Looking at a Survivor Legend 296qble

[Marine3038]

We are looking to upgrade our forest river hybrid and my wife really likes the Survivor Legend 296qble ...

Anyone have honest feedback (pros and cons) they wouldn't mind sharing?

Thx for your time!

[Reverse_snowbird]

Looks like a nice rig. Definitely made for a family with lots of bunk room.

My only concerns would be that it's almost 35' long and that will keep you out of some state and national parks that don't allow rigs over 30'.
Also, I'm assuming you have a truck capable of towing 9500 lbs.

[bikendan]

What's your Tundra's payload capacity?
The fictional dry tongue weight of 700lbs could be close to 1000lbs loaded for camping, once you add the weights of batteries, options, water and cargo

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by bikendan

What's your Tundra's payload capacity?
The fictional dry tongue weight of 700lbs could be close to 1000lbs loaded for camping, once you add the weights of batteries, options, water and cargo

My tundra payload capacity is 9400... this rig should be fine at a dry weight if 6500 ish.... we usually camp at places that have water and sewer hookup so water weight won't be an issue

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

My tundra payload capacity is 9400... this rig should be fine at a dry weight if 6500 ish.... we usually camp at places that have water and sewer hookup so water weight won't be an issue

Your TOWING capacity may be 9600lbs, depending on how it is equipped.
PAYLOAD capacity is the max weight the truck can carry.
Nearly all tow vehicles will run out of payload capacity WAY before getting close to to max tow capacity. Your payload capacity will be on the driver's door sticker.
It'll say something like "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". The driver is considered as one of the Occupants.
When I was shopping for a new truck, a couple of years ago, Tundras had some of the poorest payload capacities. That's why I asked.

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Your TOWING capacity may be 9600lbs, depending on how it is equipped.
PAYLOAD capacity is the max weight the truck can carry.
Nearly all tow vehicles will run out of payload capacity WAY before getting close to to max tow capacity. Your payload capacity will be on the driver's door sticker.
It'll say something like "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". The driver is considered as one of the Occupants.
When I was shopping for a new truck, a couple of years ago, Tundras had some of the poorest payload capacities. That's why I asked.

Thx for the feedback. I just double checked and the gross vehicle weight rating is 6900lbs.

It is my understanding this number is the max weight for the truck - it excludes the trailer.

I didn't see anything specifically about payload capacity -- but I looked it up and it's between 1350-1550 ... either way I would likely beef up the suspension.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

Thx for the feedback. I just double checked and the gross vehicle weight rating is 6900lbs.

It is my understanding this number is the max weight for the truck - it excludes the trailer.

I didn't see anything specifically about payload capacity -- but I looked it up and it's between 1350-1550 ... either way I would likely beef up the suspension.

You got some researching ahead of ya!

That trailer is 3/4 ton gasser or 1 ton territory.

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

You got some researching ahead of ya!



That trailer is 3/4 ton gasser or 1 ton territory.

Not really ... the dry weight of the camper is 6400 lbs. I don't haul much gear in the back of the truck so that won't be an issue.

Why do you think a 6400lb trailer needs a 3/4 or 1 ton to tow? I get there will be additional weight from personal items -- but I'm 3k lbs under its rated amount?

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

Not really ... the dry weight of the camper is 6400 lbs. I don't haul much gear in the back of the truck so that won't be an issue.

From previous posts in this thread, you are only looking at the numbers generated by the manufacturers to sell trucks and trailers and not looking at real world capabilities.

Originally Posted by Marine3038

Why do you think a 6400lb trailer needs a 3/4 or 1 ton to tow? I get there will be additional weight from personal items -- but I'm 3k lbs under its rated amount?

My reasoning for 3/4 or 1 ton:
1. The trailer will not be 6,400lb when you own it. "We only take a few personal items" is all talk. Add batteries, a kitchen, must have lawn chairs, etc., and it adds up very quick.
2. Your truck may be rated to pull that weight; however, it's a big-ass trailer for that truck to control. The Tundra is about 19' long and the trailer is about 35'. It has a huge 8'x30' sidewall to catch the wind and move the truck. The truck also doesn't weigh all that much to counter any wiggl from the traielr on the hitch.
3. The payload on your truck is 1300-1500. From 1500, subtract your weight as the driver, 75 pounds of the weight of your WDH and then 950 for your realistic tongue weight. The remaining number is the available capacity for your truck to carry passengers, bikes, gear, etc.

We started with an F150 ecoboost and a trailer that weighed 6000lbs dry. Conservatively loaded, it weighed 7350. The truck tugged it fine, but the 29' of trailer was a lot for the truck to handle. You're asking a similar truck to handle a lot more trailer. Upgrading to a F250 gasser, the truck feels a lot more planted rolling down the road and handles the trailer with ease. And, the truck isn't overloaded rolling down the road.

[Marine3038]

But I thought a tundra could tow the space shuttle? Lol!!!

Thx for the feedback. You've given me some great insight and items to think about.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

Thx for the feedback. I just double checked and the gross vehicle weight rating is 6900lbs.

It is my understanding this number is the max weight for the truck - it excludes the trailer.

I didn't see anything specifically about payload capacity -- but I looked it up and it's between 1350-1550 ... either way I would likely beef up the suspension.

You need to look at the payload sticker on YOUR truck, NOT from a book or brochure. It will tell you what the truck's payload capacity was when it left the factory.
Beefing the suspension does NOT increase payload capacity legally. Air bags do NOT increase payload capacity.
That's a 35' TT with a GVWR of 9500lbs. Though it has a high CCC, loaded for camping, it could easily be 7500lbs and a hitch weight close to 1000lbs.
I'm betting that your Tundra won't have enough payload capacity.

[Marine3038]

Looks like payload capacity is 1490...

If hitch weight is 700 -- add maybe 100-120 lbs for batteries ... looks like I would be good?


I appreciate your time.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

Attachment 229046

Looks like payload capacity is 1490...

If hitch weight is 700 -- add maybe 100-120 lbs for batteries ... looks like I would be good?


I appreciate your time.

You need to stop using fictional brochure/website dry weights. NO trailer weighs that when it leaves the factory.
Those numbers are based on a stripped-down version of the trailer.
Once you add the weights of the batteries, factory options, dealer, water and trailer cargo, a trailer that size will easily have at least a 1000lbs of tongue weight.
Now add the weights of everyone in the truck(including the driver), any non factory add-ons to the truck(like bed cover), truck cargo and 100lbs for the WDH. Add that to the actual loaded tongue weight and subtract that from your 1490 number.
If the trailer is near to you, go look at the trailer's actual factory weight sticker. That'll be what it weighed when it left the factory. See if the dealer will send a pic of it. The only thing extra would be battery weight and any dealer add-ons, like a slide topper.

[Marine3038]

The image you are looking at is a pic I took from my door - so it's about as accurate as it's gonna get.

The hitch weight for my existing camper is 650lbs before batteries and propane tanks. She weighs 5k before our gear ... not much more weight in the one we are looking at.

I'll be looking at the trailer tomorrow -- good advice to look at the actual stickers there as well

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Marine3038

The image you are looking at is a pic I took from my door - so it's about as accurate as it's gonna get.

Thx for the time

You have one of many numbers you need. What you are not comprehending/believing is our real world experiences of tongue weight. The brochure says 700. The reality is that it will likely be 950. Mine is listed just shy of 600 but the real tongue weight is 850 or so. That's with 2 full propane tanks, 2 batteries and only 5 gallons of water in the tank.

1490 - 100 WDH - 900 Tongue weight - your weight = the remaining balance of weight the truck can carry.

[Tundra 2014]

My 1794 Tundra Crew max-cargo cap was 1365. I have a 7500 trailer w/ 1070 lb. tongue weight. Even after I added, sway bar, Timbern's and better shocks. It was not enough, brakes were marginal w/ this load. You are looking at a bigger and longer trailer than what I have. I switched to F-350 w/ the plan to go to a 5 th wheel this year. My experience is, You are looking at a trailer that requires a 3/4 or 1 ton to pull. The Timber's where the best improvement, no effect when not towing but eliminated the squat w/ trailer. Does not improve cargo capacity.
Yes, w/ the gears and grunt the Tundra has, it will pull it. Stopping a little questionable.
Remember, the TT brochures are fictional weights. My brochure was 730 tongue and 6800 UVW. You also have to add WDH weight-70 lb.

[Flybob]

You are getting good information to help prevent you from buying something you may wish you had not. By the time you add it all up, you will have less than 300lbs for passengers and gear in the truck. You can "beef up the suspension" to level out the ride, but that will not increase the cargo carrying capacity of the TV. That is based on frame, axle, tires/wheels, and suspension.

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by Tundra 2014

My 1794 Tundra Crew max-cargo cap was 1365. I have a 7500 trailer w/ 1070 lb. tongue weight. Even after I added, sway bar, Timbern's and better shocks. It was not enough, brakes were marginal w/ this load. You are looking at a bigger and longer trailer than what I have. I switched to F-350 w/ the plan to go to a 5 th wheel this year. My experience is, You are looking at a trailer that requires a 3/4 or 1 ton to pull. The Timber's where the best improvement, no effect when not towing but eliminated the squat w/ trailer. Does not improve cargo capacity.

Yes, w/ the gears and grunt the Tundra has, it will pull it. Stopping a little questionable.

Remember, the TT brochures are fictional weights. My brochure was 730 tongue and 6800 UVW. You also have to add WDH weight-70 lb.

Great feedback - thx

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by Flybob

You are getting good information to help prevent you from buying something you may wish you had not. By the time you add it all up, you will have less than 300lbs for passengers and gear in the truck. You can "beef up the suspension" to level out the ride, but that will not increase the cargo carrying capacity of the TV. That is based on frame, axle, tires/wheels, and suspension.

Most definitely! Thx for the input. Definitely need to be mindful of these facts

[Marine3038]

Originally Posted by clarkbre

You have one of many numbers you need. What you are not comprehending/believing is our real world experiences of tongue weight. The brochure says 700. The reality is that it will likely be 950. Mine is listed just shy of 600 but the real tongue weight is 850 or so. That's with 2 full propane tanks, 2 batteries and only 5 gallons of water in the tank.

1490 - 100 WDH - 900 Tongue weight - your weight = the remaining balance of weight the truck can carry.

Been reading up on this weight issue you have pointed out .... what baffles me is that I have a 2014 Rockwood roo 233s (hybrid camper) -- the hitch weight on it is only 75 lbs less than the Surveyor ... 700 vs. 623 ... Do you think this is because trailers are generally much lighter than they were 6 years ago?

I get what you are saying -- thx for pointing it out