2012Coleman wrote:

Tow capacity is not a number you use to figure out what you can tow travel trailer wise. Tow capacity is determined by pulling a flat trailer with weight in ideal conditions and a driver who's first job is a jockey - with nothing else in the truck. It's not what the truck can pull - it's what it can carry. If your thinking 250/2500, consider a SRW 3500 as you most likely will want a bigger trailer/Fifth wheel in future.

Research Payload.

Good advice on Grand Design products. I've had nothing but good experiences from them including a major repair on my awning done out of warranty, and their willingness to let a mobile repair guy fix a recall issue - yes, they sent a recall notice for a possible electrical issue. Some people on here with an axe to grind will tell you that they are junk - yes stuff can go wrong, but you can learn from their two forums who to talk to to get things that should be resolved - resolved to your satisfaction. You won't get that many places.

For my first TT, I bought an entry level Coleman from camping world. After sitting between uses, I'd open it up and get overwhelmed by off-gassing Formaldehyde. Could not leave clothes or sheets in it - they would become unusable until washed. Camping world had it for warranty repairs in the first month. After not being called a few days after my promised date, I called them. They didn't know where my TT was - wasn't sure they remembered working on it as the tech I was working with had departed the day before.

They finally found it on the used lot where people were going through it and removing things that were in there. Would not accept a claim for missing items or damage caused - the vinyl wood grain on the bathroom cabinet was peeling - like someone pulled on it.

Good luck

valhalla360 wrote:

What is the truck that you have and what is the payload on the sticker on the door jam. Saying that it has to be a "daily driver" makes the 13.5k tow rating odd...

With some real details, that will tell us more about what you can really pull.

Jas1317 wrote:



A 2500 pickup - daily meaning when we aren’t camping my husband will use it for work, drive around town, drive kids places, etc.

camp-n-family wrote:

A model like our Keystone Bullet 31bhpr would fit the bill. There are several brands that have the same floor plan but I found the Keystone to be the lightest by a large margin and the quality was better than most.

It has a bunk room in back with king sized futon on the bottom and 2 single bunks above and decent storage. Outdoor kitchen with a sink (most nowadays don’t seem to have sinks anymore) and a 2nd entry door directly to the bathroom. A nice feature so the kids don’t track all the dirt through the trailer.

It’s 34’ tongue to bumper and only 6400lbs dry. 8k gvwr. I wouldn’t tow it with less than a 3/4t truck or van.

2012Coleman wrote:

My 3500 is my Daily driver - I don't know why that is a consideration - it's not a dump truck...