Hello from Denver, Colorado

[JohnW]

Glad to find this forum :wave:. I'm looking at getting a 2019 Keystone Impact 311 next weekend so I joined to do some brand research and get some user opinions.

[Northofu1]

Congrats and welcome to the forum.
Dan

[Chris P]

Welcome from New Jersey, A lot of knowledgeable people here.

[BrooksFam]

Welcome. Got snow? ;)

[gkainz]

Howdy, neighbor! Welcome!

[Gobirds38]

Welcome Have Fun and Enjoy!!!

[Canonman]

Welcome! We love camping in Colorado.

[Javi]

Howdy, I lived up on the Hogback in Little Deer Creek Canyon back in the early 70's.. Great country..

[LewisB]

Welcome to the forum!

Talked with my brother in Arvada last night. He said the temperature went from (like) 93 on Monday to about an inch of snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. Crazy weather - wish I was there!:lol:

[flybouy]

Welcome to the forum. That's a nice and big 5 th. wheel. What are you going to use to pull that big boy?

[Gary R.]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on your pending purchase.

Stay safe!

[sourdough]

Welcome from W TX! How's the weather. Was just talking to a buddy that said he figured he would be shoveling snow yesterday I think it was, when the front came through (Aurora).

[JohnW]

Welcome! We love camping in Colorado.
Thank you! I have just started exploring but I can already tell that there is a lot to see)))
Welcome. Got snow? ;)
Thanks! Yeah! This year it truly unpredictable! =)

Welcome to the forum!
Talked with my brother in Arvada last night. He said the temperature went from (like) 93 on Monday to about an inch of snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. Crazy weather - wish I was there!:lol:
Thx!) The weather was really crazy. One minute it was raining, the next - snowing. Now it seems that all has settled down for a now.

Welcome to the forum. That's a nice and big 5 th. wheel. What are you going to use to pull that big boy?
Thanks! I will try with my 2018 F-250 6.7L, SuperCab, 4x4, 3.55. Still having as to whether it's going to manage, but I've got a big family so I have no other choice)))

Welcome from W TX! How's the weather. Was just talking to a buddy that said he figured he would be shoveling snow yesterday I think it was, when the front came through (Aurora).
Thanks) Not so much for the shoveling, but the weather is still quite nasty...

[JohnW]

Thanks everyone for welcoming me here! :party:

[KimNTerry]

Welcome from NoCo!
Yeah the weather is fun :) supposed to be in the 80s along the front range this weekend. Upper 60s for Estes Park where I am headed this weekend.

[Sarge2]

Welcome from S.E. Michigan.... enjoy!! :D

[flybouy]

JohnW, here's what I see on weights for that trailer:
Weight:
Dry Weight 11,695 lbs.
Payload Capacity 5,085 lbs.
GVWR 16,780 lbs.
Hitch Weight 2,780 lbs.

The dry weight and pin weight listed will never exist in the real work. Those weights are at the factory, jo batteries, no propane tanks, jo spare tire. The published "hitch weight" is based on that empty weight. You stated you have "a large family" so I'm guessing you'll be closer to that GVWR of 16,700 lbs.

The pin weight is generally 20% of the actual weight of the trailer. So .20 X 16,700 =3,340 pin weight. To that, add the weight of the hitch. I seriously doubt that a 3/4 ton diesel will have anywhere near that payload capacity. And that isn't even factoring in you, your " large family", and all the stuff you put in the truck. You are going to be extremely overweight and IMHO endangering your family.

That size rig is a 1 ton required truck min. Not raining on your parade here just want you to be safe and aware of where your at. Look at the driver's door pillar with the yellow/white tire inflation label. It will have "The combined weights of occupants and cargo shall not exceed xxxx lbs." That's your trucks maximum load capacity. Post a pic of that label and we can give you precise calculations.

[hstevens]

Yes, that was crazy. Colorado already fluctuates drastically but that was one for the books.

[hstevens]

Had some and now it feels like fall again :)

[hstevens]

Thank you!

[wiredgeorge]

Thank you! I have just started exploring but I can already tell that there is a lot to see)))

Thanks! I will try with my 2018 F-250 6.7L, SuperCab, 4x4, 3.55. Still having as to whether it's going to manage, but I've got a big family so I have no other choice)))




I think you would be wise to re-read what Marshall noted about your truck and prospective camper. Take gross weight of the camper at 16K plus pounds. 20 percent of that gross weight will be on your hitch. That would be roughly 3200 lbs. Add, hitch, all those folks you mentioned, whatever else is in the truck... you are looking at nearly 4000 lbs payload and relying on that truck to hold all those pounds up off the ground that it was not intended to do.

Now look at your payload sticker; you will have somewhere between 1800 lbs payload and 2300 lbs payload for an F250. If you take the 4000 lbs loaded on the truck and subtract your Ford specified payload, you will note your truck is overloaded somewhere in the neighborhood of 1700 lbs.


What difference does this make? Liability in the event of an accident and you and your passenger's safety not to mention wear on the truck. Your money and you will do what you want but I think Marshall's very good advice should be heeded. Payload sticker (located in passenger door frame):

[sourdough]

The OP hasn't posted in 7 days and the weekend he was supposed to pick out that trailer has come and gone. Hopefully he listened to Marshall but I have my doubts. Maybe he will come back on and tell us what he did. Since a different TV wasn't in the cards I hope it wasn't that Impact.

[wiredgeorge]

The OP hasn't posted in 7 days and the weekend he was supposed to pick out that trailer has come and gone. Hopefully he listened to Marshall but I have my doubts. Maybe he will come back on and tell us what he did. Since a different TV wasn't in the cards I hope it wasn't that Impact.


Sorry Danny, missed the pause in the OP's posts. He sort of blew off the Marshall man and that kind of got me a little nervous. I am thinking we may not ever see him again till he has a camper related question.

[hstevens]

I'm so embarrassed. I started responding on your thread thinking I was in my thread. Sorry about that.

[sourdough]

I'm so embarrassed. I started responding on your thread thinking I was in my thread. Sorry about that.


No worries. If that's the worst mistake you ever make you'll be in high cotton.

[travelin texans]

Hopefully he puts that "big family" & all their stuff in a separate vehicle to/from their camping spots very close to home until they get a suitable tow vehicle capable of handling that much rv.

[notanlines]

OP reminds me of Kikazaro (I think he's the one) who hears no evil.

[flybouy]

OP reminds me of Kikazaro (I think he's the one) who hears no evil.

Evil as defined by the listener. Maybe he’s a politician?

[travelin texans]

Hey George! This may be why new members don't put their info in their signature, we'd then know most have bought too much rv with too little truck & don't want to hear about from us.

[wiredgeorge]

Hey George! This may be why new members don't put their info in their signature, we'd then know most have bought too much rv with too little truck & don't want to hear about from us.


Another fella just popped up with an F150 and 29' 8000 travel trailer and I can't bring myself to tell anyone anymore. It wears my ol' tail out. I am going to watch the US Open for the rest of the weekend and then go camping on Monday with the golf clubs already in the camper. I may just now be noticing but I think campers are selling like hotcakes and there are many 1st timers out there. Is it me or is this occurring more frequently since the plague?

[sourdough]

Another fella just popped up with an F150 and 29' 8000 travel trailer and I can't bring myself to tell anyone anymore. It wears my ol' tail out. I am going to watch the US Open for the rest of the weekend and then go camping on Monday with the golf clubs already in the camper. I may just now be noticing but I think campers are selling like hotcakes and there are many 1st timers out there. Is it me or is this occurring more frequently since the plague?


It does wear on you. At least there are several that watch that stuff and at least give those that need it a heads up so they can be aware vs thinking everything is peachy keen. But, it isn't fun knowing you are more than likely ruining someone's happy moment. Better a post on a forum than an accident on the highway I guess.

[flybouy]

Maybe we should post a sticky with with the info on weights and how to calculate. It does get “old” typing the same thing over and over especially when it gets ignored. Educating those willing to listen/learn is worth the effort IMO if it helps keep them safe.

It’s unfortunate that so many folks trust the salesman’s word and view them as “ expert advisors”. I think I may have said this back in March but buckle up and get ready for the “ what can I do to my 1/2 ton truck to stop sway or tow better.”

[wiredgeorge]

Maybe we should post a sticky with with the info on weights and how to calculate. It does get “old” typing the same thing over and over especially when it gets ignored. Educating those willing to listen/learn is worth the effort IMO if it helps keep them safe.

It’s unfortunate that so many folks trust the salesman’s word and view them as “ expert advisors”. I think I may have said this back in March but buckle up and get ready for the “ what can I do to my 1/2 ton truck to stop sway or tow better.”


I had already suggested this to one of the moderators and was told that since each case was different, it would be better to not present this info in some sort of formula. I think still think it MIGHT be worthwhile if somehow folks would read it prior to asking the same "can I tow it?" question. Seldom have too little drivetrain capability and mostly payload issues or car tires on their TV. When you buy your first camper, who do you turn to? Your trailer salesman (he must be an expert) or the car dealership where you bought that half ton.


Would a similar sticky on tires be helpful? Mentioning brands that were not well thought of and brands that were? Going up a size? How long to live with a set of tires (age out)? Dunno but there are so many darn tire threads it might be helpful.



How about surge protectors vs EMS devices? Another topic that gets rehashed regularly.

[flybouy]

I had already suggested this to one of the moderators and was told that since each case was different, it would be better to not present this info in some sort of formula. I think still think it MIGHT be worthwhile if somehow folks would read it prior to asking the same "can I tow it?" question. Seldom have too little drivetrain capability and mostly payload issues or car tires on their TV. When you buy your first camper, who do you turn to? Your trailer salesman (he must be an expert) or the car dealership where you bought that half ton.


Would a similar sticky on tires be helpful? Mentioning brands that were not well thought of and brands that were? Going up a size? How long to live with a set of tires (age out)? Dunno but there are so many darn tire threads it might be helpful.



How about surge protectors vs EMS devices? Another topic that gets rehashed regularly.

I think it’s something to consider but there’s no way the forum could endorse or disperse on brand Tire over another.

[Disneydogs]

Welcome we are in Washington state and are looking to do some fall camping soon. Enjoy

Kim

[wiredgeorge]

I think it’s something to consider but there’s no way the forum could endorse or disperse on brand Tire over another.


Since the forum isn't sponsored by any tire company, not sure why not. Explain... You could always list the 10 favorite brands such as:


1. Goodyear Endurance
2. Carlisle Radial Trail HT
3. Maxiis M800
4. Sailun

5. spot not taken
6. spot not taken
7. spot not taken
8. spot not taken
9. spot not taken
10. TKs and Raniers tied for this spot

[McRod]

This was the view from my spot in Colorado on September 9th. Packed up and headed to AZ after sweeping the snow off the slide toppers.

[McRod]

This is the view out my front gate in AZ 2 days later.

[sourdough]

This is the view out my front gate in AZ 2 days later.


Where in CO were you and where is that in AZ? The AZ pic doesn't look like the high mountains.

[McRod]

Where in CO were you and where is that in AZ? The AZ pic doesn't look like the high mountains.

They are my sekret hideouts. I could tell ya, but....ya know how that ends. 🤔