XLR 24HFS- Need some info before 1st time buy

[Byt Stealth]

Hi all,

My wife and I are newbies to RVing. We are in the process of shopping around for our first TH, and there is so much to consider but I think we have it narrowed down between a XLR 24HFS , Stealth 2216 or a Dutchmen Razorback 2150. We weighed the pros and cons and I'd like to get some opinions of those that have some experience (good/bad) with the XLR 24HFS (or any of the other models if possible).

My TV is a 2010 GMC crewcab 1500 (can tow 9600lbs max with 1100lbs tongue weight using WDH). We have a 1100lb RZR 570 (9'Lx50"Wx6'H) that we want to haul.

Most of our planned trips will be in the Tx areas at first and eventually heading out to the northwest. We would plan to do minimal boondocking but will be visiting various offroad atv parks that may have limited facilities.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to get as much information before making a decision. Thank you in advance for your help.

[meandmylabs]

We are owners of a 27 HFS since last September and have been pretty pleased with it so far. One frustrating thing to me is that all of the wall outlets are on one circuit which limits things very much. I have a portable fireplace, which I often use for heating, and I require an oxygen concentrator at times due to health reasons. If I run both of these items along with other things plugged in such as the TV, when I make coffee with a standard drip coffee maker, I will pop a breaker. The other TT's I have had always used two circuits for the outlets which prevented this problem. I am in the processs of running a second 30amp hookup into the garage and installing appropriate wall outlets to rectify this problem. I will then be able to plug into a 50 amp 240 vac RV and with a Y adapter run two 30 amp 120vac RV connections.

[leadhead358]

Check how far back the cabinets and wheel wells are from the back of the trailer. If I am not mistaking the rzr would not fit because it would hit the cabinets and set on top of the wheel wells. My wife and I looked at one of these and I think that was the problem. That is why we went to the 27hfs. Mine has winter package and built in generator. The way it sets with nothing in it, it weighs around 6900 #. I am pulling with a 09 Silverado 1/2 ton with air bags and towing package and tranny cooler. Hauling a rzr 800.

[Byt Stealth]

We're off to check out a 24HFS and I brought a measuring tape. Thanks for the heads up about the rzr spacing .

Are all models wired for a generator even if they are not equipped with one? We plan to use our pair of Honda EU2000's when boondocking. Good to know about the wiring. Never thought to ask questions about the breakers. I will ask the sales rep about them.

Does anyone ask to write in deal that the sale is contingent on the TV towing the TH with no issues?

Thanks again for your replies!

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Byt Stealth

Does anyone ask to write in deal that the sale is contingent on the TV towing the TH with no issues?

I've never heard of this, but don't think it's a bad idea.

BUT- doing the math to determine if you'll be within your ratings is pretty easy. Why not figure out how much camper you can tow and still stay within your ratings before you go shopping?

[Byt Stealth]

I checked the math and the XLR 24 and 27 models will be 85%-90% of my tow capacity. My 1/2 ton (GMC 5.3)has the HD trailering package with integrated brake control. I plan to use the blue ox pro wdh.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Byt Stealth

I checked the math and the XLR 24 and 27 models will be 85%-90% of my tow capacity. My 1/2 ton (GMC 5.3)has the HD trailering package with integrated brake control. I plan to use the blue ox pro wdh.

Which tow capacity? The overall "this truck can tow X,000 pounds"? Or, did you specifically look at the available payload of your truck? It's quite a frustrating difference. To get that "this truck can tow X,000 pounds" - you can have a 150 pound drive and that's it (if you're going to adhere to the gross vehicle weight rating of the truck itself).

I wrote this as a result of helping my father-in-law out:
What Can I Tow?
What Can I Tow? A Real world example

[melk-man]

Originally Posted by Byt Stealth

We're off to check out a 24HFS and I brought a measuring tape. Thanks for the heads up about the rzr spacing .

Are all models wired for a generator even if they are not equipped with one? We plan to use our pair of Honda EU2000's when boondocking. Good to know about the wiring. Never thought to ask questions about the breakers. I will ask the sales rep about them.

Does anyone ask to write in deal that the sale is contingent on the TV towing the TH with no issues?

Thanks again for your replies!

you would need to purchase "generator prep" to have the rv outfitted with the gas tank (30gal on a xlr27hfs) and the wiring, switches, etc. and that runs $750 or so. The onan4000 gen is about $3700-4500 (in addition to gen prep). i would really consider paying the $750 to get it at least gen prepped as you really can't do it after the fact. And the gas tank or adding the fuel station (have to have gen prep to have the fuel station) is kinda nice. But.. it's only money right?

i highly doubt you would ever get a rv sales place to allow that contingency into a contract. wayyy to vague. How would you determine (and prove) it was having "issues" short of the axle falling out of the thing or something very obvious.

[10x]

I bought the xlr27hfs. I tow it with a 3/4 ton diesel. The 27 is not a 1/2 ton towable like they try to sell you IMHO

[melk-man]

Originally Posted by 10x

I bought the xlr27hfs. I tow it with a 3/4 ton diesel. The 27 is not a 1/2 ton towable like they try to sell you IMHO

i would agree. i have a similar tv and don't see how people would tow a 27hfs with a 1/2 ton gas vehicle. My 6L excursion works to pull it. It does it well, but i couldn't imagine having less.. lol
I don't know how much lighter the 24hfs is but it can't be THAT much lighter.

[meandmylabs]

I towed my 27 HFS with a F150 5.4 4speed for about 6 months and I was amazed at how well the half ton handled it. I did have load range c tires and better shocks on the settup and switched to an Equal-i-zer brand hitch. I have since traded the F150 for a Silveraldo 2500 gasser, a better settup but I was still impressed with the F150's performance.

[Kaboom]

My TV is a Toyota Tundra with a 5.7 gas engine. It pulls my XLR 27 HFS just fine. However I wish I had a TV with more tow capacity like a Ford F350, Hey, then I could get a larger RV like a 35 x 12 or a 380 amp or ?????????

Just Buy what you can afford and the model that best fits your needs. I have two friends with half ton tv's. They both, in the past months have purchased toy haulers that are not even close to half ton towable, really good deals. But both are looking for new trucks. They have not even camped yet because they can't tow them.

[10x]

The problem with the 1/2 TV is not the engines, its the tranny. Once you go up to a 3/4 ton or higher the trannies are totally different than the 1/2 tons.

[Kaboom]

I agree with 10x The trannies are different and thus the tow capacity is higher.

However I did see a Toyota Tundra towing the space shuttle at 300,000 lbs. It was on the internet so it must be true "bon joir"

[10x]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

I agree with 10x The trannies are different and thus the tow capacity is higher.

However I did see a Toyota Tundra towing the space shuttle at 300,000 lbs. It was on the internet so it must be true "bon joir"

Just saw the video

Toyota Presents: The Tundra Endeavour -- The Ultimate Journey - YouTube

I just traded my F250 turbo diesel for one.....LOL

[Spiker51]

Bought our 2013 24HFS last April and sad to say haven't used it yet. But anyway we bought it to fit our CanAm Commander sidexside because there was more room for it than the 27HFS (the 27HFS garage wasn't long enough for the Commander). My TV is a 2011 F250 diesel, I didn't even notice the toy hauler behind me when I brought it home from the dealership but it wasn't loaded up with all of our junk yet!

[Nailz]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

My TV is a Toyota Tundra with a 5.7 gas engine. It pulls my XLR 27 HFS just fine. However I wish I had a TV with more tow capacity like a Ford F350, Hey, then I could get a larger RV like a 35 x 12 or a 380 amp or ?????????

Just Buy what you can afford and the model that best fits your needs. I have two friends with half ton tv's. They both, in the past months have purchased toy haulers that are not even close to half ton towable, really good deals. But both are looking for new trucks. They have not even camped yet because they can't tow them.

Kaboom,

I am considering the purchase of a XLR27HFS. I have a 2007 Tundra 4x4 Crew Max with the 5.7 engine. Did you do any mods to the Tundra for towing? I have installed the Tekonsha P3 brake controller. My Honda Goldwing weighs about 1000#. Any advice, suggestions or lessons learned towing with the Tundra?

[Kaboom]

Originally Posted by Nailz

Kaboom,

I am considering the purchase of a XLR27HFS. I have a 2007 Tundra 4x4 Crew Max with the 5.7 engine. Did you do any mods to the Tundra for towing? I have installed the Tekonsha P3 brake controller. My Honda Goldwing weighs about 1000#. Any advice, suggestions or lessons learned towing with the Tundra?

I Don't know if a 2007 Tundra has the same ratings as My 2010. My Tundra pulls the 27 HFS just fine. I use the manual shifter mode most of the time. It really helps on the hills. I watch the transmission temp. gauge and really don't see much difference from empty vs towing. I am looking at installing a "air lift" system in the rear.

As in all things man made you will most likely have to make some modifications / updates to make it work for you. Here is my list so far.

Replace cabinet hinges with spring loaded type. Velcro straps to put through cabinet handles when traveling. (Things will fall out of cabinets and front fenders are expensive ).

Rear bed will not hold much weight without reinforcment or stands placed between bed and floor under the edges at center. (things that go "crack: in the middle of the night ).

Ramp angle is steep and it is possible some motorcycles will rub at the top. ( unhook and raise front of trailer or try one of the other methods posted on FRF. a small square of carpet at the top can help with the metal to metal contact).

When using the dinette don't push on the edge trim to get up. (again things the go "crack")

If you think the dinette is a little wobbly to begin with, do not let your 55 lb english bull dog decide table surfing is his new sport

[wyo700]

Originally Posted by Kaboom

I Don't know if a 2007 Tundra has the same ratings as My 2010. My Tundra pulls the 27 HFS just fine. I use the manual shifter mode most of the time. It really helps on the hills. I watch the transmission temp. gauge and really don't see much difference from empty vs towing. I am looking at installing a "air lift" system in the rear.

As in all things man made you will most likely have to make some modifications / updates to make it work for you. Here is my list so far.

Replace cabinet hinges with spring loaded type. Velcro straps to put through cabinet handles when traveling. (Things will fall out of cabinets and front fenders are expensive ).

Rear bed will not hold much weight without reinforcment or stands placed between bed and floor under the edges at center. (things that go "crack: in the middle of the night ).

Ramp angle is steep and it is possible some motorcycles will rub at the top. ( unhook and raise front of trailer or try one of the other methods posted on FRF. a small square of carpet at the top can help with the metal to metal contact).

When using the dinette don't push on the edge trim to get up. (again things the go "crack")

If you think the dinette is a little wobbly to begin with, do not let your 55 lb english bull dog decide table surfing is his new sport

Assuming both of you with tundra have factory tow package his 2007 is rated higher than your 2010. In 2010 Toyota starting following to the towing standards that all the other big 3 were supposed to start following this year but have chosen not to. So his 2007 is rated to tow 10000 pounds and your 2010 is only rated for 9000. But they are the exact same truck.

[Martins5547]

Originally Posted by melk-man

i would agree. i have a similar tv and don't see how people would tow a 27hfs with a 1/2 ton gas vehicle. My 6L excursion works to pull it. It does it well, but i couldn't imagine having less.. lol
I don't know how much lighter the 24hfs is but it can't be THAT much lighter.

I tow my 27HFS with a 5.4L '01 expedition. I will admit that the TV struggles some but it does the job. I plan on upgrading to an F-250/diesel hopefully at the beginning of next season but the expedition serves its purposes now.

What "WoWs" me at the campgrounds is what people are actually using to tow some of these campers and they find a way to make it work. IMO it may not be safe in different weather conditions but they get away with it.

I think that the expedition is right on the edge of max specs but it gets us to the campground and back. I drove out to Ohio to get our camper and it pulled the 27hfs back, through the mountains and all the way to the front door. I think his truck will be fine, he will just have to take his time with his TH just like you and I have to.