[kstandri2018]

GMC Canyon with the Duramax diesel. I got it for towing a travel trailer but I have never done this before and need some help. Here is my list of possibilities. Do any of you have any experience with these?

Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser 19CSK

Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19CSK

Coachman Freedom Express 192RBS

StarCraft Launch Outfitter 21FBS

Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106FBS

Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E19FBS

Forest River No Boundaries 19.5

StarCraft Autumn Ridge Outfitter 20FBS

Palomino Solaire 205SS

 

[scarfile]

GMC Canyon with the Duramax diesel. I got it for towing a travel trailer but I have never done this before and need some help. Here is my list of possibilities. Do any of you have any experience with these?

Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser 19CSK

Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19CSK

Coachman Freedom Express 192RBS

StarCraft Launch Outfitter 21FBS

Winnebago Micro Minnie 2106FBS

Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro E19FBS

Forest River No Boundaries 19.5

StarCraft Autumn Ridge Outfitter 20FBS

Palomino Solaire 205SS

no but I tow a 17' Forest River Salem Lite (4000lbs dry) in the Md, Pa area which is hilly not mountainous but I don't even know it's back there. These trucks are built for towing and have built in sway reduction which senses trailer sway and applies both truck and trailer brakes to the tires that will stop it.

 

[scarfile]

Trekker eaz lift is what I researched and recommend for easy hitch/unhitching. No chains to screw with.

 

[kstandri2018]

Trekker eaz lift is what I researched and recommend for easy hitch/unhitching. No chains to screw with.

Thanks. I will look into it.

 

[FlynJRacer]

If you're patient. I will have experience with the Micro Minnie Winnie in about a month. Different model, but same size and weight. We are renting one to see how the truck does prior to purchasing. I will have a pretty good ida of the trucks ability too as I will be towing on some difficult grades during the 5 day trip. I will also be utilizing the Equalizer weight distribution hitch.

 

[DurmaxPowderHound]

My travel trailer is a Forest River R-Pod 171, which I may get up to about 3,200 pounds with a full tank of fresh water and a compliment of gear. I'm often going into the Cascades up some pretty steep mountain passes. The Colorado has no issues with my load. I have a WDH and sway control for my setup, which I originally purchased since my previous tow vehicle was a crossover SUV. The Colorado can get by without either, but I still like to use both for long hauls because I stay super stable when there's strong winds out.

So long as you keep the total trailer weight below about 6,500 pounds, you shouldn't have any issue with most mountain passes of a 6-8% grade. Depending on how much gear you want to carry, I suggest going for a trailer with a dry weight below 5,000 pounds. I've also found that while it's good to get a travel trailer that suits your needs well, don't overdo it by one that's too big, expensive, heavy, etc.

 

[kstandri2018]

Thanks. I will look into it.

I am not buying until next year. Just trying to narrow down what works that I like.

 

[kstandri2018]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions so far as this will be my first travel trailer. A long time ago I drove 5 ton trucks and pulled communications vans in the military but the biggest thing I have towed since then was a 13 foot enclosed trailer that I used to carry my toys with me on vacation. I plan to rent one this summer to see if I am up to this. I think it will be a great adventure to travel this way to see the lower 48 after my retirement.

 

[Peppy]

I pull a 2004 Keystone Outback that weighs ~6000. Its 26ft long and I haven't had any issues on a dozen camping trips.
It pulls good. I have anti sway bars and feel comfortable driving 70-75 on the highway.

 

[FlynJRacer]

I am not buying until next year. Just trying to narrow down what works that I like.

We may buy this summer and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Micro Mini Wini 2106FBS. If the rental goes well. I'd say it's a given. Probably going to add all of the options too. Especially the off-road kit. We looked at one last year that didn't have the lift. The plumbing, in my opinion was quite close to the ground.

 

[kstandri2018]

There is a large rv show in Tampa every January. I went to that this year to narrow my choices. I found i liked the ones with a couch better than the ones with a booth configuration. All my choices have couches.

 

[FlynJRacer]

There is a large rv show in Tampa every January. I went to that this year to narrow my choices. I found i liked the ones with a couch better than the ones with a booth configuration. All my choices have couches.

Same here on the couch. The dinette option on the MiniWini seems a little small with the overhead space cramped. We looked at some 22' Rockwood's that have a Murphy Bed and the Dinette. Not a bad option, but there is always a tradeoff and after settling on two different RV's in the past that weren't really what we wanted, I'm not doing that this time. The Rockwood's started out in the 4k+ lb range empty. I refuse to be over 6k lbs total trailer weight for this truck. I know it will "do" it just fine, but I have enough experience to know "doing it" and doing it with me in the pull vehicle are two different items all together. I have scared myself. So, I have learned to have limitations. The Rockwood provided lots of living space, but the bathrooms were cramped. . . tradeoffs. If you're RVPark camping it's probably perfect. If you're dry camping and need to actually use the bathroom and fill the tanks, then it would be challenging.

I have DuraMaxTuner ordered. It will probably be ready to install next week. I was planning this test tow in stock format. Torn on whether to go ahead and install and then tow, or tow stock. I'm lifted on 285/65's so it's not really stock anymore and I waited for warranty to mostly be gone and the truck paid for. Just in case something expensive goes wrong.

 

[kstandri2018]

I have no current plans to do a tune on the truck. Like you I don't believe in maxing out on my tow rating. I was always taught to back off at least 1000 lbs to not put too much stress on the truck. If you look at my list most of them have a Gross Veichle Weight of 4500-5000 lbs. It will be.just me on these trips for now.