Newbie Researcher/Hope to Own Soon

[miner76dan]

Hi all...............found your owners group on RV.net We are recently retired (two years) and only able to go south for a limited time because renting a park model is pretty expensive! We have a little 25' pull trailer, but too small for extended stay, so we think our only way to stay in warmer climates for longer periods is to up-grade to a larger trailer. In our internet research, we have found great things about the Heartland brand. We hope to learn much through this site before we take the plunge!

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[BigJim45]

Dan.....

From one Miner to another Miner, welcome to the Heartland Forum. Ask what ever question you need a answer to. You will find a lot of good people on here, so ask away.

 

[miner76dan]

Hey, thanks! I'm sure we will have plenty of questions before this is all over. We will be spending a month in the AZ/CA area, so will try to look at a few units then. We may try to make the 'Big Show' in Quartzsite....not sure how many units are there to look at? Maybe just more 'RV Trinkets' under the big tent?? Anyway, thanks for the reply and we look forward to learning more on this site.

Miner76Dan

 

[sengli]

Make sure when you are looking you have enough tow vehicle for your upgrade. Hope your search goes well, enjoy!

 

[miner76dan]

Thanks Sengli............great advice. I have a 2005 Duramax that I have babied with only 56K on it. Since my current trailer is only ~6000 lbs. I've never worried about it, but having never owned a fifth-wheel, it will be a decision maker. I see so many rigs going down the road with too little truck under them....I guess most get by, but I for sure want to have the weights in the safe range. It looks like even the smallest Big Country would be pushing a SRW truck?? Thanks again.............

 

[TravelTiger]

Check out fifthwheelst.com to learn about what's important when determining what you can safely tow with your truck. We have a 2004 DRW GMC, and we pull our 13K ElkRidge. My research says it cannot tow a 15.5K BC or BH, due to the pin weight making the rear axle overloaded. With a SRW, that will be your weakest link.


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[Bob&Patty]

If your '05 is a 2500 D/A....you can pull a 14K (GVW) 5er. The GCVW is 22K.

 

[miner76dan]

Thanks Bob......I will do a little more studying, but hope I could get by with some of the Heartlands we are looking at. Smallest Big Country is just shy of 12,000 & that's about all I would want, maybe less to be safe. Thanks to all for the welcome and advice on weights! ......................Dan

 

[TravelTiger]

Thanks Bob......I will do a little more studying, but hope I could get by with some of the Heartlands we are looking at. Smallest Big Country is just shy of 12,000 & that's about all I would want, maybe less to be safe. Thanks to all for the welcome and advice on weights! ......................Dan

Dan, be sure you're not looking at dry weight, look at GVWR. The smallest BC is 15,500. Fully loaded you could easily be at that number. You'll never tow at the dry weight. Dry weight does not include many options like awning, generator, larger fridge, 2nd AC, etc.




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[miner76dan]

Ya, thanks Tony....a few thousand lbs. adds up quickly. Looks like the BC will be too much trailer for my SRW Duramax. I follow a blogger who is towing a BC with an 07 D-Max SRW and I will be catching up with him in CA next month, so will have a look and a chat hopefully.

 

[donr827]

Not sure exactly what truck you have but I have a 08 Ford F350 SRW and have no problems starting or stopping towing my Bighorn 3055RL. Also within the weight limits.
Don

 

[miner76dan]

05 Chev Duramax/Allison 2500 SRW Short Box Crew Cab
265/75/16 Bridgstone Dualer Revo 10 Ply

 

[jbeletti]

Dan - if you're in Quartzsite in late January, consider joining the Heartland rally there (link). You can register as an SOB (some other brand) and pay a small fee (usually $20). This will give you a chance to hang out with a lot of product owners who can give you first-hand insight on their Heartland RVs.

 

[miner76dan]

Oh man, we would sure like to do that! BUT, we are renting a park model in CA that begins on 2/1, so leaving for the Q rally date would put us in hotels for too many days before our rent starts Sure do appreciate the invite though!!

Enjoy the rally!

Dan