ok just wondering if the trailer we are loking at is to big, i've got all the numbers and they all seem to work out but just want to know what some of you tink, first off the trailer is a Cougar 32 BHSWE, and for the most part it will be on my inlaws land (160 tree'd) good little free camping spot, that said here are the numbers

shipping weight 7200lbs
carrying capacity 1060lbs
hitch weight 800lbs

my truck is an 05 fx4 screw 5.5ft bed 3.73 gears tow package
curb weight 5577
payload 1447
gvwr 7200
max towing 9200
max gcwr 15000

i have the numbers for the front and rear gawr but don't know how that all translates into the equation, also the truck and trailer will never be fully load, we currently have a smaller trailer and have never come close to maxing it or the truck out just needing more space for the growing family
any help would be greatly appreciated

 

thats a big TT for a F150 weight wise. i have a Surveyor that says shipping weight is 6065# and TW is 836#, when ready to camp, im at 7160# with 1100# TW. OEM receiver is only rated at 990#. i upgraded my receiver and it is a booger to do on these with the way the bumper mounts.

how far u plan on towing? if it is just there and leave it, then i should do it. but if u plan on making trips, need a bigger truck IMHO!!

 

your truck can handle it. your definitely going to feel it back there though, especially if you live in a hilly area. like previously said, if you dont plan on towing it very often or for only short distances then your ok. otherwise you may want to either consider a smaller trailer or larger truck

 

thanks for the posts, i didn't know that about the factory hitch, like i said it wouldn't likely move alot but i still want the ability to go any where with it, unfortunately a larger truck is not an option any tme soon, thinkin i may have to re think the plans, well tell the wife she has to find a different trailer

 

I don't like that trailer because the CCC is only 1000 pounds which will mostly be eaten up by water and options on the trailer.

You need to find a trailer with shipping weight about 2000 pounds lighter. And 800 pounds of tongue weight empty is not good because it will be over 1000 pounds after you fill up the front cargo space and wardrobe. If you like Keystone, check out the Bullet and Passport lines. If you want a bunkhouse, I have been very interested in this KZ Spree 289Ks. It also has a larger dinette that can seat 6 vs. 4 for normal sizes.

 

Other than for a twice a year short distance move, that's a Superduty trailer.

 

yeah i figureed it was too big, and we have looked at the passport line but not the bullet yet, don't mind some of the surveyor plans either, kinda looking for a bunk house with quad bunks or double bunks with a small dinet
te back there for the kids

 

look at what i have....surveyor sv304. it has 2 fixed bunks on the left and a small dine with fold up bunk above. it has the weights i posted above and i tow it with my 08 f150 4x4 with the 5.5ft bed 3.73 axle. fully loaded at 7160#. now you will need to watch the TW. i upgraded my receiver to the drawtite 41933 that is a lot stronger than the OEM hitch. i also use a Hensley Arrow to help control the 34ft behind me. feel free to ask any question about it!!!

 

labman thats one of the models we are considering as well as the sv 294 just the four fixed bunks either way they seem like good options, how does it tow? lots of sway or not so bad with the arrow, also how much was the arrow if you don't mind me asking

 

there's absolutely no sway when using a Hensley Arrow hitch for any trailer up to 14,000, which is why they can charge $3000 for them

 

SV304 has the same TW problem as the Keystone OP first mentioned. Likely over the truck's GVWR and maybe rear GAWR. That's 3/4ton territory. 294 weights are much better for 1/2 ton truck duty, and I like the larger dinette better, at the cost of exterior bathroom door and a smaller slideout. For the cost of a $3000 hitch, one could upgrade to a 3/4 ton and remain legal and probably safer.

 

it tows great. but i do keep it slow....usually 50-60mph. i had the Equal-i-zer 12k/1200# version first and could never get it dialed in right so i found a USED Hensley Arrow on craigslist and paid $650 shipped from TX to MS. it needed a lil repainting and i replaced all pins and such on it. looks brand new and i even painted it to match the tan on the bottom of my truck and TT.

now someone did say something about being the same problem as your first choice with weights. loaded with TT and family and full gas and only a full cooler in the bed, i am at 7350#, 150# over my trucks rating. as for rear axle, i am under that by 200#.

i am using the 1400# bars with the Hensley and have them drawn all the way up to transfer enough weight up front. i have the front back to origianl height, but i do still have about an inch sag in the rear. i plan on adding aig bags here in the near future.

we mostly just go down to the beach right now, which is about 300 miles round trip, but we will be taking it to gatlinburg, tn soon which is about 1200 miles round trip!!!

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/labman1014

here is a link to my pics of my sv304 and Hensley......