RE: Keystone TT's....any good?
There was an "Outbacker" rally at the Outback factory in Goshen, Indiana in July 2008. Keystone assembles Outbacks in their own dedicated facility - no other lines are built there. That could explain some of the generally positive comments regarding the quality of these units.
For me, the best part about the Outback is the owners community. Lots of rallies and comaraderie, and we have made some very good friends through the Outbackers.com organization.
RE: Tow MPG with 6L Yukon or Suburban?
I have a 6.0L with 4.10 axle in a "Chopped 'Burban" (2007 Avalanche). 13 mpg on the highway, 11 mpg around town, 8 mpg towing a 6,000 lb Outback trailer.
RE: Did I Buy the Kia of TT's?
I saw a Summerland at an RV show two weeks ago and I really liked it. The Summerland is to Springdale what Chevy is to Buick. As a current Keystone owner, I would not hesitate to buy a Summerland if the floor plan fit my needs. You did very well on your purchase. That should make camping in it all the more enjoyable!
RE: Anyone received propride hitch yet?
I've heard the same as above: the first 3P hitches are projected to ship in March and new orders won't be going out before April. And, as their web-site says, they won't take your money until the day it ships.
When you new owners get hitched up, report here first! Lots of folks are waiting to see what you think.
RE: Can't find the leak
A temporary solution would be to park your trailer in a way that the leaking side-slide is tilted slightly downhill. It might mean rolling the trailer up on a 2x4 on the opposite axle wheels. All you need is for the trailer to be pitched an inch or two. Obviously, parked this way, rainwater won't run up the top of the slide at all. If the slide doesn't leak when it is extended, this may be your permanent solution as well.
I experienced leaks from the rear-bed slide when my trailer was in storage. Someone suggested that I park the trailer with the front hitch a couple of inches "nose high" so that the rear-slide was always set slightly down while in storage. I have had no leaks since.
Edited for misspelled word.
RE: Can I pull a 29' TT with a Chevy Avalanche?
I don't know which Jay Feather you are considering but at first glance I think you are looking at too heavy and long a trailer to pull with your Avalanche.
A Jay Feather 29D UVW is 5,810 lbs. In comparison, my loaded Outback 26RS with Hensley hitch weighs about 6,000 lbs. I pull this trailer with no problem with a 2007 Avalanche. However, this vehicle has a 6.0L engine, 4.10 rear end, transmission oil cooler, 4L70E heavy duty transmission, and external engine oil cooler. Pulling the Outback, GCVW (vehicle, trailer, all fuel, passengers and cargo)is 12,900 lbs. (My Avalanche’s GCVW rating is 14,000 lbs). An important point will be to find out your vehicle's Gross Combined Vehicle Weight rating. (Current model Avalanches with 3.73 gears are rated at 13,000 lbs GCVW). If so, with even modest loading of the Jay Feather, you are likely to be at or over the Avalanche's gcvw rating.
The other issue is the Avalanche's wheelbase. A 25 or 26 foot trailer is about the longest trailer I would want to pull with this vehicle's 130" wheelbase. To pull a 29’ trailer, I think you are looking at a long wheelbase, 3/4 ton truck.
Incidentally, I have the same issue as Jayco 2001 in not being able to transfer enough weight to the front axles. I think this issue is related to the OEM hitch that GM puts on these vehicles. Based on several trips to the scales, I cannot crank up my Hensley's equalizer bars hard enough to distribute what I consider adequate weight to the front axles. The vehicle handles fine (maybe due to Autoride) but the scales say I am carrying an undue share of weight on the rear axles. Someone suggested that swapping the OEM hitch for a Putnam will do the trick.
My personal opinion is that you should look for a smaller trailer to pull with your Avalanche. I hope this helps.
RE: Avalanche or Silverado 1/2 Ton - Any Concerns?
You are doing the right thing. My Avalanche does an outstanding job pulling my Outback 26RS, but it is not nearly as heavy as what you are looking at. The trailer we pull is 5,500 lbs at the scales. My combined gross weight is 12,180, well within the Avalanche's GCWR of 14,000 lbs. (Higher GCWR is due to the optional 6.0L engine and 4.10 axle). While the Avalanche is more than capable of handling our current needs (and it is a wonderful highway cruiser) my next tow vehicle will be a 3/4 ton Silverado as well.
RE: Which TTs have king-size beds?
An Outback 26KBRS sounds like a good fit. It features a king slide with bunk beds at the opposite end of the trailer. Dry weight = 5,370 and hitch weight = 530 lbs. One of my camping buddies pulls a similar model (26RS with a queen-slide) with an Armada...you will have no trouble at all with a Titan. If you're interested, post a question about this model at Outbackers.com You will get plenty of replies. See full specs at http://keystone-outback.com/
RE: new 6.0 question
I have the 6.0L Vortec active fuel management, 4.10 axle, HD transmission combo in an '07 Avalanche. The 4.10 really enhances the daily driving and towing experience, but there is no doubt that my mileage suffers. The best I've ever seen is 14 mpg on a trip (once). Typically it is 13 mpg highway, 11 mpg around town and 8 mpg pulling a 6,200 lb trailer. The Avalanche has about a 400 lb disadvantage in curb weight over a 4x4 crew cab Silverado, which explains some of it. Even knowing about the gas mileage, I will order this combination again (next time, in a Silverado).
RE: 2007 Suburban 1/2 ton with 6.0 and 4.11
I am also very pleased with a near identical set-up in my '07 Avalanche LTZ (6.0, 4.10 rear, autoride). It pulls a 6,200 lb Outback like a champ and I am completely satisfied with the handling and comfort of this vehicle-trailer combination.
I have only one issue that I think is related to the OEM hitch on the GMT-900 SUV's. Based on several trips to the scales, I cannot crank up my Hensley's equalizer bars hard enough to distribute what I consider adequate weight to the front axles. The vehicle handles fine (maybe due to autoride) but the scales say I am carrying an undue share of weight on the rear axles. Someone suggested that swapping the OEM hitch for a Putnam will do the trick. I did not have this issue with our Sequoia.
RE: Toyota Sequoia misses my mark
To get back to OP's original point, I have the same issue with my 2007 Avalanche.
My Avy has the same 6.0L engine and 4L70E transmission as a Silverado 2500.
But mounted on a 1/2 ton chassis and suspension, its payload is only 1355 lbs. (Sure rides nice, though.)
RE: Outback Sidney edition
Outside of one minor cosmetic problem that was fixed the day our Outback was delivered, we had no warranty claims at all on our 2006 26RS. It is a great trailer that has held up well even with two boys (ages 14 and 11). If you haven't asked your question at outbackers.com, you really should before you make your purchase. Current Outback / Sidney owners will tell you what they like and don't like about your particular model, no holds barred.
RE: Anybody towing with a Land Cruiser?
The '02 - '03 Land Cruisers shared the 4.7-Liter I-Force drivetrain with the Sequoia. We loved our Sequoia, but it was not a strong tow vehicle. While the vehicle was rated to pull 6,500 lbs, our Toyota struggled mightily with a 6,000 lb trailer. After four trips with our trailer, we replaced the transmission at 60,000 miles. Get the Land Cruiser and a lighter trailer, and you'll be fine.
RE: Suburban 1500 vs 2500
What makes the 3/4 ton pull so much more?
The short answer is chassis, suspension, brakes, tires and other components that go to increasing the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating.
It is NOT the bigger engine or even the 4L70E heavy-duty transmission that comes with the 6.0L engine.
My 1/2 ton Avalanche has a 6.0L and all the towing prerequisites - transmission oil cooler, trans-temp guage, external engine oil cooler, etc., but it is still rated to tow exactly the same as the 5.3L equipped 4x4 model (7,800 lbs). It wouldn't matter if my truck came came with a V-10; it would still be rated to tow 7,800 lbs due to restrictions of the 1/2 ton chassis.
I opted for the 6.0L because this drivetrain breathes a little easier, holds the gear a little longer on the grades, and generally provides an easier towing experience. But it won't pull any more weight than a 5.3L-equipped Suburban / Avalanche will.
RE: Towing Capacity 2008 Avalanche
I agree with those here who say you are looking at too much trailer for the Avy (or, conversely, not enough truck for the Sunset Trail TT). Our 2007 Avalanche LTZ has a 6.0L engine and 4.10 rear end, transmission oil cooler, 4L70E heavy duty transmission, external engine oil cooler, etc., so it is really set up to tow. Our Outback 26RS weighs 6,200 lbs and the Avy pulls it like a champ. Pulling the Outback, the gross combined vehicle weight (vehicle + trailer + all fuel, passengers and cargo) is 12,900 lbs (well within the Avalanche's 14,000 lb GCVW rating). With even modest loading of the Sunset Trail, you are likely to be at or over the Avalanche's gcvw rating. Also, with the Avalanche's 130" wheelbase, a 25 or 26 foot trailer is about the longest trailer I would want to pull. To pull a 33' trailer, you are really looking at a long wheelbase, 3/4 ton truck. Personally, I hope you find a smaller trailer and go with the Avalanche - it is the best tow vehicle I have ever owned and it drives like a dream as a daily driver. Far superior to the Toyota Sequoia it replaced.
RE: Quad Bunk shootout! Help!
We have a similar Outback model (2006 26RS which has a queen rear slide vs. the king rear slide you are considering) and have had no problems with it at all. Like Travysmommy, we really enjoy the Outbackers.com web-site and have attended many of the rallies they sponsor. (We just got home from the Outbacker rally in Lancaster PA this weekend). Great trailer and a really nice bunch of people along with it!
RE: HELP!! Outback or Skyline Malibu
Regarding the Outback 21RS, you should post your question over at Outbackers.com. You will get responses from owners of that specific floorplan, and they will tell you what they like and what they don't. Newbies are welcomed and they will be eager to help you out.
RE: Keystone Outback
I did not have a single claim during the warranty period for our 2006 Outback 26RS.
In fact, I am looking at floorplans thinking about the next Outback I will get (after a few more years camping in this one.)
