tdp6022
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Re: Grand Design 308BHTS
I was going to buy the Grand Design Imagine 2950RL, to tow with my 1/2 ton Chevy with Max tow package and 6.2 ltr V8. That trailer had a GVW of 8995. I really liked the trailer, but weighed everything and it turned out that was cutting it way to close for my truck. Even though on the surface it looks like my truck would handle that trailer, but at nearly 34' and 9000lbs I would have felt more comfortable with a 3/4 ton truck at least. The manufacturer claims the Imagine line is built for 1/2 tons but the two largest (2950RL included) are probably better for a 3/4 ton. I believe the Reflection series is even bigger and heavier than the Imagine line. So IMHO, I would not tow any Reflection series with a 1/2 ton.250Views0likes0CommentsRe: Front Filon Cap repair or replacement
westend wrote: Do the smaller ripples radiate from attachment points (like the edge trim)? The ripples are not right on the edge, they start about 3 inches from the edge trim, far beneath the parking light about 4 feet below, closer to the bottom half of the front panel. They are not huge, about 6-7" in diameter. But then there is the larger wave or bulge that radiates from there and seems to expand and contract a bit, unless its just the angle of the sun playing tricks on my poor vision! I will search again for wavy front ends (the first search took me to my own post). A good suggestion about removing, strengthening (if needed) and allowing to stretch. I will look into that as well. When I get over to the storage yard, I'll take some pictures. Some may say do nothing. But I can see it when I tow and it bothers me...991Views0likes0CommentsRe: Front Filon Cap repair or replacement
I'm not 100% sure Westend, thanks for the reply. My damage is small ripples that lead to larger waves or bulges. I'm told the filon has to be removed, to have the frame inspected then replaced with either another piece of Filon or Aluminum. Not sure I have seen any Fiberglass trailers with Aluminum front caps. Wondering if anyone has done that or something else to solve this front cap problem.991Views0likes0CommentsFront Filon Cap repair or replacement
I have some delamination on the front cap of my travel trailer. Its starting to look pretty bad. The trailer is only 5 years old and living in so cal with the current drought, there has been very little rain fall on it. So I'm not sure how it happened but I'm told from moisture getting in through bad factory seals. I got an estimate to replace the Filon front cap (with another piece of same) for around $1700. Money isn't the only issue, I don't want it to happen again. From a little research, its obvious that Filon front caps have this problem, industry wide, no matter how much maintenance one does. So would it be better to replace the filon front cap with aluminum or even diamond plate the entire front end? Has anybody out there done anything like this? Rest of trailer looks great but I don't want the delam to keep getting worse as I'm told it will.8.8KViews0likes7CommentsRe: Can I dream?
My two cents: I'm going through a similar issue. I started out with a Tahoe 3.5 ltr V8 with Max tow package, bought my first trailer a 28' GVW 6700lbs trailer. The horsepower was fine, but the sway wasn't. it only took one year before I upgraded to a 1/2 ton with Max tow package and a 6.2 ltr V8. It changed the towing experience from a white knuckle adventure into a stess free, relaxing ride. My wife and I now want a bigger trailer, since we have outgrown the 28'. Dealer is trying to sell me on a rig that's 33' and GVW of 8995. He says my truck can handle it. I posted on this site and got lots of good advice to weigh my truck first to get exact numbers since this was very close. I did and found out my truck would be just at or over the GVWR with that new trailer. Moral of the story is to get the most Tow Vehicle you can within reason of course. I guarantee at some point, you will want a bigger, heavier trailer. Since my truck is in great shape, we have decided to downgrade our new "dream" trailer to something lighter. Just need to find it now!380Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing maximum capacity
Weighed the truck today at a CAT scale with full tank, me and spouse in it and typical camping gear. Rounding up a few pounds, Final verdict is 6080lbs. That would leave 1020lbs for tow weight. Cutting it awful close. I think I may have to pass on this trailer for now. Look for something a little bit lighter or just keep mine and deal with the things I don't like until I have a bigger truck or can afford a motor home. I think my truck could do it, but I don't want to be worried about over loading. My current trailer at around 7000lbs full is perfect for towing. Never sways, I've towed it up and down mountains without issue. I just wish it had a better floorplan !! I'm curious if other folks feel the same. The total GVW of the trailer is listed at 8900 and the tongue weight at 767lbs, but we all know how that goes! Many thanks for the help folks.370Views0likes0CommentsRe: Towing maximum capacity
need-a-vacation wrote: Guessing the 1905lbs is a typo, and the 1740lbs Max payload, is that per the yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb? Yes that's a type-0. The Rear axle max is 4200lbs. I did get the 1740lbs max payload from the door sticker! I will heed all advice and weigh the truck. To answer another question, I mostly tow on flat ground, up and down the California coast and high desserts. I don't go into the mountains much, occasionally we make it up to Yosemite or thereabouts. After I retire, I would plan to upgrade to a HD diesel truck for cross country towing, even with my existing trailer; for that kind of long term towing. (Or eventually buy a class-A)! Thanks again everyone for the advice. I'll let you all know what the weight and final decision is.370Views0likes0Comments- 370Views0likes0Comments
Re: Towing maximum capacity
Thanks folks all good points. I will weigh the truck to get exact weight. the manual says it weighs between 4900 and 5400lbs. My GVWR is 7100lbs the RAWR is 1905lbs and the max payload is 1740lbs. Let's assume (for now) truck weight is 5400lbs. The GCVW is 16000lbs. How do I put all those numbers together, what is the formula to tell how much I should tow?370Views0likes0Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Jan 20, 202544,030 Posts
