Kf4mnc
Northern KY
New Member
Joined: 02/04/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
Hello Everyone,
First time poster but long time reader.
I finally got the approval from my wife to buy a tt. We've been tent campers for years and are ready to move up to a tt so we can have more comfortable extended trips. With that said I have a 2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 Double Cab with the 4.7 liter engine and tow package. The rated towing capacity is 7800 lbs. We are eyeing a 2011 Crossroad Zinger 25rk. It has a dry weight of 4664 lbs and a GVWR of 7580lbs. Admittingly this tt is a little heavier than I'd like, but it has the floor plan my wife and I like and we found it for what we believe is a reasonable price. We intend to travel all over the US with this camper and it will only be my wife, the dog, and myself.
So my questions are:
Does anyone have any experiences with the Zinger?
What are some things to check out before purchasing? (I've read the act like you are doing your normal routine check if it is functional without the slide out, etc.)
Any suggestions for negotiating ? What is normally included? (I'm going to need a brake controller and we hitch for sure.)
Lastly, any concerns about this truck and trailer combination? (A new tv is not possible at this time, but we may consider other tt with similar floor plans to the Zinger.)
Here is a link to a Zinger for reference: http://www.couchscampers.com/rv/crossroads/traveltrailer/114/CrossRoads_Zinger_$12,995_25_RK
* This post was
edited 02/04/12 05:30pm by Kf4mnc *
|
fordsooperdooty
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 08/13/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
The ad you posted said it's sold? It was being sold for $20,995.00.
Anyway, good trailer from a great builder...and that $12,995.00 is a terrific price on a unit that is well loaded. It's a discontinued model for 2012.
It is right at the limit of what you are supposed to tow...but get a Reese Dual Cam sway control hitch and I think you'll be fine!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen. 
|
amxpress
Clayton, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/14/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I agree with FSD, but I am partial to an Equal-i-zer hitch.
Best of luck and I'm sure you'll have a blast with your new TT.
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2013 Palomino Columbus 320RS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Champion 3500 genny
M.I.L denied parole! Yeah!
|
Kf4mnc
Northern KY
New Member
Joined: 02/04/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
fordsooperdooty wrote:The ad you posted said it's sold? It was being sold for $20,995.00.
Anyway, good trailer from a great builder...and that $12,995.00 is a terrific price on a unit that is well loaded. It's a discontinued model for 2012.
It is right at the limit of what you are supposed to tow...but get a Reese Dual Cam sway control hitch and I think you'll be fine!
That's an example ad that had pictures. The one I found is exactly the same and the dealer offered $12,500.
I was worried about the limit, but I don't foresee loading it full of gear. We are more or less minamilists but want room to relax.
Thanks for the advice!
|
anaro
Cary, NC
Senior Member
Joined: 01/16/2011
View Profile
|
We have had our zinger for a little over a year now. We love it. It has been in the shop twice in the past year for warranty work. Both times it was covered and repaired without question... well the second time is still up for debate as we are waiting to get it back, but the part is on order and should be in by mon or tues for the dealer to install. Crossroads is good on customer service but sometimes owners have had problems with the dealers. In those cases, a call to Randy Mischler at crossroads got the problem solved. Crossroads has been known to bring the rigs back to the factory for repairs rather than have the dealers do it if it is a big repair. Crossroads has a 2 yr warranty which is better than many other brands out there (a few others also have the 2 yr warranty). We still love our Zinger and saw nothing at a recent RV show that would make us want to trade it in. Come on over to the Crossroads owners forum and find out what other owners have to say.
As to your tundra hauling it.... This will push your tundra's limits. Double check your payload and tongue weight ratings, will they be close? We started out w/ our Zinger having a GVWR of 7700 lbs (we are at 6700lbs loaded). It had a dry hitch weight of 810 lbs (this is really a lot heavier). We towed w/ an armada that had a tow capacity of 9100 lbs. Unfortunately, the zinger was over our payload and tongue weight ratings (found this out after purchase). We had a lot of trouble contolling the trailer even w/ a reese dual cam. There was a lot of tail wagging the dog and we even had trouble stopping the trailer coming down a 7% grade. Going up put a strain on the tranny but was able to do it. It was coming down that was the issue. Long story short, it is a great trailer for a great price but it might be too heavy for your TV.
2009 Ford F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT26BL
Reese Dual Cam
6 nights camped in 2012!
27 nights camped in 2011!
|
|
|
zackyboy3rs
Eastern North Carolina
Senior Member
Joined: 12/02/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Yes, check the payload. I had a 2010 Tundra TRD with the 5.7 and the payload was only 1300lbs. 700-750 was hitch and 575-600lbs were people and dogs. Once I put a few grills, cooler and bikes in the bed I was over in payload. That is the only complaint about the Tundra.
I now have a Chevy 2500hd. 3400lbs of payload.
2010 Jayco Select 29L
2009 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2500HD 6.0L, 3.73, Gas sipper
|
Kf4mnc
Northern KY
New Member
Joined: 02/04/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
So I have been running the numbers and you all are correct that the Tounge and payload will be close if not over. A lot really depends on the curb weight, so it might be time to hit the scales.
Vehicle Capacity is 1255. (GVWR is 6900, so curb weight is 5635. Does this seam correct?)
Dry weight (4664) + guesstimate of cargo and incorrect dry weight (~1500) is 6000.
Tounge weight at 12% of 6000 is 720.
That leaves 535 for passengers and cargo. Between my wife, myself and dog we are right at capacity. The only other cargo would be firewood, which would put me over.
Do my numbers and math sound correct? Any suggestions?
As an aside if someone was to tow at the max tt weight of 7800. That would only leave ~350 for cargo and passengers. Very few couples let alone families could do this.
|
jerem0621
SE Tennessee
Senior Member
Joined: 05/17/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
zackyboy3rs wrote:Yes, check the payload. I had a 2010 Tundra TRD with the 5.7 and the payload was only 1300lbs. 700-750 was hitch and 575-600lbs were people and dogs. Once I put a few grills, cooler and bikes in the bed I was over in payload. That is the only complaint about the Tundra.
I now have a Chevy 2500hd. 3400lbs of payload.
I agree...
This is why I am a strong supporter of loading the TRAILER.... and not the truck.. If you have a half ton IMHO the only thing you should have in your bed is very light stuff...for me, my Blue Tote-a-Long is the ONLY thing in my bed while towing.. Everything else is in the trailer... my grills, my boys bikes, camp chairs... everything is in the trailer.
For half ton towers, we have to be careful about payload.
Thanks!
Jerem
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
|
miniq
WV
New Member
Joined: 02/16/2012
View Profile
|
Hi, I can't advise you about the Tundra but we have a 2011 Zinger 25RK and we love it! Sadly, we have it listed for sale, given that we just bought a home (after a few years of full-timing in a 5th wheel and then downsized to the travel trailer) and won't be traveling or camping for a good while. We, too, loved the floor plan of the Zinger, it had all the amenities we needed and some nice additional perks (great tv & radio antennae, heat/ac run on electric or propane, functional kitchen, lots of storage, love the outdoor shower, and most importantly my hubby didn't have to duck anywhere inside the RV). The only minor issue we had was a poor seal in the commode with some water leaking - easily repaired and never had a problem again. If you find yourself still looking for one to purchase - we have one in northern va/wv - hardly used and for well under what we paid. Good luck in your decision.
|
