Community Forums

UPJack · 02-23-2021, 01:32 PM

I have been planning/researching RVs for about a year. I started out looking for an inexpensive toy hauler and soon realized I would be camping alone as my wife would prefer staying in hotels ( not high end but family type). So I moved up to better units like Momentum, work and play, and Adrenaline. Then as I went through 40-50 different Brands and manufacturers I purchased a couple Buyers guides and got on several blog /sites I began questioning how where and what i would be using it for. It comes down to occasionally hauling the Harley or a side by side, but mostly traveling to see national parks and visiting grandchildren out west. So I have decided on a half-ton fifth wheel with a hitch for double hooking maybe 5-10 %. I have Identified 3 that we believe would work for us, Reflection 260RD, Durango 259RLD, and Cougar 24RDS. I can pull them with my F150 5Ltr 373 gears and 1848 payload capacity locally for a year before upgrading to a 3/4 ton truck before heading out of the Michigan area.What I would like to hear from you are opinions or comparisons of these three units ,and what you think of my process and choices. Also do any of you know a reputable reflection 150 dealer that might have one that I could step inside as the 260RD seems to be hard to find and I would like to avoid General RV because I personally know 3 people who have had very bad experiences there. I plan to order one to have delivery this summer to prepare for next year's Nationwide adventure! What do you Think!!!

MSHappyCampers · 02-23-2021, 01:41 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined us!

I'm a motorhome guy so can't help with that!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

IBDAGRIZ · 02-23-2021, 03:05 PM

Keep in mind any "pin weight" numbers you see are more than likely inaccurate and figure 20-25% of GVWR for your pin weight. An 1800 capacity is barely enough for a 9000lb TT. Anything grossing at 10k will put about 2200 - 2500 in the bed of the truck.

Griz

wildcatter · 02-23-2021, 06:57 PM

You do not have enough truck to pull those 5th wheels. The max pin weight will be to much for that ccc.

cfowler55 · 02-23-2021, 07:50 PM

I have a friend with the 260RD and they love it. Had have a couple of minor issues / adjustments while under warranty and nothing since. My concern , other than truck capability, is whether any of these units have the frame integrity to allow double towing.
Charlie

Mr_D · 02-23-2021, 08:04 PM

Lots of states don't allow double towing and their laws prevail, not your home state laws.

pddgm · 02-23-2021, 08:32 PM

Look up triple towing, as most state refer to it as that. Most all states on the east and west coast do not permit it. Several have length limits, braking, etc. Personally I would just go ahead and trade trucks and get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton..Then you can find the trailer you want and maybe a toy hauler that would work for you..

UPJack · 02-24-2021, 09:29 AM

How would you determine that? if the Mfgr puts it on there at the factory and has a quality rating that all three of these have should it not be good for the 300/3000 rating they put on it?

UPJack · 02-24-2021, 09:33 AM

Thanks every one for your input I may have to rethink this

Cumminsfan · 02-24-2021, 10:40 AM

Best thing to do to save money is buy a 1 ton truck and get the trailer you want now vs having to lose your arse in a year or so when you try and trade in or sell the 260RD.

Dieselguy4 · 02-24-2021, 10:56 AM

Your F150 5Ltr 373 gears and 1848 payload capacity will be over rear GAWR quick. That pin weight will probably be closer to 2000 lbs plus you will need a 5th wheel hitch that is 200 to 300 lbs. I know this from experience. I believed the pin weight on my 5th wheel when I bought it. I went from a SRW 1 ton to a DRW one ton due to maxing out my rear GAWR. Buy the truck you need and get a camper you want. 1/2 ton trucks have very little capability to tow a fifth wheel safely. People will say they do it but it will be a scary ride. Camping is about a fun journey. I set the cruise at 70 MPH and enjoy the ride.

260RD specs
UVW 7306 lbs
Hitch Weight 1325 lbs
GVWR 9995 lbs
Length 29'9"
Height 12'

Tightwadted · 02-24-2021, 09:15 PM

Will agree with other responders; I have a KZ Durango 1500 295 - supposedly 1/2 ton. advertised pin weight 1437 but when fully loaded with water, basement junk, etc scales at 1875. (and I try not to put heavy stuff in the basement) we like the build quality of our durango, and have taken it a lot of places, but I would not enjoy pulling it with a 1/2 ton pickup. JMHO

UPJack · 02-26-2021, 03:58 PM

OK so it appears everyone seems to think I need a bigger truck and I am convinced,but now after surching out reviews on all three (KZ Durango 259 RLD, Grand Design 260 RD, and Keystone Cougar 24 RDS) it appears they are all junk and the warranty and service stinks on all of them . Maybe I should give up and buy a new retirement recliner? after researching for hours and hours reading Guides, brochures, and spec sheets it is dis heartening to see so many dismal reviews?

Cumminsfan · 02-26-2021, 06:08 PM

Assuming this is your 1st RV purchase.
Yes you can read reviews about bad ones all day long.
OT a little, but I'm nearing the end of a complete kitchen remodel. We ordered a lot of stuff online as most stores around us don't have showrooms with the items we want. Almost every item we ordered had good and bad reviews. When it came to our faucet, not one faucet out there had large amounts of 5* ratings. They all had various amounts of ratings.
Point being every RV will have some problems of which will be simple or hard to fix.
Many times people find fault with something that is not the fault of the product.
Like complaining about the box the faucet got shipped in so they give it 3 stars.

Same with RV's. People will complain about the sofa's falling apart in the Grand Design or Cougar trailer and blame GD or keystone. Neither of which made the sofa.

You need to wade through the complaints and see if they're manufacture build complaints or complaints about a product that all the manufacture did was install it.

I read rants from owners of RV's complaining about all kinds of stuff that if they'd done a thorough walk thru or actually tried out everything in the RV before buying they wouldn't have much to complain about.

Sadly though there's not one brand out there that builds all their RV's problem free.