Just retired-new purchase coming!

[jhubbs63]

Hello all! first post for me. My wife and I use to camp with our children (2000-2005) with an old/heavy 22 ft travel tailer and an 2000 F250 crew cab w/towing package. No issue towing/inclines/stopping. We recently retired and are going to the Hershey RV show, September 12th, to look at 2025 KEYSTONE COUGAR 25RDS. We like the rear dinette and the theater seating as well as the king bed. We plan to tow this trailer around the country for several years, Florida for several weeks in the Winter- lots of miles. I am selling my 2015 Tacoma( love that little truck) for a GMC 1/2 ton 1500(9k towing capacity). The Dry weight of this trailer is 6400#. I read several threads regarding GVW, GCVW, GVWR etc. The information on your forum is quite extensive and thorough, Thank you!

In "General", is the 1500 not enough? Should I be considering a 2500 with a towing package? Do you think its better to give up gas milage for a stronger truck? Or, is 9k tow fine for this size trailer.

I know some of these issues have Been discussed( I just spect 2 hours reading threads), but, any input is welcome. Thank you in advance, Jerry

 

[Oldgator73]

What’s the max weight for the trailer; fully loaded. How much you want for the truck?

 

[TonyL]

Dry weight is useless.
The only possible time the trailer will be near that is when you collect it.
Base all calculations on trailer gross weight, allow 15% of that as payload, add in all paasengers, dogs, logs, generator etc and compare that to the payload of the truck.
My bet, the 1500 will not be sufficient.

 

[Professor David]

Welcome. It’s really good that you are reaching out. Lots of experienced people here. Pay close attention to the numbers and make sure u are well below max capacity (20% or so). You should be ok fully loaded with the tow package given the numbers of the gmc 1500. However, I suspect a 1/2 ton won’t give you enough ride stability/comfort especially in difficult conditions like cross winds going up a mountain pass and such…even assuming you purchase the tow package upgrade w the 1/2 ton. You are likely to get different opinions, but you will be doing the driving and paying for ur rig, which adds up to a considerable investment w the rv and new truck (assuming u will buy new?).

 

[CharlesinGA]

That trailer has a 8800 lb gross weight so you are looking at a tongue weight of 1000 lbs or more. That is too much trailer for a 1500, plain and simple.

The first weight limit on rhe truck that you hit will be payload. You will almost never reach tow capacity.

Charles

 

[CamperAL]

Also Jhubbs63,

Leave your checkbook at home when going to the show and don't believe most of the salesmen. They will do what they can to sell you a new unit without regards to what you really need or what is SAFE, Be prepared to have to take the unit in for warranty work after purchase. I'd nail them down (in writing) on length of time to get your problems solved after purchase.

 

[Rene T]

Also Jhubbs63,

I'd nail them down (in writing) on length of time to get your problems solved after purchase.

That won’t do any good. They have hundreds of excuses as to why your rv will not be ready now for another month.

 

[TXkmpr]

Since your planning on pulling your trailer around the country for several years go with a heavy duty truck. Diesels work better for towing.
When you purchase a new trailer don't pay for it until you are satisfied everything works. Have the dealer hook it up to power and water and try out everything. A/C. heater, water heater, slides, doors on cabinets, refrigerator, entry doors, sinks, shower, and fit and finish and anything else that you can think of. Once it checks out then pay for it. A good dealer will do this without you asking so if they push back might be best to find another dealer.

 

[jhubbs63]

Great stuff, folks!! My gut was telling 2500 with towing package. I really appreciate the advice regarding "sales people". I will continue to do more homework and figure out what set up, truck and trailer, is best for us and our aspirations. Thank you very much!

 

[Kirk]

, to look at 2025 KEYSTONE COUGAR 25RDS.

If that is all that you plan to consider, why go to that show?

 

[caspian2]

I fully agree with your conclusion, specially the fact you will be driving around the country and some mountainous areas. I went through the same comparisons and ended up with Chevy 2500 diesel. Payload and towing are considerably higher and and I have been very happy and comfortable when towing. Good luck.

 

[jhubbs63]

Again, I am new to the camper world, but, was under the impression I may get the best deal??? Maybe see another trailer that "tickles my fancy?" Don't beat the new guy up too much.

 

[jhubbs63]

I fully agree with your conclusion, specially the fact you will be driving around the country and some mountainous areas. I went through the same comparisons and ended up with Chevy 2500 diesel. Payload and towing are considerably higher and and I have been very happy and comfortable when towing. Good luck.

Yea, will look into 3/4 ton trucks in September. TY

 

[DutchmenSport]

Welcome to the forums and it's good you are asking all the right questions. I wish you great success in your search for a new camper and tow vehicle.

Just for an FYI, RV Life has an entire family of forums, more than just this one ... RV Forum. Check out some of the others, including the Keystone forum and for fun, maybe even the skoolie forum (you may find school bus conversions to RV's fascinating to read. Plus those guys come up with some really creative ideas that I'd never consider in an RV.) And lots more. And while you are at it, explore the RV life web site. There are some really nice features that might interest you too.

Click here. Enjoy!

 

[Kirk]

was under the impression I may get the best deal??? Maybe see another trailer that "tickles my fancy?"

The second part is a good idea as RV shows are the best way to compare RVs from different brands and dealers. As to the show prices, that is rarely true and, in my experience, if the salespeople are busy they are not very interested in negotiating prices. The same is true for sales managers.

 

[Rowdyhounddog]

Hello all! first post for me. My wife and I use to camp with our children (2000-2005) with an old/heavy 22 ft travel tailer and an 2000 F250 crew cab w/towing package. No issue towing/inclines/stopping. We recently retired and are going to the Hershey RV show, September 12th, to look at 2025 KEYSTONE COUGAR 25RDS. We like the rear dinette and the theater seating as well as the king bed. We plan to tow this trailer around the country for several years, Florida for several weeks in the Winter- lots of miles. I am selling my 2015 Tacoma( love that little truck) for a GMC 1/2 ton 1500(9k towing capacity). The Dry weight of this trailer is 6400#. I read several threads regarding GVW, GCVW, GVWR etc. The information on your forum is quite extensive and thorough, Thank you!

In "General", is the 1500 not enough? Should I be considering a 2500 with a towing package? Do you think its better to give up gas milage for a stronger truck? Or, is 9k tow fine for this size trailer.

I know some of these issues have Been discussed( I just spect 2 hours reading threads), but, any input is welcome. Thank you in advance, Jerry

Jerry, I am new to the forum and first post as well. Your post describes my wife and I regarding recently retired and looking for a new travel trailer, all except your truck. Since you will be seeing the country for several years, as opposed to camping at your local camp site, do yourself a favor and forget about the 1500. You will be pushing maximum capacity, which is not wise. I purchased my truck already and now looking at trailers. Does anyone here have good things to say of the Back Country Mtn or Titanium 24RKS? It is about 7,000 lbs dry and I expect it will not be a problem with my 1 ton dually Duramax. I have been looking at different models on line and have visited camper dealers, but I do not take anything a salesman will say seriously.

 

[TonyL]

I have been looking at different models on line and have visited camper dealers, but I do not take anything a salesman will say seriously.
[/QUOTE]
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations, you've already learnt lesson one, and with a dually you certainly shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Rene T]

If you go to a show and find the one you like, start bargaining with the salesman. If he tells you this price is only good for today or the show, walk away. See how far you get. That price will still be there tomorrow and even next week.

 

[ferfer]

7,000 lbs dry

So you are not going to put anything in the trailer? Not even water nor propane?

My apologies' but tow behind manufactures only publish the dry weight [motorhome manufacture do not publish the unloaded vehicle weight (UVW)], which only applies when coach leaves the factory, leading potential buyers quote the dry weight when trying to find truck. Whatever Class a potential RV buyer is interested in, they need to understand weights - how to calculate an RV's cargo carrying capacity, in addition to towed or towing weight calculation and limits.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

While I mostly agree with the advice so far, you can get a GMC 1500 configured to tow as much as 13,200 lbs and with a payload of 2000+ lbs. That will tow the Cougar quite nicely. But you may have to do a lot of searching to find one like that on a sales lot. Any 2500, though, will have the specs for that towing job.

The truck you mentioned early in this thread is marginal for the size/weight of the trailer and that's not a wise choice. And you won't be happy driving it a lot of miles with the trailer in tow. Don't skimp on the truck specs.