shiggins37
California
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Joined: 12/22/2006
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Hey guys, been a member of this site for a few years just dreaming of the day that I finally step up and get a trailer of my own. Well the day is here and we are shopping for a new toyhauler. I have a few questions to start, but I know I will have more once we make our purchase.
My TV is a 04.5 gmc 2500hd dmax 4x4 and we are looking for a bumper pull to keep the length to a minimum with the maximum garage space. We are looking for used to keep down on cost as well. We are looking at a few different models and would like some opinions from those who own these models... Attitude 26fsak, 30fsak, and raptor 3018tt. I have found some good deals on all three of these models.
We have a family of 5 and we need a trailer with a large enough garage to fit 4 quads... I know that is a tall task for most haulers in the size range that my truck can tow safely. I am under no circumstances going to exceed my tow ratings so any of you guys that have any of these rigs chime in with your weights (actual, not the weights on the stickers as we all know how different those are  My tow ratings are 12k and 1.5k tongue in tt and 16k and 2.5k tongue for 5th wheel with a 22k gcwr. I'm okay with getting close to max with toys inside as it will be mostly flat ground towing when I'm loaded with the quads, but we do plan to use the trailer for regular camping as well.
I know this is a lot for a first post, but I know you guys all have a wealth of knowledge in this area and would love the help! Thanks in advance!
2004.5 GMC 4x4 2500hd dmax
2007 Tahoe Transport 304fs
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shiggins37
California
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Joined: 12/22/2006
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I'm also open to other models that would meet our needs as far as garage space, weight, etc., but front sleeper is a must!
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stsmark
Northern CA
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Joined: 09/09/2009
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Can't answer the weight question as I have a 5th. But I saw a 30 ft WWarrior on Sf Craigslist that looked like a hell of a buy. 2007 just lowered to 14k. It was located in Fairfield.
Good luck
Mark, Cathy and Zoey (aka The Golden Missle)
2011 F350 CCSB 6.7 (aka Frosty)
2011 Cyclone 2812 (aka The Little Guy)
Lasher Sport ATH
Lasher Sport BTX
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stsmark
Northern CA
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http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/rvs/3123168538.html Its an 06 for 14,5 oops
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mikakuja
Chilliwack BC
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Joined: 07/04/2010
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Can't help with your question as we don't have a garage model, but welcome to the dark side.
We went with a Desert Fox and decided to stay away from a garage model to keep length down so we could get into more remote areas. It is a bit of a pain to unload the toys before we use the cargo area of trailer, but worth it for us...
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shiggins37
California
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Joined: 12/22/2006
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Awesome... Thanks for the info so far! Mik, none of these trailers are garage set ups as we are trying to keep down on length too. We don't want to be too long for reg campgrounds
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64thunderbolt
Az
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Joined: 06/18/2012
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Go big or stay home..................J/K
as far as navigating a 5th wheel will get around much easier than a tongue pull. The distance from the rear of my truck to the axles on my 37' toyhauler is shorter than a 28/30' tongue pull. Corners better with a tighter turning radius. Pull tapes on some and you'll see what I mean. Good luck with your search and let us know what you buy.
Glen
04 Tail gator XT 34' 5th wheel garage model
99 F350 CC DRW 7.3 ais intake, adrenaline hpop, JW valve body,
cooling mist water inj, DP tunes, 4" turbo back exh sys
trucool trans cooler added
08 Arctic Cat Prowler 700XTX
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shiggins37
California
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Joined: 12/22/2006
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Well, we ended up finding a smoking deal on a Tahoe Transport 304fs. Yes, I know its a bumper pull, and yes it is 34' from tongue to tail! I have quite a bit of experience towing, so I feel okay there. I will take some time getting the hitch set up right and Tue sway bar dialed in. It has 15'5" of clear storage before The first cabinet so there is more than enough room for the toys. It was in great condition and purchased from the original owner with maintenance records all the way down to the axles. It's a heavy trailer (9300 empty) with a gvwr of 14k. Just hope the dmax/allison combo gets along with her okay! I'll have to he careful to stay under our 12k weight limit. We will tow dry for the most part until we get close to our destination.
* This post was
edited 07/20/12 12:21am by shiggins37 *
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lamopar
Oregon
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Joined: 06/03/2012
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I bet you will be fine. I have a Ram 2500 crew long bed towing a 32ft bumper pull at the same weight as yours. I tow in the mountains of Oregon and am not going 55 up hill on the steep hills but then I don't need to for the short super steep pulls. Mine is a triple axle and stops on a dime. I am using a tow/sway control and hardly feel the trailer unless the road has a lot of dips then I can a little. The air bags on the back axle really help. My total rig is 56ft and I can back into some pretty tight spots but I do get out a look a lot. Good luck.
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1L243
Astoria, Oregon
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Joined: 02/26/2006
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Shiggins congrats on your purchase. Our trailers weigh in about the same. Check the specs on your factory hitch if it has not been replaced probably rated at 10k.. You may want to upgrade that to a higher rated hitch. I upgraded to a 15k 1500 TW 16k 1600 WDH Curt Model. I also run two friction sway bars and air bags on my Super 2WD Duty Ford.
I will be interested to hear your Loaded TW and weigh in numbers.
2011 Work and Play 30WR. Added 2nd AC, four deep cycle batteries.
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