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Old 11-14-2014, 09:32 PM   #1
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looking at Chaparall

We are looking at the Chaparral Lite 274 RLS Fifth wheel. We are moving up, way up from an 18 foot RPod! Would love to know what

You like about your fifth wheel

You don't like

Tow vehicle (we have a 2012 Highlander which we will have to trade)

Anything else you can suggest

Thank you
Jim and Betsy
Omaha, NEBRASKA
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Old 11-15-2014, 01:57 AM   #2
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Jim and Betsy

We love our Chappy 277DS, this is a older Chappy
(2006) but it is well built, has tons of room both on
top and under It has stood up to the weather
and time, I credit this to how well it was

Looking at the newer models I see the same room
underneath as what we have in a older model....
You can almost put another trailer in the storage
area

We have the upgraded package but the 30 amp
electric and a single 15k air conditioner which has
worked great.

The trailer also have the blackwater flush, hookup
for tv's and plenty electric outlets. We put on slide
toppers and added so hooks and some very small
shelves for the DW to put spices in....

We do not have the auto leveling system that the
newer trailers have, wish we had them.

The owners manual is not the best and wished it
was better suited to the trailer, I hope the newer
trailers are better.

We also replaced all the tires with new goodyear
tires, added a valve under the sink to make
winterizing the trailer much easier. I also had to
put in a shut off valve to the water heater which
was never installed from the factory

So here you have it from someone that has an older
Chappy and has been happy over time, from what
I have read it seems that most owners of new and
older Chappy's seem to be pretty darn happy
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Old 11-15-2014, 06:45 AM   #3
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Overall the Chaparral is a good buy. The few problems we had are normal for all Manufactures. We have a 2013 286RKS 34' 9 in. long. gvwr 14000
I pull it with a 2010 Silverado 1500 with a dyno tune at 345 hp and 5000 lb air bags. It pulls great and gets 9 to 10 mpg. I don't take it on long trips so don't know how well it would pull in the mountains. I live in a very flat area. It is recommended to have a 3/4 ton truck to pull that big of trailer.
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Old 11-15-2014, 07:11 AM   #4
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We pulled our. 29 RKS on two long trips this year. First was to Colorado about 1500 miles. The last one was a 4 week trip to the west coast.5700 miles total. Out to Oregon, down thru California. Back on I 40. Never a problem. I do have to fix the black tank drain valve. Other than that not a problem with the 5er.
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Old 11-15-2014, 07:56 AM   #5
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I have a 2014 327RLKS. Perfect layout for us. Had several minor issues at first, but that's to be expected. I would call quality "average". Tow with 2014 Chevy 3500 diesel.
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Old 11-15-2014, 08:40 AM   #6
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I have a '13 325MKS. The only build quality issue was the plumbing coming out of the galley gray tank that pulled out. It was discovered on the shakedown trip. Dealer said it wasn't glued well enough and it was repaired and no problems since. The microwave quit working but I just ordered another one and installed it myself.
Mods/upgrades , I installed a hard wired Progressive EMS, Progressive Dynamics power converter and purchased a TPMS.
The one thing I would do different during the purchase process would be to negotiate better quality tires. It came with Towmax tires. No issues with them yet but I would like to upgrade them to possibly some LT tires.
We purchased ours in the fall of last year. The dealer had a lot of '14's on the lot a few '13's. The one we liked was a '13. They were asking 51k. They said they would take 42k because it was a '13 model. We ended up getting it for 35k. It only took one "we're going to look around some more" and leaving to get them down to 35k. The salesman showed me their invoice during the PDI and it showed they made around $500 on the deal.
This a great time of the year to get a deal.



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Old 11-15-2014, 11:59 AM   #7
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The great points that everyone has made here
a. Work on the dealer into putting LT tires if possible,
is it a deal breaker "NO" but you can always try.
Oh and BTW don't let him talk you into adding to
the price increase if he changes them out
b. Recommended highly to have a least a 3/4 ton
or 1 ton dually to pull that big of trailer
c. Minor issues are to be expected at first, do
a good PDI (There are PDI lists On This site
and God Sam site), it should take a minum of
of least 2 hours.
d. This a great time of the year to get a deal,
take your time and get the lowest price.
e. This time of the year make sure the trailer
is winterized if you live in a colder part of
the counrty
f. Buy from a dealer who will support you with
good and ongoing service support
g. Overall the Chaparral is a good buy
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Old 11-15-2014, 12:29 PM   #8
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The Chappy Lite has been very good for us.

Chaparral Lite 266SAB 2014 Rear Living Super Slide Fifth Wheel (266 SAB): Gillette's Interstate RV

Swapped out the swivel rockers for a couple recliners and will replace the 19 inch tv with a 32.

One serious suggestion.

Get a one ton TV of your flavor, pass on the 3/4.
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Old 11-15-2014, 01:18 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone, why the diesel? Hubbie wants a SR5 2 wheel drive Tundra
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Old 11-15-2014, 01:40 PM   #10
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That trailer would be at the max weight for the Tundra and probably over for payload. I would be looking at a larger truck 3/4 ton or at least a Ford F-150 ecoboost with the Max tow and max payload
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Old 11-15-2014, 02:00 PM   #11
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X2 on the one ton if you can. I bought a 3/4 back in '11. I should of bought a one ton. I just upgraded to a dually not so much for my payload needs now but for the stability and extra payload in the future if we want to upgrade to a heavier 5r later.
The DW calls it the LT , Last Truck



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Old 11-15-2014, 03:10 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vallgrlx2 View Post
Thanks everyone, why the diesel? Hubbie wants a SR5 2 wheel drive Tundra

Just suggestions. Get whatever pickup that can handle the trailer. One of my neighbors pulls his Rockwood with a Tundra. He says it does the job.
Happy camping



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Old 11-15-2014, 11:06 PM   #13
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I agree with Ford Idaho

Get a 1 ton dually, the stability is far better when you
fighting the wind and rain. Buy big and save, buy small
and you will be wasting your time and money do to the
fact you will want to upgrade shortly..

As stated the extra payload may be needed in the future
if you want to upgrade to a heavier 5r later. Also take
into consideration the weight of the 5er when loaded
as well.

Do not let the salesman tell you it's ok to get a small
1/2 ton, it's unsafe, you will be very sorry when
on your 1st trip when you have to fight both truck and
trailer there and back
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Old 11-16-2014, 02:50 PM   #14
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go with a single wheel 1 ton. Much more payload than a 3/4 ton for very small price difference. Tundra's biggest issue is fuel economy/range. Everyone I have talked to barely gets over 100 miles per tank. That could put you in a bad situation. I can go 400 towing miles no problem with my 3500 diesel.
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Old 12-02-2014, 07:35 AM   #15
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We have a 267RLS and love the trailer. It had the normal small issues that all of them have. We pull with 2014 Ram 2500 HD with the Hemi engine. It gets about 10.5 to 11.5 MPG. The 2500 HD pulls our 5er great.
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Old 12-04-2014, 06:43 PM   #16
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I have to agree with Davel1971, I have a F350 Dually with 6.0
International engine and get 12mph if not more and run around
375 up to 390 miles to a tank of fuel while towing my Chappy.
It's all in how you drive, if you keep your foot in it all the time
of course you will get lower mileage, I drive around 62 to 64mph
and see lots of hot rods passing me with there trailers.
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Old 12-04-2014, 07:25 PM   #17
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Thanks Everyone! What a help you all are with your years of collective wisdom

Blessings and Merry Christmas
Betsy and Jim Conway
2012 RPod 177 (soon to be owners of a larger rig)
2012 Toyota Highlander
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