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Old 06-09-2014, 06:22 AM   #1
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looking to buy 24 or 27 need advice

Hi Folks

We just sold our older 21 foot toy hauler and are looking to get into something a little roomier. I have a 03 ram 1500 that's rated to pull 7500 lbs. we have two kids 8 and 11 and will be hauling mostly the kids quads and dirtbikes to the races. I really like the 27 hfs but am concerned about the weight after I add the two bed option in rear, water, propane, etc etc. We do not need a on board gen set as I have one. My other option is the 24 hfs which isn't much lighter but tongue weight is 400 plus lbs less. but you give up a lot with no slide and separate garage. Does anyone pull a 27hfs with a older half ton like this? Are there any issues I should look for on any of these. Any advice/info would be great. thanks and this looks like a great chat forum.
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Old 06-09-2014, 07:44 AM   #2
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I faced the exact same decision with my ecoboost. There are several on here that tow the 27 with a half-ton successfully. There are others that did for a while and ultimately upgraded their truck.

I could never get comfortable with the weight...the difference is pretty substantial. I went with the 24. I really like the 24 as it is a pretty easy tow and with my single bed up it's pretty roomy. It also lets me carry canoes and kayaks. I will say with the kids with me and the bed down it is very claustrophobic and I get out of there pretty quick when I wake up before everyone else. The slide and separate rooms would really be nice. At the end of the day I have no regrets because of my truck but I do have visions of upgrading the truck in a few years so I can get a larger camper.
A
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Old 06-09-2014, 08:03 AM   #3
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Thanks for the reply, I think I will propably go with the 24 as I really don't want to purchase a new truck as mine is like new. Do you have any pics of your setup?
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Old 06-09-2014, 08:23 AM   #4
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Have you seen the Grey Wolf 27rr? It is about 100lbs. heavier but lots more room. They sell for under $20,000!

Grey Wolf Toy Hauler Travel Trailer by Forest River
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Old 06-09-2014, 11:05 AM   #5
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I prefer to have the smooth side, I am also looking at an Outback 230 rs which is very nicely built.
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Old 06-09-2014, 11:20 AM   #6
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Quote:
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Have you seen the Grey Wolf 27rr? It is about 100lbs. heavier but lots more room. They sell for under $20,000!

Grey Wolf Toy Hauler Travel Trailer by Forest River

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I prefer to have the smooth side, I am also looking at an Outback 230 rs which is very nicely built.
One of the options is Gel Coat Sides the smooth one.
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Old 06-09-2014, 11:28 AM   #7
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With the ram, you'll also have to keep an eye on your payload. Myself, Wife, Kids and Dogs burns about 1/2 of my Ram's payload, which effectively cuts my tow rating in 1/2 as well. While not a toy hauler, my bunkhouse is in the same general dry weights as the 27 and it can get a little squirrelly when towing when I have the family with me. Adding quads and dirtbikes I think you'll really be taxing the Ram.

Not to say it can't do it, after all I pull mine like this, but there are places where I'm slowing it down to 90 or so (Kms) to keep it steady. With speed limits of 100 and average speeds of 120, it's a significant change in driving habits.
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Old 06-09-2014, 11:50 AM   #8
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Welcome, I think the 27hfs once loaded, is to much for most 1/2 ton trucks. I pulled mine with a Toyota Tundra for about a year and it did a good job.

My yellow sticker shows 6,554 dry from the factory. I do have the generator option.
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Old 06-09-2014, 02:46 PM   #9
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I think my 24 is 5500 yellow sticker but I have the arctic package with dual pane windows, beefy frame, etc.

The bigger thing is just as the previous poster said...payload. 4 or 500 less hitch weight is huge.
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Old 06-09-2014, 03:56 PM   #10
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As much as I would like to tell you to get the 27HFS, with your truck you'll need to get the 24HFS. I pull my 27HFS with a Silverado 1500, which is rated at 9500lbs, and 15000 GCVWR. I am still slightly over my limits when loaded up with golf cart, and camping gear. I still manage to keep the axle weights under what they are supposed to be, but my gross is slightly over. Ours set on a seasonal site most of the year, we only pull it off once or twice a year for a road trip.
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Old 06-09-2014, 06:02 PM   #11
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Ace,
We have 27 HFS with the extreme package and onan gen. Towing with our (garage queen) 06' F150 5.4 HD 3.55 gear that has only 55k miles. With 4 dirtbikes in the garage and all our camping gear I am right at my trucks maximum capacity. Now I wouldn't want to drive coast to coast with it but for shorter trips 200-300 miles it works for us. The key is slower speeds, good brake controller, and a properly setup WDH. I also added 2k lb. helper springs just to be safe on the hitch weight. Don't get me wrong, ultimately someday I would like a 3/4 diesel but there is a lot of life left in my half ton garage queen. By the way, we love our XLR.
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Old 06-10-2014, 06:43 PM   #12
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I pulled the 27 HFS with my 06 F150 5.4 3.55 rear end for about 9 months. Just within specs but after 9 months starting getting rear end shudder when turning. First when towing but later when empty and not towing. Had fluids/filter changed in both rear end and transmission but shudder did not go away. Traded for a 2500 HD Chevy 6.0 gasser. No comparison on towing. Heavier duty, no matter what brand, is the requirement. Don't pull the 27 HFS with a 1/2 ton. Not a good fit.
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Old 06-10-2014, 08:48 PM   #13
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We are towing our 27HFS with a Chevy Avalanche which is rated for 8000lbs with the 2 Harley's in the back. With load equalizing bars and sway bar we are not seeing any real difficulties towing as of yet. Only difficulties we've had was trying to figure out the best way to tie both bikes down...
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Old 06-11-2014, 05:18 AM   #14
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Well maybe my differential problem was isolated and even though my F150 seemed ok when towing, I realized after pulling the same trailer with same hitch, setup and load that the heavier duty tow vehicle really makes a huge difference.
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Old 06-11-2014, 07:36 AM   #15
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Well maybe my differential problem was isolated and even though my F150 seemed ok when towing, I realized after pulling the same trailer with same hitch, setup and load that the heavier duty tow vehicle really makes a huge difference.
I have had same shudder since 10k miles. Long before I ever started towing. Changed gear oil in rear end with no results. Have been told pinion gear needs shimmed but have never done it. Problem has never gotten worse. Only does it basically when turning from a dead stop. I do agree that this is not the most ideal TV for this trailer but I like the fact it's paid for. And, our trips are in the 200-300 mile range at the longest.
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Old 06-16-2014, 10:01 AM   #16
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I have a 24HFS and a 2013 Dodge 1500 and no problems towing 2 Harleys in the back.

As someone else said the key is having a proper WDH and sway system
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Old 06-17-2014, 12:34 AM   #17
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Meandmylabs was using, dare I say, a truck not equipped to tow a 27HFS; and he knew it. His truck had a 3 speed plus overdrive, 3.55 rear end, and a 300hp motor. A truck with that tyranny has to be left in a manual 3rd and is probably limited to 60mph, maybe a little more, due to rpm's. All of the newer 1/2 ton trucks have a more suitable trannys (5 or more speeds), more power, and better rear ends, if selected. I have 2wd 5.7 Tundra tht has been towing my 27hfs since '12. My longest trip however, is less than 400m one way. I am properly set with everything, tow at 65 and get 8-9mpg. The tundra does the job just fine for now. I mean, who doesn't want a set it and forget 3/4 ton diesel, right? If you do go to a newer half ton, make sure you get the big motor and it's equipped for towing: ex. tow mirrors, tranny cooler, towing rear end, etc. But, it's all just my personal experiences and opinion I'm sharing.
If your stuck with your dodge, then you have to go for the 24. The 27 is way better for your needs, though.
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Old 06-17-2014, 06:47 AM   #18
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Some interesting assumptions about my old truck. Yes it did have the 4 speed transmission but was the heavy duty towing package and was within specs pulling the 27HFS in 3rd gear.

My point, however is that there are a lot more things different by pulling with a heavy duty truck than just power. Stability with a heavy duty truck is a HUGE difference. A TH with a rear garage causes a large amount of weight to be placed toward the rear of the trailer and can really cause havoc with your setup.

I understand that many purchase the 1/2 ton trucks because they are also the daily driver and are a little less expensive to operate but I could really notice the difference with a heavier duty truck.

The OP asked for our opinions and I have shared mine.
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Old 06-17-2014, 06:49 AM   #19
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Well said.
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Old 06-17-2014, 07:55 AM   #20
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I tow my 27HFS with a '01 ford expedition 5.4L 3.73 gears, 205k miles. yellow sticker on the camper is 6700 lbs. by the time I get the golf cart, kids bikes, firewood, gear, and other items, I think that I am reaching the ceiling of around 8500 lbs when loaded for a trip.
Towed the camper from Ohio back to Maryland a year and a half ago and have gone on several trips since. Although the expedition tows OK, you always want something that is a little more spec oriented.
Braking can get a little squirrely at times so you will have to allow for a little more stopping distance.
I believe that the expedition is on the teetering edge of going over the spec; that is why I am in the market for a 3/4-1 ton diesel to get that extra added comfort for the family.
As the expedition sits now, during towing in the summer months, I cannot run the a/c which is just miserable on long drives. I have 1 more trip to get thru during 4th of July and then the expedition will be retiring from my vehicle arsenal.
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