ajk170
03-22-2015, 07:58 AM
Hello All,
I'm excited to see an active forum for just Keystone RVs! Although this is our first camper, we've been around motor homes for the last 20 years via the wife's family. So here's our story...
Since we knew what we wanted in features we decided on a travel trailer since I already have a 2010 F150 supercrew with the shortbed (4x2, 5.4 with tow and 3.55 rear). Though I'm new to the TT, I feel confident in hauling it since I drove huge air-defense-systems on the German autobahns while stationed in Germany 20 years ago. I researched the capacity and capability of the TV and felt comfortable with its limitations to safely buy a TT. With the TV resolved we began looking for what we wanted and discovered the 2015 Keystone Outback 316RL at CW. We felt like we got a good deal and a week later we were towing it home. I researched the WDH and settled on the Blue Ox Swaypro 1500 and went with the CW recommended trailer brake (though the truck has the tow package it didn't have the e-brake).
We took the TT out for the first time to the KOA in the area as a test-run for an upcoming trip just to work out the kinks. We're glad we did, it wasn't clear that our model had the water heater bypass and CW didn't turn the bypass off when they "checked and inspected all the systems". Nor does Keystone make it dummy-proof that there is a by-pass on a particular model or upgraded package. They should put window stickers on these things so you know what options and packages are on them. Despite thinking we fried the water heater, it would appear we did not- so luck was with us on that one! All-in-all the test-run did what we wanted it to do, test the systems and set-up/tare-down processes. We've been to a lot of places with the wife's family at the beginning of a season or when they get a new coach and they never tested out the systems- it made for a lousy time when they couldn't start the onboard genny or get the slides out! Despite the water heater, no other issues discovered!
So far, handling it down the road isn't that bad, takes me back to my days on the Autobahn. I was initially concerned about the backing have had no issues as of yet. I looked at the different set-ups and reviews and it seems most that have the Blue Ox love them but not the price. I too must say that it appears to work great, I haven't noticed much sway and not having to get out and disconnect the sway-bar is nice. I do think I need to stiffen the rear suspension since I noticed and odd sensation as I drove the first couple of times- similar to a pulling/jerking motion going down the road. I called Blue Ox (great service reps) and they suggested loosening the chains by a link. I did and the sag on the truck was more than I liked. I'll post over in the Tow Vehicle section as to ways to remedy the situation. I know I'll need to step up to a F250 someday but that will need to wait a couple years.
We're excited for the future possibilities our new TT will bring and hope to learn from the forum on all the things I don't know and never considered!
Andy
I'm excited to see an active forum for just Keystone RVs! Although this is our first camper, we've been around motor homes for the last 20 years via the wife's family. So here's our story...
Since we knew what we wanted in features we decided on a travel trailer since I already have a 2010 F150 supercrew with the shortbed (4x2, 5.4 with tow and 3.55 rear). Though I'm new to the TT, I feel confident in hauling it since I drove huge air-defense-systems on the German autobahns while stationed in Germany 20 years ago. I researched the capacity and capability of the TV and felt comfortable with its limitations to safely buy a TT. With the TV resolved we began looking for what we wanted and discovered the 2015 Keystone Outback 316RL at CW. We felt like we got a good deal and a week later we were towing it home. I researched the WDH and settled on the Blue Ox Swaypro 1500 and went with the CW recommended trailer brake (though the truck has the tow package it didn't have the e-brake).
We took the TT out for the first time to the KOA in the area as a test-run for an upcoming trip just to work out the kinks. We're glad we did, it wasn't clear that our model had the water heater bypass and CW didn't turn the bypass off when they "checked and inspected all the systems". Nor does Keystone make it dummy-proof that there is a by-pass on a particular model or upgraded package. They should put window stickers on these things so you know what options and packages are on them. Despite thinking we fried the water heater, it would appear we did not- so luck was with us on that one! All-in-all the test-run did what we wanted it to do, test the systems and set-up/tare-down processes. We've been to a lot of places with the wife's family at the beginning of a season or when they get a new coach and they never tested out the systems- it made for a lousy time when they couldn't start the onboard genny or get the slides out! Despite the water heater, no other issues discovered!
So far, handling it down the road isn't that bad, takes me back to my days on the Autobahn. I was initially concerned about the backing have had no issues as of yet. I looked at the different set-ups and reviews and it seems most that have the Blue Ox love them but not the price. I too must say that it appears to work great, I haven't noticed much sway and not having to get out and disconnect the sway-bar is nice. I do think I need to stiffen the rear suspension since I noticed and odd sensation as I drove the first couple of times- similar to a pulling/jerking motion going down the road. I called Blue Ox (great service reps) and they suggested loosening the chains by a link. I did and the sag on the truck was more than I liked. I'll post over in the Tow Vehicle section as to ways to remedy the situation. I know I'll need to step up to a F250 someday but that will need to wait a couple years.
We're excited for the future possibilities our new TT will bring and hope to learn from the forum on all the things I don't know and never considered!
Andy