Retirement's Getting Close

[tjclarke]

Hi,
1st post to this forum. I've been lurking for sometime trying to learn as much as I can. I'm a long time tent camper who had a hand me down pop up for awhile.
Me and the wife are getting close to retirement and are looking to purchase a travel trailer/5th wheel sometime in the near future. Our TV is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton 4x4, crew cab with 5.3l, auto and tow package. I believe we have 9500# towing capacity.
Were looking at something around 30' + or - a few feet. It will just be the 2 of us most of the time, so were not interested in any bunk houses.
I'd like something with at least a double slide for the living room. I know from reading post's that most of you upgraded within a few years of buying your first trailer. I'd like to avoid that if possible.
My current thought's are Lacrosse travel trailers 308res or 322res 9a little longer than I'd like). I'm also looking at Rockwood 8285IKWS or 8282ws.
Any thought's comments? Thanks in advance.

[Weezer]

Yeah, we're one of those that upgraded *inside* a year...8 mos. to be exact. We went from a 34.5' V-Lite 30WIKSS to the sister of the 8285IKWS...(8528IKWS).

WE LOVE our 5er! We started out with a 2011 F150 Eco-Boost with the V-Lite, but very quickly upgraded to a 2013 F250 4X4. The Eco-Boost would pull like crazy with the V-Lite, but as DH phrased it "it didn't have enough ass" and never felt connected to the road.

Now with the 5er, the F250 is awesome! I used to /snort when some said they'd forget they were towing a 5er. I'm now a believer.

Now, if we can just get the weather to behave! We've had the 5er 3 weeks and still haven't had a chance to do the shake down trip. We're in NE LA and are expecting possibly one inch of snow tonight, and Nawlins is in worse shape than we are!

ICE!

BTW this is more than just a smile. I'm green with jealousy that you're nearing retirement!

Welcome to the forum too!

[Rrickim63]

Unless you plan to get a bigger truck, I would not go with a 5th wheel. I'm sure the weight police may chime in. You will usually run out of payload capacity before going over max tow capabilities

2006 roo 23b
99 Silverado xtra cab with 4.8 and tow package

[OldCoot]

tjclarke, I have towed an 08 Flagstaff 831RLSS (33') over 25,000 miles and now pull a 2012 Flagstaff 8528 RKWS 5er over 10,000 miles with no problems with a broken down old 05 Silverado Ext. Cab short bed with a 5.3L and a 3.23 rear end. If you have P rated tires, my advice is get rid of them and get some LR E tires and go for it. Your truck is too new to get rid of.

[elind]

I have a 2013 Silverado 1500 set up like yours and I tow a LaCrosse 301RLS with it. It's 34'8" and dry weight of 7026 lb TT with two slides which is working out fine. I've run it over the hills but not into the mountians yet. Still waiting for that.
But now DW likes the Wildcat 327ck and wants it. I guess it only a matter of time before I trade the TV in order to get the 5er.

[French]

We have the same TV as you and just ordered an 8285ikws. We were very close to going with the 8282 until the pin weight grew about 150 lbs for the 2014 model. We have a payload of 1800lb so with a 1187 dry pin on the 8285 we will be close but (hopefully) not over the max.
Having pulled a 24 ft commercial food concession TT for 5 years and getting blown around by every semi that passed (which would be every single one on the road because of our not so awesome TV at the time) we opted for a 5.
Good luck with your quest... And be sure to update us with your selection when you make it

[Windjammin]

We also have a 2011 Silverado 1500 4x4 and pull a Windjammer 3008W. Love the layout with front kitchen, slideout living/dinette area and slideout bedroom. Trailer weighs 7350 empty and the truck pulls it just fine so far. Have not been in the mountains yet but will resign myself to be power limited on those occasions.