2023 Forester 3011DS new?

[NomadicRay]

Been on the forum for 1 1/2 years. Looking to buy a new 2023 3011DS for more room, towing and carrying capacity.
Currently have a 2017 Dynamax Isata 3 24FW we're trading in.
I'm looking for input on real world experience regarding units with 2 A/Cs, and towing through hills and mountains. Also a little surprised the propane tank is so small (12.2 g), especially since that would be our only heat option on cooler nights. Our Isata has an 18 g propane tank which is great.
Love this forum. Thanks for the input in advance!!
NomadicRay

[kenandterry]

Our Sunseeker 2430S is the same floor plan as your Isata was.
You’ll notice a difference in engine performance……diesel vs gas, but typically…..no one in an RV bought them to be in a hurry.
Lots of 3011 units out there tow a toad……very doable.
Oh……and watch out for the longer tail swing now!

As far as propane sizing…..every floor plan causes different capacities for all the different tanks. In our Sunseeker…..
Fresh tank……..42 gal
Grey tank……….39 gal
Black tank……….39 gal
Propane…………..9.8 gal

Was your on board generator in your Isata propane or diesel powered?
A propane genny might account for that larger tank in the Isata.

[NomadicRay]

Yes, Isata is a propane generator.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by NomadicRay

Yes, Isata is a propane generator.

Yup, your furnace has the highest consumption of propane, so you’ll have to monitor it closely if you’re using it a lot. We have a 1500 watt electric heater that we use to extend the life of our propane.

[Kholder]

Originally Posted by NomadicRay

Yes, Isata is a propane generator.

I have a 2023 3010DS which I think is the same floor plan as your 3011 DS but a SunSeeker Classic. One of the first mods I did was to add a “Stay-Awhile” propane kit. It allows you to attach an external propane tank to your rig. It’s easy to install. Lots of YouTube videos on how to install it. I got mine off of Amazon. Below is a link to one as an example.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect...&url=%2FUpgrad.

Ken

[NomadicRay]

Thanks for the propane tips. It's good to know we have options....

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Kholder

I have a 2023 3010DS which I think is the same floor plan as your 3011 DS but a SunSeeker Classic. One of the first mods I did was to add a “Stay-Awhile” propane kit. It allows you to attach an external propane tank to your rig. It’s easy to install. Lots of YouTube videos on how to install it. I got mine off of Amazon. Below is a link to one as an example.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect...&url=%2FUpgrad.

Ken

Yup, this “stay awhile” propane kit is great if you’re staying in one location for an extended period of time…..not so much if you’re constantly on the move.
Transporting a propane cylinder in enclosed compartments is not a safe alternative for increasing propane capacity.

[karykatz]

if you are connected to shore power or running generator you can use the standard heat pump

[BehindBars]

Originally Posted by NomadicRay

Been on the forum for 1 1/2 years. Looking to buy a new 2023 3011DS for more room, towing and carrying capacity.
Currently have a 2017 Dynamax Isata 3 24FW we're trading in.
I'm looking for input on real world experience regarding units with 2 A/Cs, and towing through hills and mountains. Also a little surprised the propane tank is so small (12.2 g), especially since that would be our only heat option on cooler nights. Our Isata has an 18 g propane tank which is great.
Love this forum. Thanks for the input in advance!!
NomadicRay

Our 2020 Sunseeker Classic has a 9.8 gallon LP tank. It’s now about 4 years since we took delivery and we have used a total of about 10 gallons of LP since new, roughly 2.5 gallons per year. About the only thing we use LP for is to run the refrigerator while traveling, and on a 2023 model Forester 3011DS with 12 volt DC refrigerator, you couldn’t even do that. We usually have electric hookup where we camp.

The new Ford gasoline 7.3 liter V8 is rated at considerable more horsepower than the older MBS diesel 3 liter, but then the Ford based coach weighs a little more and has more frontal area. The E450 gross combined weight rating is 22,000 pounds, and it is rated to tow 7,500 pounds. Unfortunately with the huge size of the 3011, the cargo carrying capacity is limited, although it still probably has more than the ISATA 3.

[RVrover]

Originally Posted by NomadicRay

Been on the forum for 1 1/2 years. Looking to buy a new 2023 3011DS for more room, towing and carrying capacity.
Currently have a 2017 Dynamax Isata 3 24FW we're trading in.
I'm looking for input on real world experience regarding units with 2 A/Cs, and towing through hills and mountains. Also a little surprised the propane tank is so small (12.2 g), especially since that would be our only heat option on cooler nights. Our Isata has an 18 g propane tank which is great.
Love this forum. Thanks for the input in advance!!
NomadicRay

The 3011DS is the exact layout of my 3010DS Sunseeker with a few upgrades, mainly in the finished product. Mine is the E-450 V10. I saw several people towing with it, but I didn't tow. So I can't help you in this regard, but I went over the Rocky mountains passes and down with no issues carrying the max. capacity and some. Still, lived to tell about it. The only time I had a hard time climbing was Yosemite from the Tioga Road entrance. This is a steep grade in a short distance, but it made it slowly.

You can extend the carrying capacity of your propane especially if you are going to do boondocking. I started a post (LINK) for all my mods including the propane extension kit and efficient heat alternative to the furnace as it is a very inefficient way to heat your rig. It won't last you three days along the use of your fridge. I hope you will find value in my mods as they trickle down here over the next weeks.

Until then, pay attention to the long tail of your RV! It will drag in certain situations, twice as much if you overload it so be ready with a mod to resolve this. It ain't pretty and you must be very careful about steep driveways or steep roads and intersections. Other than this, it is a lovely RV and perfect for full-timers. FR stood behind their RV and corrected several issues with no complaints. I wish they didn't have them in the first place, but I thank them for being helpful. I hope they corrected all of them in the new models.