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06-27-2019, 09:17 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
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Oh Man!
Well where to begin? My wife and I, along with our two children, just purchased our first travel trailer. Its a 2020 Salem Cruise Lite 273QBXL. We both have no idea or clue about Rving, just that we wanted to travel and camp and decided to jump right in. My TV(I assume this means a tow vehicle) is a 2017 Colorado LT. So far after taking delivery on 25 June 19, we have been busy. Shake down ride this weekend, somewhere local and just overnight. Kinda get a feel for whats what. Seen a lot of videos on YouTube about things to expect, and after serving in the military for awhile, I think we will be ok. Just wanted to see if there was any advice I have not heard already, or tips and hacks to make life better. The one question I do have is about Televisions. Do you need a special type of mount? I have a backer, will it hold a wall mount TV?
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06-27-2019, 09:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 1,140
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Thanks for your service, VN vet here. Just keep on camping, we all learned as we went along.
1. Keep a notebook. Things that work, things that don't work. Good campgrounds, bad ones.
2. Make a checklist for breaking down camp, another for packing up and ready to travel. Revise them regularly.
3. Always have an alternate plan!
__________________
2016 F350 CC Dually Powerstroke 4x4
2014 Cedar Creek 34RLSA w/Level Up
2007 HD Ultra Classic 103
USS Pyro AE-24 WestPac MM2 '71-'75
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06-27-2019, 09:55 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,960
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandFox
Just wanted to see if there was any advice I have not heard already, or tips and hacks to make life better.
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See if this thread may help, as it's aimed at those just starting out like yourself.
Welcome aboard.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-157524.html
__________________
 2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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06-27-2019, 11:15 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,852
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You're a brave man to tow a 33ft+ TT, with a Colorado. [emoji32]
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
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06-28-2019, 06:41 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 4,655
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Welcome from SW Ohio , enjoy your 2020 Salem Cruise Lite 273QBXL TT !
__________________
2016 sunseeker 2250slec 
1988 Jayco p.u.,Coleman Plantation p.u.,1989 Jayco class c, Coachman TT,1995 Little Eddie fthwheel,2007 Heartland Sundance 2500 lS fthwheel
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06-28-2019, 07:39 AM
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#6
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Coach
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 667
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Hello and welcome from Western PA. 
__________________
Cut it 3 times and it's still too short...
2017 Sandpiper 381RBOK
2006 Ram 3500 Cummins Dually
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06-28-2019, 07:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
You're a brave man to tow a 33ft+ TT, with a Colorado. [emoji32]
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X2. Bet the RV salesman told you it would pull it "no problem."
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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06-28-2019, 08:09 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 13,738
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Welcome from Wisconsin and enjoy your 2020 Salem Cruise Lite 273QBXL. There is a learning curve to this RV stuff. Just take your time and you'll figure it all out. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable and helpful people here to assist you. And don't hesitate to ask fellow campers either.
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06-28-2019, 08:25 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Hello and welcome from Arkansas.
Best advice I can give is to read all of what WMtire posted and TAKE YOUR TIME setting up and tearing down. Keep the distractions to a minimum as you go through the process as that is where most of the issues I see stem from.
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas 
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06-28-2019, 10:15 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 65
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Have fun. We just got our second trailer, or third I guess if we count the pop up we had  . You learn what you like and want as you go on. My advice, write down all the things you have questions about when you do your inaugural Campout. You’ll forget them if you don’t. FYI, if your like me you will hate lighting the oven 
__________________
----
2018 Forest River Rockwood 2909WSD
2020 F250 Lariat 4x4 Crew 7.3 V8
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06-28-2019, 10:24 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: ALASKA (World's Biggest Campground)
Posts: 6,755
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
You're a brave man to tow a 33ft+ TT, with a Colorado. [emoji32]
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X2! You are beyond the limits of that Colorado. 
__________________
'07 K3500 Silverado LT Crew Duramax (LBZ)
2016 Salem 27RKSS
1984 CHEV SCOTTSDALE K20 2GCGK24J0E1XXXXXX (Chevrolet Legends-Class of 2019)
"...exhaust fluid? We don't need no stinkin' exhaust fluid"
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06-28-2019, 12:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandFox
... My TV(I assume this means a tow vehicle) is a 2017 Colorado LT....
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If your salesman was aware of this and told you it would tow fine, seek out the owner of that dealership and inform them of the shady sales practices and taking advantage of under-educated consumers. They did you wrong.
You are now in a perfect position to start shopping for an adequate tow rig.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
You're a brave man to tow a 33ft+ TT, with a Colorado. [emoji32]
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockfordroo
X2. Bet the RV salesman told you it would pull it "no problem."
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D W
X2! You are beyond the limits of that Colorado. |
I personally wouldn't tow this trailer with anything less than a full size, 1/2 ton, crew cab, 6'+ bed (think longer wheelbase) and a payload of 1800+ at a very minimum. Realistically, a 3/4 ton is the best option to handle that length of trailer. And, when it's fully loaded, the trailer will weigh much closer to 7500+ pounds.
Here's the 2017 towing guide for the Colorado.
__________________
2017 Forest River Surveyor 247BHDS...
...Tugged by a 2016 F250 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, Shortbed 6.2L, 4wd, 3.73...
...Joined with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200lbs WDH
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07-09-2019, 10:29 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
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Thanks, so far it's worked out.
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07-09-2019, 10:38 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 713
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That is a nice pickup, even well named. It might be what I replace my Tundra with sometime down the road.
Happy  .
__________________
2021 Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S
2010 Toyota Tundra 4WD
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07-09-2019, 10:42 AM
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#15
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Kanadian Kamper
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 8,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandFox
Thanks, so far it's worked out.
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I wish you and your family lots of fun times together camping.
However, at the start of your posting you mentioned how much of a newbie you are to the RVing adventure and looking for input from the forum public. A number of others more versed in trailering and towing have voiced their concerns of your tow vehicle for the trailer you purchased. Personal belongings and the added weight of water, waste tanks, camping gear and food.....are going to add up.
Be very careful.....”so far it’s worked out” is a dangerous approach.
__________________
Ken and Terry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD, nicely modified and carried by a 2017 Ford E450 Sport
Former Georgetown 330TS owner for 10 years with more mods than I can count, pushed by our 2017 GMC Terrain
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07-09-2019, 10:50 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 105
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandFox
Thanks, so far it's worked out.
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You are taking quite a risk with your family. That is a BIG trailer. Not what that truck is made to handle. Vehicle manufacturers don't put your family's safety at the top of their list when putting out their numbers.
__________________
2019 Forester 3011 DS
2015 Jayflight 28BHBE (sold)
2015 Ram 2500 Megacab 4x4 6.4 L Hemi 4.10 gearing
"Is this a game show?"
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07-09-2019, 11:06 AM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
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I do not mean that in a negative way. As far as I can tell I am within the limits of safe operation for my vehicle. I added the nessecary components to make towing safer. I also drive at around 55 to 60 mph. I am considering a new TV but until then I'm stuck with the Colorado.
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07-09-2019, 11:40 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 1,458
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SandFox
As far as I can tell I am within the limits of safe operation for my vehicle. I added the nessecary components to make towing safer. I also drive at around 55 to 60 mph.
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Please explain why you think this.
__________________
2015 Ram 2500 4x4 6.4l with 2015 Sandpiper 25RLS
Wife, myself and 2 furry kids
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07-09-2019, 11:45 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,833
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How about a scale ticket from a Cat Scale to show us from the Show Me State..
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07-09-2019, 12:06 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
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According to the spec from Forest River, the dry weight is 5965lbs. The hitch weight is at 680lbs. I have not been to a CAT scale as of yet, but have plans to do so this week. Maybe I did bite off more than I can chew. As of writing I have not had all the tanks full at anyone time. Chevy has a tow rating of 7000lbs, when equipped with the proper equipment, which is the towing package. I have this along with a weight distribution hitch and sway bar. So far after almost 700 miles along the coast and in the mountains of North GA. I also have a Primus IQ brake controller. Thank you to everyone who has commented on this thread so far, as I am learning from all of you.
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