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Old 04-23-2012, 05:44 PM   #1
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Surveyor 235 "RS" vs. ""RKS"?

Hello everyone!

I've been lurking around for awhile researching different TT's in anticipation of our big jump from a tent to a travel trailer.

We are seriously looking at a 2008 Surveyor 235, which has lead to my question:

It appears that up until 2007 the 235 was the "SV235RS" and had a queen bed in the slide and that starting in 2008 it became the "SV235RKS" and went to a king bed in the slide.

With that addition the dry weight jumps about 200 lbs and the load capacity jumps almost 1,900 lbs. (so the GVWR jumps from about 4,900 lbs to about 7,000 lbs). I do know that the reality of these numbers for any given unit will vary, but it still seems like a big jump for our TV.

The unit we are looking at is listed as a "2008 Surveyor 235RKS" but it definitely has a queen bed.


So now to the actual question (I apologize, I tend to ramble): Did they make 2008 RKS's that still had the queen bed? And if so, would they have the lower weight?

I have spent a fairly significant amount of time online trying to find the answer, but I haven't been able to find out.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Sara
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Old 04-23-2012, 05:51 PM   #2
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Moonbrooke, I am not familiar with either of those 2 campers, but if 200 lbs. makes a big difference, then you may be stretching the abilities of your tow vehicle. BTW, what is your tow vehicle ??

The jump in GVWR is probably the addition of heavier axles and bigger wheels and tires....that is a good thing. Better to have a 7000 lb. GVWR than a 4900 lb. GVWR, so you can load your camper without the worry of overloading the camper. That was 1 of the things that we looked for when we bought our camper.....a sufficient cargo carrying capacity. I am about a ton under my GVWR....that is much better than being at the max on the axles, and especially the tires.

BTW....welcome to the forum !!!!
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Old 04-23-2012, 06:10 PM   #3
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We are towing with a Trailblazer (rated 5,750 lbs plus will have a WDH and sway bars). I'm not really worried about the 200 lbs, but the other differences it implies along with the increased load capacity. (Besides the fact that the 7,000 GVWR just sounds like a much bigger camper than the 4,900 lbs)

I guess my biggest worry is that the dealer is trying to sell me what is really a 2007 "RS" while calling it (and charging me for) a 2008 "RKS".

And I want to know what to expect for the "real" weight and capacity either way.

Thanks for the welcome and the help!
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Old 04-23-2012, 06:26 PM   #4
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If the TT is on the lot, get the VIN# which will be on the side of the trailer; with this you can tell the year that the unit was built, if you want to make sure it is a 2008 model.
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Old 04-25-2012, 04:33 PM   #5
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I would just add that with the VIN#, you could also call Forest River/Surveyor at 574-642-3119 and ask them what it is. I've found the folks in the parts department there to be VERY helpful!

TimR><>
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Old 04-25-2012, 04:58 PM   #6
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I would suggest that the trailer is mis-labeled. An RKS should have a "king" bed. (74x72). RKS stands for Rear King Slide.
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Old 06-17-2012, 05:37 PM   #7
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we have a 2006 235rs which has the queen on rear slide. We are at 3700# dry and pull with tacoma longbed rated at 6500# and pulls great for a 6 cylinder.
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