I tow a Jayflight 31BHDS (so I'm partial to Jayco's) with a V10 4.30 geared Excursion...I've made some slight modifications to my Ex's suspension that REALLY have improved things.
I've towed 17,000+ miles and counting in the last 3 years with this Excursion thru all parts of the country...the Ex 'can' be an incredible TV...but also can be a handful...the Hensley don't hurt either!
Joe.
I take my hat off to Joe who has learned much from his research on TV's. Many vehicles off the show room floor like the Excursion are painfully lacking and by following some of the many ideas and towing tips from towing specialist Andy Thomson he has increased his knowledge base and built up a more competent TV/combination. Wa-da-go Joe. Keep up the good work pal!
We have the Keystone Sprinter 311BHS - quad bunks - two slides. Very happy with it. There is room for our grandson's pack & play in the bunkhouse if we don't pull out the trundle bunk. Lots of storage, two exit doors, booth table area for extra seating. We're very pleased with this unit and our adult children love it.
As already said, with the tow vehicle you have, there are many, many quad bunkhouse trailer options out there, that would work fine for you. Everyone will typically recommend the brand they own, but fact is there are lots of good ones out there for you to choose from.
I'd only make this suggestion: Since you have a tow vehicle stout enough to handle the weight, I would recommend you avoid the lightweight trailers, and look for a good, high quality unit that will last you a long time. Something like maybe a SunnyBrook, Jayco Eagle, Thor Citation, (Forest River) Cedar Creek, something along those lines.
Anyway, to the original poster: Good luck on the search, and let us know what you end up with.
* This post was
edited 07/08/08 07:23am by willald *
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
Thanks for all your responses. I am planning on looking at the Jayco. I like the idea of having a door to the bathroom, without going through the coach.
May the peace of Christ go with you always
2002 Toyota 4runner 2wd (DW)
2000 Excursion V-10 4x4
1998 Fleetwood Tioga 24D, V-10
1997 Ford F-150 V6, 4x4
Coachman Truck camper
1946 CJ-2a (DW's Grandfather's farm jeep)
wely wrote: Thanks for all your responses. I am planning on looking at the Jayco. I like the idea of having a door to the bathroom, without going through the coach.
I've been told by folks with this trailer that with the little ones outside...when YOU are inside using the throne...be sure to LOCK that outside door or you may be surprised by someone entering the throne area!
Good luck...I think that design is killer...if I needed more than my 2 bunks...I would have that one behind my Ex...
No matter what you decide...let me know if you have any questions on setting up your Ex for heavy towing...
I take my hat off to Joe who has learned much from his research on TV's. Many vehicles off the show room floor like the Excursion are painfully lacking and by following some of the many ideas and towing tips from towing specialist Andy Thomson he has increased his knowledge base and built up a more competent TV/combination. Wa-da-go Joe. Keep up the good work pal!
Wayne,
Thank you for the very kind compliment. I do appreciate your sincere words.
You are correct that I have learned much from many on these and other forums and I try to share as much as I’ve absorbed where applicable. The knowledge is out there for those that wish to invest some time to extract it and run with it. You are also correct that the Excursion can be very lacking off the showroom floor for certain setups…it is not what I’d call a user friendly out of the box tow vehicle for all combos. BUT small tweaks here and there do make for a more stable tow vehicle and overall towing experience as is evidenced by my setup and countless others on these boards.
However I do need to clarify one thing in your post. In my many hours of research and readings on how to improve my towing setup…I cannot directly give Andy Thompson any credit as you seem to indicate in your post. In fact in my only on-line reference to Andy, I am actually embarrassed by and sorry for as it was not very nice of me. While the time proven methods I employed on my Ex may well be related to Andy’s approach…that is purely coincidental for me…common sense items seem to have many owners I guess and everyone wants a piece of the credit. In the US with all the sue-happy people and lawyers…some of Andy’s setups while they may well be stable…they do ‘push’ the rating limits as set by the vehicle manufacturers…and I am not one to ‘push’ ratings…If ratings need to be ‘pushed’…I’ll get a PROPERLY rated vehicle for the load I’m trying to move and tweak it as I have done to achieve all around towing stability and I openly suggest to others they follow that same philosophy.
Thanks again for the kind words.
To the OP and mod…sorry for the off topic post…I just needed to clarify one thing…
We love our 2008 Keystone Passport 240QS....WELL within your tow capacity and a nice trailer..keystone doesn't make this model in 2009, but the slightly upgraded Keystone Outback 28rsd which we really loved, but didn't want the length behind our tahoe. It has a queen slide rear bed, 4 bunks up front, and a dinette slide for the added space.
Hugsfamily
(DH-Phil, DW-Mindy, DD-Amanda, DS-Spencer and our Shelties-Polly and Spirit)
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