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08-02-2020, 01:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
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Rookie camper needs advice
My wife and I are looking to buy our first camper. Being new, we decided to look for used in a 27-30 ft size. A 2013 Cherokee Grey Wolf 27 BHKS just got listed locally for 14,500.00. Were going to look at it today. Guess my questions are, is this a well built camper?, does the AC cool the whole thing well?, will a 2019 Ram 1500 pull it?, Is it a pain having a tub/shower instead of a standard shower?,among other suggestions.
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08-02-2020, 01:59 PM
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#2
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PhD, Common Sense
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Fairborn, OH
Posts: 1,384
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I cannot advise you on that particular model, but I have some general advice.
As with an automobile, used RV sales are presumed to be “as is”. Once the bill of sale is signed, the RV is hooked up, and it is towed away, the RV—and any problems it has—are all yours, and no longer the concern of the previous owner.
So, just as with a used automobile sale, bring an expert to inspect the RV. That will probably cost you a few hundred, but could save you thousands. Also, consider asking for a warranty. Possibly the owner will warrant all repairs for thirty days. Maybe he will offer a commercial warranty for a year. Your “expert” could be from an RV shop that offers a 1-year warranty with a pricey inspection.
In any event, do what you can to avoid buying someone else’s problems.
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08-02-2020, 02:08 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhotoBug
My wife and I are looking to buy our first camper. Being new, we decided to look for used in a 27-30 ft size. A 2013 Cherokee Grey Wolf 27 BHKS just got listed locally for 14,500.00. Were going to look at it today. Guess my questions are, is this a well built camper?, does the AC cool the whole thing well?, will a 2019 Ram 1500 pull it?, Is it a pain having a tub/shower instead of a standard shower?,among other suggestions.
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First, just saying you have a 2019 Ram 1500, doesn't provide enough information to say yes or no. 1/2 trucks come in many variations, from weak grocery getters to strong haulers. It all depends on how it's spec'd and equip.
Second, does the trailer have a 13.5k or 15k a/c? If it's 15k, it should cool the TT.
A lot of your questions should be asked in the Cherokee sub-forum, since they are model-specific, like the tub/shower combo.
Grey Wolf is an entry-level stick and tin line. It won't have some features that higher lines have as standard.
__________________
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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08-02-2020, 02:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 479
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Research, reaearch, research..
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08-02-2020, 02:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 3,567
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Find the yellow sticker in the door frame of the truck to find your payload. You have to research what “payload” means.
Folks here will give you a general guideline about what you can tow.
30’ trailers are kinda iffy with half ton trucks.
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08-02-2020, 09:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Alaska
Posts: 1,172
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That trailer had an MSRP of $22,550 in 2013. Which means it probably sold for about $16k to $18k if you knew how to buy. So it's pretty overpriced now that it's seven years old. And Ram has notoriously low payload capacity, so you'll either be over gross, or close to it. Think tail wagging the dog. A trailer this large, with its almost 8000 GVWR, is really better suited for a 3/4 ton truck. Especially if your 1/2 ton doesn't have the max tow package.
__________________
2019 Silverado LTZ 1500 6.2L 10 Speed 3.42 Max Trailering Package
2018 Freedom Express 192RBS
2022 Highland Ridge Open Air Lite Range 17BH
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08-02-2020, 09:33 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlaskaErik
And Ram has notoriously low payload capacity, so you'll either be over gross, or close to it. Think tail wagging the dog. A trailer this large, with its almost 8000 GVWR, is really better suited for a 3/4 ton truck. Especially if your 1/2 ton doesn't have the max tow package.
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The OP has a 2019 Ram 1500. Dodge supposedly improved their poor payload capacities by then.
Only until the OP comes back with their actual payload number, we're just guessing.
__________________
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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08-02-2020, 10:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
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Quote:
Find the yellow sticker in the door frame of the truck to find your payload. You have to research what “payload” means.
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Below you will see my '14 RAM payload sticker on the driver side door frame. It specifys that my RAM will handle 1309# of total COMBINED WEIGHT (payload). That includes all the weights of passengers and cargo carried in the truck, plus about 75# for a WeightDistributionHitch you will need (WDH) plus the tongue weight of the Greywolf which will be over 850# ( 750# spec is dry camper tongue wt, not loaded with propane, battery and things you put in the camper.).
Conservative estimate is 1,350# total payload on your RAM.
My RAM yellow sticker is shown below to give you an idea what to look for. Once you know this payload limitation you can figure if the RAM 1500 is enough truck for this camper. The yekow sticker is specific for YOUR truck. Generic WEB posted weights will NOT tell you about YOUR truck with the options on that truck.
I have the 5.7 with 8 speed tranny. I pull nearly 5,000# with ease, but it is only the wife and I and we don't haul firewood or other heavy camping stuff.
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807
2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
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08-03-2020, 03:31 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 8300 Feet - Rocky Mountains
Posts: 2,445
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My personal prejudice:
I prefer a trailer that is built with a welded aluminum frame and fiberglass skin...as opposed to the traditional stick and tin construction of many rigs still on the market. (Stick and tin = wood frame with often corrugated aluminum siding.)
Stick and tin is cheaper, or equivalently you get more trailer for the same buck. But RVs live very hard lives. While any rig can have problems (and many aluminum framed ones do), it doesn't take much imagination to realize that a frame made of something like 2" x 2" softwood lumber and joined with glue, staples, and some brackets may not be as stout as square tube aluminum welded at every joint. Furthermore, seamless fiberglass skins can provide more structural reinforcement than (perhaps) several pieces of folded (corrugated) aluminum.
I believe the Grey Wolf is stick and tin, so I wouldn't consider it...especially used. But that's me.
You asked opinions, so there's mine.
__________________
Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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08-03-2020, 03:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Carlyss, Louisiana
Posts: 520
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Will one AC unit cool your 27-30 trailer, depends where you live or plan on camping. I have a 32 ft. 5th wheel and live near the Gulf of Mexico, one 15K AC unit will not cool the trailer sitting in the sun in summer months. I had to add a second 15K AC unit. I doubt seriously that the one on the trailer you want to buy, will cool that one also. Something to keep in mind, a roof top AC unit on a travel trailer will only cool around 18-20 degrees cooler than the air entering the unit. Do not expect it to cool like a central unit in a home.
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08-03-2020, 03:59 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,371
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Cooling
I have a 27 V w/ twin A/C-1 15K and 1-7.5K. Mine has the plastic sides which tend to insulate better. In the TX and west, 1 A/c in that size trailer is not enough. Price seems high for that trailer.
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08-03-2020, 04:05 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Well,you boys either scared him off. .............Confused him. ...............or he is busy researching.............. .
Lets see what it is?
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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08-03-2020, 04:14 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Savannah, Tennessee
Posts: 83
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NADA price guide
According to NADA price guide that model average retail is $10,400.
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08-03-2020, 07:00 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
The OP has a 2019 Ram 1500. Dodge supposedly improved their poor payload capacities by then.
Only until the OP comes back with their actual payload number, we're just guessing.
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It's a Ram, Dodge and Ram split about 10 years ago. P
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08-03-2020, 08:47 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,605
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbty
It's a Ram, Dodge and Ram split about 10 years ago. P
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I'm 66 years old. They've been Dodge trucks for a lot longer. So when they are only called Ram for 50 years, maybe I'll make the change.[emoji849]
__________________
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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08-04-2020, 06:46 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Kansas
Posts: 107
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Bought a brand new 2016 Cherokee Grey Wolf 26rr in 2016 for $17700.00. Buy in the area where they build them and camp your way back home.
__________________
Bruce, Kansas
2016 Grey Wolf 26RR...100 nights camping since new
2006 Deluxe Harley Davidson
1993 Kawasaki KLR 650
1998 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV
2004 f150 & 2008 f350 dually V-10
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08-04-2020, 11:11 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 8300 Feet - Rocky Mountains
Posts: 2,445
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan
I'm 66 years old. They've been Dodge trucks for a lot longer. So when they are only called Ram for 50 years, maybe I'll make the change.[emoji849]
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I'm with you, and technically it's almost a Fiat.
__________________
Jim & Renee
2020 Jayco Jay Feather X-213
previously 2014 Forest River/Rockwood HW 277
2006 Ram 1500 4WD Crew with Firestone Airbags
Every weekend boondocking in the National Forests or at Lake Vallecito.
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