pharmafrog
Right Coast
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Hello all,
I am glad I found a place to ask some of the questions that keep coming up. Here is the skinny.
We are looking to purchase our first RV. We hemmed and hawed about what to go with: pull behind, fiver, driver. There are so many to choose from we had a hard time deciding.
After talking to a bunch of people, looking at RV at various lots and some excellent Google-Fu we came to the decision on a 5th.
Now as everyone knows there are hundreds out there and after painstaking option sniffing we decided on a Laredo 326LT. The outdoor kitchen sold me as well as the separate door for the head.
What are everyones thoughts on this model and on Keystone in general. You are not going to hurt my feelings, just wanna see what people are using an enjoying.
THe big question is what do I need to pull it? I am stumped. I have tried to look everywhere and am finding information overload. I wanted to come to a place where people are pulling these things not look at a website for Ford that just has numbers. Here are the relevant specs for the RV:
Shipping Weight 11020
Carrying Capacity 1980
Hitch 1750
Length 36' 9
Width 8'
Height 12' 7
Fresh Water 55
Waste Water 75
Gray Water 110
I am looking to buy (if it will work) a 2008/9 Ford F250 PSD. I want to make sure I have what I need to pull safely. Also any information on extras that I might need for leveling the bed when loaded etc..
Sorry for the ramble. I have a lot of info to put out there and need a lot of info in return. Thanks all.
2010 Keystone Laredo 326LT
2008 Ford F250 King Ranch SB
Onan Marquis Gold 5500
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angler
WI
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Joined: 08/21/2002
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I'll let the other people with more knowledge address the specifics, but I would think that that unit would need more than a F250
2009 Chev Silverado Z71 5.3 3.42 6 speed
9600lbs Tow Rating Payload 1600
Prodigy
2010 Springdale 296BHSSR (9525 GVWR 6825 Dry Hitch 725)
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pharmafrog
Right Coast
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I thought the same thing at first, but many things I found had the F250 rated at 16500lbs w/ 5th wheel and diesel. But I am not sure so I turn to you guys.
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Red Eagle
Alabama
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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DW and I likewise hunted high & low before we purchased our 5er. We happened to get a great deal on a Dodge 2500 truck. We checked on what the truck's towing capability was and used that to narrow our search for the 5er that we could safely pull (Crossroads ) without being maxed out. Check the info on the truck that you want to determine if it will pull the RV you are interested in. My truck will only pull 9400 lbs and our 5er weighs less than 8,000; so we won't be maxed out. You should get some great info from other folks who know more about this subject. Bottom line is to "match" your truck's towing capability with the RV's weight category. Then you can find an RV within that range that you like best. Good luck and great camping.
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craig7h
Marion, Iowa
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Joined: 03/23/2002
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Here is a great link that should help you with the weight questions
http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-trailer-weight-fw.shtml
good luck
Craig
06 RAM 3500 diesel power
08 35' Cardinal
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southernsky
Ponchatoula La.
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I have a 2006 F250 FX4 with the 6.0 PSD pulling a 2007 37' Sierra 5er. I found the truck pulls the trailer like a mule. I have installed Firestone air bags to level out the truck not that it sat it down a whole bunch, just wanted to level the truck. Now I haven't pulled in the mountians with this trailer but in the hills I have no problems. From all I've read about the ratings of the truck and the trailer I'm close but not over. Most go by the 75% rule and I'm about 85%-90% but what the hell, I'm still below the max and going to enjoy my rig. Only live once
2007 Dodge 3500 DRW Mega Cab 5.9 CTD 4X4 (Fat Betty)
2012 Primetime Crusader 320RLT
PullRite SuperGlide,5th Airborne,Firestone RideRite
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Mile High
Denver, CO
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Joined: 02/05/2008
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Probably too many questions for one topic, but I'll pitch in on a couple:
Keystone - Keystone is a conglomarate, similar to it's parent company Thor. There are many brands under Keystone that were independents at one time and then bought up. Keystone had influence on the overall factory business policies, but I think you will find there are very few similarities across the brands. Each have their own customer service systems and is some cases, they don't even use the same parts (i.e. suspension systems vastly different). You would be better off asking about Laredo specifically.
As far as the truck - I don't know the numbers well enough to give you the correct answer but I offer advice: Upsize the truck as far as you dare - with the understanding that "nobody" keeps the first RV very long! The beauty of a 5th wheel is you can go up in size without replacing the truck, if you buy the right truck now.
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2007 Montana 3400RL 5th Wheel - high gloss, electric awning, remote system, Onan 5500, G614, JT Stabs, wet bolts, Sat Dome, Ariston W/D, 5th Airborne.
Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
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MalphStar
West Texas / Southern New Mexico
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If you are going to buy a truck, why not get a 1-ton single rear wheel model?
Ford F-350, Chevy/GMC 3500HD, or Dodge 3500?
2001 GMC 2500HD Crew 8.1L Allison
2004 Keystone Horney Sport 33' Bunk House
Yamaha EF3000ISEB with Remote Start
Dual Trojan T-145 Battery Bank
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pharmafrog
Right Coast
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I looked at the ratings for the 350 and such and there is no difference between the 250 and 350 without going to a dually.
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Mile High
Denver, CO
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Joined: 02/05/2008
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pharmafrog wrote:I looked at the ratings for the 350 and such and there is no difference between the 250 and 350 without going to a dually. You didn't look in the right place. Look under payload - which is what carries the pin weight on the 5er. There is nearly a 1,300 lbs gain in capacity going to the F350 SRW.
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