Charli
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Re: Whats Your Real Weights? Truck and Trailer. The Real Deal
The salesman had to know that this trailer was way over the limits for your truck. It is so disappointing that no salesperson will level with the customer and sit down and explain weights, limits and risks. It's all about the sale and making their commission. I've been through 3 trucks and 3 trailers in the past 5 yrs and at no time did a salesman talk to me about how the weights and ratings all fit together. Learned it all on my own by experience and reading. So very disappointing. Salesmen deserve the reputation they have.444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Columbus 320RS vs. Silverback 33RL
This Weekend we travelled from Winnipeg to the Minneapolis RV show to see all the 5ers on our wishlist. Great RV show, saw all on the units we were interested in. After negotiating prices here on both the Columbus 320 and the Mountaineer 331 (pretty close in price) we ended up phoning a dealer back home and negotiated a price about $4k higher than at the show however we don't have to drive 8 hours to pick it up, deal with a border crossing, currency exchange, have more flexibility on delivery and selling our trade and have a local dealer with an interest in keeping us happy (I hope). So now it's on to finding a hitch and pin box combo and getting my drivers license upgraded to handle the larger 5er and we are set.437Views0likes0CommentsRe: Columbus 320RS vs. Silverback 33RL
Took a look at a report I ordered in 2011 when we were purchasing our last 5er. It's from RVReviews.net and proclaims to be like Consumer Reports, but for RVs. My report is a bit dated and rates RV Manufacturers as opposed to individual lines or models. This is a bit problematic as it groups all Forest Rivers, all Keystones, etc. together as one. It does breakdown Palomino separately but doesn't mention the Columbus model as I think 2011/12 was the first year for this line. In the premium group it has Heartland as #3 of 9 behind Carriage and New Horizons. In the Above Average group it has Keystone #1 followed by Jayco, Open Range, Fox and K-Z. Down the list at # 9 of 12 is Forest River. Cedar Creek as the Mfg of Silverback is not shown separately. In the Economy list Palomino is shown as #7 of 10, keeping in mind that this is before the Columbus was introduced. Was thinking about ordering a new report to help with our search for a new 5er but at the end of the day I'm not sure how valuable this info really is. Has anybody had experience with this company and their reports? The online forums seem to provide better and more specific info. At the end of the day it will probably come down to price and which decor and layout the DW likes.436Views0likes0CommentsRe: Columbus 320RS vs. Silverback 33RL
We are also looking at upgrading our 5er and the Columbus 320 and Silverback 33 are 2 of our top choices. Going to Minneapolis RV show this weekend and hope to see them live. Avalanche 343 has also made our short list, love the dropped frame with the huge basement storage. DW likes the decor on the Columbus and I think it has a few more features than the Silverback but may also be a bit more money. I think the Columbus line is only 3 yrs old and had some quality control issues the first couple years but seems to be getting better. I haven't been able to find many complaints about the Silverback. The Silverback has different wall construction, not laminated, and it's supposed to be better, however that also seems to be a matter of opinion. For us it's a coin flip but will probably come down to money and once we get to see them live hopefully one will speak to us. YOU ARE HOME436Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2011 F350 What to ask?
Well we did it. A 2011 F350, KR, 4x4, 6.7L PSD, Crew Cab, 60,000 km is sitting in the driveway. Won't fit in the garage unfortunately. Will send pictures once the blizzard outside lets up. Thanks to the tips received here and on a few other forums I was armed with my notebook filled with questions and things to look for. Didn't get them down in price cause we almost got caught in a bidding war with another interested buyer. Based on other trucks listed for sale, but located 7-8 hrs away, the truck seemed to be priced competitively. Checked Kelly Blue Book prices and this one was priced in the range for a clean truck and keeping in mind Kelly's prices are US$ I think we did ok. Original build sheet shows sticker price of $85k with a long list of options so $48k seems, choke, reasonable! Has new 20" Michelins, would have preferred 18" for ride quality and replacement cost but they sure look good. Has a PTC Supplemental Heater, not sure what that does but have a ton of manuals to read. Has a steel cable mounted in the box to tie down loads, FX4 off road, buckets, moon roof, nav, PTO provision, dual alt, roof clearance lights, heavy duty service suspension, factory remote start, and of course it's the new diesel. It has the 5th wheel hitch prep package so will be researching Reece and B&W hitch options. We have the short box so not sure if a slider is available or will be required for whatever 5th wheel we end up with. Got the Car Fax and Oasis reports plus the required Manitoba Safety Cert. There was some comments about wear on the front tires and the reports show work done 2 weeks ago on the front end (steering linkage, drag link, tie rods, ends) which was required to pass the Safety. Thus the new rubber all around. The kicker on the deal was the Ford Premium Care ESP which is good for another 4 yrs and another 90,000 km. this seems to cover almost everything with $0. Deductible. Thanks to the original owner for purchasing this and the fact it is fully transferable. The interior of the King Ranch was in great condition. A few wear marks on the drivers seat and centre arm rest but was otherwise pristine. Don't think the back seat was ever used. The exterior had a few small stone chips and tail gate has a rub mark on the exterior but the rest looks like new. The box is a bit banged up but plan on a LineX bedliner and tonneau cover eventually so that will cover it up nicely. There is 970 hrs, 230 idle hours on the engine and the engine bay and underside is clean with no obvious leaks, even after the test drive. Weighed the truck on the trip home and it came in at about 8000lbs so after adding about 500# for hitch! DW, Dog, etc that leaves about 3000# for payload. GVWR 11,500#. The motor is so quiet and ride so smooth as compared to our previous 2008 Ram 2500. The truck bucks a bit on a rough road but certainly more than acceptable given the size of the truck. The creature comforts inside are impressive. So we are set for the TV, now to get my drivers license upgrade, shop for hitch and upgrade 5er and we will be able to drive off into our retirement lifestyle.385Views0likes0Comments2011 F350 What to ask?
We have started the process of preparing for a fully retired lifestyle which will see us becoming snowbirds next winter. We are still searching for a larger 5er and have sold our 3/4T a few weeks ago. I now have a line on a 2011 F350 King Ranch with 60,000 km. it is located 4 hrs from home but is on the way to visit family for Xmas and will be stopping in Monday to view it. I am not even close to considering myself a mechanic so thought this would be an ideal place to get some suggestions on what to look for. Here are some of the questions I have emailed to the salesman? Car Proof History Report, including details of Original ownership, Any accidents, Service history; i.e. Any major repair work outside of regular maintenance, Mfg date, In-service date. # of Hours on motor? # of Idle Hours on motor? Does the F350 have in-bed 5th wheel hitch mounts? If any of you have suggestions of other things I should be asking or looking for when I inspect and test drive the vehicle I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks4.5KViews0likes19CommentsManitoba Class 3 Drivers License
This is a rather specific subject but am hoping someone who lives in Manitoba will be able to give me some feedback. I am in the process of upgrading both my truck and trailer. Have sold the Dodge and am looking for an 2011/12 F350. Also looking for a larger 5th wheel. The 5ers we are looking at will put me over GVWR of 10000# and will require me to upgrade my drivers license to a Class 3. I have taken the written test and the medical (which is req every 3yrs till I'm 65, then annually thereafter). I am now able to drive a larger trailer if accompanied by a driver who has held a class 3 for 2 years. To be able to drive the trailer unaccompanied a road test is required but here's the catch 22. I need the larger trailer to take the test. I can't drive the larger trailer to the testing facility until I have the license. I'm wondering if anyone has a solution for this dilemma, like a place to rent a unit to take the test. I live in Winnipeg. The local RV dealer may drive the unit to the test facility if I buy from them but I don't like having to buy from them. I also understand I have to get a Safety Certificate on my TV every year. Is this true? I'm learning all this piecemeal. No salesman tells you this stuff unless you specifically ask the right question.1.5KViews0likes3CommentsDurango 355RL / Silverback33RL / Columbus 320RS
We are considering upgrading to the Durango 355RL however haven't heard much about Durango's with respect to their quality or how well the Mfg stands behind their product. We are also looking at the Silverback 33RL and Columbus 320RS. Any experiences with Durango or comparisons with the Silverback and Columbus would be appreciated. I understand that the "hung wall" process for the Silverback is superior to the Laminated process of the other.two. Is that true?1.3KViews0likes5Comments
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