[teacherman]

Originally Posted by alelka

I had the trailer you want. Keystone Cougar 2017 31sqbwe. It was a fantastic trailer, bunk house with a door, outside access from the bathroom (with kids and dogs that becomes important), outside kitchen, solar ready, cable ready and polar package. We traded it in as our grandkids didn't always come with us and so that bunkhouse was wasted space for us. I miss most the outside access from the bathroom as we still have two dogs. We used that as kind of a mud room as we have hunting dogs and therefore mud!

Originally Posted by markjamestx

I have a 2017 Bullet Premier 31BKPR (31 foot box/35'-8" hitch to bumper), it has everything you want except for the solar. Had it 2+ years, 25K miles and I can't count the nights we stayed in it from Arkansas to California to deep down in Texas three times, to Ontario and then this summer to Montana/Wyoming 5900 miles.

A few notes, you will want to upgrade your master mattress, I built another dinette in the bunk room for 3 total beds if needed and it has a walk-in pantry in the bunk room. I also (this week) have upgraded all of the suspension components to HD Dexter (shackles, bushings and equalizers). I installed electric stabilizers and threw the scissors out, plus a fold-out stair and tool box below the door. We are in our late 60's and have camped for almost 50 years.

Trailer with cargo is rated at 8800#, we ran across the scales fully loaded for a 5 week west coast trip and it weighed out at 7700# and that is with our internet business inventory in the bunk room.

Comfort is everything at this age so put some serious thought in it. By the way, bought it in July of 2017 and paid $26k for it new ($42k list but that doesn't mean anything).

Good luck

Originally Posted by alpo

While a 5th wheel has more storage capabilities than a TT, you loose the Storage Capabilities of the Truck. You mentioned a Box placed in Truck Bed in front of the 5th Wheel Hitch, I never saw this but can’t imagine it being of any usable size - most setups I have seen did not have any spare room between the Trailer and Cab, in some cases not enough needing sliding Hitches. You also mentioned Canoes and Bikes, I do not think the Basement in. 5th Wheel can fit Canoes and Bikes (maybe smaller Bikes). I have Canoes and Bikes and that is one of the reasons I opted for a TT myself, as well as the limited remaining Cargo Capacity available of a 5th Wheel. I have. 3/4 Ton Diesel Ram and most viable 5th Wheels we’re right at the Limit leaving no room for People or Cargo in the Truck. My Trailer (Rockwood 2906ws) has Three Slides, a HUGE Living area with two opposing Recliners facing the Large TV, and ample remaining Cargo capacity in the Truck for Family and Gear. A 5th wheel may Tow Better but the sacrifices were to much, and I just returned from a WV to La and back and it towed just fine.

Originally Posted by B&T_NF-NY

All very good points. Just a side note, when you finally decide on what RV you're going to get pay special attention to which tires are supplied with the unit specifically the load range and manufacture date. My RV (summerland 2200) mb has load range C's. Not much leeway weight wise, not that I'm going to load it up but would rather have D's for greater tire strength and reliability. My friend just got a keystone hideout 28bhs with LR C's and he has VERY little margin weight wise. We're both going to get new tires next season. Best of luck, and have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Wow. All of these are wonderful points. Thank you so much. This is better than I could have hoped for, with respect to the myriad things to consider. I figured the beds would need to swap out, but I didn't even think about the suspension, but it makes sense that getting to a price point that lets people actually buy these things involves shortcuts wherever possible. I'm big on sturdy suspension and tires, and I am too durned old to be camping in a tent, or emulating that experience via a hard bedroll!
It might be illegal to mount a hitch receiver on the back of a TT, but my bike rack slips into a 1.25" which would solve that. The ladder rack I took off the truck (left the side rails in place to ease reinstallation) when I converted it to civilian duty last month, it would hold the canoe just fine. Had the 30K service on the tow vehicle today, they confirmed I'm rated to pull 13.5K, so I don't feel I'm pushing it to shoot for GTW of 10K. I imagine a TT is more evenly balanced than a 5W, so it's less of a payload consideration there. I suppose gong to some national parks we could use a smaller trailer and make it more like camping out. Of all the floor plans and features I've looked at, it seems Keystone has the best ones overall, and the roof strength, well maybe I can reinforce it somehow.

I can say that a slide or three will need to happen. I recall touring an old submarine docked at Charleston SC one time, and my inner claustrophobe would jump out right through the wall of an airstream...