I'm in love with Sanibel 3600

07 ThunderRoad · 01-26-2013, 08:21 PM

Went to dealer to pick up 5th wheel hitch so I can install it this winter. The dealer had the Sanibel plugged in and the heat on for my DW, but she decided not to go. It is 25f here in the rust belt and it was 80f in the Sanibel (tech left the t/stat at 90 and the furnace was going for it). This 5th is a real 4 season rv. The Sanibel is good looking in and out. I stayed in it for a couple of hours and I am very happy with the quality of this fiver. I'm having slide out awnings installed on the trailer. The employees at General RV, in Canton, Ohio have been great. I love the Sanibel 3600

wmcclay · 01-27-2013, 01:10 AM

Its a great unit, we love our 3500. we looked at the 3600 but decided the 3500 best fit us. Prime time has stepped up twice for us, way beyond what was necessary. Its a great company, Make sure the cabinet doors near the slides are secured with something before opening or closing them. They will destroy anything in the way, dont ask how I know. The more you know about the unit the more you will like it. A LOT of people come up to us in campgrounds and ask Sanibel??? then they want to look inside. Most are amazed. If this sounds like a sales pitch, I do not own stock, its just a great unit.

Wayne and Donna

DnD · 01-27-2013, 02:50 AM

One thing I found when I was looking and after I bought my Crusader... PTM customers are loyal and love their trailers.

I really like the Sanibels and am very jealous of you both. Maybe in 5 or 6 years I'll be able to upgrade to one.

Congrats on your new 3600 ThunderRoad!

Here's wishing you many nights of happy campin!

Fyrwalker · 02-04-2013, 10:44 PM

We just bought a Sanibel 3600 and we are so excited to pick it up. We fell in love with it the minute we walked into it. Does anyone have any problems with theirs or any hints of stuff to look out for when we pick it up?

BarryD0706 · 02-05-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrwalker

We just bought a Sanibel 3600 and we are so excited to pick it up. We fell in love with it the minute we walked into it. Does anyone have any problems with theirs or any hints of stuff to look out for when we pick it up?

Search these fora for "Sanibel". You'll find a few tips.

TimandChristine · 02-09-2013, 03:38 PM

We just traded for the Sanibel 3600 in love with it. Saw it at rv show had everything we wanted. Put a washer /dryer in it. that was important for me.Will get it next week. Dealer picking up our trade in and bringing Sanibel down. Have a spot at a campground for now. Husband in Air force and we want to travel alot when he retires. We are Happy Happy Happy

Dgonzo · 09-14-2013, 07:06 AM

We purchased our Sanibel 3600 in August and have taken 2 trips to the Gulf Shores in Alabama since. We love RV and surprisingly there was the same RV in the campsite next to us on our last trip. He loved his also. My only concern regards my truck. I have a Chevy Silverado 2500 with a diesel/ Alison trans and wonder if this truck is too small to handle the payload on the rear axle. The truck has no problem pulling the Sanibel but the rear drops about 4 - 5 inches when I hook it up? What are other Sanibel 3600 owners using to pull their RV?

garbonz · 09-14-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgonzo

We purchased our Sanibel 3600 in August and have taken 2 trips to the Gulf Shores in Alabama since. We love RV and surprisingly there was the same RV in the campsite next to us on our last trip. He loved his also. My only concern regards my truck. I have a Chevy Silverado 2500 with a diesel/ Alison trans and wonder if this truck is too small to handle the payload on the rear axle. The truck has no problem pulling the Sanibel but the rear drops about 4 - 5 inches when I hook it up? What are other Sanibel 3600 owners using to pull their RV?

I would hazard a guess that you are OVER your payload on the truck and that is the reason for the sag. You may be over on your rear axle rating also. BUT all this is mere conjecture and easily figured out. Get to a CAT scale, which are almost everywhere commercial trucks run. It is easy to do and will tell all. look here for post on what to weigh, as you need to do both with and without your rig and loaded up the way you normally use it.

At more than 12K dry that is one big beast to haul with a 3/4 ton. The duramax and allison is certainly up to the task, but the suspension and frame may not be.

Good luck.

irishrv · 09-14-2013, 07:39 AM

Air bags, add a leaf or buy a 3500 ...dually for maxstability. Any will improve the experience. It is a question of what works best for you. The frame and axel are the same on 2500 and 3500.

garbonz · 09-14-2013, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishrv

Air bags, add a leaf or buy a 3500 ...dually for maxstability. Any will improve the experience. It is a question of what works best for you. The frame and axel are the same on 2500 and 3500.

Frame I can can believe, axle and springs not so sure. Can you back up that claim with data? I thought that the rear end ratio's were different to. And I guess you can just overlook the ratings, they are just guidelines anyway. I'm sure everything will be OK.

wmcclay · 09-14-2013, 09:15 AM

Hi:
I have a dodge 2500 2x with a 6 speed.
I am 750 lbs over on gcvw, as I have put larger bakes on the trailer this does not concern me at all. I weigh 2980 empty and 5660 loaded on my drive axle. Rated for 6010 and tires for 6084 lbs. Trailer axles weigh 10,960 rated at 14,000 lbs. This is ready for a weekend, 3/4 fuel, full of water, propane, Honda gen and firewood.
It is best to weigh your unit, you will be surprised at what you find. Enjoy your unit it is a great trailer. The 3600 weighs about the same depending on options
Wayne and Donna

irishrv · 09-14-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garbonz

Frame I can can believe, axle and springs not so sure. Can you back up that claim with data? I thought that the rear end ratio's were different to. And I guess you can just overlook the ratings, they are just guidelines anyway. I'm sure everything will be OK.

Springs are obviously different, 1 more leaf 3500. Rear end is 3:73 same part 2500 and 3500srw on the duramax trucks. The dually has larger brakes.
Call the dealer for a lookup if you need data. Not going to argue manufacturer ratings vs what is legal as that varies place to place.

MillerTime · 09-14-2013, 10:52 PM

Brakes, u joints, , tire sizes- which affects final effective gear ratio, rear spring packs and or spring rates, and torsion bar spring rates, torsion keys and im sure a few other things im forgetting are all different between GM 2500hd and 3500hd trucks.

Oh and on single rear wheel, available wheel and tire sizes are different. 2500hds have 17", 18", & 20" wheel / tire combos. 3500hds have 17" and 18" wheel tire combos only -no 20". For some reason 18" tires seem to have higher load ratings, my nitto 18s have a 4080lb load rating on an E rated tire.
Ps. Work at a Gm and Toyota dealer

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