Planning on purchasing a TT, what mods are recommended?

[Yahooligan]

As my sig says, I have an '05 SE CC 4x4 BT.

We're considering something similar to this...

http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/flo...series=8WideTT

The only concern I can see is the length, the weights fall well within what the truck is rated for.

So far it sounds like I should go with an Equalizer hitch and Prodigy brake controller, is there anything else I should consider doing?

Some calcs I've done...

Titan GVWR = 6522lb
Payload = 1448lb

Loaded to the max and adding a Leer topper, I'm looking at probably...

People (3 adults, 2 kids) = 620lb
Topper = 200lb
Dogs + crates = 200lb
Hitch weight = 730lb

Total = 1750lb.

The gear would be loaded in the trailer, which has a GVWR of 7543lb and a dry weight of 5971lb.

I've read that folks are installing Firestone bags to help with weight, will adding those make me "safe" being 300lb over GVWR or am I looking at brake upgrades, etc or simply a "Don't do it"?

The weights I've calculated are the absolute max, but also planned for the longest trip. The wife, myself, our 2 kids, and my MIL are trying to plan a month-long (or more) trip travelling around the US and maybe into Canada this summer. That trip aside, there would be about 300lb less weight in the truck once her and her dogs+crates are removed from the picture, putting me right at the factory limit.

Having the 2 kids, my wife, myself, and our 2 small/medium dogs we really would like to get as large a trailer as we can and we love the dual-slide of the Flagstaff 831KRSS.

The other trailer we really liked was the '08 Wildcat T27 (27' dual-slide) but it's actually heavier than the longer Flagstaff in all respects.

So, what do you all think? Would I be ok with the hitch, Prodigy, and air bags or should I consider something lighter?

As always, you all rock.

[loufish]

That's a real long trailer, longer then I'd feel comfortable with. That set-up has huge potental for sway issues.

Your weights will be off because ALL trailer manufactures use un-realistic numbers for empty and tongue weight.
Add about 500 lbs to the trailers empty weigh, 200 of that on the tongue..
You might have someone post that they it should be no problem for the Titan, but I think it would be a mistake to tow that trailer.

BTW with the new tongue weight your now about 500 lbs over weight...
Bottom line, you really want to tow that trailer, look for a 3/4 - 1 ton truck.

[Derwud]

I agree with Loufish, that trailer is WAY to long for the Titan's wheelbase. There are some people on here that tow that size trailer, but they don't live in So-Cal and don't have the winds and mountain passes we have to deal with.. Keep it around 25 feet with a GVWR of less than 8K and use a GOOD W/D hitch such as a Equal-I-Zer, resse dual cam, or Hensley-Arrow and you will be fine.

[Derwud]

Check these out..

Skyline trailers

Oh as for the Air Bags, yeah they are nice.. As a matter of fact, I had Greg at PRG remove my over load spring and install a special spring pack and air bags. Now my truck rides better un-load and even better when towing.

I would also suggest replacing the factory tires with LT tires.

[Yahooligan]

Yeah, I was afraid of the length. Dry weight wasn't a concern since the GVWR of the trailer was still well under max tow for the truck at 7543lb.

I'll keep poking around for something shorter.

Thanks!

[Titan4mde]

I pull a 2000 Fourwinds 31BH. It's 32' box length, 34.5' ball to bumper. I have a reese 14k class IV, with 1k torsion bars and a tow-rite anti-sway brake bar for the tongue. The dry weights, as mentioned, were misleading on my unit as well. A lot of manufacturers don't even include the mattresses!! Basicly, the dry weight doesn't include: propane or tanks, batteries, upper a/c units, awnings, or upgraded trim level weights. They weigh the base line without any additions, like I said, some don't even include the mattresses. Anyways, my dry weight stated was 6534lbs, and the weight of ready to camp was 8011lbs. That's not a typo. Needless to say, I was a little nervous after seeing those numbers, but I had already pulled it three times with no issues, and I DON'T have big tow. I have pulled it several times since then with no issues whatsoever!!!!!!! To the smoky mountains, up 6% grades to get there. To the beaches in our area, with the crosswinds and the sway bar works fine.

One thing, air bags work fine, I have them, but left me wanting more ride control of the truck(sway bar). There is a product out there that does both: Roadmaster Active Suspension. I will be getting that when the airbags go south or I have the extra funds(whichever comes first).

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to be thorough. Another thing I don't remember seeing is a brake controller. Of course, if you get yours from a good dealer, they will probably hook you up without raping you price wise.

Oh, FYI, if I had known then what I know now, I would have looked for a lighter unit. But then again, I have not had any issues AT ALL!!!

[loufish]

Another thing I don't remember seeing is a brake controller. Of course, if you get yours from a good dealer, they will probably hook you up without raping you price wise.

Good call...I'm a big fan of the Prodigy, plug n' play works very well....

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by loufish

Good call...I'm a big fan of the Prodigy, plug n' play works very well....

Same here, but never trust the dealer!!!

[Titan4mde]

Originally Posted by Derwud

Same here, but never trust the dealer!!!

Depends on the dealer! We still have some family owned things around here and people that care working there. One big one is Bill Plemmons RV outlet. And yes, I'm a fan of the Prodigy also. You should really check out the RAS. Unless you already have a rear sway on your truck, then air bags will suit you just fine.

[Yahooligan]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I'll likely post this next question over on rv.net soon since it's more appropriate, though it might start a holy war.

What brands would folks consider better than others? I would prefer a 4-season TT for winter/snow trips, but that may be hard to find, especially used.

Previously, the brands at the top of my list were Keystone products but I've heard a number of complaints about their service and warranty support.

Since re-researching, I've found a lot of happy people with Forest River products, both in the product and warranty/service they get after the sale.

We're thinking of going used for our first TT, but probably nothing older than 2002-2004. Something around $15k, give or take, that won't fall apart or drop like a rock in value (more than it already has and will slowly continue to do).

Front queen, rear bunk, super slide is the layout we're after.

[Titan4mde]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I'll likely post this next question over on rv.net soon since it's more appropriate, though it might start a holy war.

What brands would folks consider better than others? I would prefer a 4-season TT for winter/snow trips, but that may be hard to find, especially used.

Previously, the brands at the top of my list were Keystone products but I've heard a number of complaints about their service and warranty support.

Since re-researching, I've found a lot of happy people with Forest River products, both in the product and warranty/service they get after the sale.

We're thinking of going used for our first TT, but probably nothing older than 2002-2004. Something around $15k, give or take, that won't fall apart or drop like a rock in value (more than it already has and will slowly continue to do).

Front queen, rear bunk, super slide is the layout we're after.

Ooooooooooh, don't know about reccomending one over the other. The only thing I would not buy again would be a Fleetwood/Coleman product. Too many issues that they didn't want to back up, of course that could've been my local dealer being an azz! I love my Fourwinds and have been more than impressed with the details, granted NONE of them are perfect!!!! My dad has a Hornet and loves it, my brother-in-law has a Dutchman and is satisfied.

[Yahooligan]

I hear ya, we looked at various new trailers and they all felt about the same. The Wildcat trailers seemed to be more solid, but that comes at the expense of more weight.

Some have full welds, some use spot welds. Some have fiberglass insulation, some have foam core. Some have a wood subfloor and stringers, some have aluminum, and they all claim whatever they have is the better one.

Give me ducted heat and AC and something that won't fall apart, that's all I want. Fleetwood has always seemed like one of the cheapest-built makers out there, so that wasn't on my list.

Forest River (Flagstaff, Rockwood, Wildcat brands), Keystone Outback, Komfort, Nomad, and Gulf Stream all sound like top-rated brands from a product standpoint from what I've read other people have said.

Anyway, I'm not expecting everyone to say the same brand, more curious to know what folks have had good and bad experiences with.

[Derwud]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

I hear ya, we looked at various new trailers and they all felt about the same. The Wildcat trailers seemed to be more solid, but that comes at the expense of more weight.

Some have full welds, some use spot welds. Some have fiberglass insulation, some have foam core. Some have a wood subfloor and stringers, some have aluminum, and they all claim whatever they have is the better one.

Give me ducted heat and AC and something that won't fall apart, that's all I want. Fleetwood has always seemed like one of the cheapest-built makers out there, so that wasn't on my list.

Forest River (Flagstaff, Rockwood, Wildcat brands), Keystone Outback, Komfort, Nomad, and Gulf Stream all sound like top-rated brands from a product standpoint from what I've read other people have said.

Anyway, I'm not expecting everyone to say the same brand, more curious to know what folks have had good and bad experiences with.

Good luck on the search. RV.net is a great resource.

[Surferboy]

I am having the same debate, and have been looking at 3/4 ton pickups, until I realized that Nissan now has a long wheel base pickup. I am getting a Rockwood 8316 which is 33' tongue to bumper. With the tow package and a crew cab with the long wheel base, this setup should be fine, right. Or am I forgetting something?

[Titan4mde]

Originally Posted by Yahooligan

I hear ya, we looked at various new trailers and they all felt about the same. The Wildcat trailers seemed to be more solid, but that comes at the expense of more weight.

Some have full welds, some use spot welds. Some have fiberglass insulation, some have foam core. Some have a wood subfloor and stringers, some have aluminum, and they all claim whatever they have is the better one.

Give me ducted heat and AC and something that won't fall apart, that's all I want. Fleetwood has always seemed like one of the cheapest-built makers out there, so that wasn't on my list.

Forest River (Flagstaff, Rockwood, Wildcat brands), Keystone Outback, Komfort, Nomad, and Gulf Stream all sound like top-rated brands from a product standpoint from what I've read other people have said.

Anyway, I'm not expecting everyone to say the same brand, more curious to know what folks have had good and bad experiences with.

Yeah, some of those brands above ride the name plate for price inflation. They're a not really a lot of manufacturers out there, therefore, some of the lower names are just as good because they come out of the same plant!! Just not as recognizable names. I went pre-owned also. I saved quite a bit of money that way, just make sure everything checks out. If you can, buy a "Good Sam" unit. They are kinda like a certified used product, more thoroughly inspected and whatnot. They also are the only used marketing designation that will actually improve trade-in value!!