Seventy-Eight
Ontario
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Hi, I am new to this forum and wondering if anyone has any advice or experience to share....
Currently I have a Dutchman Victory Lane 28 foot tag along with no slides. I travel quite extensively (anywhere from 15,000-20,000 miles per year) carrying two sportbikes and a selection of gear. For the most part the Dutchman has been good. My only complaint would be broken springs on more than one occassion, and lack of space (it has no slides, and since this effectively my "summer home" I need extra space). I tow this with a 2006 Dodge RAM2500 with the Hemi (sadly, I did not purchase the Diesel).
I am looking to upgrade to a larger toy hauler with slides and a 5th wheel (easier towing than a tag along, I believe). I am currently looking at the Keystone Raptor model 3612DS. It is a tri-axle trailer, but I do not know the size of the axles...I want it to be able to carry my two sportbikes and gear without the spring issues I have had previously.
What I am wondering from fellow readers is this:
1) Does anyone have any experience with the Keystone Raptor models? Do you like them? Any problems I should be aware of?
2) Is there anyone else who puts on lots of mileage towing a few bikes and gear? What model of toy hauler do you have...do you like it? What, if anything, has gone wrong and why?
3) Will my Dodge 2500 Hemi pull the Raptor
The Dry Weight of the model I am looking at is almost 12,000lbs while the GVWR is 15,500lbs. According to Dodge , my 2500RAM Hemi will pull about 13,750lbs. I imagine I am cutting close.... not sure I want to upgrade to a larger truck however.
4) Any thoughts on how the Dodge RAM compares to the Ford F-350 Diesel for towing (should I need to upgrade my pick-up).
Any views/ experiences welcome!
Thanks!
SE
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troll3193
SouthWest, MI USA
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ok here is my view of the world...
not sure the exact config of your TV, but your best case tow capacity is about 11,500lbs... check out
http://www.trailerlife.com/towratings/2006/TowingRatings_p20_33.pdf
I have a 3500 series with the Cummins and 3.73 gears and I wouldn't touch that trailer with a ten foot pole...
For that I would think you would need at least a 3500/350 series diesel dually, maybe even a 4500/450 series depending on actual pin weight.
FWIW,
Bryan
2006 RAM 3500 MegaCab w/Cummins Turbo Diesel
Mopar Exhaust Brake
2004 Dutchemen 31BK
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MadMav
Colorado Springs, CO
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For all the traveling you want to do, you will need a 3500 diesel dually to hual that around. Something rather newish too. I haul my TH(same GVWR as the Raptor) with a 2500 diesel and it does wonderfully, but I will not be transversing the country in it. It is stable, but you could always use a little bit more for the long rides.
Mav
Maverick
'08 Dodge 3500 SLT Mega Cab Dually, 6.7l/6 speed. Oh yeah!
'08 Winners Circle 36SRV-H5
1 wife, 2 kids, 3 dogs, 1 cat
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lincster
Mesa Az
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You won't have any issues carrying a couple of bikes in that hauler. They are designed to carry sand rails, which weigh alot more than your bikes. Don't worry there.
Now, do worry about your thinking for your truck.
That much trailer needs a 1 ton dually at a minimum, especially when towing alot of miles.
Best truck would be the new F450.
2006 F350 PSD CC 4X4 Dually w/Tow Boss package to pull 2006 LE3905
Lincsters Truck/Trailer
Lincsters Rail
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canuck 1
alberta
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For towing that kind of miles.... think Featherlite
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Seventy-Eight wrote:3) Will my Dodge 2500 Hemi pull the Raptor
The Dry Weight of the model I am looking at is almost 12,000lbs while the GVWR is 15,500lbs. According to Dodge , my 2500RAM Hemi will pull about 13,750lbs. I imagine I am cutting close.... not sure I want to upgrade to a larger truck however. Not even close. A 15,500 lbs trailer is in the diesel one ton dually range
Seventy-Eight wrote:4) Any thoughts on how the Dodge RAM compares to the Ford F-350 Diesel for towing (should I need to upgrade my pick-up). I wouldn't touch the PSD if I could get a Cummins. However, I wouldn't touch the Cummins if I could get a Duramax/Allison.
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viejo loco
Arizona
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I tow a Raptor 3612DS with an 04 Duramax 2500HD. It does the job but when I up grade the truck it will be to a 3500 dually. I usually tow around 5000 miles per year. I agree with the others, if I were towing the miles you do I would either get a lighter trailer or a 1 ton dually.
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fly-boy
Los Angeles, CA
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Joined: 11/05/2004
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For the kind of miles you travel I would not even consider a mainstream TH at all. You will have problems with any of them- They just are not made for sustained traveling like that and things will break regularly and over a short few years the thing will literally fall apart around you.
As someone mentioned- get a featherlight or other custom made toy trailer.
If I were just hauling sport bikes I would consider a big horse trailer with living quarters. No problem fitting the bikes and the build quality exceeds any recreational RV 1000 times. Hart and 4 Star are my favorites and I woudl have outfitting done by Outlaw for the interior.
2008 GMC 3500 SLT Duramax
2009 WW HKD plus 4 feet
2008 Custom Rhino
2005 CRF 450
2008 KTM 50
2006 KFX 50...
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Seventy-Eight
Ontario
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Thanks all for the useful feedback! I am just debating things right now so we'll see how it goes.
As for what truck....my experience with the Dodge is a) the tramission is******and b) the u-joints go quickly. But then..I am also logging a fare amount of miles.. By the sounds of things a dualie is what I will need.
As to getting something that is not a toy hauler at all...that has definately been taken into consideration. I really do question whether these things are designed to go across the country. I think axle weight is key. I've considered Class A and Class C motorhomes..but the problem with those, apparently, is:
Class C motorhomes are essentially Ford450's or equivalent with 10,000lbs or more of fibreglass on them....add to that a trailer with bikes and gear weighing 3500-5000 lbs and the thing will fall apart in no time (So I've been told...and the arguments sounds stable)
Class A motorhomes, while more robust and built on a better chassis, are a lot more pricey (esp. once you get into the Diesel pushers which I would likely need); you are limited to where you can go with them (think 30+ foot long motorhome with 20+ foot trailer attached-- fuel stations would even pose a challenge--- i have friends in this position that have told me this); you also lose your mobility once you get to your destination..kinda hard to take the motorhome to go grocery shopping or meet someone at the airport..unless fortunate/ wealthy enough to get a rental car or have some follow you around with a vehicle..which I am not..
So..that brings me back to the toy hauler...maybe I am looking at getting an F-350 Dualie....I don't think I'll get another Dodge..even if the Cummins is nice...
Thanks again!
* This post was
edited 08/26/08 02:32pm by Seventy-Eight *
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Seventy-Eight
Ontario
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PS- Viejo Loco...how do you like your 3612DS?
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