Active Duty Army with 2015 Keystone Sprinter 320BHS

my07tundra · 03-30-2014, 03:10 PM

I've been watching these forums for a couple weeks now and gained lots of helpful information for my new travel trailer.

Background: I'm a Master Sergeant with 17.5 years in the Army. I'm from Kansas City, Missouri and currently stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. The wife and I own a home here and remain near extended family. I have been selected for the Sergeants Major Academy at Ft. Bliss, Texas and will be moving there for 9 months in August. Since 2 of my 3 kids are in high school we decided not to move them around anymore. So the travel trailer is my cheapest option as a geographical bachelor.

What we bought. I bought a 2014 Keystone Sprinter 320BHS bunkhouse and am extremely please thus far. Our dealer knows my family and also has a son who is active duty military. This guy hooked me up with a lot of stuff at cost or free. The dealer is LibertyRV in Missouri if you are wondering.

Our trailer has dual propane tanks with auto switching, electric jack, loaded kitchen and living area. Queen bed in the back as a slide out and dual bunks with drop down table in the front for kids. Sofa is a pull out and the dining table is a drop down also. I had the dealer add a second AC unit for the master bedroom and a Direct TV automatic tuning satellite system. Everything has worked exactly as it should so far.

The only problem I ran into on my test run prior to hanging at a camp was with the hot water heater. The dealer still had that part winterized and I couldn't get water into the tank because the water valve was off. Had to remove a panel and fix that. Then the drain hole with corrosive rod wasn't screwed in and water poured at the side. Quick fix though and all is working great.

I'm pulling my trailer with a 2007 Toyota Tundra Crewmax SR5 off road truck. Engine has no issues hauling this thing but it does consume some gas. The suspension is descent. I have the TRD offroad package and this trailer with anti-sway kit definitely tests the spring limits.

my07tundra · 03-30-2014, 04:02 PM

Ooops. I listed 2015 instead of 2014 in the title. It is a 2014.

Sduff · 03-30-2014, 04:12 PM

Thank you for your service and safe travels..

BirchyBoy · 03-30-2014, 05:51 PM

Enjoy the trailer and congrats on the Sergeants Major Academy! Former Army myself, but not nearly as long or as dedicated as you.

**JRTJH** · 03-30-2014, 07:56 PM

Thank you for your service and welcome to the forum. As a retired military member, I completely understand the importance of making sure your children have some "roots" during their high school years. Good for you !!!

I think you're going to find your RV a great place to "batch" while at the Sergeants Major Academy. It will also give your family a place to spend some time with you and still be "home" so to speak.

We're glad you joined our group and look forward to hearing from you as you start to "full-time" in your new RV.

Pull up a seat and make yourself at home.

GaryWT · 03-30-2014, 07:56 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum. Congrats on the trailer and thanks for your service. That is a beautiful trailer. Be careful at there and take it slow, that is a 10000-11000 pound trailer according to the website. A half ton could struggle. Enjoy and I hope your 9 months works out great.

my07tundra · 03-31-2014, 06:40 PM

Thank you for all the welcome posts. The trailer is supposed to be 7800 lbs dry weight without water in the tanks. I know my truck will tow 10,100 lbs and the engine and tranny seem to handle it well so far. I just need to watch the additional items I put in the trailer and truck during long haul travels like the one I have this summer.

On another note, I'm waiting for my Champion 9500 watt generator to arrive with 50amp RV receptacle so I can do more at the house. Should be here in a day or too. It listed for $1100 on Home Depot's website and got them to price match an amazon site for $768 shipped to the local store. Not too shabby.

Nighteye · 03-31-2014, 08:09 PM

Wow, that sounds like one nice trailer. I think you deserve it for all your sacrifices in serving our country and now, your sacrifice for your kids. My dad was also a career man and us 6 kids were never in one school more than 3 yrs and it was hard on some of us. Its simply a great thing that your doing for them.

Stay cool

crash · 04-02-2014, 06:05 AM

to the forum .Thank you for your service

,my wife is in the army 18+ years ,she retires aug 2015.Our son is stationed at fort hood texas .

NWSkier · 04-02-2014, 02:59 PM

Welcome!

Another AD Army guy here that just bought a 31' Cougar for similar reasons as you! (PCS coming this summer.) Also tow with a Tundra... I added Firestone AirSprings to mine a couple years ago, they really help level the rear of the truck with a heavy load on the hitch. No drill install only took me a couple hours to do myself... well worth the money IMHO. Lots of threads on here on that subject if you search for it too. Best of luck with your new RV and upcoming lobotomy... err, the SGM Academy!

bsmith0404 · 04-02-2014, 05:36 PM

Congrats and welcome. FYI, it's about a 20 min drive to Bliss, but WSMR has a nice little fam camp and it is much quieter and more peaceful there, plus a decent little golf course.

Lived on WSMR for a while when I was stationed at Holloman, not a lot there, but it's away from the city, and you often see oryx on the back road between WSMR and Bliss.

mom2budnbug · 04-02-2014, 06:42 PM

Welcome to the forum and many thanks for your service.

katiegreeniz · 04-04-2014, 09:45 AM

Thank you for your service! I have the same camper, although ours is a 2013 that we picked up last September. Love the 320BHS. We've had a few little issues, but nothing that couldn't be fixed or adjusted. Happy travels.

Here is a link I posted about our camper-any little bit helps.... http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=15962

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