Hey we are wondering where all the Surveyors are out there. We bought ours (SV304) this past winter, and have yet to see one at a campground, or even on the road. Just wondering which group of owners this line appeals to, besides us.
We had to go to Indiana to find our Surveyor SV235RS. It's a 2004 model, so no "belly pan."
We've been using it for camping, BBQ competitions, and I'll occasionally haul it to work and stay in it instead of my 1.25 hour commute if I have a big project.
My only complaint - the rear slide queen bed. It's kinda hard to make the bed, and midnight bathroom trips either myself or the DW gets "bothered."
It hauls fine behind my half ton truck, and I can fit it into some very tight sites.
Overall, I'm quite pleased.
On the projects forefront: I am replacing the Elixir 45 Amp power center with a WFCO 55 Amp power center, and will be upgrading to dual 6 volt batteries.
Also, the front entry floor has become very springy, partially due to water, but also partially due to the fold out step 'reefing' on the plywood subfloor too much.
After re-reading the OP, I don't mind offering my 2 cents on why I liked the Surveyor:
It's just me and the DW, and our 20 pound dog Maggie. But - the family tick tock is ringing in our ears! So, instead of getting a small fiver, which typically have sleeping quarters for 2 only, we decided to get something that would allow the family to grow, and not outgrow the Camper too fast.
Also, it was very important to me to not have to get rid of my half ton and replace it with a 3/4 ton and certainly not a one ton! (We're in our early 30's, and we have quite a ways to go before we can justify that kind of payment, while we are still paying off school loans and such.)
Another TT bonus was that if we suddenly found ourselves with offspring, the surveyor could easily be towed by a half ton SUV or full size van.
We haul the Surveyor probably 6-8 times per year, being active in a competition BBQ circuit, and all the camping, and all the winter camping we do, so the ultra-lite weight of the Surveyor appealed to us also.
So, right now we're double income no kids professionals who wanted the best gas mileage possible. And the rear slide was important also, because that was like getting an extra "4 feet" of trailer without having to buy a 28 footer.
But, I'll be honest... I'm also a land surveyor by profession, so I just HAD to get a surveyor!
We have a 2008 235RKS. Love it. Just came back from 2 weeks in the Rockies with it. compared to our previous PUP, it is a palace. We picked the Surveyor for numerous reasons: 1) enclosed underbelly 2) lower overall trailer height; only 8.5 feet at the roof top 3) torsion axles, no shackles and leaf springs 4) Overall felt that is was just a bit more upscale than a few other brands; very nice interior 5) The king size bed and great storage of this particular model
Got a 10 mpg average on the 3,200 mile trip towing @ 65 mph with an F150. Didn't think that was too bad. This trailer tows VERY well.
Bob, Wendy,& Spanky the Fox Terrier
F150 FX4 5.4L 3.73's
Surveyor 235RKS
Reese Straight Line
Prodigy
We are in our second camping season with our Surveyor SV291. We have so few problems with it I still can't believe lucky we've been. Our Surveyor has been a treat to use and easy to tow. I've done a few "mods" to it and have a few more in mind to make it fit our needs better. When and if we decide to upgrade the Surveyor line will be the first ones that we look at.
John
Ted
2007 Surveyor SV291
2006 Chevy Silverado Ext Cab LS
2005 SV 291 here. It hasn't been perfect, but has served us pretty well overall. I have replaced most of the plastic cabinet hinges due to breakage, and recently had to fix a leaky seam on the roof. I also had my refrigerator replaced under warranty.
Back when we bought our 05 there was the Surveyor line, and the Grand Surveyor line. The Grand Surveyor was more upscale. It is my understanding that since then Forest River has dropped the Grand Surveyor, and moved most if not all of the better features of the Grand Surveyor(enclosed underbelly, etc) to the Surveyor line.
I have seen a few other Surveyors and older Grand Surveyors in the campgrounds, but not many.
I do indeed like how easy ours is to tow. It tows much easier than our old 1999 Nomad which was shorter and lighter. I think the low profile and sloped front end are major reasons for the incredible towing stability.
When the time comes to replace this trailer, I will look at the Surveyors again, but will also take a good hard look at the Pilgrim line of light weights. My parents just bought a Pilgrim, and it looks like a very nice trailer.
2005 Surveyor SV-291 Tows smooth as silk!
1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie SLT 4x4 5.9L V8 low miles, It ain't pretty, but it's paid for!
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