Well, we're almost there, the point of me and my wife buying our first TT! I have been reading these forums for a few weeks now and we're going this weekend (our 3rd) to look at some more options. I look forward to interacting and sharing as we head down this road, thank you in advance for the help and shared wisdom!
TT's we are looking at this weekend are mostly the same floor plans but we are quickly realizing we plan to have this for a long time and deciding on a floor plan that we can "share" with friends and family or concentrating more on our own comfort is becoming a hard decision. We want to invite others to go on trips with us and have room for them, BUT at least 75% of the time it will just be me and the wife (and 3 small dogs, our son is 20 so he will grace us with his presence from time to time) so a floor model that meets our needs and comfort may just win out, we'll see, I'm trying to find a good combination of both.
Going to look at the following this weekend...
2012 Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 27BHSS
2013 Forest River CATALINA 272DBS
2013 Amerilite 259BH
...and of course every other one on the lot!
I have a 2011 Dodge 1500 CrewCab BigHorn with 3:92 gears, tow haul, upgraded transmission cooler and factory installed brake control. I have confirmed with the dealership that towing capacity is 10,100# with the set up I have. With that in mind I am still only looking at trailers in the 7500 or less GVWR range to allow for a safe and pleasant tow with out taxing the tow rig too much. We'll mostly only be using this on the east coast for the first few years at least. Hopefully a few of you will chime in on my GVWR's and let me know if I'm thinking right!
The only initial "changes/upgrades" I intend to make are installing a sanicon blackwater flush system and a WD hitch with sway control and then we will go from there unless there are any other immediate suggestions you may have that I'm over looking.
thanks again in advance as I am sure I will have questions along the way.
Joe
"There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it's all dark. "
Have fun! I think your TV to TT setup is pretty good weight-wise. If it's just the two of you for the most part and you can load most of the gear in the TT, should should be a-ok on payload.
Also, I agree with you -- focus first on your own comfort. After all, you'll be using it the most!
Just a couple of thoughts playing the devils advocate here. Check your trucks payload carefully as some Dodge half tons are a little light in that department. A TT with a GVWR of 7,000# is going to come in around 750 to 900# of tongue weight (depending on how you load it), which won't leave a lot of room for your family and gear in the truck. Also are you married to buying new? If you are simply disregard the following but....
IMHO: Buying new is for folks with way too much money on their hands. A good clean late model used TT will save you thousands. Take a look at a couple of the currently ongoing threads about the nightmares that often accompany buying new. A lightly used TT will have had all of the minor kinks straightened out and anything major will be glaringly apparent. New trailer warrantee's are often pretty thin and getting a local dealer to honor them can be difficult. So many people buy the wrong TT first (or even second, third etc), and what was the wrong TT for them might be the perfect fit for you - having done your homework you will know. If you buy new and it turns out to be less than you need selling in the first year will cost you 40 to 50 percent and that is a big number just to get a "New" trailer.
Whatever you end up getting, best of luck! As always opinions and YMMV.
The Gulfstream is a bit annoying in so far that a lot of things other brand throw in as standard are options on the Amerilite.
Sort of like the car at the auto dealer on sale for in the weekend newspaper for $13,000.00! Sounds great till you run down to see it, and find out it has a manual transmission, no air conditioning, no radio, no tinted glass and it has cheap hubcaps!
Thr Gulfstream has extra cost options such as the roof air conditioner, spare tire, outside shower, front window, Stereo, (DVD player not even available), double door refrigerator, linoleum floor, ducted roof A/C, a 6 Gal Propane DSI water heater (most brands throw this in and add electric heating to it!), and a grab assist handle by the door. All Standard suff on most brands in this class.
The Coachmen RV is almost like the Gulfstream, with a longish list of options that are standard on the Flagstaff.
Flagstaff for example has all the above options standard. A Good value and ready to camp in.
And the Flagstaff has an additional advantage, a real PLUS!
High pressure vacuum laminated walls, floor and roof. 10 times less likely to delaminate that "glued and rollered walls". Jayco uses this on all of their RV's. And the Fagstaff has double the roof insulation than the other 2 brands...R-14.
Good luck!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
I thought the Amerilites came in packages. Stripped, mid and premium.
Ours is a midgrade 25bh ( the none slide version of the 259) The 2 door fridge would be nice but I wouldn't trade my oven for it nor most of the other premium options.
The best thing about it was picking it up from the dealer, loading it and off we went with never a issue in 5 trips so far. All over a week in temps from 26 to 100 degrees. no leaks with snow, rain, 80 mph winds. It works so well that after reading all the horror stories we have decided not to upgrade, why take a chance.
Then again you don't see many complaints about Amerilites.
If I could change anything it would be for bigger tanks. 30/27/27 is small for boondocking.
2011 GulfStream Amerilite 25BH
2007/2003 Ford Expedition
Nights camped in 2011 21
Nights camped in 2012 16
Desert Captain wrote: Just a couple of thoughts playing the devils advocate here. Check your trucks payload carefully as some Dodge half tons are a little light in that department.
thanks for the reply, i think the payload is 1440, so it is a little light for what I can pull but I think I "should" be fine, other than me and my wife in the truck, most everything else will be in the TT
Desert Captain wrote: Also are you married to buying new? If you are simply disregard the following but....
Whatever you end up getting, best of luck! As always opinions and YMMV.
pretty much going to have to buy new, I know i've lost thousands as soon as pull it off the lot but my wife is totally against used, we had a really bad experience with a used vehicle recently that has left her concerned and mostly she wants something we plan to use for the next 10-15 years to be her own (she's a little bit of a germaphobe and neat freak and no matter how well cleaned a used one would bother her)
JiminDenver wrote: It works so well that after reading all the horror stories we have decided not to upgrade, why take a chance.
Then again you don't see many complaints about Amerilites.
for something that i've seen described as "entry level" I agree, in my research I have found very little negative things posted about amerilite's and around here find next to none of them forsale used, which i think is a testament to that
thanks for the reply
thanks to everyone for the replies, getting up early for the 3-1/3 hour drive to look at more units tomorrow
Also, I agree with you -- focus first on your own comfort. After all, you'll be using it the most!
leaning towards that more and more, going to look at some models with reat living rooms tomorrow too, thanks
fordsooperdooty wrote:
And the Flagstaff has an additional advantage, a real PLUS!
High pressure vacuum laminated walls, floor and roof. 10 times less likely to delaminate that "glued and rollered walls". Jayco uses this on all of their RV's. And the Fagstaff has double the roof insulation than the other 2 brands...R-14.
Good luck!
thanks! great info, the flagstaff is on the edge of what we intend to spend but for as long as we plan to keep this we are open to spending more for the added quality that comes with the price tag
Sit in the units and think about how you will use it. Think about where you will put things (ie DW's clothes in that cabinet, pots and pans in this cabinet, etc). Act out your daily activities (ie DW cooking, DH walking to bathroom). How much time will you spend inside? If on your own 75% of the time, get one w/ a good pull out sofa (not a jack knife) to set up for your visitors. Also get one w/ a dinette that converts to a bed instead of a free standing table. You have just gotten your place for visitors to sleep with these 2 options and you still get a good floorplan for you. Remember that you need to account for all those dogs and any gear in the TV when thinking weights and a 7500 lb loaded TT will be pushing your limits on payload. You won't likely load a TT to max GVWR but it is possible. Something like this kz spree rear kitchen would work well for your needs. Or if you prefer a bigger bath this palomino ultra lite is a good fit.
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Check your trucks payload carefully as some Dodge half tons are a little light in that department. A TT with a GVWR of 7,000# is going to come in around 750 to 900# of tongue weight (depending on how you load it), which won't leave a lot of room for your family and gear in the truck. Also are you married to buying new? If you are simply disregard the following but.... 
