New member looking for TT recomendation

[sbowman871]

Hello All-

Just joined this fourm about 5 minutes ago. I'm an exprienced camper that is thinking about making a change in my TT setup. With all of the brands and offerings that Forrest River has to offer, I was hoping someone could help me narrow down my search. If so, that would be great. Here is my short list of what I'm looking for:

28-33 foot travel trailer
Queen bed in the back that can be in a slide or not.
Deep slide dinnette. Couch could slide with it or not.
It's just the DW and I, so we don't need a lot of beds.
Right now I have been looking at the

Wildwood Heritage Glen 262FL Travel Trailer by Forest River

I really like the floor plan, but open to other brands that may look similar. Any quality opinions on the Wildwood Heritage line would also be helpful.

Thanks in advance to any and all replies

Steve

[tmmar]

Welcome to the forums!!!

Can't help you with your question but with all the experience available here, I sure some one will give you the answers you need.

[08flagvlite]

It's really a matter of preference on what You and the wife likes- We personally went looking for a trailer that "jumped out" at us with the WOW factor. Then, made sure it had all the nice options we liked that were available. Do some online research; go to forestriver.com, and check out their web page. It shows you everything that they offer, that way you can narrow down your choices. Also, bear in mind your tow vehicle; what can it handle weight-wise, and length. That should point you in the correct general direction. You'll get a hundred different opinions on why one person likes Wildwoods, another Rockwoods, and still another Flagstaff, etc. Make your own decision; then ask some owners on here how they like them. That would probably be the best recommendation I can give you! Good Luck on your decision! Randy

[Hatchet58]

Originally Posted by 08flagvlite

It's really a matter of preference on what You and the wife likes- We personally went looking for a trailer that "jumped out" at us with the WOW factor. Then, made sure it had all the nice options we liked that were available. Do some online research; go to forestriver.com, and check out their web page. It shows you everything that they offer, that way you can narrow down your choices. Also, bear in mind your tow vehicle; what can it handle weight-wise, and length. That should point you in the correct general direction. You'll get a hundred different opinions on why one person likes Wildwoods, another Rockwoods, and still another Flagstaff, etc. Make your own decision; then ask some owners on here how they like them. That would probably be the best recommendation I can give you! Good Luck on your decision! Randy

Have to agree, also Take Your time and Look, might even look at 5th wheels, , all depends what You Like, the right one will Jump out at You

[BOBFIDY]

Steve.....We just got our trailer last Oct...29FKDS Salem. 2 slides...king bed in back...front kitchen, couch and table and chairs in front slide.
Maybe not everyones "ideal" set up...but it suits us just fine.
Good luck in your search for the perfect trailer for you and your wife.

BOB

[dretired]

Just wondering why the bed in back ?? Is it more quiet than a front bed ?? (hearing less outside noises )

[BOBFIDY]

Originally Posted by dretired

Just wondering why the bed in back ?? Is it more quiet than a front bed ?? (hearing less outside noises )

Not sure...Never had a trailer with front bedroom. We liked a combination of features in the trailer...Only 1 door, table and chair dinette, microwave mounted lower than most for the short DW, and lots of storage in bedroom. Also a heck of a deal at RV show where we found it.
Only thing I wish we had more of is outside storage space. But all of them are lacking something.

[Herk7769]

Since there is no information on your Tow Vehicle in your signature line (again shameless plug for complete disclosure), we really have no idea how to advise you; even though we all want to.

Make Model; Engine; Rear; Tow Rating; GVWR of your TV; would all help us narrow the search for your perfect Camper.

[jimh]

when i bought, i wanted a 5th wheel. that is what my last one was. we liked the table and chairs and the computer desk.
if i were to buy today, i'd buy the cardnal again. i would get the same features i have now but would get a back up camera, king size bed, tire pressure monitoring system, washer dryer, and a convection microwave.

it's still a matter of preference. like what i was told when i was looking, none are going to fall apart on u. i was also told that each manufacture had its on set of problems.

[sbowman871]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Since there is no information on your Tow Vehicle in your signature line (again shameless plug for complete disclosure), we really have no idea how to advise you; even though we all want to.

Make Model; Engine; Rear; Tow Rating; GVWR of your TV; would all help us narrow the search for your perfect Camper.

Sorry Guys-
TV is 2011 Ford F-150 Ecoboost
450 miles, crew cab
3.73 rear end, max tow package
11,300 tow rating

[dretired]

Originally Posted by BOBFIDY

Not sure...Never had a trailer with front bedroom. We liked a combination of features in the trailer...Only 1 door, table and chair dinette, microwave mounted lower than most for the short DW, and lots of storage in bedroom. Also a heck of a deal at RV show where we found it.
Only thing I wish we had more of is outside storage space. But all of them are lacking something.

We are going to be using our first trailer next weekend it has a front queen bed, with 2 lazy boy rockers in back with a picture window. Our thought was.. to back in at a lake site to enjoy a lake view, It is a 26 ft super slide (dinette & couch )It also has a 21 foot awning ..looking forward to next weekend.

[prof_fate]

Originally Posted by sbowman871

Sorry Guys-
TV is 2011 Ford F-150 Ecoboost
450 miles, crew cab
3.73 rear end, max tow package
11,300 tow rating

Need more info...engine? crew cab...supercrew? 4x2 or 4x4? payload package?

You need to know your vehicle weight, GVWR to find total payload potential.
You then need to estimate your payload (wife, food,luggage, etc). And figure in what you'll put in the trailer as well.
And then the GCWR your truck is rated for.

Say your truck has a GVWR of 7400lb and weighs 5500. You can have a payload of 1900. Sounds like a lot, but a 30' TT with a slide can have a tounge weight of 700+ lbs, and 30 gals of gas will weight another 250 and 60 perhaps for the hitch. That drops you to 900 lbs. Me, wife, 2 kids and dog add do nearly 700lbs. Getting close to the max there.

OK, what is your GCWR? Mine is 13,500 (1000 less than max rating because of options on TV). The truck runs 5800, 700 for family, 250 gas, 120 batts/propane, 60 hitch - mebbe 7000 lbs. Deduct that from the 13,500 and the max I can tow is 6,000, not the 8,100 it's "rated" for.

So 11,300 sounds like a lot, and perhaps it really is. But you need to look at more numbers than that one.

[Herk7769]

2011 Ford F-150 | View Towing Specifications | Ford.com

Wow, That is a beast!

Everything is there. 11,300 pounds

16,700 - 17,100 pounds GCVW

totally GRATZ! I think I want one...

[dretired]

So My 2010 F150 supercab ,5.4, 3.55 has a GCWR of 15,200 and a towing capacity of 9,800 . what is the actual load capability15,200 -9800 =5000 or what ?? Trailer dry at 6300,

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by dretired

So My 2010 F150 supercab ,5.4, 3.55 has a GCWR of 15,200 and a towing capacity of 9,800 . what is the actual load capability15,200 -9800 =5000 or what ?? Trailer dry at 6300,

We were talking about a 2011 F-150, not the 2010.
Numbers are different.
http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...vF150sep09.pdf


Load capability and Towing Capability are two different bears.
Load capability is what your F-150 can CARRY without overloading the frame or axles.

Towing capability is what your engine, trans, and rear can PULL, (not necessarily STOP).

Gross combined weight is the maximum your two components (truck and camper) can weigh without an unsafe condition occurring. Can't stop, Frame, Engine, Trans, or rear damage.

I used the specs from the attached pdf file.
Truck 4x4 - the 4x2 is slightly different.

GCWR = 15,400
Max Towing = 9700 camper
Max Gross Weight of the TRUCK = 8200 pounds
Payload with a 4x4 = 1491 pounds

So, the curb weight of your truck (empty with a tank of gas and you - No hitch no family - no junk) is 8200 (GVWR)-1491(max payload) = 6709 pounds.

Obviously you can not max out the truck and max out the camper since the max the truck can weigh is 8200 plus 9700 camper = 17,900 pounds, so something has to give to remain under the 15,400 pounds the two can weigh together.

If you max load the truck at 8200 pounds, the biggest camper you can tow is 15,400 pounds minus the 8200 of the truck = 7,200 pound max loaded camper (NOT DRY WEIGHT - Full up loaded) The 1491 payload is all the stuff carried by the truck INCLUDING the tongue weight transferred by the weigh distributing hitch (required for the max tow rating) Typically 15% and a minimum of 10% of camper weight. Loading will be critical for you to avoid severe sway at 10% tongue weight.

Dry weight means nothing here. You need to know the GVWR of the Camper. That is the Unloaded Weight (off the yellow sticker on the camper) plus all your gear (max payload). Lets say that that number is 8200 pounds. 7000 UVW plus 1200 pounds payload.

15% of 8200 pounds = 1230 pounds of tongue weight ON the truck.
Add 100 pounds of WD hitch and your Family must not weight more than 160 pounds or you will over gross your truck.

Was that helpful?

[dretired]

Thanks for the replie HERK. Yeah is guess SHE needs to lose some weight !!! How did you know ?? LOL ..My truck is a 4x2 and from what i can see if the 2 of us dont OVERLOAD with too much stuff we may get away within the ratings,, Or darned i will have to order a Bigger better tow truck !!

[yvesm]

Originally Posted by sbowman871

Hello All-

Just joined this fourm about 5 minutes ago. I'm an exprienced camper that is thinking about making a change in my TT setup. With all of the brands and offerings that Forrest River has to offer, I was hoping someone could help me narrow down my search. If so, that would be great. Here is my short list of what I'm looking for:

28-33 foot travel trailer
Queen bed in the back that can be in a slide or not.
Deep slide dinnette. Couch could slide with it or not.
It's just the DW and I, so we don't need a lot of beds.
Right now I have been looking at the

Wildwood Heritage Glen 262FL Travel Trailer by Forest River

I really like the floor plan, but open to other brands that may look similar. Any quality opinions on the Wildwood Heritage line would also be helpful.

Thanks in advance to any and all replies

Steve

I have found that Forest river is a middle of the line manufacturer. They are not the best or the worst. My first camper was a Shamrock 18 (I forget the year,maybe 2004) we had it until last spring and never any trouble. Last spring we purchased a 2011 Rockwood 2902SS and I am still making repairs. Forest River has been a great help in sending me the parts that I need, the dealer I bought the unit from is no longer selling Forest River products. Whatever you buy look it over real well and don't sign until you are satisfied.