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Old 12-09-2013, 03:33 AM   #41
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In reference to the 310 BHDS WEIGHT. YELLOW WEIGHT STICKER IS 7310 Empty on my Liberty Edition.
Max weight for the unit is 9900 LBS. When we made the decision to buy the 310 over the 320, It was for the following, 1) the800 lbs lighter weight 2) the larger dinnette. 3). The larger open space in the living area, which is where everyone hangs out all the time. I really wanted the large shower but in reality you only spend 5 minutes in the shower and hours in the living area. I am happy on the floor plan I purchased and would not change if I wanted.

As far as towing goes. The gas truck is the way to go if you are only using your trailer less than 8 times a year. My Ram shows no signs of being under powered. With the right combination of towing capacity and accessories the right half ton will do fine. Sure the 3/4 or higher do better, but cost thousands more. Deisels alone are 10k more than gas New.

I put the airbags on my Ram 1500 and it was a world of difference. No sag. More stable on the roadway. Firm and stable on rough roadways.

The majority of the New 1/2 ton trucks out their get around 12 in town and 20 MPG on the highway without the trailer. I am getting 10 highway with trailer and gear. Weight was 8300 lbs . 55-60 MPh in PA. Mountains and hills 60 % of the time.

The 310 and 320 are very similar so any one you pick will be great.
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Old 12-10-2013, 11:04 PM   #42
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We have a 2014 320 as we'll and love it. We ordered from the factory after shopping for months. Picked it up in April and camped 13 weekends before October. It's now stored indoors for the winter as we live in Iowa. Can't wait for spring. As for towing our TV is a 2008 Tundra dbl cab 5.7L with towing pkg. Speaking from towing all summer and longest trip being 3hrs away I would recommend getting a 3/4 ton HD. Our Tundra has no issues with power, it's the tail wagging the dog on the interstate that is unnerving. We love our truck but are at the moment shopping for a used diesel or a gas 3/4 ton ourselves. I will have to use the truck daily as we'll and don't want the extra maintenance of the diesel but I also don't want to have any regrets so we can't decide what to do. Diesel trucks are just so expensive and we want to stay under 25k. Any advice knowing the trailer we are towing.
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:03 AM   #43
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We have a 2014 320 as we'll and love it. We ordered from the factory after shopping for months. Picked it up in April and camped 13 weekends before October. It's now stored indoors for the winter as we live in Iowa. Can't wait for spring. As for towing our TV is a 2008 Tundra dbl cab 5.7L with towing pkg. Speaking from towing all summer and longest trip being 3hrs away I would recommend getting a 3/4 ton HD. Our Tundra has no issues with power, it's the tail wagging the dog on the interstate that is unnerving. We love our truck but are at the moment shopping for a used diesel or a gas 3/4 ton ourselves. I will have to use the truck daily as we'll and don't want the extra maintenance of the diesel but I also don't want to have any regrets so we can't decide what to do. Diesel trucks are just so expensive and we want to stay under 25k. Any advice knowing the trailer we are towing.


I would try to find an 08-10 Ford F250/350 with the 6.8L V10 gasser. This is the truck I have, and it will easily handle that trailer and more. The 6.8L V10 is a workhorse of an engine and is extremely reliable . No maintenance cost/issues like the diesels of the same era. The only downfall is it is a pig on gase, but I didn't buy it for its fuel economy, I bought it to pull my summer house on wheels. . It is also a very strong and durable truck that can take any abuse you throw at it.
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:12 AM   #44
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Thanks Pwrplay, I have definitely considered this. Anybody have thoughts on the 2011 and up ford 6.2L gasser? I would really like to try and stay around 12-14 mpg all around driving as this will be a daily driver. What are the 08-10. 6.8's getting?
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:14 AM   #45
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If you are going Ford, take a look at the EcoBoost with a Max Trailer Tow Package/HD Suspension!
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:21 AM   #46
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Do you plan on uping to a bigger trailer?
If you are you might plan for that now.
2014-15 SD 6.7 350?
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:48 AM   #47
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Thanks Idaho, but I know these are famous last words but we can't see going bigger anytime soon. We went from a pop up to this 32ft beast. And ordered it brand new in April this year. I would love to have the 6.7L diesels but they want 40k plus and we are trying to stay around 25k. Looking at either 2500hd 6.0 or F250/350 with either 6.8L or 6.2L. We want to make 2 long trips I the next 4 years. One to Disney world in Florida and one to Yellowstone. Other then this we typically stay within 3hrs of home mad the truck will be driven daily about 30 miles per day for back and fourth to work. This is why I feel a gasser may be more a realistic option at this point. Don't get me wrong we would live a new diesel but just doesn't make sense.
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Old 12-13-2013, 10:54 AM   #48
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Thanks Idaho, but I know these are famous last words but we can't see going bigger anytime soon. We went from a pop up to this 32ft beast. And ordered it brand new in April this year. I would love to have the 6.7L diesels but they want 40k plus and we are trying to stay around 25k. Looking at either 2500hd 6.0 or F250/350 with either 6.8L or 6.2L. We want to make 2 long trips I the next 4 years. One to Disney world in Florida and one to Yellowstone. Other then this we typically stay within 3hrs of home mad the truck will be driven daily about 30 miles per day for back and fourth to work. This is why I feel a gasser may be more a realistic option at this point. Don't get me wrong we would live a new diesel but just doesn't make sense.
No worries, I understand where you are coming from.

Some times forward planning will pay a dividen in advance.
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Old 12-13-2013, 01:05 PM   #49
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Thanks Pwrplay, I have definitely considered this. Anybody have thoughts on the 2011 and up ford 6.2L gasser? I would really like to try and stay around 12-14 mpg all around driving as this will be a daily driver. What are the 08-10. 6.8's getting?
I'm getting 10MPG towing and city driving when empty. I get about 14-15MPG hiway when empty.
The 6.2L are getting good reviews and is a good option but you may pay a bit more For the truck depending on how well the truck is equipped.
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Old 12-14-2013, 08:11 PM   #50
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We recently purchased a 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express Liberty Edition 320BHDS the actual dry weight is 8102 lb, hitch weight 841 lb.
My tow vehicle is a 2013 Silverado 2500, 6.0 vortec gas engine 360 hp, 3:73 rear axle. I feel I'm right at the max limit with this tow vehicle for the weight of the travel trailer. We live in Pennsylvania with lots of steep hills.
I don't think you will be happy with the performance of your tow vehicle pulling this travel trailer.
As far as your question on different models I've only seen Freedom Express and Freedom Express Liberty Edition in the 320.
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Old 12-15-2013, 11:40 AM   #51
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Woodworm, are you saying that the chevy 2500hd 6.0 I would not be happy with or are you commenting on my Tundra? How does the 6.0 engine perform while towing your 320bhds. Would a 3500hd SRW be my best bet? We only plan on making 2-3 long trips over the next 4 years, everything else is 1-4 hours from home in the Midwest.
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Old 12-15-2013, 12:43 PM   #52
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We have a 2014 320 as we'll and love it. We ordered from the factory after shopping for months. Picked it up in April and camped 13 weekends before October. It's now stored indoors for the winter as we live in Iowa. Can't wait for spring. As for towing our TV is a 2008 Tundra dbl cab 5.7L with towing pkg. Speaking from towing all summer and longest trip being 3hrs away I would recommend getting a 3/4 ton HD. Our Tundra has no issues with power, it's the tail wagging the dog on the interstate that is unnerving. We love our truck but are at the moment shopping for a used diesel or a gas 3/4 ton ourselves. I will have to use the truck daily as we'll and don't want the extra maintenance of the diesel but I also don't want to have any regrets so we can't decide what to do. Diesel trucks are just so expensive and we want to stay under 25k. Any advice knowing the trailer we are towing.
Have you thought of a used excursion with the diesel? A nice one can be found for easily under 20k. It's a 3/4 ton chassis and tows my 320 nicely. We have a 2000 model with 7.3 (which many consider their best diesel ever). I just looked at buying another one for 13k. It was an 03 Eddie Bauer with 185k miles. These make great tow vehicles because you also have all the room for the family and the dog(s). I did just buy an 04 with the 6.0 motor. I am not worried about the bad rep of the 6.0 diesel because I know what has caused many owners of this engine problems and I take care of them before they cause future issues.
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Old 12-15-2013, 01:11 PM   #53
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I will have to say that in 06 I faced this same decision. Gas vs Diesel. New was out of the question as I couldn't afford to eat that much money right off the bat. Spent a lot of time looking and bought a 99 f-250 diesel. Other friend and family members made other choices. 120,000 miles later I have done nothing to maintain the truck other than routine maintenance and oil changes every 12,000 miles. Upgraded my 5th wheel this year to a beautiful 36ft Columbus and didn't have to worry about weight issues. In the last 8 years pulling with this truck I have never once felt like I didn't have the right truck for the job. I can't say the same for those who choose 3/4 ton gas option when they purchased. All 3 spent a lot more on repairs and none still own their rigs. I have about 190,000 on this truck now and feel it will still give me more years of solid service. Oh, those who bought the gas trucks all upgraded to diesels.

With the swing in gas prices now it is about a draw for fuel expenses from my experience. Recently we went on a 1000 mile trip with 2 other families. One was pulling a travel trailer with a Tundra and the other with a 2012 F250. Both were gas rigs. In the end our gas bills were pretty close to a wash.

Just my 2 cents...... Come retirement I can tell you that it will be a new diesel as my last tow vehicle.
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Old 12-15-2013, 06:08 PM   #54
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My comment was for SoCalDustin pulling a Coachmen 320 with a Silverado 1500 5.3 engine 3.42 rear axle.
My Silverado 2500 6.0 works very nice on the open road. Some of the back hilly roads in our area I wish I had a little more power. I get 7-8 mpg pulling the travel trailer and 12-14 mpg without. I feel the ultimate tow vehicle for my situation would be a 3/4 ton with a Diesel engine which I just can't afford right now.
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Old 12-16-2013, 08:06 PM   #55
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The new GM 5.3 with 3.73's with the max trailering package is rated around 11,500 lbs. It's has a stronger rear suspension and shock tuning.
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Old 12-17-2013, 01:47 AM   #56
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Cobra 93
My comment was for SoCalDustin pulling a Coachmen 320 with a Silverado 1500 5.3 engine 3.42 rear axle.
My Silverado 2500 6.0 works very nice on the open road. Some of the back hilly roads in our area I wish I had a little more power. I get 7-8 mpg pulling the travel trailer and 12-14 mpg without. I feel the ultimate tow vehicle for my situation would be a 3/4 ton with a Diesel engine which I just can't afford right now.
Yea I'm now in the process of looking for a 2500HD Silverado/Sierra. I think that a 2500 will definitely be my best bet and will most likely go diesel. I'm gonna eat it on the commuting miles, but i guess if it gets too bad then I can just buy a POS civic or something LOL.

Truck is up for Sale if anyone wants a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500
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Old 12-17-2013, 09:52 PM   #57
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I think that a 2500 will definitely be my best bet and will most likely go diesel.1500
I think in the long run you will be glad you made that decision!
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Old 12-18-2013, 10:24 AM   #58
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I have been very pleased with my 2500 HD. I will upgrading to 3500 next year though. I'm tired of upgrading trucks so I figured I'll just go big and be done with it and keep the next one til it just won't go anymore...lol.
The only regret was not getting the 3500 when I bought my 2500. The price difference wasn't much at the time. Live and learn as they say.
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Old 12-24-2013, 11:12 AM   #59
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We have a 2013 320 BHDS LE. Turned 1 year old this past September.

We have every option that was available when ours was built, but some of the new options would be very nice to have. Primarily the 50 amp service. A second A/C was not an option last time I checked, I wonder if that was a dealer install? Anyway - I would probably do it, though our single 15K unit keeps up in 100 plus heat, it just runs pretty much non-stop. Whatever package has the flush mount windows, I would do that.

I see you have decided on a 3/4 truck. Good choice. I have posted my actual scale numbers in several threads from when we picked ours up. They are heavy.

I started towing a diesel Excursion. Mine was nicely built. However, I was never truly happy towing with it because of the leaf sprung front end (all 4x4 Ex's are leafs front and rear.) I changed to an 05 F250 and it so much easier to pull the trailer now.

I also use the Reese dual cam set-up. I really like it. I have pulled in some pretty nasty conditions and always felt secure.

here is a thread about my scale weights. I am over 9K with full provisions for a week of camping.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tup-31437.html
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Old 12-24-2013, 12:13 PM   #60
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We have a 2013 320 BHDS LE. Turned 1 year old this past September.

We have every option that was available when ours was built, but some of the new options would be very nice to have. Primarily the 50 amp service. A second A/C was not an option last time I checked, I wonder if that was a dealer install? Anyway - I would probably do it, though our single 15K unit keeps up in 100 plus heat, it just runs pretty much non-stop. Whatever package has the flush mount windows, I would do that.

I see you have decided on a 3/4 truck. Good choice. I have posted my actual scale numbers in several threads from when we picked ours up. They are heavy.

I started towing a diesel Excursion. Mine was nicely built. However, I was never truly happy towing with it because of the leaf sprung front end (all 4x4 Ex's are leafs front and rear.) I changed to an 05 F250 and it so much easier to pull the trailer now.

I also use the Reese dual cam set-up. I really like it. I have pulled in some pretty nasty conditions and always felt secure.

here is a thread about my scale weights. I am over 9K with full provisions for a week of camping.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tup-31437.html
We mainly pull ours with a 2wd excursion but recently "upgraded" to a newer 4wd version. What were your issues towing with the 4wd? I know the front has leaf springs, but how does that effect the towing? I have RAS springs on the rear to help with squatting and sway.
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