Just brought this home

[Jayro88]

Hi all,
Just brought this home. It is a 2009 299BHS. Quite an upgrade from my old Dutchman Classic 300. The Dutchman served it’s purpose well. Saving money at weekend soccer tournament with my 3 sons. Now they have gotten older and the wife and I want to enjoy the state parks along with some longer trips. Still have 3 kids at home and 3 dogs, so the bunkhouse is a must. I’m sure I will have some questions. Want to make sure I keep it well maintained so we can enjoy it whenever we want.

[Chris P]

Congratulations, Looks like it was well taken care of ! Welcome from New Jersey, How do the tires look? Maybe something to upgrade.

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! It's nice when you can find a well-maintained gem. This one should serve you well and the bunks are a great option with kids in tow. You've come to the right place for any questions you might have. You're not new to trailering so feel free to jump in and offer your own insights for others who are new to the game. Enjoy!

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by Chris P

Congratulations, Looks like it was well taken care of ! Welcome from New Jersey, How do the tires look? Maybe something to upgrade.

They seem to have a lot of tread left, but that doesn’t always mean they are still good. They are Mission Radial S/T. I am going to see if I can find the code on them to tell the age. They are trailer tires. I have read a bit on switching to LT tires, but not 100% on all the pros and cons.

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

Welcome aboard! It's nice when you can find a well-maintained gem. This one should serve you well and the bunks are a great option with kids in tow. You've come to the right place for any questions you might have. You're not new to trailering so feel free to jump in and offer your own insights for others who are new to the game. Enjoy!

Thanks. I already have some plans, cause I just can’t leave stuff alone. Gotta swap over my EasyStart from the old camper AC so I can run it on my Westinghouse 2500 iGen. Plus the amount-n-lock bumper brackets along with my 2” receiver. It already has the spare tire mounted on the back bumper, but I just don’t trust it. Too many stories of bumpers ripping off due to weight and bouncing. With the Mount-n-Locks I had no issue using a cargo carrier mounted to the bumper to carry my small generator, gas cans and some other supplies. We like to mountain bike too and storage is always at a premium. Gonna switch over my vent fans too.

[jsb5717]

It really helps when you are handy and can do a lot of repairs or upgrades yourself. It seems like almost a prerequisite for happy camping. There's always something...

[Gary R.]

Greetings and welcome!

Congrats on finding a good looking, well cared for TT.

Take care!

[Northofu1]

Congrats and welcome.
I had the cover that you have in the bag, I liked it.
Get tires, Carlisles, Goodyears, I wouldn't trust a no name tire again.
Happy trails

[notanlines]

I believe General Tire marketed the Mission Tires, and who-knows-who manufactured them. I'd be awfully wary of them. Northofu1gave good advice.

[dutchmensport]

Congrats on your new purchase! Yep, no doubt about it, as your family grows, changes, and then changes again, you camping style changes too! Hope you have many good experiences. Love those kids, they are little only once.

[KCSA75]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum. We bought a 2008 Cougar back in 2017 and have been very happy with it.

[Jayro88]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Can’t wait to take it out. We are currently selling off a vehicle and replacing it with a newer tow vehicle. My old ‘88 e-250 is past it’s prime and being retired.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Jayro88

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Can’t wait to take it out. We are currently selling off a vehicle and replacing it with a newer tow vehicle. My old ‘88 e-250 is past it’s prime and being retired.

Don't fall for all the hype on newer trucks & believe anyone telling you that a 1/2 pickup will work towing that much trailer.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Jayro88

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Can’t wait to take it out. We are currently selling off a vehicle and replacing it with a newer tow vehicle. My old ‘88 e-250 is past it’s prime and being retired.

Don't fall for all the hype on newer trucks & believe anyone telling you that a 1/2 pickup will work towing that much trailer.
Go 3/4 ton minimum & if there's any chance in the future of going to a 5th wheel then go 1 ton SRW, very little difference in price, ride & fuel economy & you'll be prepared for the future upgrade.

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Don't fall for all the hype on newer trucks & believe anyone telling you that a 1/2 pickup will work towing that much trailer.

My e-250 did great. It is a 7.3 idi with a c6. I added an aux OD and a couple other thing. It has finally succumbed to rust and started having weird electrical issues I don’t want to mess with. Planning on replacing it with an Excursion.

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Jayro88

My e-250 did great. It is a 7.3 idi with a c6. I added an aux OD and a couple other thing. It has finally succumbed to rust and started having weird electrical issues I don’t want to mess with. Planning on replacing it with an Excursion.

Again check the numbers on an Excursion! They appear to be a beast, look like a school bus, but have limited towing abilities. Not to mention if it has the 6.0 POS diesel you'd be better off with the rusted 7.3 250.

[Jayro88]

The ones I am looking at are either the 6.8l v10 or the 7.3 PSD. I would consider a 6.0l, but only if it has had all the bulletproof work done. The tow capacity of the v10 and either diesel is just over 11k. It is basically an f-250 SUV. There are some suspension things you can do since the Excursion has a few differences in that area.

A truck would work well to tow, but I need an SUV for the interior seating capacity. There are 5 of us and 3 dogs.

[flybouy]

As has been suggested check out the load capacity. Yes they are a 250 frame BUT, add the extra sheet metal, windows, interior, and passengers and there's little left to carry anything else. The diesel will have even less capacity due to the weight of the engine.

Here's a few facts to think about.
1. The V 10 is a gas hog. Terrible mileage.
2. The front suspension is leaf springs so very harsh ride and a terrible turning radius.
3. Ford hasn't made these for quite a few years so rust, worn suspension parts (bushings, body mounts, springs, steering components) will be in bad shape if not recently changed.
4. The transmissions in those weren't the greatest.

I loved the concept but the execution could have been better IMHO.

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by flybouy

As has been suggested check out the load capacity. Yes they are a 250 frame BUT, add the extra sheet metal, windows, interior, and passengers and there's little left to carry anything else. The diesel will have even less capacity due to the weight of the engine.

Here's a few facts to think about.
1. The V 10 is a gas hog. Terrible mileage.
2. The front suspension is leaf springs so very harsh ride and a terrible turning radius.
3. Ford hasn't made these for quite a few years so rust, worn suspension parts (bushings, body mounts, springs, steering components) will be in bad shape if not recently changed.
4. The transmissions in those weren't the greatest.

I loved the concept but the execution could have been better IMHO.

Thanks for the input. I will look in to the GVWR for carrying capacity.

I am open to other suggestions for a TV, I just haven’t been able to find another vehicle that would fit my need.