Soon to be Sandpiper owner

[Campnfireman]

Hello all. Well we put a deposit on a 2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ yesterday. We go back next week to finalize everything. The wife and I absolutely fell in love with the Sandpiper and we couldn't be more excited. This will be our second camper so looking forward to many many years of camping! Little nervous about the size. We're going from a 31' to 41'. I have 2006 f350 SRW CC 4x4. The weight should be fine just the length is a little nerve racking.

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your 2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ.

[Heldapay]

Congratulations on your new Sandpiper. We went from a 28' TT to the same model Sierra and love, love, love ours, length and all. I feel sure you will too. Enjoy!!

[AquaMan]

Welcome, and congrats on the purchase!! I went from 27' TT to the 365saq, and it pulls great and you get use the the length quick.

[Campnfireman]

Both of you guys going from smaller TT to the fifth wheel. What are you pulling with? I also just stumbled on the humongous thread about the axles not being strong enough for the size trailer. Any thoughts on that?

[pgboone]

Congrats! We just got back from Myrtle Beach today. It was our first trip in our new Sierra. It is the same about the sames lenth and yours and it is by far the biggest thing I have ever towed. I did not have any problems at all and everything on the Sierra worked like it was suppose to so as of right now we have nothing for the dealer to fix. I hope yours comes with the led awning lights because being outside under the lights with a ballgame on was the best part to us. Good luck with yours.

[Heldapay]

We tow with a Duramax Dually and it tows like a dream. Just got back today from towing with it for the first time after towing with a 3500 gasser. We're happy we invested in the diesel. We have heard of several towing with a SRW without incident and considered going that route but personally felt more confident about having DRW's. We too have read the threads regarding the axles but haven't investigated it further as of yet.

[AquaMan]

I tow with a 2011 2500 Duramax. I've had many duallys, and I can honestly say that this pulls and handles as well if not better as early 2000 model 3500's. I do have a crew cab long bed, so it has the longest wheelbase available. I barely know the thing is back there, drive one handed, never white knuckled, and with the truck in cruise control it will tug this thing down the road at 70 all day long. The added bonus of engine brake, means the i barely have to use the truck and trailer brakes at all. Just got back from 2500 mile round trip to FL, for the second time, which I do straight through each way. The axles can be an issue with certain configurations, but I'm comfortable with mine, as I don't dry camp, nor do I have generator or washer/dryer.

[Heldapay]

Originally Posted by ttrost65

I tow with a 2011 2500 Duramax. I've had many duallys, and I can honestly say that this pulls and handles as well if not better as early 2000 model 3500's. I do have a crew cab long bed, so it has the longest wheelbase available. I barely know the thing is back there, drive one handed, never white knuckled, and with the truck in cruise control it will tug this thing down the road at 70 all day long. The added bonus of engine brake, means the i barely have to use the truck and trailer brakes at all. Just got back from 2500 mile round trip to FL, for the second time, which I do straight through each way. The axles can be an issue with certain configurations, but I'm comfortable with mine, as I don't dry camp, nor do I have generator or washer/dryer.

Don't mean to get off subject but my DH wanted me to ask ttrost65 about the engine brake. Did your truck come with the engine brake or is it something that you installed? This is our first diesel so forgive me if I appear ignorant!

[Blackgold]

Congrats I hope, as I just tied up a sandpiper 376 BHOK. Yes they are long......no comparison in towing though. FW is waaaaay more maneuverable and forgiving.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Heldapay

Don't mean to get off subject but my DH wanted me to ask ttrost65 about the engine brake. Did your truck come with the engine brake or is it something that you installed? This is our first diesel so forgive me if I appear ignorant!

Sorry for the late reply. The engine brake comes standard equipment on the newer diesels, and they are great! They really help slow the whole rig down.

[chiro]

I went from a 31 ft tt to the 365. I tow with a 2011 f250 diesel. It tows better than the 31 ft. You will love everything about the rv. You will probably need air bags to keep from ridding on the bump stops. Good luck

[Campnfireman]

Originally Posted by chiro

I went from a 31 ft tt to the 365. I tow with a 2011 f250 diesel. It tows better than the 31 ft. You will love everything about the rv. You will probably need air bags to keep from ridding on the bump stops. Good luck

Do you have airbags? Which brand is better? Do you need the on board compressor?

[chiro]

I have the Firestone riderite with a hard wired guage and compressor. I researched and Firestone riderite was the best. About $800 installed,well worth it. I would bottom out on bumpstops. They make a hug difference in stability also.

[Campnfireman]

Originally Posted by chiro

I have the Firestone riderite with a hard wired guage and compressor. I researched and Firestone riderite was the best. About $800 installed,well worth it. I would bottom out on bumpstops. They make a hug difference in stability also.

Can you do just bags not really looking to drop 800 bucks on something ill only use a few times a year

[chiro]

Lots of options for bags. Look online for the options you want