New Owner very soon

[Roselaneess]

Hi Everyone,

We are looking at the Surveyor 201RBS and the 220RBS travel trailers. We really like both but are torn between the two. We just realized that the 201RBS only has 2500# axles which gives it an ~1300# cargo capacity as opposed to the 220RBS which has 3500# axles which gives it a significantly larger cargo capacity.

A question, has anyone who owns a 201RBS felt that they have over loaded it?

The biggest dislike on the 220RBS is the crazy 'dinette' couch thing with the removable cushions on the ends. Granted these solve the access to the bathroom and kitchen problem but they are tremendously uncomfortable.

Question, has anyone with the new design 'dinette' made any modifications to it to make those 'wings' more comfortable? Have you replaced the whole darned thing with a couch?

Thanks for the time to answer these questions. We are very impressed with both trailers and their construction. Just a couple of cons that we would like some feedback on.

Thanks,
Barb

[mjones12]

The bathroom access in the 220 is not really solved. Have to open the slide about halfway to open bathroom door while traveling.
The wing near the bathroom works ok for us but no good way to lean back on the other end.

We would prefer a couch but would have to work around the slide manual override which is behind the dinette.

[Roselaneess]

Thank you for your response mjones12.

[Lucky7RV owner]

In reply to your concern to the axles on the 201RBS"
Purchased our 2014 TT last May and have no issues with this TT, as of yet. Tow it with a F150 4x4 Supercab with no problem. Have the brake controller and Equalizer 4 pt. Sway Distribution hitch=would recommend these for towing. Took both units ( Fully loaded with propane,batteries,and cargo; also full tank of gas) to a scale and weight came in at 10,600 lbs. Total Tow Capacity on my TV is rated at 13,500 lbs.,so I am close to 2000 lbs under TV rating.
Wife and I like this Combo of TV and TT and storage available. Has power tongue jack, power awning,26" LED Television,etc. Feel that unit is Safe to go down the road the way I have it set up.
Noticed the new 2015 201RBS has a different Front Cap and a drop down Bike Carrier on the rear,from one RV Site I was looking at on the Internet.
Hope this has answered some of your ???'s.
Good Luck and Happy Shopping and Camping, whatever you decision.

[Roselaneess]

Thank you for the response, it was helpful.

[Roselaneess]

We just returned from looking at both models again. This is almost as bad as looking for a house, LOL! Anyway, the 220RBS redesign for latter 2015 has completely addressed the bathroom access issue with the slide in. The 'wing' cushions are removable and the slide comes in over the top of the wings, full access to everything in the trailer including the bathroom :-)!

This little change along with having the cushions on the back of the couch changed to straight cushions rather than curved in the corners will make this model perfect for our use.

Looking forward to having one in our driveway in a few weeks!

Barb

[dj3spots]

If you have to open a slide to get to the bathroom - don't buy the trailer! Sorry but after 2 yrs. of opening the slide to get to the "loo" we bought a new trailer. We take long trips and the minor inconvenience soon became a major hassle. We much prefer using our rolling port-o-pot to using rest area bathrooms. Think about it before you buy. And yes, it's as difficult as looking for a house. Rofl


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[Roselaneess]

dj3spots couldn't agree with you more! We are replacing a Arctic Fox 27' trailer that we don't have to move the slide to use the 'loo' and is the major reason for looking at the two different sizes of the Surveyor.

Apparently the older style 220RBS were built such that you either had to modify the loo door or open the slide. Forest River/Surveyor must have gotten the message because the mid-2015 style change included 'fixing' this issue. Now there's no reason to open the slide except to go to bed and even then it's not 100% necessary the bed is fully accessible on one side of the coach. Kitchen, etc is fully accessible with the slide in.

We really did like the 201RBS however, the cargo capacity and the fact that it has smaller diameter axles which makes it impossible to change the leaf springs to increase the cargo capacity just put it out of the running. We travel with full water all the time because we dry camp and also run a string of Field Trial English Springer Spaniels so the few water changes the happier everyone is :-)!

Barb

[Mad Dog 7.62]

Have you looked at the SP240RBS? We really like ours. Everything on the inside is accessible with the slide in. Where we park ours behind our house we can't put the slide out so being able to access and load it with the slide in was important. And we love the outdoor kitchen!

[Roselaneess]

Mad Dog 7.62, we didn't, its too large for what we are looking for thank you for the suggestion.

[mjones12]

Barb: Not sure I understand how the slide avoids blocking the bathroom door. My 2013 wing cushions are removable but doesn't make any difference. Iam sure you are correct. Just cannot visualize it. Could you elaborate? Thanks.

[Roselaneess]

Sure, the slide now slides over the top of the two 'wing' platforms. It doesn't pull in any further than the front of the boxes.

[mjones12]

Thanks. So the slide doesn't go down to the floor; just down to the top of the wings.

[Roselaneess]

Yes the part of the slide over the wings only goes over the wings. The middle is down to the floor.

[mjones12]

Got it. Interesting engineering. If you get one, please post photos. Lots of us 220 owners on here. Thanks again.