ronheater70
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Re: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
sparechange wrote: I've seen a few nash 25c's for sale recently for around 20k just a couple years old. Good quality trailer, small bunks but the trailer feels roomy. We almost bought one. Could definitely do worse. I've not seen one of those around here.. But it looks like a decent camper I may need to look and see if I can find one to look at in person.. Thanks!347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
Ribeye67 wrote: No matter how many times the OP tries to steer the topic back to his original question this thread keeps going on about towing weights. I too am interested in which brands are better quality. Looking at a Rockford now from Forest River but can't find much about them. Please go on about which brands are best instead of how much they weigh. A few folks have gave some good answers and got me looking in different directions. My point being, I think in the price point Im looking at (20k or less) most are roughly the same. Im basically wanting something to carry me for 5 years or so until girls are off in college and then ditch it and go back to tents.347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
rbpru wrote: I will tell you now a 5000 lb dry weight TT will weigh over 6000 lbs and have over 700 lbs of tongue weight. Been there done that, as have numerous folks before me. As I mentioned previously, RVing is not the same as camping with a few extra conveniences. As you will discover, it's a whole different world. Once again, and again, and again, and possibly once more I am very aware of the weights I have to work with and my vehicles capacities.. Thank you. Basically I want a door that locks, My daughter had a traumatic experience when a bunch of drunks showed up at a campground.. She wants something with a locking door and hard shell construction, if it were up to me I'd just stay with tent camping as I relish that much more.. However in an attempt to keep one of our younger daughters involved this is a step I feel I need to take.347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
2012Coleman wrote: SoundGuy wrote: ronheater70 wrote: I have a 1500 Capacity, figure 525 for folks, and 500 +/- for Hitch and it leaves me roughly 500 pounds +/-.. No way you'll be running just 500 lbs of gross tongue weight with a bunkhouse trailer of the size you're talking about ... more like 750 to 850 lbs. I ran an average 750 lbs with our previous 24' KZ Spree 240BH which typically weighed ~ 5500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, with our current 19' Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS weighing an average 4500 lbs ready to camp I typically run ~ 600+ lbs gross tongue weight. Towing a heavier trailer as you're talking about and you'd better count on a gross tongue weight much greater than just 500 lbs. :R Have to agree with SoundGuy. You don't haul a TT with no gear so why look at dry weight? Add at least 1500 lbs of stuff for 5 people to your 6000 dry weight figure and you get a tongue weight around 975 lbs - 7500 * 13% = 975. Add another 100 lbs for the WDH leaves you with 425 lbs of payload left. Then put 5 people in the truck, along with all the stuff your going to put in the bed and your way over payload. Your trucks towing capacity is meaningless as payload will be exceeded before you get anywhere near tow capacity. I'd suggest you put some more research into the capabilities of your TV instead of guessing about typical weights. Your best bet is to load up your TV for camping - people and gear, Google CAT Scale Locator and get it weighed. There is also a door jamb sticker that states the weight of cargo and passengers not to be exceeded. Oh - and all those accessories like running boards, etc. reduce the payload. Good luck. Im very Familiar with the capability of the rig and it capacities. Trailer Im looking at now has a dry weight of 5,080 pounds, and a hitch weight of 565 I have ZERO plans of carrying 1500 pounds of gear. 4-5 of us camp for a week at a time in a tent with nothing more than a cooler and clothes and bedding. I do not plan on deviating from that with a camper. I know very well the listed cargo capacity of the truck. With that in mind, again I plan on staying with the limits of the vehicle. This was not so much a question on towing or capabilities,s something I have done plenty of over the last 35 years, as it was questions about quality of campers. Im interested in finding that balance of quality vs cost and getting the best value for the money. Seems most of them are very similar now days at least in the price point I'm looking at.347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
SprinklerMan wrote: With a 28 ft trailer you are looking at 7000 lbs or 10,000 lb . If it has 5 lug wheels its most likely a 7000 lb gross trailer , if it is 6 lug wheels its probably 10 ,000 lb trailer Ahh a simple way to tell on these things, thank you!348Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
fla-gypsy wrote: Considering the brands listed there is not a lot of difference in materials and fluff (decorative fabrics). Look at overall comfort of using the TT and focus on the chassis. Whichever one has the heaviest rated axles is the way to go. Enjoy This is good info, thank you!347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
lgarcia wrote: Our towing experience is close to Soundguy - we are towing an 18ft bunkhouse with our half ton truck. Tows well. But, it is only two of us in the truck cab. Thank you, Im not really looking for tow information at this point, as I stated in the beginning, I was more curious about the differences and similarities / weakness of similar price point campers from different manufacturers. I'll work out size and capacities once I find out what Im leaning towards.347Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
SoundGuy wrote: ronheater70 wrote: I have a 1500 Capacity, figure 525 for folks, and 500 +/- for Hitch and it leaves me roughly 500 pounds +/-.. No way you'll be running just 500 lbs of gross tongue weight with a bunkhouse trailer of the size you're talking about ... more like 750 to 850 lbs. I ran an average 750 lbs with our previous 24' KZ Spree 240BH which typically weighed ~ 5500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, with our current 19' Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS weighing an average 4500 lbs ready to camp I typically run ~ 600+ lbs gross tongue weight. Towing a heavier trailer as you're talking about and you'd better count on a gross tongue weight much greater than just 500 lbs. :R Just going by what I have read on the specs in the brochures. I know some are significantly more, some less.. Im averaging because I am not firm on size yet. All i know is I want a bunkhouse, and I plan to stay within rated capacities of the vehicle.130Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
rbpru wrote: As an older canoe and tent camper, I believe you should rent a unit similar to what you want. It is what we did. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the features and styles of TTs on the market. However, pulling one of these units down the road has to be experienced to be understood. A week or 10 days adventure will explain a lot about the size and floor plan you need. It will also give you a feel for the RV life. The obvious items include 10 mpg, 300 mile days, and tow vehicle size. The less obvious includes maneuvering, parking and maintenance. Renting teaches you a lot in a short time. In answer to your question, cost and the suggestions already mentioned are as good a purchasing guide as any. Good luck and remember buying a TT is not a race. I have thought about that. I have pulled many loads through the decades, and more than a few heavy ones with the current rig just not a travel trailer. I thought about the renting Idea, however none are close to me, I would need to drive 2 hours to a facility that actually rents one and then, more than likely backtrack to get to an area We like to camp at. I know for certain: 1. We need a bunkhouse 2. I don't want more than 6000 lbs Dry (im not going to squabble over 100 pounds though) 3. I dont want to spend more than 20K 4. I REALLY like the Grey Wolf and Pioneer trailers for the price But cannot seem to find any real world reviews about quality after the fact Ie.. 3 years down the road. Again, thank you kind folks for the suggestions and comments, much appreciated.130Views0likes0CommentsRe: 1st Camper- Differences between brands question
mbopp wrote: ronheater70 wrote: nineoaks2004 wrote: Each TT model has it's own unique features and different models are designed for different uses. #1 one on your list should be what are going to tow it with, #2 then how are you going to use the RV, such as long distances, weeks at a time or just an occasional weekend adventure, #3 is how much will your budget allow. Most manufactures have units from entry level to "the sky is the limit". Decide what you want, then take the time to look at the many units and compare them Also the dealer is really important because his repair shop will probably be the one you ask for assistance and to repair any problems you might encounter and, most unit do end up with problems from small to large (just as a new vehicle) I will be pulling it with an f150 4x4 super crew with the ecoboost. I am rated at 9200 pounds towing capacity, Id like to stay 6,000 lbs or less. This seems an average weight for a bunkhouse with 1 slide out (5600-6300 depending on brand) I will be using it maybe 5 times a season, probably no more than 5 hours away, but typically 2 hours away or so. My budget will allow more than I'm willing to spend. I'm not yet sold on Travel trailers but see it as the only way currently to continue to camp with our daughters. As such I'm thinking I dont want to spend more than 20K . However I dont want to spend 17-18k on something, then find out after 5-7 years its falling apart because of shortsightedness on my part! In 7 years or so I see the girls being an age where they aren't necessarily into camping as much, and we could either resume tent camping or downsize into something smaller for the two of us. Careful, you're falling into the trap of looking at tow capacity and not payload. Add up the weight of the passengers and gear you'll be carrying. Now add the hitch weight and real tongue weight, and remember the tongue weight will cantilever over the rear axle, unloading the front axle and adding more weight to the rear. Now look at the yellow door jamb sticker for your payload. Most people towing with 1/2-ton crew cabs are overloaded and either don't know or don't care. yea, I have already looked into that.. I have a 1500 Capacity, figure 525 for folks, and 500 +/- for Hitch and it leaves me roughly 500 pounds +/-.. Not a a lot of wiggle room, but figure most everything else would be in the camper.130Views0likes0Comments
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