Highland Ridge Open Range LT312BHS experience

[sbh]

Has anyone had personal experience owning a Highland Ridge Open Range LT312BHS? We have a truck that can tow 10,700 max so this is why we are particularly interested in this model because we won't have to buy a new truck. We have kids and want a bunkhouse, and the space in this model is wonderful. We currently have a 2016 Forest River Wildwood bunkhouse model so feel that pretty much anything will be an upgrade. We are looking to purchase a new 2020 or 2021 model with the theater seating and dinette and NOT the U-shaped lounge. If anyone has any personal experience as to the quality and comfort of traveling in this model, I would greatly appreciate it! I know quality won't be superb because it is a light model, but if you've had any specific issues, I would really appreciate hearing about them. Thank you!

[tuffr2]

The specs tell me this trailer is 37' long. Actually 36'11".

Also the 10,700lb tow rating on your truck tells me it is just a little half ton truck.

If you are going to keep it on back roads (max speed 45 mph) and camp at the local state parks then you are ok.

If you want to take it on the highway then heck no. That is way too much trailer for a 150/1500 series truck. They make big trucks for big trailers.

[tuffr2]

Here is a tow vehicle wheelbase to trailer length chart. This tell you what length of trailer you can safely take on the highway.

[sbh]

Thank you. I have never heard anything about why the wheelbase is important to towing. We’ve always paid close attention to payload and towing capacity. Can you explain why the wheelbase is important to help me understand? I appreciate your response!

[tuffr2]

I towed a 26.5' 4,500lb non areodynamic travel trailer with 2006 Honda Ridgeline with a wheelbase of 122". I towed the Ridgeline for 3 years and was perfectly fine at slower speeds. I was camping at 3 local state parks. All travel was on back roads between 35 mph and 45mph.

Then my in-laws want us to camp with them in the next state over. I had to take the highway. I was using a Drawtite WD hitch. It tied the truck and trailer together very well. At about 55mph I could feel the tail wagging the dog. But 55 mph was too slow so I had to travel at 65 - 67 mph in the right lane. At that speed it was a real white knuckle drive. The speed limit was 70 mph. Anyway every semi truck that that passed would 1st suck my rig to the left (kinda into them) then as it passed would push me to the right (kinda off the road). I was really not suprised by the Ridgelines inability to control the trailer on the highway at 67 mph.

I traded the Ridgeline on a new 2011 F-150 with a V8 engine and 147" wheelbase. The F-150 was also 800 lbs heavier. Anyway the F-150 towing this same trailer with the same set-up gets a 'A+'. No sway, no affect from semis that I passed because I could now tow at 72mph easy. Even 74 mph. No more white knuckle and actually a very comfortable towing experience.

So was it the added 25" of wheelbase or the extra 800 lbs of weight on the F-150? I think both but mostly the added wheelbase.

Oh, I knew the F-150 would be a lot better tow vehicle than the Honda Ridgeline.

Tow rating - the most bogus number when it comes to towing a travel trailer. Payload and rear axle ratings are important but tow rating is for a flat bed trailer with rebar on it. Something that does not catch all the wind. A travel trailer is like towing a box.
It is easier to tow a 7,000 lb boat than a 7,000 lb travel trailer. Look at the way they are shaped.

If you look at trucks as they get bigger the wheelbase is always longer. Probably has to do with physics. Can I explain it - not really.

They make trucks in a lot of different sizes. From a Honda Ridgeline to a dually truck.

In half ton trucks the very best at towing is the Nissan Titan XD whick has a stretched wheelbase and F-150 with the HDPP option which has a wheelbase of 163".

A 37' travel trailer is big. Big flat sides, big flat back, and maybe a slightly areodynamic front. So it is basically a box.
It will not be easy to tow.