Buying a 2021 geo pro 19bh

[Double Jay]

Thanks jimmoore13. I did read your PhD dissertation,🙂 it’s very helpful.

Update, I went to Acura dealer to install the wiring harness. The quote was $600. Later on they called me to say there’s no way to mount the harness to the aftermarket hitch. So I ended up paying almost $1200 to have the hitch replaced also. Those are good bucks but I do have the oem 5000/500lb towing package now.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

Thanks jimmoore13. I did read your PhD dissertation,[emoji846] it’s very helpful.

Update, I went to Acura dealer to install the wiring harness. The quote was $600. Later on they called me to say there’s no way to mount the harness to the aftermarket hitch. So I ended up paying almost $1200 to have the hitch replaced also. Those are good bucks but I do have the oem 5000/500lb towing package now.

I did tell you that it would cost you![emoji6]
Are they going to install the brake controller?

[Double Jay]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I did tell you that it would cost you![emoji6]
Are they going to install the brake controller?

The dealer said the brake controller is integrated in the tow package. The car's computer will send brake signals to the trailer.

Now I'm searching internet for knowledges on first RV camping. I did learn from another thread in this forum that we need to use toilet paper made for camper

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

The dealer said the brake controller is integrated in the tow package. The car's computer will send brake signals to the trailer.

Now I'm searching internet for knowledges on first RV camping. I did learn from another thread in this forum that we need to use toilet paper made for camper

That's incorrect. Any TP that's septic safe, should be fine for RV usage. RV-specific tp is overpriced and not necessary.

For the brake controller, there should be manual tabs you squeeze to manually apply the trailer brakes.

[Double Jay]

A new question: Do I need insurance for the travel trailer? This is what I found from Internet:

<<If you're "pulling" a travel trailer, your state won't require you to insure the RV, as you're already covered for liability on your auto insurance policy.>>

Thanks.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

The dealer said the brake controller is integrated in the tow package. The car's computer will send brake signals to the trailer.

Now I'm searching internet for knowledges on first RV camping. I did learn from another thread in this forum that we need to use toilet paper made for camper

Yes. Scott toilet paper. Very expensive these days.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

A new question: Do I need insurance for the travel trailer? This is what I found from Internet:

<<If you're "pulling" a travel trailer, your state won't require you to insure the RV, as you're already covered for liability on your auto insurance policy.>>

Thanks.

True. But won't help you when a tree limb falls on your trailer, or punks damage it, or it catches fire in your driveway. That's why you get separate trailer insurance.

[Virginian]

Originally Posted by NJKris

True. But won't help you when a tree limb falls on your trailer, or punks damage it, or it catches fire in your driveway. That's why you get separate trailer insurance.

Exactly! And RV insurance is pretty cheap.

[jimmoore13]

Scott tissue is fine. The stuff sold for RVs is silly. The rolls are small and overpriced.
Trick with tissue. In some campers, vibration going down the road will cause the tissue to unroll as if a cat was pulling it off the roll. We use a picnic table table-cloth clamp to hold it. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/spr...RoC8UAQAvD_BwE

Also, I agree with the comment that there must be a provision for manual brake control in addition to the signal from your braking system. Virtually all "after-market" brake controllers have a manual brake control that even includes a "lock on" feature that can apply full braking.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? If you are going down the road and the trailer begins to sway, one applies the TRAILER BRAKES ONLY (judiciously) to drag the trailer back in line while the tow vehicle is NOT braking. This can save your life. If your trailer begins to sway, and if you apply the TV's brakes, you can go into a "death wobble" that will lead to, at minimum, you running off the road or worse...rolling over. Manual control is absolutely essential. If your Acura's integrated brake system does not include a lever or knob to manually apply the trailer brakes only, it's USELESS. Go for aftermarket. They may need to wire all the way from the dashboard to the 7-pin connector on the hitch, but that will be a safer alternative than no manual control...and I suspect it will be cheaper.

I don't know what this nonsense about "no place to mount the 7-pin connector" is, but it is just that...nonsense. A bracket can be attached to the hitch to hold the connector...if need be.

Methinks you're being taken for a ride by your Acura dealer.

[Double Jay]

Update. Bought a Curt wireless brake controller at the RV dealer shop. They said my car didn’t have one.

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

Update. Bought a Curt wireless brake controller at the RV dealer shop. They said my car didn’t have one.

I'd think long and hard about going back to that Acura dealer!!

[Treybecky]

We bought our 2019 G19FD from Santa Rosa RV about 2 years ago, pre-covid.
As far as dealers, I think they are all about the same, all sales pitch, not much knowledge. Dont trust them for advice, and do your homework when negotiation and options. Us folks in CA have to pay shipping, and all deals are sideways due to shipping and availability before Covid, so shop around. Theres also a few dealers in Manteaca or Turlock I think. I will say Santa Rosa RV has a service dept that has been easy to talk to, and very helpful. Forest River directly has been outstanding and they have replaced many items that broke without any complaints; not sure how it is nowadays. However, we have not needed to take it back for any big warranty. All repairs we have done, and a few were done with help in Lodi, at California RV Specialists. They are very good, but one thing that turned me off to them was they use silicone for exterior repairs, as you should learn, is an absolute no no. So, its up to you to get it done right usually.

My advice is dig deep into all the posts on this site to glean help and advice... 99% of repairs and upgrades are your responsibility to learn and do. I have posted many times regarding our upgrades and repairs. You can message me anytime if you want to discuss any details.

[sherakay]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Just don't let any dealers convince you a mid size SUV makes a good tow vehicle for these things. The advertised tongue weight is much less than actual tongue weight due to the single axle, and will usually exceed most mid size SUV's 500 lb tongue weight limit.

We tow our 2020 Flagstaff E-Pro 19BH with our 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE just fine. Towed it from June to September last year nearly every other weekend about 100 miles each way for our weekend camping trips.

[sherakay]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

Update. Bought a Curt wireless brake controller at the RV dealer shop. They said my car didn’t have one.

We have the same one. Works great! Unfortunately your dealer lied to you to make the sale. All they had to do was attach a bracket to your aftermarket hitch receiver. Auto dealers generally don't do work on aftermarket parts so they sold you all OEM equipment. In the future, google search a nearby independent shop that specializes in hitches and wiring. I got a Curt hitch receiver and wiring for the wireless brake controller AND the controller for $800 to tow my EPro 19BH with our 2019 Toyota Highlander.

To answer your original question, we paid $20,795 on 5/23/20 for our brand new 2020 Flagstaff EPro E19BH which is the exact same as the 2020 Geo Pro G19BH. This was in Tacoma, WA. So we pay a little more here due to being on the west coast for those Indiana made trailers.

[Bev4banff53]

Originally Posted by Double Jay

I did search it online. The dealers in IL quoted about $4000 less than the Local dealer here in California

I have a Forest River Geo Pro 12RK and although I live in Texas, I bought mine in Jeffersonville, Ohio because it was about $2000 less than what I could find locally. I picked it up on my way to see my daughter in Michigan.

You could look at www.rvtrader.com and see what the prices are there. Maybe that will give you an idea of what you will have to pay. Good luck to you!

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by sherakay

We tow our 2020 Flagstaff E-Pro 19BH with our 2019 Toyota Highlander XLE just fine. Towed it from June to September last year nearly every other weekend about 100 miles each way for our weekend camping trips.

sherakay, I know you might think the Highlander can tow it 'just fine' but you are likely exceeding the 500 lb tongue weight limit on the Highlander. The tow vehicle manufacturers post limits for towing not just for liability, but because their testing may indicate the vehicle is not safe for weights in excess of the limits, or because the vehicle can be strained enough to cause mechanical failure, or premature wear and failure. It's like climbing a ladder rated up to 250 lbs when you are 300. It seems just fine on the first few rungs.