2022 Forest River TT Wildwood 27RK

[PirateShip]

New member, prospective FR buyer here, hope I’m on the right forum to ask. Wife and I are going to buy a New TT, have looked at many floor plans and dealerships but now considering the Wildwood 27RK (7200 GVWR) because of the rear kitchen design.

Looking for owners with same model to hear if they have any pros/cons with the unit, warranty, etc. that might be useful and what type vehicle you tow with it.

We have a new 2021 Chevy Silverado 4x4 Z71/LTZ 4-door crew cab that has 11,500 max towing capacity.

Any comments welcome on this or similar brands with rear kitchen.

[carybosse]

I am towing a Forest River 263BHXL with a 2020 Silverado, 5.3LV8, max towing of 9800 pounds, max payload of 1924.

Your GCWR is probably 16,800. (Mine is only 15,000.) I also believe you must have the max towing package to have that max tow rating, and the 3.42 differential.

Your payload may be slightly more than mine, but I suspect it is similar, since your truck probably has a few bells & whistles that subtract from the payload. The 27RK dry hitch weight is 270 pounds more than my trailer, at 955 pounds versus my dry hitch weight of 682 pounds.

I have never weighed my hitch weight, but I suspect it is pushing 800-850 pounds. If you add a similar 120-170 pounds to your dry weight, you are going to be at a hitch weight close to 1100 pounds. Not sure the max tow package allows for a tongue weight that high. Definitely will need a weight distributing hitch, at another 100 pounds. So, assuming roughly a 2000 pound payload, that leaves 800 pounds for all the occupants and cargo in the truck.

Others are also going to point out your trailer length is too long for your truck - as is mine. However, your trailer over 1 1/2 feet longer than mine.

My trailer is the most I would consider towing. Anything longer/heavier should really have a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

FYI, I also notice that 27RK is almost a foot taller than my trailer as well, from a headwind and crosswind consideration.

[CamperLifer]

I have a rear kitchen and would not get another rear kitchen model because of tail weight. Everything must be loaded into the front of the camper for ballast to keep the tail from wagging (sway) and have enough tongue weight.

[PirateShip]

Thanks to both responses. We are re-evaluating the floor plan as I was looking at pros and cons also of rear kitchens having weight issues with all appliances back there especially when you add pots and pans, food, etc. We’ve also nailed down the weight range to tow with using a formula to calculate both tow vehicle and trailer.

Just have to rank our top 3 that fits closest to our needs around cost, floor plans, weight and warranty support which the latter in itself can be a nightmare. We like some models that are in a Texas dealership with great prices and only a few in our home state, but we’ll get there and find one.

[Wiscampsin1]

Forest River Owner Group (FROG) Forum has a section for Wildwood camper. Might be a good place to ask questions. Link:

https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f30/