow TT was enough. After that, and several years later we upgraded to a 32' with a full room slide, then to our current fiver.

[Travels_with_Yo]

We purchased a 2014 Cobblestone i18 made by Travel Lite in June. It's an Ultra Lite TT weighing 2,960 dry. Very nice layout for an 18 foot TT which was soooo much more roomy than our previous T@B teardrop. July 7th, we left North Georgia making a nice 17 state loop through the scenic west and around the Pacific Northwest and back down through Tetons and Rocky Mountain National Parks. Arrived home with 8,265 miles on the new trailer. Rear bumper gave way from pounding of the bikes on the rack and the electric tongue jack failed intermittantly but everything else worked just fine so we were very pleased. The V-6 Ram averaged 14.3 mpg over the entire 8,265 miles. (see note at bottom).

Here's some shots along the way ....


Petit Jean State Park, AR.


Ponderosa State Park, ID.


Ft. Stevens State Park, OR.


Del Norte Coastal Redwoods - Mill Creek Campground, CA.


Interior

Note: As much as we loved our new TT, we also discovered that we would have liked to have a larger dinette so that we could spread out our laptops and cameras in the evening to downlaod all the HD video I shoot everyday. Also decided that we wanted a bigger shower, fridge and freezer so we traded it in and are picking up our new rig this week .... stay tuned 🙂

If you'd like to see more of our trip, check our blog ....

www.travelswithyoly.blogspot.com

and check our You Tube travel channel .....

https://www.youtube.com/user/TravelswithYoly/videos :C

[ReneeG]

You're welcome! That site is beautiful. What a treat to wake up and see the site from all your windows.

[exploringcaroli]

Thanks for the campground names!

On our way home from Wyoming had a unexpected treat when we stayed @ COE
Rough River Lake Campground in Kentucky. Many nice sites there: