Sportsman Matt
Blackstone, MA
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Joined: 10/16/2007
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Biggest thing is what is the towing capacity of your truck. That will be in the owner's manual and based on the VIN of the truck (the VIN indicates the drivetrain package, capacities, gearing etc.)
My 02 GMC Sierra 1500 has a 5100 lb towing capacity Maximum. So I bought a trailer that weighed in at 3500 lbs Maximum GVW. Reason for this is that I plan on using the truck bed for additional gear, firewood, bikes, canoe, etc. Any weight you add to the truck bed will reduce your towing capacity, as the truck has to work hauling in the truck bed and pulling from the trailer hitch.
Additionally, these weights are probably dry or shipping weights. Add an additional 20% for water, camping equipment, Propane, food, clothes, etc.
Pretty soon a 5800 lb trailer at the dealer ends up being 7200 lbs loaded, and you end up replacing a transmission or rear gear set because of parts failure or excessive wear for overloading the truck.
Good luck
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
2010 KZ Sportsman Classic 19BH Travel Trailer
Fishing and Hunting New England and eventually the world
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Sarah Elizabeth
Tn
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Joined: 04/05/2010
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Tystevens here is my novel!
Today my husband and I looked at some more trailers and we liked Key stones Passport Ultra lite camper 290BH(weight 5134)a good weight for us and has 4 bunks in addition to a bedroom with tv entertainment center between that and the living room, two person bar for extra eating room. We liked keystones 300BH(weight 5484) weight being a little higher than my husband wants, but it had 2nd bedroom area with a second sofa and bunk overhead, Ushape table. Both units have a small pull out. One not on the lot was 2910BH with 36”deep slide but also a little over (weighing 5465). The layout of this one is probably my favorite in any camper. I like the sofa and table slide out more than the kitchen and sofaslideout, but would have to be ordered. We also liked the Jayco’s Jay feather ultra lite 28R(weighing 5,218) with small sofa pull out, 2nd double bed with bunk overhead and a bigger kitchen area than others, but not really any more storage when you considered it all together. We liked Forest Rivers Surveyor SP280(weighing 4142) also a good wight for us, and it had 3 bunks, outside kitchen and small slide out. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t have the divider between the bed room and living area. We looked at Evergreens Everlite 31DS9(weight 5,498) Similar to keystones 300BH and Evergreens 32MKS (weighing 5,341) similar to the Jayco 28R. We looked at Keysrones Bullet and Rockwoods but on the lot they were either to small or to big. Looked at Starcraft and they had one similar to Jayco’s feather lite. Liked the look of Jaycos on the outside better and Starcrafts inside better. Does anyone have any history of the quality of one of these campers or all they all about the same.
All the salesman I talk to claim they have a camper and camp too. I don’t know if I believe that. Maybe at a show. A few of the salesman seem to question us on why we thought we couldn’t pull the Premier(we almost bought) and why I thought I would pack 1500lbs or more of cargo, what did I take(just needed a couple of outfits), and why did we take water in the camper?
Well we had really planned on buying the Premier , saw it again today and turned my head :>( So much that we had already taken everything out of ours(what a mess) but husband got the idea since we had unpacked why didn't we(me) go downstairs and weigh everything that I could and I did! :>)
Items in camper and weights
3 Basket of towels, wash, kitchen, sheets 22-27 lbs -30x3=90lbs
Big blue bin of beach towels several coats --=37lbs
4 big jumbo pillows=10lbsx2==8 pillows=20lbs
1 big queen size comforter =10lbsx3of them-=30lbs
Linen & Coat Total weight-----177 lbs
16 Plastic plates, 8trays,8smlbowls,3lrgbowls,3stainless---=12lbs
Sml basket 30 glasses, pot holders--=10lbs
Set of 4 pans, 2 sets silverwear, extra knifes, scoops etc--=27lbs
Steak knife set in wood case--=12 lbs
Electric oven-=7lbs
Electric Skillet--=5lbs
Griddle top for grill, cutting board--=3lbs
2 kettles, 1 muffin, 2 Baking pan, dish drainer--=13lbs
2 stacks paper plates, 1 stack of cups, Plastic silverwear --=10lbs
Big Basket of 1 box garbage bags, 2 sandwich,napkins,2 tissue, 2 paper towels, 1 napkins,1 aluminum foil, trays, bag plastic cups, -----=38lbs
Small basket of 4 cleaners, 2 pitchers, 1 tea pot--=12lb
Kitchen Stuff--=159 lbs
Cards,scrabble game, Iron---=6lbs
Outside candles in straw basket--=7lbs
Step stool ladde--=6lbs
First aid kit---=2 lbs
Cosmetic, bath, shaving kits,3 lbs each x 10----=30lbs
3 large beach bag of soap, bug spray, shampoo, lotion, flashlights, hand vac, suntan lotion, clock, etc, 10lbs each----=30lbs
Beach bag of toys----=10lbs
Other Items for camping---=91lbs
10 shorts, 10 tops, 2bathing suits, 2 cover ups, 2 PJ, undergarments, sock----=15lbs
2 tennis shoes, 2 sandles, 1 swim shoes, 2 flip flops---=5lbs
Clothing & shoes per person is at least ---=20lbs X2 =40lbs
12- cans of food ---=14 lbs
Gallon of milk & cream---=4lb
Butter------ 1lb
Katsup---2lbs
mayo, mustard, pickles---2lbs
Jelly & peanut butter--2lbs
Cheese ---1lb
Eggs---2lb
Bacon & Sausage---2lb
Sugar---2lbs
Flour & meal--2lbs
Bologna, Ham, Turkey--3lbs
Cookies---1lb
Bread --2lb
Chips---- 2lb
Orange juice, soft drinks, water etc at least---12lb
Total food------------------54 lb
Other items not included but taken sometimes are: steak, more extra Ice, hot dogs, gound beef, buns, biscuits, tomato, lettuce, dressing, marshmallows, potatoes, pancake mix, syrup, muffin mix, frozen pizza, , extra drinks etc. (no lbs counted for these)
Guessed weights(with help of husband) Stuff that stays in camper or taken sometimes
Outside chairs 6lbs each x 8--48lbs
2 Outdoor grill & gas tank (one small grill came with camper 20lbs, larger one 30lbs,gas tank 25lbs))--=75lbs
2 Out door rug(20lbs each)--=40 lbs
Table for outside-=30lbs
Picnic table (with benches & taken sometimes)---=30lbs
Lantern—10lbs
2 care free awnings (40lbs each & only sometimes one or both taken -)---=80lbs
Outdoor lights---(5 - 6 sets)--=20lbs
Tools & Misc –(Ladder-20lbs, Axe 15 lbs,Wheel chocks 15lbs Tools 20lbs in truck already)--=70lbs
Big flash light/radio—5lbs
Movies--=5lbs
Cameras, phones—(including battery chargers and cases)=15lbs
Fishing rods and tackle box(taken sometimes)---=20lbs
Satalite dish & stand (30 lbs each)--=60lbs
Ice maker --=50lbs
Cooler (loaded with ice and drinks & taken usally in the summer always)---=50lb
Bikes(3) & Carrier(30lbs each, taken sometimes)---=120lbs
Water hoses , Sewer hoses & Chemicals --=50 lbs
Wood( taken sometimes) ---=100lbs
Ice cream maker (with crank and electric crank, taken sometimes)---= 25 lbs
2 Beach Umbrellas (15lbs each)& chairs (5lbs each)taken only to beach--=50lbs
Water (8 lbs gallon ) fresh water tank is 30 gallon but we don’t fill full, and other two tanks are 10 gallon each, & filled on long trips so we can use our own bathroom when we stop for breaks) ---= 300 lbs
Outdoor items, tools, water , etc., -- =total 1253 lbs
Things not counted—guests luggage, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, beach towels, their cooler and drinks. (not always taken but we have)
Total weight of cargo is 1774 in weight
A 5,000 weight of camper and cargo total of 1,774 (packed loaded) equals 6,774 lbs. Our truck pulls 7, 500 which gives us a margin of 726 lbs.
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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Joined: 01/03/2007
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I've got a 2003 silverado K1500, ext cab, 5.3 L, 3.73 gears pulling a 4600lb empty/6000lb loaded, 28 ft bunkhouse and definately would not go any heavier. I'm not using it to climb real mountains either. Mainly hills so far and it does good.
I almost forgot to mention the 50 gallons of water, 35 gallon of gas cans, 150 qt and 70 qt coolers, 2 spare deep cycles, 2 spare TT tires, folding ladder, water filter, 100 ft fw hose, 50 foot of grey water hose and 70 lb custom made set of TT entry steps for dad's use that I carry in the truck bed.
I definately don't want to go any heavier.
* This post was
edited 04/09/10 12:25am by mobeewan *
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mobil1racing
Northern, WI
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Joined: 04/07/2007
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Sarah Elizabeth wrote:Tystevens here is my novel!
Thats impressive!!
2011 Ford F-150 FX4 5.0
2010 Passport Grand Touring 3050BH
XM Radio, Blue OX WD/Sway, Integrated Brake,
Barker 3000 Jack, Kipor 3000,
Beautiful wife,
2 Kids, a
Yellow lab(Kramer) and
a Brittany(Newman)
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bar_20
Somewhere West of Laramie
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Joined: 05/22/2003
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Sarah Elizabeth wrote:Tystevens here is my novel!
Today my husband and I looked at some more trailers and we liked Key stones Passport Ultra lite camper 290BH(weight 5134)a good weight for us and has 4 bunks in addition to a bedroom with tv entertainment center between that and the living room, two person bar for extra eating room. We liked keystones 300BH(weight 5484) weight being a little higher than my husband wants, but it had 2nd bedroom area with a second sofa and bunk overhead, Ushape table. Both units have a small pull out. One not on the lot was 2910BH with 36”deep slide but also a little over (weighing 5465). The layout of this one is probably my favorite in any camper. I like the sofa and table slide out more than the kitchen and sofaslideout, but would have to be ordered. We also liked the Jayco’s Jay feather ultra lite 28R(weighing 5,218) with small sofa pull out, 2nd double bed with bunk overhead and a bigger kitchen area than others, but not really any more storage when you considered it all together. We liked Forest Rivers Surveyor SP280(weighing 4142) also a good wight for us, and it had 3 bunks, outside kitchen and small slide out. I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t have the divider between the bed room and living area. We looked at Evergreens Everlite 31DS9(weight 5,498) Similar to keystones 300BH and Evergreens 32MKS (weighing 5,341) similar to the Jayco 28R. We looked at Keysrones Bullet and Rockwoods but on the lot they were either to small or to big. Looked at Starcraft and they had one similar to Jayco’s feather lite. Liked the look of Jaycos on the outside better and Starcrafts inside better. Does anyone have any history of the quality of one of these campers or all they all about the same.
All the salesman I talk to claim they have a camper and camp too. I don’t know if I believe that. Maybe at a show. A few of the salesman seem to question us on why we thought we couldn’t pull the Premier(we almost bought) and why I thought I would pack 1500lbs or more of cargo, what did I take(just needed a couple of outfits), and why did we take water in the camper?
Well we had really planned on buying the Premier , saw it again today and turned my head :>( So much that we had already taken everything out of ours(what a mess) but husband got the idea since we had unpacked why didn't we(me) go downstairs and weigh everything that I could and I did! :>)
Items in camper and weights
3 Basket of towels, wash, kitchen, sheets 22-27 lbs -30x3=90lbs
Big blue bin of beach towels several coats --=37lbs
4 big jumbo pillows=10lbsx2==8 pillows=20lbs
1 big queen size comforter =10lbsx3of them-=30lbs
Linen & Coat Total weight-----177 lbs
16 Plastic plates, 8trays,8smlbowls,3lrgbowls,3stainless---=12lbs
Sml basket 30 glasses, pot holders--=10lbs
Set of 4 pans, 2 sets silverwear, extra knifes, scoops etc--=27lbs
Steak knife set in wood case--=12 lbs
Electric oven-=7lbs
Electric Skillet--=5lbs
Griddle top for grill, cutting board--=3lbs
2 kettles, 1 muffin, 2 Baking pan, dish drainer--=13lbs
2 stacks paper plates, 1 stack of cups, Plastic silverwear --=10lbs
Big Basket of 1 box garbage bags, 2 sandwich,napkins,2 tissue, 2 paper towels, 1 napkins,1 aluminum foil, trays, bag plastic cups, -----=38lbs
Small basket of 4 cleaners, 2 pitchers, 1 tea pot--=12lb
Kitchen Stuff--=159 lbs
Cards,scrabble game, Iron---=6lbs
Outside candles in straw basket--=7lbs
Step stool ladde--=6lbs
First aid kit---=2 lbs
Cosmetic, bath, shaving kits,3 lbs each x 10----=30lbs
3 large beach bag of soap, bug spray, shampoo, lotion, flashlights, hand vac, suntan lotion, clock, etc, 10lbs each----=30lbs
Beach bag of toys----=10lbs
Other Items for camping---=91lbs
10 shorts, 10 tops, 2bathing suits, 2 cover ups, 2 PJ, undergarments, sock----=15lbs
2 tennis shoes, 2 sandles, 1 swim shoes, 2 flip flops---=5lbs
Clothing & shoes per person is at least ---=20lbs X2 =40lbs
12- cans of food ---=14 lbs
Gallon of milk & cream---=4lb
Butter------ 1lb
Katsup---2lbs
mayo, mustard, pickles---2lbs
Jelly & peanut butter--2lbs
Cheese ---1lb
Eggs---2lb
Bacon & Sausage---2lb
Sugar---2lbs
Flour & meal--2lbs
Bologna, Ham, Turkey--3lbs
Cookies---1lb
Bread --2lb
Chips---- 2lb
Orange juice, soft drinks, water etc at least---12lb
Total food------------------54 lb
Other items not included but taken sometimes are: steak, more extra Ice, hot dogs, gound beef, buns, biscuits, tomato, lettuce, dressing, marshmallows, potatoes, pancake mix, syrup, muffin mix, frozen pizza, , extra drinks etc. (no lbs counted for these)
Guessed weights(with help of husband) Stuff that stays in camper or taken sometimes
Outside chairs 6lbs each x 8--48lbs
2 Outdoor grill & gas tank (one small grill came with camper 20lbs, larger one 30lbs,gas tank 25lbs))--=75lbs
2 Out door rug(20lbs each)--=40 lbs
Table for outside-=30lbs
Picnic table (with benches & taken sometimes)---=30lbs
Lantern—10lbs
2 care free awnings (40lbs each & only sometimes one or both taken -)---=80lbs
Outdoor lights---(5 - 6 sets)--=20lbs
Tools & Misc –(Ladder-20lbs, Axe 15 lbs,Wheel chocks 15lbs Tools 20lbs in truck already)--=70lbs
Big flash light/radio—5lbs
Movies--=5lbs
Cameras, phones—(including battery chargers and cases)=15lbs
Fishing rods and tackle box(taken sometimes)---=20lbs
Satalite dish & stand (30 lbs each)--=60lbs
Ice maker --=50lbs
Cooler (loaded with ice and drinks & taken usally in the summer always)---=50lb
Bikes(3) & Carrier(30lbs each, taken sometimes)---=120lbs
Water hoses , Sewer hoses & Chemicals --=50 lbs
Wood( taken sometimes) ---=100lbs
Ice cream maker (with crank and electric crank, taken sometimes)---= 25 lbs
2 Beach Umbrellas (15lbs each)& chairs (5lbs each)taken only to beach--=50lbs
Water (8 lbs gallon ) fresh water tank is 30 gallon but we don’t fill full, and other two tanks are 10 gallon each, & filled on long trips so we can use our own bathroom when we stop for breaks) ---= 300 lbs
Outdoor items, tools, water , etc., -- =total 1253 lbs
Things not counted—guests luggage, beach umbrellas, beach chairs, beach towels, their cooler and drinks. (not always taken but we have)
Total weight of cargo is 1774 in weight
A 5,000 weight of camper and cargo total of 1,774 (packed loaded) equals 6,774 lbs. Our truck pulls 7, 500 which gives us a margin of 726 lbs.
Are you using plastic glasses, better yet paper or other throw away type same with plates, plastic utinsils? Are your pots and pans of light weight material? You are taking way too much clothing, your camping it's ok to wear the same shorts more than once or twice. Buy your food near the campground don't haul it a couple hundred miles. How much of the stuff you are bringing doesn't get used or used enough to warrant bringing it along? I could use half of what you use!
Steve & Donalee
2010 Heartland North Trail 28RLS
1994 27ft Winnebago Brave
2008 Lincoln Mark LT
2005 PT Cruiser Convertible
1998 Honda Gold Wing GL1500 SE
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Pauljdav
Everett, Wa
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Joined: 12/01/2008
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Before you pull the "trigger" take a moment to reflect on what you really want. I wanted a bigger trailer and we picked the 30RKS cougar. I had a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 3:73. The trailer was just over specs.
I decided to see what a more robust truck would cost. I was all over the spectrum. I ended up finding a 2000 Chevy crew cab full leather power everything that was 3500 over my 1500's blue book trade in. I bought it and sold my 1500 the day after I listed it on craigslist. My 3500 was original owner, less miles than the truck I sold, more upgraded and in better shape.
My message is to see what you really want and find a way to make it happen.
Good luck,
Paul
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Tystevens
SLC, Utah
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Joined: 03/08/2010
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bar_20 wrote:Are you using plastic glasses, better yet paper or other throw away type same with plates, plastic utinsils? Are your pots and pans of light weight material? You are taking way too much clothing, your camping it's ok to wear the same shorts more than once or twice. Buy your food near the campground don't haul it a couple hundred miles. How much of the stuff you are bringing doesn't get used or used enough to warrant bringing it along? I could use half of what you use!
Sure, "you" "could" get by with half the stuff she listed, probably less. First problem -- the OP wants to take what she wants to take, not what someone else would want to take. I think it's hilarious and ridiculous that people take 42" tv's, satellite dishes, and 5 100 lbs dogs on their trips. Other people probably think its ridiculous that we have a bike shop at our campsite (I often bring along 3 different bikes just for me (a road bike, a light mtn bike, and a heavy mtn bike), plus kids and wife's bikes, etc), dutch oven cooking gear, a camp chef stove, and other fairly heavy items. But that's what I want to take when I go camping, and so I plan accordingly. Irrelevant what anyone else wants with them -- what do you want to take is the question.
Second problem -- they "could" pack lighter. Sure, they could eat freeze-dried meals and cook with titanium mess kits. Maybe toss the camper stove out and cook on a whisperlite, filter water from nearby streams, get rid of a battery and use a lantern for lighting, toss out the mattress and sleep on Therarests, you get the point, in the name of conserving weight so they can fit a desired TT w/in a specific TV's ratings. But isn't the point of having a trailer to have all the comforts and items you want with you? This isn't a backpacking trip! I think it is funny when people say "I'll just pack less" because (1) they really wont, ending up overloaded anyway, and (2) it defeats the point of the trailer in the first place.
I think the OP is one of the few really realistic (and perhaps overly thorough, based on the exhaustive list and weights above  TT) shoppers who is actually judging the purchase as it will be used, and not just looking at a TT dry weight and trying to make due. Much more careful than I was when we bought ours. I commend, not criticize, her approach.
* This post was
edited 04/22/10 11:48am by Tystevens *
2008 Hornet Hideout 27B
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD ccsb 4x4 LT, Duramax LBZ (current TV)
2005 Chevy Suburban 1500 4x4 LT, 5.3 L, 4.10 gears, LT package (retired from TV duty)
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Mike_LA
US Gulf Coast
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Joined: 11/20/2004
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Sarah,
There are many models by Rockwood that your truck can tow.
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timmyjimmy
utah
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Joined: 01/18/2010
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Outback builds some good floorplans and are 1/2 ton towable, link below
http://www.lakeshore-rv.com/cf/shopmast/productdetailp.cfm?productid=2239
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Sarah Elizabeth
Tn
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Joined: 04/05/2010
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We have bought our camper!
We bought a Keystone Bullet Premier 28RL. All this time we have been looking and thought we would buy a camper with the four bunks on one end and bedroom on the other, but ended up with the two chairs in the living room and large picture window and bedroom in the back. Go figure! I love all the storage in this camper! :>) Pantry in the kitchen, Linen closet in bathroom, etc., The reason we changed our minds in addition to the storage, was we have three 3 full size beds. A queen size bed in the bedroom , a blow up queen size mattress on the pull out sofa, and the u shaped table makes a good size bed, too. So I have three good sized beds.
We have already camped on top of Jellico mountain and my husband was impressed at how well it pulled up the mountain with all our stuff. Our dry camper weight is 6,000. It was purposely fully packed and total weight of camper and truck weighed 13,000. It pulled better than my husband expected. It pulled as well as our smaller lighter camper and gas milage was amazingly better than when we pulled our starcraft hybrid. I wanted to add about my husbands truck , in addition to having a half ton Chevy Silverado, with a 5.3 L engine it does have a Z-71 suspension and a tow haul package.
In answer to some of the questions of my packing, it depends on where I go, how many people go, and how long I stay. I don't always take everything on my list for every trip but was considering as much as possible in the weight. My husband and I going for a weekend is one kind of camping, at the lake with several other family members is another, at the beach or disney world for a week is another. We don't keep the beach stuff for instance in our camper all the time just when we are going to the beach. We don't always keep the ice cream maker in the camper but have taken it a few times over weekends when we were getting together with family to cookout. We don't always take the bikes. I do like to keep in my camper at all times, chairs, towels, blankets, pillows, sheets, pots and pans, plastic plates and glasses, plus throw away plates and cups, real silverware and throw away silverware, our shampoo, soap, etc., As far as clothes, it depends how long I stay to how many I take. I do take at least an outfit a day plus a couple of extra. If I'm going somewhere besides the lake, for instance the smokey mountains or the beach for a week I will also take a couple of nice outfits to eat out in.
Thanks for all the input and have fun camping!
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