[HudsonValleyTitan]

Originally Posted by melhow

Hi everyone, newbie to travel trailer towing here. Thanks in advance for your help.

My husband and I recently purchased a Keystone Hideout 23RKS and are looking forward to our first outing next weekend. Before we got on the road, I wanted to run the numbers that I came up with by the experienced towers here to see if I am on target.

The Hideout specs:

Dry weight 5320, box length 24 feet, hitch to bumper 28 feet 6 inches.

Titan, no Big Tow package, specs:

GVWR - 6422
Max Tow - 7400
Curb Weight (includes fuel and necessary fluids to run, according to dealer) - 4966
Payload capacity - 1440
Tongue Max - 740
Tire cargo load max - 2600
GCWR - 12,800

We have a class III U-Haul hitch receiver that is rated 10000 max tow and 1000 max tongue with WD.

Installed at dealer the Reese Dual Cam WD with 800# bars and Prodigy brake system.

Please check my figures.

In the truck:

Driver and Passenger - 360
Generators (2 Honda 2000's) - 100
My camera gear and husband's hunting stuff - 100
Hitch, assuming tongue weight 12% of loaded trailer - 750
Fiberglass topper - 200

Puts the truck at 6476, so 54 pounds over GVWR.

In the Trailer

2 20# propane tanks - 50
Battery - 50
Memory foam mattress topper - 50
Various Accessories (grill, chairs, table, interior do-dads) - 250
Personal Luggage - 400

Puts the trailer at 6150.

All in all, GCWR of 12,626.

I figure on long trips we can get the ice, groceries and firewood upon arrival. When dry camping, we can fill the water tank at the last stop.

On short trips, we can cut down the personal luggage and replace with food and ice. Again, fill the water at the last stop.

Does this sound correct and realistic to you?

I have to say, the drive home from the dealer on I-4 here in Tampa was white knuckle. Not a surprise, as we were probably loaded all wrong with an empty trailer but a dealer filled water tank, a WD hitch that the dealer set up that we have yet to adjust, and a truck bed full of gear and junk that we didn't unload prior to our TT delivery. Our next two purchases are going to be a set of LT tires for the truck and a nice set of Bilstein shocks.

There is a learning curve to towing, that is for sure.

Thanks again for you help and advice!

Melissa

The stock tires will do just fine. You'll tow that camper with ease. The only thing I'd change is the hitch. A class 3 is only rated up to 5000LBS. These guys are giving you optimum towing ideas...which are great ideas...just not absolutely necessary. Most important is to have the correct weight distributing hitch with sway control and have it set up correctly for your TT. You'll also need a good brake controller. How and where you store stuff in the TT is also important. You'll learn something new each time you tow and you'll make little changes as your learn. Have a fun and safe trip!