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Re: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
APT wrote: Under 6000 pounds dry should be fine for you. That will be about 900 pounds of loaded TW and plenty of payload left for family and gear. Buy a hybrid because you like to sleep under canvas. Thee are solutions in similar weight ranges for travel trailers. The Solaire that I was looking at is under 6000 dry (5390), but the dry hitch weight is 800. It would be well over 1000 on the hitch once loaded, I think. I'm having a hard time understanding why this particular one is so heavy on the hitch. I really didn't expect to be looking for a 3/4 ton truck to tow a 24' trailer.444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
The 1,698 payload is on the door sticker. If the trailer is going to eat up 1,000 lbs. of that, I guess I'll have to look for a bigger truck, unless I want to go camping by myself. That's a shame. I really like my F-150 and planned on getting another one. Not sure if I want to move up to a 3/4 ton or not. As far as the length goes, the Solaire 239 DSBH says "travel length" is 27' 1". I'm assuming that that is the total from bumper to tongue. The manufacturer at the show told me that the Keystone Passport 2400BH was 27', but upon further research I found that it is 27' 10". I guess the only way to know for sure is to grab a big tape measure and go to the dealer.444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
Well, we went to the camper show, in Novi, yesterday. What an experience that was! We saw a couple of campers that we liked. I had never really considered an expandable, but we liked the Palomino Solaire 213 X. It's got 3 slides, each with a queen size bed. Anybody have any opinions on expandables? I'm a little apprehensive about them just because of the fact that if it gets wet, I'll have to open it all up and let it dry out when we get home. The one we really liked at the show was the Keystone Passport 2400BH. It is a good length and I should have no problem pulling it with my current truck. It's got a double over double bunk in the back and a private master bed up front. I also found the Keystone Bullet 243BHS after we got home. It looks to be almost identical to the 2400BH. Does anybody know the difference between the Passport and the Bullet, besides the name? While looking over the Solaire brochure, I noticed the 239 DSBH. We like this one the best out of all of them. The length is right where we need to be, and the layout is the same as the Keystones. The Solaire has the added bonus of a dedicated entry door for the bathroom. The only thing I'm worried about with the Solaire is that the hitch weight is 800 lbs.! That seems pretty high. The Keystone Passport and Keystone Bullet had hitch weights of 515 lbs. and 555 lbs. The Solaire does have an extra slide-out, but I didn't expect it to be that much heavier on the tongue. I looked up the hitch weight on the Solaire expandable and it is 605 lbs. This seems odd to me for a trailer that is smaller than the Keystones. Why is the hitch weight so much more on the Solaires? Will I be able to tow that Solaire 239 DSBH safely with my current TV? Here's the specs: Tow Vehicle: 2006 F-150 2WD Lariat SuperCab, 144" WB, 5.4L V8, 3.55 open rear axle GCWR 14,000 GVWR 7,050 Payload 1,698 Travel Trailer: Palomino Solaire 239 DSBH Hitch Dry Weight: 800 lbs. Dry Axle Weight: 4590 lbs. Total Dry Weight: 5390 lbs. GVWR: 7800 lbs.444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
APT wrote: School is starting and the camping season is over for many people. Take your time this winter and find what you like. There will be two RV shows in Novi, October and February. Thanks for the tip. Might have to check out the RV show. Baby is due in October, so we may just wait until February to go.444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
Was just looking at this one: http://www.generalrv.com/product/used-2008-skyline-malibu-2110-135906-29 I've never heard of Skyline Malibu before. This is a similar layout to the Keystone 230RS, minus the toy hauler ability. Anybody have any experience with this layout or brand?444Views0likes0CommentsRe: Looking for first TT - Suggestions
I haven't looked at any hybrids. I see where they are an advantage. More space with less total length. I've seen some layouts online and most of them require you to crawl over your dinette or couch to get to your bed. I'm not a fan of that. I really liked the Keystone 230RS. The KZ Spree 240 was a little too long at 28' 3", but I did like the layout. Will have to see if the Keystone is available locally.84Views0likes0CommentsLooking for first TT - Suggestions
Hello, I am in the beginning stages of looking for a travel trailer. I have started looking around on Craigslist and looked briefly at an RV dealer. We have camped in tents up to this point and would like to move up to a travel trailer. Must Haves: Sleep AT LEAST 5 people Under 27' TOTAL (driveway is 26' 11" from the garage to the sidewalk) 1/2 ton towable (TV specs below) Wish List: Triple or Quad bunks (I know quad bunks is a stretch in this size) Separate main bed area I don't really want to have to fold down the table for a bed. Ideally, I'd like to have a bed for everybody in our family of 5 and convert the table to a bed for guests, if needed. Family: Me, Wife, 3 kids (6, 2 1/2, one on the way), 2 medium sized dogs (Min-pin / Beagle mix) Tow Vehicle: 2006 F-150 SuperCab Lariat 2WD, 5.4L V8, 3.55 open rear axle GCWR: 14,000 GVWR: 7050 Payload: 1695 We will probably be using the F-150, but would also like to have the option of using our 2006 Expedition Eddie Bauer. I am willing to look at any price range, but cheaper models would be favorable. Any suggestions on trailers that have my must-haves and wish list items would be much appreciated. Also, if there is anything I missed, or features I should look for, please let me know. Thanks5.2KViews0likes19Comments
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Prefer to camp in a travel trailer? You're not alone.Feb 06, 202544,025 Posts
