New Sanibel 3500

wmcclay · 08-05-2012, 09:46 PM

After looking for a new trailer for about a year, today we bought a 2013 Sanibel 3500. What a trailer! We have owned Montanas before this one, this is several steps above them. We will pick it up thursday and will take its maiden run for about 100 miles each way. Santa came early this year, can hardly wait.

HondoPatrick · 08-05-2012, 10:33 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new rig! Post up some pics when you can and let us know how your maiden voyage turns out.

LadyWindrider · 08-05-2012, 10:38 PM

Hello, and

to the forums. Congrats on the new trailer, and hope all goes well. Sounds like you have owned trailers before, do good luck on the maiden voyage. Most of the time I recommend a driveway camp the first time, just to make sure all is well. 100 miles is too far to drive back and get the pillows, or the can opener, or anything else. Hope you learn while you are here, and hope you can teach also.

ironj · 08-05-2012, 10:39 PM

Congrats! The sanibel we looked at sure was pretty........let us know how u like it !

RattVader · 08-06-2012, 07:18 PM

Yeah that really looks to be quite a rig.If I had it to do over I would have waited and looked at one of them.Congrats!! They are hefty.If you don't mind my asking what are you pulling it with?

**Terier** · 08-06-2012, 07:55 PM

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new Sanibel 3500!

Happy camping!

jrmacm · 08-07-2012, 03:18 PM

Congrats on your new Sanibel. We purchased the 3400 a few months ago and have really enjoyed it.

wmcclay · 08-08-2012, 07:52 PM

Picked it up today. after 3 hour PDI, moved our Montana next to it and they installed a plank between them and we moved everything over. We traded in our 2006 Montana 2955rl, the Sanibel is so much more trailer. Moving stuff over you could really compare the two units. Towed it home, it tows better than the Montana with a Trail aire hitch. We are taking it about 100 miles away theis weekend for its maiden voyage. Found two items on the PDI that will be repaired along with anything we find this weekend.

We are so excited about taking it out, it is for camping untill we move to Oregon when I retire, 2 years to go. We will live in it while we build our home.

I am towing it with a 2001 Dodge diesel 2500 with a 6 speed. I know I am right at or a little over weight. I will take it to work on Monday and do a complete weighing. My dodge is rated at 13,400 lbs towing I believe I am about that. Will know on Monday. Will post pictures on Monday.

Wayne and Donna

wmcclay · 08-13-2012, 07:37 PM

tv w/ 3/4 tank fuel, honda 3000 generator

Weighed tv and trailer with some surprises.

truck steer axle mt 4040 loaded 4100 rated 4850
rear axle mt 2980 loaded 5660 rated 8800
tires rated at 6084

trailer w/ gear and 3/4 tank water full propane
trailer weighs 13,760 rated 15,441
trailer r/h side group 4900
trailer l/h side group 5900
trailer axles weigh 10,960 rated 14,000
tv front and rear loaded 9760
tv,and first axle of trailer 15,000
full unit weighs 20,700

tv vehicle rated to pull 13,700 trailer
gcvw rated 20,000

so trailer weighs 60 more than rated
combination weight is 700 over gross

all and all not bad, Yes Iam a little over weight
knew that going in, I am at upper limit, I believe
it it safe, I made a couple of hard stops on m/t road
felt good. tows great.

Wayne
got 12 mph pulling trailer

gratefulone81 · 08-14-2012, 07:18 AM

Probably not going to be a problem but just a heads up we have friends who own a 2012 Sanibel and the wheel bearing went shortly after they picked it up.

You may also like: