Thank you for including the input from the factory rep into coverage of the Grand Design trailers. Maybe you could do a factor tour at some point... That'd be cool too also see the process.
I have a ‘10 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton Laramie Crew Cab, short bed, 2wd that came from the factory with a 10,000 pound max tow rating. It was built with the right specs and special 3.55 Axle ratio. The tongue rating is 900 pounds for a TT and for a 5th wheel it is 1600 pounds. I towed a 31’ travel trailer for three years and now an Open Range 297 RLS Fiver since 2014. The 5th wheel has a tongue weight of 1200 pounds. I did my homework. Both RVs tow like a dream. No issues with the truck and it is now 8 years old. I tow many times per year, and the Hemi pulls steep grades without a whimper. The 3.55 rear end is key.
We bought the Grand Design Imagine XLS 21BHE earlier this year. It was an upgrade from a 1989 trailer that was in really good shape. We love it and have had no issues with it. It's a great trailer to pull behind my Tundra. Every RV has issues. Things go out or fail as it rattles down the highway. You simply do your diligence in finding one that is built as well as possible and then will back you up when something does happen. Grand Design got our business because they are not like some other manufacturers that just push them out as fast as possible without worrying about whether it's right or not. When picking up our 21BHE, we saw units being delivered from a cheaper but very popular manufacturer that had huge defects visible in them.
It's always interesting to hear from the manufacturer rep's. I have to say, now that the RV industry is cranking out 500,000 units a year, it seems that quality is suffering with all of the high production units, even those that you're paying a premium for and problems are getting worse. As I get ready to purchase an RV in 2 years, I"ve been watching the positive and negative experiences people are having and over the past two years the negatives are on the rise. In addition, Forest River is now changing their warranty contracts that is limiting the time you have to file suit after your warranty has expired. As a retired attorney, most states give you 4 years to file suit under a contract issue, but FR is now limiting that time to 60 or 90 days. Everyone should read your contracts very carefully.
jabojr Agreed, and for the luck most have, for what you pay for it, you shouldn’t have to insulate it yourself, and do so many expensive “tricks” to get it ready for winter. I would much rather have something that’s going to last, and built well, VS. a nice interior. You would think since most are made in colder states, they would know this. I’m not dropping this amount of money on one, just to have to go in and winterize with heat mods and spend more money.
@@sonictech1000 At least you think the bugs are worked out. No one will know for sure if every things fixed right. That used unit could have a slide thats never worked right and the original owner ran out of patients with it and traded it off. There could be other issues as well that plagued the original;l owner that keep popping up over time.
Very nice travel trailer with bunks and very nice fifth wheel with what I saw of it. Glad you showed both the fifth wheel and travel trailer. Both were very nice. Lot of space and storage in the travel trailer and the fifth wheel. Thank you JD for putting this one out again when it was out 2 years ago.
We have been looking at the 295RL for almost 2 yrs now to pull with my F250 (2002). Finally found the 2020 newly upgraded model and will pick it up today. Looked at so many brands but always kept going back to the Grand Design. Hope you got yours as well. 🤗
Love our Grand Design Reflection 28BH! The truth is that all of the RV manufacturers use the same components (LCI, Dometic, Suburban, etc). It is how the company stands behind their RV that makes the difference. A good dealer also makes a huge difference in how issues are handled.
Your videos are always so informative! Would you consider doing a full video about the different RV wall construction methods...covering topics of Luan vs. Azdel in laminated walls. Pros and cons of laminated walls vs. stick and tin. How that affects delamination, etc. The potential for delamination scares the hell out of me. Could you tell us which manufacturers use Azdel? I know Coachmen does, also Lance. Do you know of any that make an aluminum framed (instead of wood) and aluminum skin?
What a waste ofthe first 8 minutes!!! Misleading title. Skip ahead to where he FINALLY asks about half town tow able. I am ready to purchase a half ton tow-able fifth wheel for my 1500 Silverado. I have been towing a 7000lb (unloaded weight) travel trailer for 5 years, no problem at all. I did my homework, used the GCWR, and yes added the weight of all passengers, additional 50lbs for driver (manufacturers allow 150, I'm 200). 8.3lbs x 52 gallons of fresh water (would only carry that if boon docking, if not travel with about 10 gallons), etc. I am still about 1000lbs under the GCWR for the fifth wheel. I have towed mountains, plains, hills etc with my existing travel trailer with no problem. I am in the same range of about 1000lbs under, but with a TT. Fifth wheel will be much more stable for towing. Do Big truck guys fly by me doing 80 up the hills, hell yeah but who cares. I don't need to drive my towing rig like a corvette. I am on vacation and taking my time. RPM is in 3.5k range up hill, not bad at all. We can't all have gas guzzler trucks for our daily driver. I put on about 20k/yr commuting, and about another 5k with the trailer. I get 20mpg on my commutes and need too. I have been thinking fifth wheel for about 3 yrs, and have met many people in campgrounds with 1/2 tons and Fifths (at least a dozen). The only complaint I heard was from a guy that went out west and had issues in the mountains. He said no problems in Tenn, Virginia and KY for the most part. You may only be doing 55 at the top of the hill, but it is what it is. My travels are mainly midwest. So do your own homework, talk to others, and use GCWR, and if you are somewhere around 1k under, you will be fine. Don't forget to add up all your stuff. I had my existing setup weighed, and loaded we add about 800lbs, clothes, food, chairs, water, passengers, etc etc.
Ron Man thanks for sharing Ron. I’m about to enter the world of half tons towing a fifth wheel. Ever check your payload numbers Ron? Some guys disregard this this so I’ve read.
GCWR, GAWR, GVWR, Payload limit, tow rating, hitch weight limit. If you are over on any of these, then it’s illegal towing. Silverado 1500 with a fifth wheel? You are probably OK with your GCWR and tow rating, but you are probably close or over your payload.
Great video as always. I recently picked up our new 29rs Grand Design fifth wheel and we have been camping for two weeks. As most owners well tell you the biggest issue with a new RV is the little problems not picked up by the PDI folks at the factory, well this GD RV had no problems at all and for us it is the perfect size and layout for a couple. On another note after watching your video and gooseneck versus the fifth wheel hitch we went with the Resse gooseneck hitch and I will say I couldn’t be happier and I do not have to deal with a big bulky hitch. The air ride on the hitch works fantastic and thank you for the review.
What about an older 24 ft 5th wheel with a GVWR of just over 6400 lbs? I think it is totally fine and falls within the specs of my 1/2 ton's towing and payload capacities. You mentioned heavier and newer 35 ft 5th wheels sort of like a blanket statement when addressing that 1/2 tons should really never tow 5th wheels.
I would like to see you start carrying a small tape measure. Being on the tall side, 6`3", i would of liked to know the length of the kids bunks. Very good channel though.
Great video as always, I'm still going to argue that a 1/2 ton truck should not be pulling a 5th wheel. I have a Heartland Prowler P289 which is in that supposedly 1/2 ton range, but at 9,200lbs I pull it with a F-250 diesel, and now I have a F-350 dually for towing because it's a safer towing experience now. I have argued till blue in the face with sales people and some rep's at RV show's about towing capacity of what type of truck can and can't tow a 5th wheel. I see it all the time, and I just cringe when I see a 5th wheel hitch in a F-150 or any half ton truck.
Cringe all you want. Some f150s are better than some 250s. If all the numbers fall in spec, it’s a launch. There are some f150s capability that allow a 27’ fifth. Loaded tongue weight of 1800, 100 for an AUH hitch, and 400 for me, wife, and dog. Works for me. And in the green on every number.
This video was great and a perspective important for all of us in the audience to hear in relation to the half-ton towable segment. Secondarily that, I just learned about an introductory travel trailer that wasn’t on my radar prior to this video with a payload more appropriate / lighter than competitors I’ve been interested in. As always great job Bigtruck!
Tell Paul great job. My research over last couple months is steering me towards a Grand Design 310 GK...to your point I was disappointed with the dealer video which pretty much had a blanket statement "for all you folks out there with a 3/4 ton pick up with a gas motor or preferred diesel, this Grand Design Solitude 310 GK is for you". Not so fast, please look closely at your ratings. I was disappointed to learn my truck will not handle this model. I have a 2017 Ford F-250 Superduty diesel, 159.8" WB. Lariat Ultimate package in the video authors fav. color :). Sure, tons of power to pull and big brakes to stop, however I would be over my load capacity and GVWR (10,000), instantly. In fact, you'd be better of with a gas engine in terms of weight savings. I'm not talking about over loading the truck with stuff, simple with my wife, dog and myself we would be over. Do your research, don't believe what you hear, do your own calculations.
You should check out some job site trailers some time. I purchased a brand new Hallmark for my company in 2013. 7x14 v nose. This video you did hit a lot of notes for me because I was appalled at what I discovered as time went on. No electrical connections were waterproofed in any way. There was no barrier installed between the aluminum panels and the steel frame which lead to through corrosion on the bolts. Steel bolts used to fasten aluminum panels leading to those panels corroding through. Even the drum brake connections were not waterproofed. The drop gate door was tweaked and didn't quite seal 100% but wasn't realized until some time later after the seals compressed more. Most of these fault points are basic concepts that shouldn't even be a concern for even the cheapest trailer brand, which Hallmark wasn't at least on paper.
Half ton towable 5th wheel...hmm. If it fits within the payload capacity of the half ton truck, then maybe. Still, trying to stop a big 5th wheel in a panic situation with a half ton truck is still a questionable event. All the air bags and leveling goodies may make the combo ride even, but won't make it stop any sooner. All of us who tow 5th wheel trailers have been cut off on the highway by some clown trying to get somewhere 2 minutes quicker. Most 3/4 ton trucks are not well enough equipped to tow 5th wheel trailers when it comes to payload of the tow vehicle. Mr. BTBRV, I have followed your videos for years, and you convinced me to get more truck than I would ever need to tow my 5th wheel. So I bought a RAM 3500, for the extra peace of mind and safety for those who share the highways with me. The rep did a good job working around this very hot issue. Nice trailer though!
@@brandonj.williams4661 This is true, but I would feel alot better having my full ton Cummins equipped truck with full exhaust brake and in tow haul mode. My truck slows me down even on hill declines when I take my foot off the throttle without even tapping the brakes. I don't think any 1/2 ton gas truck can do that.
Good video. I think 3/4 ton gas engine towable is more realistic. I’m a fan of Azdel as well. My Lance travel trailer is Azdel inside and out. I really like Grand design floor plans. They are ahead of the game in that aspect
If you are towing at the upper end of your capacity a fifth wheel is way more safer than a travel trailer. I would rather tow a 10,000 pound fifth wheel than a 7,000 pound travel trailer.
James Sprague I guess my 1/2 ton truck with 425,000 miles before its first major repair says other wise. Oh yea 250,000 of those miles were towing my camper, 20ft gooseneck stock trailer, and 18 foot gooseneck equipment trailer load. So I have experience towing with a 1/2 ton truck. I will say this some 1/2 ton trucks are beefier than others.
jpowers5023 half tons don’t have the capacity. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should! Do what you want but I wouldn’t. I’ve towed with 1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and half ton trucks suck for towing. Maybe they are okay for across town but not across country. Like I said do what you want. I’ll do what I feel is safe! Can’t help but notice you didn’t post truck model, weight capacity, trailer and tongue weight and loaded weight. That would speak louder than just claiming you do this with no issues!
Jeff S I don’t know what the payload capacity is on the 19 f150 but look at the numbers closely if it’s in the capacity of the truck you should be fine. I seen several setups like that on our trip to Florida this year. My older f150 was a 7700 gvrw so I had around 2200 pounds of payload capacity. My 2011 only has 1700 pounds of payload. Towing our travel trailer that is 30ft and around 900 pounds of tongue weight you can tell it doesn’t have the payload of the other truck. The fuel mileage is about double of the old truck we averaged 12 mpg when we went to Florida at the end June. The truck has the 5.0 and is only 2 wheel drive which I sure it helped.
Jeff S the F150 doesn’t have the payload capacity. The minute you set the pin on the hitch the truck will be overloaded, before any gear or passengers. I have a 33’ 8500lb dry weight fifth wheel. Loaded is right at 10k with another 1162 if the tanks are full, which our last trip was the case. It took air bags on our f250 with a gas engine, but wasn’t enough truck for hills, let alone mountains. Now we have a 2020 dually f350 diesel. Best decision we’ve made. No chance in hell I would try it with a half ton. I don’t care what anyone says their truck will do, cause in reality, it won’t!
Keystone RV has a whole series of "Cougar Half-Ton" travel trailers and fifth wheels that I know without a shadow of a doubt that Big Truck Big RV would not recommend for a "Half-Ton" truck. Most of them being too long and too heavy.
Hi Big - thanks or doing the half-ton fifth wheel segment, I'm looking at a Cougar Half-ton and a KZ Durango Half-ton, curious to get your impression of each. Also - my plan is to move up to the half-ton fifth wheel, get a few years out of my half-ton Longhorn, and then swap the half-ton for a ¾ or 1-ton equivalent closer to retirement (5 years out). After retiring, we plan to do 3-6 months a year in the fifth wheel and I haven't seen you do any comparisons on the top-end stuff. I'd love to get your impressions on the Luxe line, Durango Gold, Redwood, etc. Leaning toward the Luxe with its full-body paint after dealing with the graphics-fading of the last few rigs. Also - a big compliment, many of the products you have recommended I put into the Kodiak travel trailer we are about to sell. Particularly the MoRyde CRE 3000 suspension. I swapped the China-Bomb OEM tires with Carlaisle's after your segment on tires, and couldn't believe the difference there either. Towing the Kodiak was literally "night and day" between the bouncy factory OEM suspension and replacing with the MoRyde. Fortunately, the fifth-wheels I'm looking at seem to have most of what I did after-market on the Kodiak, so the projects won't repeat. One last note, some of what you show in Texas isn't available in the western US - oddly, most of the manufacturers have different product lines that split the country in two. It might be interesting if you could do a show on what the differences might be (we get a few inches of rain a year for example, but enormous UV damage) - I have no idea if there are actually differences in specs, or if just price or color schemes - would be curious to see.
I understand you always push safety when towing but do you really feel if you want to tow a fifth wheel it has to be with a dually? I worked for 15 years as an RV tech, delivered dozens of RV's to campgrounds and residents, both pull behind and fifth wheel. Most were delivered with 3/4 ton trucks. I wont dispute the fact that a dually does give a much more stable feel when pulling big rigs. I didn't always have the option of getting the dually for delivery. I just purchased a 2500hd for my retirement vehicle, and am now drooling over 5th wheels in the 30-33 ft. range to do some traveling after retirement. After all my experience towing I have zero concerns the truck I chose will do the job. In PA where I live they enforce licensing and towing issues as what the stickers on the truck and rv say, not what it actually weighs. With a dually it throws you into a class A license.
I amazed at all the false information about 1/2 ton capability. 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton it doesn't matter. The truck is designed to carry and tow XXXXXX amount of weight. You stay at or under those numbers and the truck will handle it fine. THAT"S WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO! Length will be filtered out by weight limits and/or your states combined length restrictions.
Any consideration to the physical size of the brake rotors/callipers fitted on a modern half ton pickup versus the small disc/drum brakes fitted on older model 3/4 and one ton trucks? A lot of older trucks have rear drums and small discs up front to fit inside the 16" wheels. Modern half ton trucks have never been fitted with better brake components than they are coming out with now. Understood that overloading is unsafe no matter what you are driving
Actually even 1 ton trucks had rear drum in the up until the late 90's. When they moved to disc GM, Ford, and RAM changed out all their lines of trucks no matter the size of the truck. I had a 99 F150 it had rear disc the breaks were little undersized I towed up to the max weight 7700 lbs of that year with number of trailers would never do it without electric brakes. It would eat though pads quickly had to move up to ceramic pads.
Hello I watched your video with the rep on the reflection fifth wheel 3yrs ago. I'm about quality and I like the azdel panels myself. I'm a huge fan of that. I'm looking for full timing fifth wheel 32' to 34' with washer/ dryer hookups that's quality, azel etc. Any suggestions? Thanks
Not really half ton towable if your plans include crossing the continental divide since you can lose up to 20% of your towing capacity at altitude and risk activating the limp in mode in some really inconvenient circumstances. (Don't ask me how I know this)
John Mills is a payload of 2900 lbs on a F-150 combined with a 1300 lb fifth wheel hitch weight sound reasonable? I’m new to all this stuff and tryin to educate myself with payloads and max towing weights.
Even if a 1/2 ton CAN tow it you really shouldn't be towing a fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton, imo 3/4 ton and up for towing a fifth wheel but if it was me I'd want at least a srw 1 ton.
If the truck specs are right and not close to the limit should be able to use half ton. They are the most common trucks on the road. Most half ton trucks are paid for. If they where to get a descent 1 ton it may cost more than then truck and trailer combined.
Hey Big, thanks for the great video. I’m new to all this big RV and pickup truck action. If my truck( half ton) has close to a 3000 payload and my 5th wheel pin weight is about 1200 pounds, do you think it’s doable in the real world ? I want to be safe and not tear up my truck either. The max towing on the truck is close to 13,000 lbs and the trailer weighs7000 lbs dry.
Lol. No. The max capacity of any tundra is 1700 payload. 1400 pin weight plus 200 for the hitch itself and your sitting at 1600 lbs before passengers and any gear! There just are not 1/2 ton trucks rated for this!
Hi, I know this vid is not remotely related to this vid but I saw you had a vid about the kz trailers but no follow up as of yet and this was the newest vid so I thought you might see my inquiry I'm in texas as you are and was wondering if you had any more info on these trailers I'm interested in the kz connect c241rlk to be specific any help would appreciated
Yea I heard that but no fifth wheel is towable by a 1/2 truck Safety in my opinion and I have 2 trucks and 2 travel trailers. With both. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE
Yar Nunya then it’s not towable with 1/2 ton trucks only some that are work up. That’s my point they should say that. It’s dangerous to make that statement to people.
I have a ram 1500 hemi and a f150. The f150 HAS the big bed and I would NEVER tow a fifth wheel with either truck. Your maxing out your truck and you never want to do that. It’s just not safe. You always want to stay at least 2000 lbs under the max rating for safe travel.
At about the 2 minute mark the rep says that the siding is thicker and better and doesn't give when you push it, and has his hand on the siding, but DOESN'T push it; that's when I stopped watching!
How about a small 5th wheel with a Titan XD Cummins? Given that you've recently drove/reviewed the XD with Cummins, would you feel comfortable towing a small Reflection 150 series 5th wheel or something comparable?
Mr. BTBRV, you have schooled all of us faithful watchers of your site, that there is no way to tow a 5th wheel safely with a half ton truck. Brakes and suspension on any half ton truck are not designed to tow a 5th wheel. Do you see RAM, GM or Ford offering a 5th wheel prep package on any of their half ton trucks? Of course not! The RV manufacturers are merely trying to get folks with half ton trucks to buy 5th wheels because they are so much nicer. 5th wheels are for HD trucks only, 3/4 ton and up. A half ton truck just doesn't have the stability to safely carry the 5th wheel weight down the road safely. Heck, your other videos give me grief for towing a 16K pound as loaded 5th wheel with a full ton SRW truck. Grand Design was born from ex-Keystone folks and they make great products. Tow them safely with enough truck, please? I am out there on the road with you.
I have a ‘10 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton Laramie Crew Cab, short bed, 2wd that came from the factory with a 10,000 pound max tow rating. It was built with the right specs and special 3.55 Axle ratio. The tongue rating is 900 pounds for a TT and for a 5th wheel it is 1600 pounds. I towed a 31’ travel trailer for three years and now an Open Range 297 RLS Fiver since 2014. The 5th wheel has a tongue weight of 1200 pounds. I did my homework. Both RVs tow like a dream. No issues with the truck and it is now 8 years old. I tow many times per year. and the Hemi pulls steep grades without a whimper. The 3.55 rear end is key.
I am so sick of dealers not telling you the truth about what you can tow! That sticker in the door jam of your truck is what is going to limit you on how much you can haul. All the dealers wanted us to haul more then we could legally haul. We have a Three quarter ton truck that could only have 2088 pounds of weight in the truck including the pin weight. That’s people, gear in the truck and pin or tongue weight! This is your max pay load weight. Your fuel weight, front axel back axel, all of it! You get in a an accident and they figure out your hauling over what that truck can haul and the insurance backs off and your in a world of legal problems getting sued for the whole mess and possibly going to jail if the accident is bad enough. Do your homework! Learn how to tow legally! No dealer I mean no dealer is going to tell you the truth! I’ve seen it over and over with all of them! Get on UA-cam and look this up there are a few people telling you like it is! Always buy less trailer or fifth wheel then they say you can haul! I’m speaking from experience!
Grand Design is thee worst RV made! According to their own forum. Don’t listen to factory reps, salesman, and UA-cam know it alls. Forest River , Van Leigh, are much better! look at the forums would be better info!
Thank you for including the input from the factory rep into coverage of the Grand Design trailers. Maybe you could do a factor tour at some point... That'd be cool too also see the process.
I have a ‘10 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton Laramie Crew Cab, short bed, 2wd that came from the factory with a 10,000 pound max tow rating. It was built with the right specs and special 3.55 Axle ratio. The tongue rating is 900 pounds for a TT and for a 5th wheel it is 1600 pounds. I towed a 31’ travel trailer for three years and now an Open Range 297 RLS Fiver since 2014. The 5th wheel has a tongue weight of 1200 pounds. I did my homework. Both RVs tow like a dream. No issues with the truck and it is now 8 years old. I tow many times per year, and the Hemi pulls steep grades without a whimper. The 3.55 rear end is key.
We bought the Grand Design Imagine XLS 21BHE earlier this year. It was an upgrade from a 1989 trailer that was in really good shape. We love it and have had no issues with it. It's a great trailer to pull behind my Tundra. Every RV has issues. Things go out or fail as it rattles down the highway. You simply do your diligence in finding one that is built as well as possible and then will back you up when something does happen. Grand Design got our business because they are not like some other manufacturers that just push them out as fast as possible without worrying about whether it's right or not. When picking up our 21BHE, we saw units being delivered from a cheaper but very popular manufacturer that had huge defects visible in them.
It's always interesting to hear from the manufacturer rep's. I have to say, now that the RV industry is cranking out 500,000 units a year, it seems that quality is suffering with all of the high production units, even those that you're paying a premium for and problems are getting worse. As I get ready to purchase an RV in 2 years, I"ve been watching the positive and negative experiences people are having and over the past two years the negatives are on the rise. In addition, Forest River is now changing their warranty contracts that is limiting the time you have to file suit after your warranty has expired. As a retired attorney, most states give you 4 years to file suit under a contract issue, but FR is now limiting that time to 60 or 90 days. Everyone should read your contracts very carefully.
jabojr Agreed, and for the luck most have, for what you pay for it, you shouldn’t have to insulate it yourself, and do so many expensive “tricks” to get it ready for winter. I would much rather have something that’s going to last, and built well, VS. a nice interior. You would think since most are made in colder states, they would know this. I’m not dropping this amount of money on one, just to have to go in and winterize with heat mods and spend more money.
If I were in the market today I'd be looking for a late model used unit that the previous owner had worked the bugs out of.
@@sonictech1000
At least you think the bugs are worked out. No one will know for sure if every things fixed right. That used unit could have a slide thats never worked right and the original owner ran out of patients with it and traded it off. There could be other issues as well that plagued the original;l owner that keep popping up over time.
Warren Buffet needs to make more money!
jabojr Sad, but true. I’m less than a year from buying and best built units are Australian.
Very nice travel trailer with bunks and very nice fifth wheel with what I saw of it. Glad you showed both the fifth wheel and travel trailer. Both were very nice. Lot of space and storage in the travel trailer and the fifth wheel. Thank you JD for putting this one out again when it was out 2 years ago.
Thank you! I'm am planning on getting 150 series 295Rl, w/ F250. This will b my home for retirees life. 😀❤
We have been looking at the 295RL for almost 2 yrs now to pull with my F250 (2002). Finally found the 2020 newly upgraded model and will pick it up today. Looked at so many brands but always kept going back to the Grand Design. Hope you got yours as well. 🤗
But not all 150s can tow a 5rh wheel. Ours can only tow a mac capacity of 7500. So id think twice before buying a F150. Make sure its a 3.5 engine
Love our Grand Design Reflection 28BH! The truth is that all of the RV manufacturers use the same components (LCI, Dometic, Suburban, etc). It is how the company stands behind their RV that makes the difference. A good dealer also makes a huge difference in how issues are handled.
Your videos are always so informative! Would you consider doing a full video about the different RV wall construction methods...covering topics of Luan vs. Azdel in laminated walls. Pros and cons of laminated walls vs. stick and tin. How that affects delamination, etc. The potential for delamination scares the hell out of me. Could you tell us which manufacturers use Azdel? I know Coachmen does, also Lance. Do you know of any that make an aluminum framed (instead of wood) and aluminum skin?
What a waste ofthe first 8 minutes!!! Misleading title.
Skip ahead to where he FINALLY asks about half town tow able. I am ready to purchase a half ton tow-able fifth wheel for my 1500 Silverado. I have been towing a 7000lb (unloaded weight) travel trailer for 5 years, no problem at all. I did my homework, used the GCWR, and yes added the weight of all passengers, additional 50lbs for driver (manufacturers allow 150, I'm 200). 8.3lbs x 52 gallons of fresh water (would only carry that if boon docking, if not travel with about 10 gallons), etc. I am still about 1000lbs under the GCWR for the fifth wheel.
I have towed mountains, plains, hills etc with my existing travel trailer with no problem. I am in the same range of about 1000lbs under, but with a TT. Fifth wheel will be much more stable for towing. Do Big truck guys fly by me doing 80 up the hills, hell yeah but who cares. I don't need to drive my towing rig like a corvette. I am on vacation and taking my time. RPM is in 3.5k range up hill, not bad at all.
We can't all have gas guzzler trucks for our daily driver. I put on about 20k/yr commuting, and about another 5k with the trailer. I get 20mpg on my commutes and need too.
I have been thinking fifth wheel for about 3 yrs, and have met many people in campgrounds with 1/2 tons and Fifths (at least a dozen). The only complaint I heard was from a guy that went out west and had issues in the mountains. He said no problems in Tenn, Virginia and KY for the most part. You may only be doing 55 at the top of the hill, but it is what it is. My travels are mainly midwest.
So do your own homework, talk to others, and use GCWR, and if you are somewhere around 1k under, you will be fine. Don't forget to add up all your stuff. I had my existing setup weighed, and loaded we add about 800lbs, clothes, food, chairs, water, passengers, etc etc.
Ron Man thanks for sharing Ron. I’m about to enter the world of half tons towing a fifth wheel. Ever check your payload numbers Ron? Some guys disregard this this so I’ve read.
GCWR, GAWR, GVWR, Payload limit, tow rating, hitch weight limit. If you are over on any of these, then it’s illegal towing. Silverado 1500 with a fifth wheel? You are probably OK with your GCWR and tow rating, but you are probably close or over your payload.
Ron, what’s your loaded tongue weight? Just curious.
Great video as always. I recently picked up our new 29rs Grand Design fifth wheel and we have been camping for two weeks. As most owners well tell you the biggest issue with a new RV is the little problems not picked up by the PDI folks at the factory, well this GD RV had no problems at all and for us it is the perfect size and layout for a couple. On another note after watching your video and gooseneck versus the fifth wheel hitch we went with the Resse gooseneck hitch and I will say I couldn’t be happier and I do not have to deal with a big bulky hitch. The air ride on the hitch works fantastic and thank you for the review.
What about an older 24 ft 5th wheel with a GVWR of just over 6400 lbs? I think it is totally fine and falls within the specs of my 1/2 ton's towing and payload capacities. You mentioned heavier and newer 35 ft 5th wheels sort of like a blanket statement when addressing that 1/2 tons should really never tow 5th wheels.
I would like to see you start carrying a small tape measure. Being on the tall side, 6`3", i would of liked to know the length of the kids bunks. Very good channel though.
That bunkhouse is sweet! I wanna play in there lol
This is the unit we have. We love it.
Great video as always, I'm still going to argue that a 1/2 ton truck should not be pulling a 5th wheel. I have a Heartland Prowler P289 which is in that supposedly 1/2 ton range, but at 9,200lbs I pull it with a F-250 diesel, and now I have a F-350 dually for towing because it's a safer towing experience now. I have argued till blue in the face with sales people and some rep's at RV show's about towing capacity of what type of truck can and can't tow a 5th wheel. I see it all the time, and I just cringe when I see a 5th wheel hitch in a F-150 or any half ton truck.
Cringe all you want. Some f150s are better than some 250s. If all the numbers fall in spec, it’s a launch. There are some f150s capability that allow a 27’ fifth. Loaded tongue weight of 1800, 100 for an AUH hitch, and 400 for me, wife, and dog. Works for me. And in the green on every number.
Yep, and there are idiots everywhere. That's why I cringe!!!
This video was great and a perspective important for all of us in the audience to hear in relation to the half-ton towable segment. Secondarily that, I just learned about an introductory travel trailer that wasn’t on my radar prior to this video with a payload more appropriate / lighter than competitors I’ve been interested in. As always great job Bigtruck!
Thanks Chris! glad I could help
I'd love to hear this guy talk about the Momentums.
Tell Paul great job. My research over last couple months is steering me towards a Grand Design 310 GK...to your point I was disappointed with the dealer video which pretty much had a blanket statement "for all you folks out there with a 3/4 ton pick up with a gas motor or preferred diesel, this Grand Design Solitude 310 GK is for you". Not so fast, please look closely at your ratings. I was disappointed to learn my truck will not handle this model. I have a 2017 Ford F-250 Superduty diesel, 159.8" WB. Lariat Ultimate package in the video authors fav. color :). Sure, tons of power to pull and big brakes to stop, however I would be over my load capacity and GVWR (10,000), instantly. In fact, you'd be better of with a gas engine in terms of weight savings. I'm not talking about over loading the truck with stuff, simple with my wife, dog and myself we would be over. Do your research, don't believe what you hear, do your own calculations.
You should check out some job site trailers some time. I purchased a brand new Hallmark for my company in 2013. 7x14 v nose. This video you did hit a lot of notes for me because I was appalled at what I discovered as time went on. No electrical connections were waterproofed in any way. There was no barrier installed between the aluminum panels and the steel frame which lead to through corrosion on the bolts. Steel bolts used to fasten aluminum panels leading to those panels corroding through. Even the drum brake connections were not waterproofed. The drop gate door was tweaked and didn't quite seal 100% but wasn't realized until some time later after the seals compressed more.
Most of these fault points are basic concepts that shouldn't even be a concern for even the cheapest trailer brand, which Hallmark wasn't at least on paper.
Loving our reflection. No problems yet in our first 6 months of ownership.
What research I've done on Grand Design, is that it appears that they have great products.
Half ton towable 5th wheel...hmm. If it fits within the payload capacity of the half ton truck, then maybe. Still, trying to stop a big 5th wheel in a panic situation with a half ton truck is still a questionable event. All the air bags and leveling goodies may make the combo ride even, but won't make it stop any sooner. All of us who tow 5th wheel trailers have been cut off on the highway by some clown trying to get somewhere 2 minutes quicker. Most 3/4 ton trucks are not well enough equipped to tow 5th wheel trailers when it comes to payload of the tow vehicle. Mr. BTBRV, I have followed your videos for years, and you convinced me to get more truck than I would ever need to tow my 5th wheel. So I bought a RAM 3500, for the extra peace of mind and safety for those who share the highways with me. The rep did a good job working around this very hot issue. Nice trailer though!
That goes with pulling any trailer from pop up to 53 ft semi trailer the extra weight is going to push you not matter what.
@@brandonj.williams4661 This is true, but I would feel alot better having my full ton Cummins equipped truck with full exhaust brake and in tow haul mode. My truck slows me down even on hill declines when I take my foot off the throttle without even tapping the brakes. I don't think any 1/2 ton gas truck can do that.
Good video. I think 3/4 ton gas engine towable is more realistic. I’m a fan of Azdel as well. My Lance travel trailer is Azdel inside and out. I really like Grand design floor plans. They are ahead of the game in that aspect
If you are towing at the upper end of your capacity a fifth wheel is way more safer than a travel trailer. I would rather tow a 10,000 pound fifth wheel than a 7,000 pound travel trailer.
Not with a half ton
James Sprague I guess my 1/2 ton truck with 425,000 miles before its first major repair says other wise. Oh yea 250,000 of those miles were towing my camper, 20ft gooseneck stock trailer, and 18 foot gooseneck equipment trailer load. So I have experience towing with a 1/2 ton truck. I will say this some 1/2 ton trucks are beefier than others.
jpowers5023 half tons don’t have the capacity. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should! Do what you want but I wouldn’t. I’ve towed with 1/2 ton, 3/4 and 1 ton trucks and half ton trucks suck for towing. Maybe they are okay for across town but not across country. Like I said do what you want. I’ll do what I feel is safe! Can’t help but notice you didn’t post truck model, weight capacity, trailer and tongue weight and loaded weight. That would speak louder than just claiming you do this with no issues!
Jeff S I don’t know what the payload capacity is on the 19 f150 but look at the numbers closely if it’s in the capacity of the truck you should be fine. I seen several setups like that on our trip to Florida this year. My older f150 was a 7700 gvrw so I had around 2200 pounds of payload capacity. My 2011 only has 1700 pounds of payload. Towing our travel trailer that is 30ft and around 900 pounds of tongue weight you can tell it doesn’t have the payload of the other truck. The fuel mileage is about double of the old truck we averaged 12 mpg when we went to Florida at the end June. The truck has the 5.0 and is only 2 wheel drive which I sure it helped.
Jeff S the F150 doesn’t have the payload capacity. The minute you set the pin on the hitch the truck will be overloaded, before any gear or passengers. I have a 33’ 8500lb dry weight fifth wheel. Loaded is right at 10k with another 1162 if the tanks are full, which our last trip was the case. It took air bags on our f250 with a gas engine, but wasn’t enough truck for hills, let alone mountains. Now we have a 2020 dually f350 diesel. Best decision we’ve made. No chance in hell I would try it with a half ton. I don’t care what anyone says their truck will do, cause in reality, it won’t!
Keystone RV has a whole series of "Cougar Half-Ton" travel trailers and fifth wheels that I know without a shadow of a doubt that Big Truck Big RV would not recommend for a "Half-Ton" truck. Most of them being too long and too heavy.
I have a "1/2 ton" cougar and wouldn't tow it with anything less then a 3/4
Agreed, the only thing the Cougar Half ton (and Durango 1500, etc) tells me is that it's probably short enough to meet my 35' max length requirement.
I looked on their website. Their "half ton towable" 5th wheel is over 10,000 lbs GVW. Even for most newer half tons that's not really doable.
I wouldn't tow ANYTHING with less than a 3/4 ton. Just sayin' . . .
My HDPP F-150 4x4 has a payload rating over 2900 lbs.
You were talking about the paneling being better and it is for more reasons such as vinyl delamination
yes
Hi Big - thanks or doing the half-ton fifth wheel segment, I'm looking at a Cougar Half-ton and a KZ Durango Half-ton, curious to get your impression of each.
Also - my plan is to move up to the half-ton fifth wheel, get a few years out of my half-ton Longhorn, and then swap the half-ton for a ¾ or 1-ton equivalent closer to retirement (5 years out). After retiring, we plan to do 3-6 months a year in the fifth wheel and I haven't seen you do any comparisons on the top-end stuff. I'd love to get your impressions on the Luxe line, Durango Gold, Redwood, etc. Leaning toward the Luxe with its full-body paint after dealing with the graphics-fading of the last few rigs.
Also - a big compliment, many of the products you have recommended I put into the Kodiak travel trailer we are about to sell. Particularly the MoRyde CRE 3000 suspension. I swapped the China-Bomb OEM tires with Carlaisle's after your segment on tires, and couldn't believe the difference there either. Towing the Kodiak was literally "night and day" between the bouncy factory OEM suspension and replacing with the MoRyde. Fortunately, the fifth-wheels I'm looking at seem to have most of what I did after-market on the Kodiak, so the projects won't repeat.
One last note, some of what you show in Texas isn't available in the western US - oddly, most of the manufacturers have different product lines that split the country in two. It might be interesting if you could do a show on what the differences might be (we get a few inches of rain a year for example, but enormous UV damage) - I have no idea if there are actually differences in specs, or if just price or color schemes - would be curious to see.
I understand you always push safety when towing but do you really feel if you want to tow a fifth wheel it has to be with a dually? I worked for 15 years as an RV tech, delivered dozens of RV's to campgrounds and residents, both pull behind and fifth wheel. Most were delivered with 3/4 ton trucks. I wont dispute the fact that a dually does give a much more stable feel when pulling big rigs. I didn't always have the option of getting the dually for delivery. I just purchased a 2500hd for my retirement vehicle, and am now drooling over 5th wheels in the 30-33 ft. range to do some traveling after retirement. After all my experience towing I have zero concerns the truck I chose will do the job. In PA where I live they enforce licensing and towing issues as what the stickers on the truck and rv say, not what it actually weighs. With a dually it throws you into a class A license.
I amazed at all the false information about 1/2 ton capability. 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton it doesn't matter. The truck is designed to carry and tow XXXXXX amount of weight. You stay at or under those numbers and the truck will handle it fine. THAT"S WHAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO! Length will be filtered out by weight limits and/or your states combined length restrictions.
Any consideration to the physical size of the brake rotors/callipers fitted on a modern half ton pickup versus the small disc/drum brakes fitted on older model 3/4 and one ton trucks? A lot of older trucks have rear drums and small discs up front to fit inside the 16" wheels. Modern half ton trucks have never been fitted with better brake components than they are coming out with now. Understood that overloading is unsafe no matter what you are driving
Actually even 1 ton trucks had rear drum in the up until the late 90's. When they moved to disc GM, Ford, and RAM changed out all their lines of trucks no matter the size of the truck. I had a 99 F150 it had rear disc the breaks were little undersized I towed up to the max weight 7700 lbs of that year with number of trailers would never do it without electric brakes. It would eat though pads quickly had to move up to ceramic pads.
Love our Grand Design!
I just gat today your video (late-U-tube) morning/after, Happy thanksgiving to you and Family...!!! 🌟💚🌟
Hello I watched your video with the rep on the reflection fifth wheel 3yrs ago. I'm about quality and I like the azdel panels myself. I'm a huge fan of that. I'm looking for full timing fifth wheel 32' to 34' with washer/ dryer hookups that's quality, azel etc. Any suggestions? Thanks
Not really half ton towable if your plans include crossing the continental divide since you can lose up to 20% of your towing capacity at altitude and risk activating the limp in mode in some really inconvenient circumstances. (Don't ask me how I know this)
I love how you say budget rv when your standing in a 60+k 5th wheel and need a real truck on top of it to pull it around.
Nice!! Great info on the 1/2 ton 5th wheel combo. More? Please!
More mis information. Oooh, he said 1/2 ton tow able
Don't get all excited. 5th wheel towing is not for less than 2,000lb. payload capacity trucks.
John Mills you would be surprised!
John Mills is a payload of 2900 lbs on a F-150 combined with a 1300 lb fifth wheel hitch weight sound reasonable? I’m new to all this stuff and tryin to educate myself with payloads and max towing weights.
Even if a 1/2 ton CAN tow it you really shouldn't be towing a fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton, imo 3/4 ton and up for towing a fifth wheel but if it was me I'd want at least a srw 1 ton.
If the truck specs are right and not close to the limit should be able to use half ton. They are the most common trucks on the road. Most half ton trucks are paid for. If they where to get a descent 1 ton it may cost more than then truck and trailer combined.
Basically if you have a half ton and it’s a crew cab short bed then you are not towing a fifth wheel with it!
love your RV reviews... please venture out of the "White Box" units and review an Airstream. I would love your insight!
Great Video. We are looking to buy our first trailer.
Hey Big, thanks for the great video. I’m new to all this big RV and pickup truck action. If my truck( half ton) has close to a 3000 payload and my 5th wheel pin weight is about 1200 pounds, do you think it’s doable in the real world ? I want to be safe and not tear up my truck either. The max towing on the truck is close to 13,000 lbs and the trailer weighs7000 lbs dry.
Is the grand design a superior quality compare to other manufacturer?
No. Have a 337 rls. Same poor quality.
Great video!! Can I tow this with a 2014 Toyota tundra? I only tow about 2-3 per year long distance.
Mark H. Probably not, but I could consider getting a Nissan xd with a Cummins, or a Ram 2500
Lol. No. The max capacity of any tundra is 1700 payload. 1400 pin weight plus 200 for the hitch itself and your sitting at 1600 lbs before passengers and any gear! There just are not 1/2 ton trucks rated for this!
Maybe ya could talk about the Reflection 311 BHS.
Do a video on wakesurf boats being towed by half tons
So you think Grand Design is better built than a DRV? or Jayco Pinnacle?
Review some Solitude 5th wheels too
What's the manufacturer failing rate for new RV from them?
Good vlog thanks for sharing
Very informative i really have a better understanding
Hi, I know this vid is not remotely related to this vid but I saw you had a vid about the kz trailers but no follow up as of yet and this was the newest vid so I thought you might see my inquiry I'm in texas as you are and was wondering if you had any more info on these trailers I'm interested in the kz connect c241rlk to be specific any help would appreciated
1/2 ton towable fifth? I DOUBT IT!
Yea I heard that but no fifth wheel is towable by a 1/2 truck Safety in my opinion and I have 2 trucks and 2 travel trailers. With both. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE
@@gregoryivorymaryjerman7492 I have a small fifth wheel that can be towed by just about any small truck.
Highland ridge open range has better quality than grand design for 2019
Yar Nunya then it’s not towable with 1/2 ton trucks only some that are work up. That’s my point they should say that. It’s dangerous to make that statement to people.
I have a ram 1500 hemi and a f150. The f150 HAS the big bed and I would NEVER tow a fifth wheel with either truck. Your maxing out your truck and you never want to do that. It’s just not safe. You always want to stay at least 2000 lbs under the max rating for safe travel.
At about the 2 minute mark the rep says that the siding is thicker and better and doesn't give when you push it, and has his hand on the siding, but DOESN'T push it; that's when I stopped watching!
Can you get it without the bunk room?
Well made RV? That’s funny.
How about a small 5th wheel with a Titan XD Cummins? Given that you've recently drove/reviewed the XD with Cummins, would you feel comfortable towing a small Reflection 150 series 5th wheel or something comparable?
Titan XD Diesel does not have enough payload capacity.
On a unit that long, they should have went with a spread axle! Less inclined to sway!
Mr. BTBRV, you have schooled all of us faithful watchers of your site, that there is no way to tow a 5th wheel safely with a half ton truck. Brakes and suspension on any half ton truck are not designed to tow a 5th wheel. Do you see RAM, GM or Ford offering a 5th wheel prep package on any of their half ton trucks? Of course not! The RV manufacturers are merely trying to get folks with half ton trucks to buy 5th wheels because they are so much nicer. 5th wheels are for HD trucks only, 3/4 ton and up. A half ton truck just doesn't have the stability to safely carry the 5th wheel weight down the road safely. Heck, your other videos give me grief for towing a 16K pound as loaded 5th wheel with a full ton SRW truck. Grand Design was born from ex-Keystone folks and they make great products. Tow them safely with enough truck, please? I am out there on the road with you.
Does grand Design use Azdel in there units?
Yar Nunya: They do not use Azdel. Only a few Forest River lines do, such as almost every Coachmen, a few Shastas, and now the RPod
MR. Truck My Small Gulfstream travel trailer also has Azdel and thats why i chose it.
The Forest River Surveyor line also uses it, over aluminum studs
Lance also uses Azdel
This was a great video!
Every RV manufacturer will say the same thing about there product. People put these RVs together. That's like saying all my Officers are good cops.
@Yar Nunya Good thing, because I heard the Sheriff got shot.
Very nicely saying towing a fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton is a bunch of crap.
Did you see that sales man's butt pucker up when he questioned them being 1/2 ton tow-able?
Disappointed that you let your brother buy a Kz. They are known for being low quality.
12:00. I love you videos but the salesman was like.....stfu man.
No one is going to pull a panel off and fix it and then put it back on the right way. come on.
What? Half ton towable... yet don’t show a half ton towable fifth wheel. 🤬
No such thing as a half ton towable fifth wheel ! Period
I have a ‘10 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton Laramie Crew Cab, short bed, 2wd that came from the factory with a 10,000 pound max tow rating. It was built with the right specs and special 3.55 Axle ratio. The tongue rating is 900 pounds for a TT and for a 5th wheel it is 1600 pounds. I towed a 31’ travel trailer for three years and now an Open Range 297 RLS Fiver since 2014. The 5th wheel has a tongue weight of 1200 pounds. I did my homework. Both RVs tow like a dream. No issues with the truck and it is now 8 years old. I tow many times per year. and the Hemi pulls steep grades without a whimper. The 3.55 rear end is key.
@@wayne-o8951 . Just because your truck can do it , doesn't make it the safe . I'd rather have a truck that's better equipped to handle the job
Why do people think a 1/2 ton truck is a good idea. Get real people
I am so sick of dealers not telling you the truth about what you can tow! That sticker in the door jam of your truck is what is going to limit you on how much you can haul. All the dealers wanted us to haul more then we could legally haul. We have a Three quarter ton truck that could only have 2088 pounds of weight in the truck including the pin weight. That’s people, gear in the truck and pin or tongue weight! This is your max pay load weight. Your fuel weight, front axel back axel, all of it! You get in a an accident and they figure out your hauling over what that truck can haul and the insurance backs off and your in a world of legal problems getting sued for the whole mess and possibly going to jail if the accident is bad enough. Do your homework! Learn how to tow legally! No dealer I mean no dealer is going to tell you the truth! I’ve seen it over and over with all of them! Get on UA-cam and look this up there are a few people telling you like it is! Always buy less trailer or fifth wheel then they say you can haul! I’m speaking from experience!
this isn`t a fifth wheel
Don't address payload at all. Dry weight. Typical sales puke.
🙌
Grand Design is thee worst RV made! According to their own forum. Don’t listen to factory reps, salesman, and UA-cam know it alls. Forest River , Van Leigh, are much better! look at the forums would be better info!
Everything is becoming JUNK.
Yeah, I agree... I'm always under-whelmed at the build quality.