New Columbus 320RS owners

captbenjy · 01-24-2013, 02:15 PM

Hi guys and gals, been lurking on this sight for a few weeks reading about everyones experiences with the Columbus line. I joined last night after agreeing to a deal on a 2013 320RS. Actually just finished finalizing paperwork via email with my lender so it's official, and will pick up tomorrow at 2pm.

First question, as this is my first 5er. The dealer says I will not need a slider hitch with my 6.5' bed on the F-250. Is this true? Does the radius cap on the Columbus work that well and provide ample turning? What are your experiences?

Thanks for being so open with your experiences here. It has helped me make what I feel is a great decision.

captbenjy · 01-24-2013, 02:20 PM

Oh and like most forums, I'm sure the guys here like details so here is a quick rundown of what our 320 comes with. Kingsize bed, trump mattress, stacked washer/dryer, slide topper awnings, 4 way leveling system, all leather seating and much much more. The options from the factory on these things are great. Absolutely blew away the Mountaineer we were considering. Only thing that came close was a new model by Heartland, the Gateway. I think the Gateway will be the closest competitor to the Columbus.

jthomp58 · 01-24-2013, 03:29 PM

Congrats Captbenjy. I also just joined as we are planning to purchase within a few days. It's the 340RK that caught our eyes. You're right; after checking out the Columbus, the Montana just doesn't stack up. Good luck with her!

hd riders · 01-24-2013, 05:01 PM

Congrats Captbenjy on your new 320RS you will love it. We got ours in Oct 2012 and have had no problem with it. We tow with a 2500 dodge short bed and have the Pullrite super glide just for pease of mind some on here only have manual sliding hitch and that is fine, with the pullrite you do not need to get out of truck to slide hitch it does everything for you, it's a little on the pricey side. Make sure you do a good PDI as ours took 4 hours plus.

SYE · 01-24-2013, 05:52 PM

Welcome to the forum, and Congrats on your new Columbus. I would just like to say that in my truck I have a 6 foot bed and I wa stold when I dought my hitch to definitely get a slider. I am glad that I did because even with a slider I hit the front corner 1 time backing into a campsite at a state park. I used my slider all the time when manuvering it. But then I traded up for a Columbus 29RL and of the 4 trips that I have went camping I have not even used my slider because of the Radius cap, I can almost put the truck at 90 degrees with the trailer and it still does not touch. I am glad that I have the slider in case I ever need it but so far with this new camper with the rounded front end I don't really need it. I hope this helps. It is still nice having the capability, I have a Curt 20K slider hitch. I paid $799.00 plus tax and installed, out the door for it.

rjshiflet · 01-24-2013, 06:07 PM

We have a 2010 F250 with a 6.5' bed and have a slider hitch - but NEVER have used the slider. With our previous fiver (Sandpiper) we did occasionally, but with the Columbus...no need (so far) and I back the trailer around a corner and down a 150' driveway every single time we go out...we we take it out at least monthly if not more than that.

Personally - I think you'll be fine and never need the slide based on my first-hand experience with an F250 and the Columbus 320RS.

The time may come that we have to do a bit more back-and-forth - but I'd do that before getting out to mess with the slide hitch. Just my personal preference.

rjshiflet · 01-24-2013, 06:08 PM

Oh...and by the way...WELCOME. I suspect we all were "lurkers" for a while before joining.

Wiscampsin · 01-24-2013, 06:17 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your 2013 320RS.

hotrodj125 · 01-24-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captbenjy

Hi guys and gals, been lurking on this sight for a few weeks reading about everyones experiences with the Columbus line. I joined last night after agreeing to a deal on a 2013 320RS. Actually just finished finalizing paperwork via email with my lender so it's official, and will pick up tomorrow at 2pm.

First question, as this is my first 5er. The dealer says I will not need a slider hitch with my 6.5' bed on the F-250. Is this true? Does the radius cap on the Columbus work that well and provide ample turning? What are your experiences?

Thanks for being so open with your experiences here. It has helped me make what I feel is a great decision.

We have an '06 F-250 4X4 , crew cab short box witha regular 5th wheel with a 320RS and had NO problems last summer and used it many times and had to back into some very tight places. A couple times it came close, but if you watch what your doing, you will have no problem.

captbenjy · 01-24-2013, 08:07 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome and the advice. Going to get the hitch installed tomorrow. Going with the Reese R16 as it seems sturdy in my eyes. Only trailer we've owned is a Sprinter 250rbs. Talk about an upgrade! Everything you here bad about Keystone products is true. Almost ruined us from RVing completely, but with two young boys we're giving it another go.

Cuttinchief · 01-24-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captbenjy

Hi guys and gals, been lurking on this sight for a few weeks reading about everyones experiences with the Columbus line. I joined last night after agreeing to a deal on a 2013 320RS. Actually just finished finalizing paperwork via email with my lender so it's official, and will pick up tomorrow at 2pm.

First question, as this is my first 5er. The dealer says I will not need a slider hitch with my 6.5' bed on the F-250. Is this true? Does the radius cap on the Columbus work that well and provide ample turning? What are your experiences?

Thanks for being so open with your experiences here. It has helped me make what I feel is a great decision.

I believe with a short bed it is recommended and was going to buy one for my short bed dodge but ended up buying a long bed truck. Welcome

captbenjy · 01-24-2013, 09:05 PM

Anyone know if Forest River is still offering the 2nd year of warranty for like $125 bucks?

LarryC · 01-24-2013, 09:11 PM

Congrats on the new 320rs! We love ours - actually went to an RV show in St. Louis last weekend and didn't see anything that we liked better.

I have a 2011 F-250 Crew Cab with the short bed. I put in a slider hitch but have never had to use it a single time, and have made some pretty decent angled back ins. These new 5'ers aren't like the ones of old. You can turn a lot sharper with how the caps are made. Just pay attention and be careful and you will be fine.

Good luck!

Larry C

SYE · 01-24-2013, 09:42 PM

Captbenjy
I know they do I will check on what we paid and let you knoe, we also bought a 7 year from our dealer.

SYE · 01-24-2013, 09:43 PM

BTW Congrats on your purchase, you will love it, big difference from a TT

captbenjy · 01-24-2013, 10:07 PM

Thanks, I read it somewhere before and didn't know if it was a promotional thing or something that they normally offer. Anyone tell me where I can find a good checklist for the PDI I can download?

ByronCR · 01-24-2013, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captbenjy

Anyone know if Forest River is still offering the 2nd year of warranty for like $125 bucks?

Yes they are still offering the 2nd yr warranty for $150. I just brought my 295RL home 2 weeks ago and had them do the 2nd yr warranty with FR and it was $150.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captbenjy

Thanks, I read it somewhere before and didn't know if it was a promotional thing or something that they normally offer. Anyone tell me where I can find a good checklist for the PDI I can download?

This is the one I used. Seemed to cover most everything.
Forest River Forums - Downloads - PDI Checklist

captbenjy · 01-25-2013, 12:22 AM

Thanks for the link Byron. After the problems with my Sprinter i'm going to be checking out everything on this one.

ByronCR · 01-25-2013, 12:29 AM

No problem on the link. I read through the PDI list a couple of times and then added some notes based off of the issues others have had with their columbus. This helped me double check things that the list usually doesn't cover due to a specific model.

Hope your PDI goes as well as mine did. We like our Columbus and look forward to many years of enjoyment.

captbenjy · 01-25-2013, 09:49 PM

Well everything looked good as far as I could tell. We're hooked up and on our way to a state park not faraway to put it to the test. I love this thing so far. Gotta get used to pulling this thing, almost took out my own mailbox. Long way from my 250rbs!!!!

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