first time rv buyer

[jaredrv]

looking to buy a flaggstaff light weight trailer,to pull with my trailblazer,any input would be great?how do you like them>

[rockwood06]

to FRF, you came to the right forum for info, GREAT PEOPLE here. I don't know what size rig you plan on towing but just beware of your tow cap on your Trailblazer. We have a 2007 but we don't tow with it, I think the max tow rating on the Trailblazer is 6,500 lbs. We have a 34' Rockwood so the Trailblazer is out of th question. Good luck and Welcome.

[08flagvlite]

I know that my Flagstaff V lite is not so LITE! I have issues pulling it with my Hemi Ram.
BE SURE not to "oversize" your tow vehicle, and you'll be a happy camper. I can get by with my set up, but I really need a diesel 2500 HD. Randy

[dezolen]

I pull a 28' Rockwood with 2005 V8 Tahoe with no issues. Not too many mountains around here.

[rockwood06]

I tow a 34' Rockwood with a 1997 3/4 ton GMC Suburban it is rated for 7,500 lbs. In September I bought a new 2008 Chevy Silverado pick up it is a heavy duty 1/2 ton the tow rating is 10,500 lbs and it is a 6.0 gas engine....Yes it tows more then the 3/4 ton Suburban. The next step up is the 3/4 ton HD @ 12,500 lbs. My 2008 is called the"VORTEC MAX" but in the 2007 year it was called the "1500 HD". My camper fully loaded is 7,905 lbs. So the Heavy duty 1/2 ton worked out for me, and I would like to give credit to the members of this Forum that helped me with this decision. I looked at a $50,000 2500HD and it was more truck then I needed. I still have the Suburban and in the Spring I will be towing with the new pick up and I can't wait to try it out.

[acadianbob]

hi jared. do not exceed 80% of your tow ratings. also, be aware that your wheelbase is fairly short so that will limit the length of trailer you should tow.

http://www.rvtowingtips.com/

[Kim Roberts]

Hello everyone,
My husband and I really love the floorplan of the 831. We want to know if any one can tell us if they think our truck can tow it and what hitch you recommend. We have heard of Hensley and Reese. Our truck is 2008 Ford F150/4x4/CC/with tow and go package. Also does anyone have any concerns about the 831? Also do we need to purchase a break control?

Bernie & Kim
Northern Indiana

[08flagvlite]

You most definitely will need a brake controller, and a weight distribution hitch set up, such as the Reese Dual cam as I have, or the Equalizer is another brand, or as you mentioned, the Hensley.Your F 150 4x4 should be okay, but check on the trailer's GVWR, just to be sure. The extra stiffness from your truck being a 4x4 will help, but the weight distributing hitch mates your camper with your tow vehicle's chassis, for MUCH better road feel and control. Hope this helps ya!! Randy

[RetiredinWv]

Jared, we tow a 33 ft V-lite with an 06 Ford Expedition. We also us a Hensley Arrow Hitch and their silver brake controller. The Hensley Arrow removes ALL sway and the brake controller is a cut above the rest. I used a NAPA off-the-shelf brake controller and had trouble between slow speed and high speed braking, (which is normal for off-the-shelf brake controllers I finally found out). I was constantly resetting the gain. I now use a Hensley Silver brake controller - no more braking problems. The Hensley Arrow hitch is also pricey but I will NEVER tow another camper without it.

Good Luck

[CamperFan]

Originally Posted by Kim Roberts

Hello everyone,
My husband and I really love the floorplan of the 831. We want to know if any one can tell us if they think our truck can tow it and what hitch you recommend. We have heard of Hensley and Reese. Our truck is 2008 Ford F150/4x4/CC/with tow and go package. Also does anyone have any concerns about the 831? Also do we need to purchase a break control?

Bernie & Kim
Northern Indiana

Since you have a pick-up, you should check out the Rockwood/Flagstaff 5th wheels. We have the 8265S Rockwood, and love the floor plan. the two opposing slides in the back create so much room. Plus with a 5th wheel, you have no need for an expensive W/D hitch system, more storage, more interior room height in the living area, and it's so much easier to set-up/take down at your camping area. The only down side is that you lose some of your pick-ups bed space for hauling stuff and you do have steps to go up to the bedroom area. Although since you have a crew cab, you would need an expensive slider hitch so you could make sharp turns with your trailer.

[08flagvlite]

We went with the V lite trailer over the same floorplan 5th wheel. The V lite has 2 slide outs, was 1 foot longer, has a HUGE front closet, and is lighter weight, and to have the 5th hitch I was told a little over 1000.00. The Reese set up I have now with the dual cam setup, and trailer brakes was just shy of 500.00, AND I still have my bed. lso 2000.00 cheaper! Randy

[fourwalls]

Beware of towing with a Trailblazer. I have an 02 TB and I would be afraid of pulling anything of any size with it. We have a 18' Ranger bass boat and it is all my TB wants to handle it. Tranny wants to heat and run warm. Remember you have to stop it to. Our DD has a TB also and she bought a 21' Aruba thinking that it fell under the weight ratio her TB could pull. WRONG You talk about the tail wagging the dog. That was almost ugly. She now pulls it with a 3/4 ton PU.

[dezolen]

Misinformation abounds. I did not see any mention as to size of trailer he wants to pull. Our friends pull a 28'Rockwood signature series trailer with no problems at all with Olds Bravada which I believe is same vehicle as trailblazer.

[rlocicero]

We tow a 29cks Holiday Rambler w/ss with our F150 and it does a good job, although it was a little stressed in the Adirondack mountains. Trailer is 6919 dry.