Keystone Bullet - Is it really lighter than everything else?

[leewalk]

First time post - please be kind 🙂

I'm in the market for my first travel trailer, coming from a pop-up camper. I plan on towing with a 2011 F-150 v6 EcoBoost with tow package (rated for 9600lbs), so I'm trying to make sure I don't try to pull something too heavy.

I've done some research. In the floorplan I'm leaning towards, the Keystone Bullet 272BHS is the lightest by at least 500 lbs when compared to almost identical floorplans from other manufacturers.

Are Keystone weight measures accurate? I know all trailers will end up a little heavier by the time you drive off the lot, but the shipped weight for Keystone Bullets seems exceptionally light.

Also, is my F-150 reasonable to pull the Bullet?

Thanks for any advice!
Lee

[tatest]

Not always lighter than everything else, but at a given size, with similar floorplans, one of the lightest. If you are going by brochure weights, pay attention to the fine print, what is standard, what is optional, what might be the mandatory options.

Many manufacturers shave the brochure weight by making it for "standard equipment" which may not include options like air conditioner, TV, spare tire, batteries, propane tanks, etc. Then they will have a mandatory "optional equipment package" to add the stuff most buyers want, and this will add weight.

Other manufacturers make the stuff in the other guy's "optional equipment package" standard equipment, and include it in the brochure weight. So they look 500 pounds heavier when shopping on paper, but are not really heavier delivered off the lot.

[Kavoom]

I still find it hard to believe that eco boost 6 cylinder can do what it says without some eventual tradeoff of some sort like lifespan on the motor.

[GaryWT]

I feel your truck will be fine. We towed our Premier Bullet 31bhpr for a year with a 150. Numbers were close but it did the job. We have upgraded the truck but love the trailer. It is light but nicely made. Starting our 4th season soon.

[fla-gypsy]

Another thing to consider is the CCC of the trailer. Because of lighter components many have very limited cargo capacity.

[RamRider]

leewalk wrote:
Thanks for all the advice - still very new to all this but sounds like my F150 should do a decent job at pulling this one 🙂

Lee

I agree, happy travels

[gregrc75]

I chose my Bullet Premier because I liked the layout, and, it happened to be one of lightest RL floor plans I looked at. Been happy with it since 2011! Tows well behind my Nissan Titan.

[leewalk]

Thanks for all the advice - still very new to all this but sounds like my F150 should do a decent job at pulling this one 🙂

Lee

[Andy_F]

MorMJS wrote:
I just brought home my 2016 Keystone Bullet 272bhswe today. Yellow sticker on the door said 5370lbs. I'm pulling with. 2500 dodge diesel and this thing tows nice. A lot nicer than my previous trailer, I feel it has to do with the wide spaced axles of this Bullet

Congratulations and enjoy it! We had the same towing experience compared to our old Rockwood Roo 25 foot hybrid travel trailer. We have had a great experience with our Bullet since buying it new in 2012.

[SoundGuy]

jerem0621 wrote:
Adzel construction isn't the old fiberglass over luan.. Its fiberglass over adzel... zero chance of rot, mold, mildew etc.

Here is the model that my wife and I are considering

Apex 288bhs

Don't kid yourself, that Coachmen Apex has fiberglass over Azdel only on the sidewalls, front and rear walls have no Azdel, no different that my own Coachmen Freedom Express.

[Huntindog]

If I was looking at a TT that was considerably lighter than others like it... I would poke around under the hood (so to speak) and find out why. Did they put a lighter (weaker) frame under it? Lesser axles? Fewer cabinenets.

Or did they use more expensive construction methods. (this should be reflected in the price)
All TTs use basically the same components, so there can be little weight savings in things like ACs, Fridges, Heaters etc.

Find out the difference... And then decide if it's a difference you are OK with.

[MorMJS]

I just brought home my 2016 Keystone Bullet 272BHSWE today. Yellow sticker on the door said 5370lbs. I'm pulling with 2500 dodge diesel and this thing tows nice. A lot nicer than my previous trailer, I feel it has to do with the wide spaced axles of this Bullet.

[RavensFan24]

My Premier was lighter on the yellow sticker than in the brochure by 200lbs. I had a 26' 2008 Keystone Springdale that weighed as much as my 30' 2015 Premier.

[jerem0621]

Mike Up wrote:
Myself, I'm leary about buying a laminated trailer. Seen so many delaminated trailers on the dealers lot when new, at the campgrounds, and on the road.

I would go smaller for the bit heavier Stick and Tin models and not have to worry about delamination.

After all you really aren't saving any real weight in most circumstances. They put in smaller holding tanks, lighter duty frames, smaller propane tanks, and then are only saving around 500 to 700 lbs lbs. Load less, bring less water, and you may not really need an Ultralite camper.

I still lean towards sticks and tin myself... but I have found that some construction isn't laminated fiberglass and wood. Adzel construction isn't the old fiberglass over luan.. Its fiberglass over adzel... zero chance of rot, mold, mildew etc.

Here is the model that my wife and I are considering

Apex 288bhs

50 gallon fresh water
35 gallon gray
35 gallon black
31 ft 2 in overall length
4882 lbs UVWR with 2118 lb cargo capacity
7000 lb GVWR

Not bad capacities at all and totally half ton towable.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[temccarthy1]

We have a 2014 Bullet 285RLS, the body is 30.5 ft long and weight is 5650,tongue weight 650... That includes propane and battery, but not WD hitch which weighs 100. We pull it with a 1997 Expedition, 5.4 V8 which is same frame as F150 and it pulls fine. We have used it one season and it is top quality! Have not had a single thing go wrong or not work. Have also seen only positive reviews on this sight on Bullets. So I agree light doesn't have to mean poor quality! Buy a Bullet!