Which Model Should I Get?

[GILSDEAD]

Hi, all! I'm new to RVing and this forum and am trying to decide which of three different Fleetwood towables I should buy (hitch, not 5th wheel). The choices are, in order of my preference, the '05 Resort EXT 25QB, '05 Prowler 220RB and '05 Wilderness 240BHD. All are pre-owned and my preferences are based on what I see on the photos and discriptions, not personal experience, so I would welcome any advice from the members with experience to help me decide which to purchase. I intend to use the trailer 6-12 times a year, for weekend get-a-ways (not retired, yet) and maybe one or two week-long trips. I have a 4WD Chevy Express conversion van as my tow vehicle. Thanks!

[TXiceman]

GILSDEAD, welcome to iRV2. Hope you find the site helpful.

First palce I would start is to weigh your van loaded with normal cargo and passenger and a full tank of gasoline. Conversion vans tend to be HEAVY and not leave you with much payload capacity.

Next find in the owners manual, the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) for you specific engne and axle ratio. This is the maximum your loaded van and trailer can weigh combined. Now find the GVWR located on the door jamb sticker. This is the most weight you can palce on the vans two axles.

With this information you can find the maximum weights you can work with and be within the manufacturers rating fro your van.

GCWR - Loaded Van = Max loaded trailer weight.

GVWR - loaded Van = Max loaded trialer tongue or hitch weight.

You should not exceed either rating number.

DO NOT pay any attention to the vans "tow rating" as it is number based on a a base model van, no options, no accessories or passengers beyond a 150# driver.

Visit Ken Lenger's site HERE. A good discussion on towing terms and weights. He has a spreas sheet to help work through the numbers at the bottom of the page.

Have fun now,
Ken

[Paul R. Haller]

I wouldn't even consider a Fleetwood trailer. Fleetwood is now out of the towable market and they are not as well built as some of the lesser known manufacturers. Jayco, Arctic fox, are a couple that come to mind that are good value for the price point and are well built. I have owned 2 designer series Jaycos and they, in my opinion, are very good trailers and the company will go way out of their way to keep you satisfied with their commitment to service. I now own a Fleetwood luxury 5er and wish now that I had purchased a better built trailer. Live and learn.
-Paul R. Haller-