Should I step up to a longer TT with a slide?

[Vermont_Darren]

Tough decisions to make.

We have a wonderful 23' 2011 Dutchmen Sport we bought used in 2019, gutted, and remodeled the interior wonderfully. It's been our getaway escape pod for three years now. It's only drawback: The bed is sideways so my SO has to climb over me to get out. No room to turn it.

So we're looking now at a replacement. Currently looking at a new 2022 Alpine Trail 30' (2880RKS) with the bed properly oriented, kitchen in the back, and more room.

Three issues keeping us from pulling the trigger:
1) Quality. We've heard so many horror stories about the quality of post-covid workmanship, the shortage of repair parts, and the difficulties with Dutchmen warrantee issues.
2) The Slide. We've never had one before, and we're scared to death of buying a lemon or having issues with it. It's a underside screw-style slide mechanism. The day-to-day maintenance to ensure it works smoothly seems daunting, too.
3) Tow capacity. We have a 1500 Silverado with a tow package that has no trouble pulling the 3,900 GVW of our Sport, but pulling an extra ton may be a bad idea.

We picked this model since it will require us to do the least possible to customize the interior to our standards - putting in a porcelain toilet and sink, replacing the dinette with a work desk (we hate dinettes), upgrading the bed and pantry shelving.

So should we or shouldn't we? All viewpoints are valid and welcome!

[Totemcamp]

Originally Posted by Vermont_Darren

Tough decisions to make.

We have a wonderful 23' 2011 Dutchmen Sport we bought used in 2019, gutted, and remodeled the interior wonderfully. It's been our getaway escape pod for three years now. It's only drawback: The bed is sideways so my SO has to climb over me to get out. No room to turn it.

So we're looking now at a replacement. Currently looking at a new 2022 Alpine Trail 30' (2880RKS) with the bed properly oriented, kitchen in the back, and more room.

Three issues keeping us from pulling the trigger:
1) Quality. We've heard so many horror stories about the quality of post-covid workmanship, the shortage of repair parts, and the difficulties with Dutchmen warrantee issues.
2) The Slide. We've never had one before, and we're scared to death of buying a lemon or having issues with it. It's a underside screw-style slide mechanism. The day-to-day maintenance to ensure it works smoothly seems daunting, too.
3) Tow capacity. We have a 1500 Silverado with a tow package that has no trouble pulling the 3,900 GVW of our Sport, but pulling an extra ton may be a bad idea.

We picked this model since it will require us to do the least possible to customize the interior to our standards - putting in a porcelain toilet and sink, replacing the dinette with a work desk (we hate dinettes), upgrading the bed and pantry shelving.

So should we or shouldn't we? All viewpoints are valid and welcome!

I was using my 1500 Ram 5.7 to pull our 9700 lb TT. I PUT air springs to stiffen it up a little. They are are very reasonable and helped the tongue weight. You shouldn’t have any problem

[Mudfrog]

I've read about quality issues in newer RVs but I haven't ever looked to see for myself.

On weight of the new 2880RKS,, the spec sheet shows 6741 lbs to be the approximate dry weight. Cargo capacity is an additional 2059 lbs. A total of 8800 lbs. You may not ever bring the weight up to that max but if ya did, that's almost a 2 ton difference from the 3900 lb trailer you have now.

My Dad n law has a 30 footer that he tows every once in a while. I've ridden with him and can safely say that I would not want that combination. The equalization hitch and anti sway arms did not seem to help that much. Imo, too much trailer for his 1/2 ton GMC.

The slide mechanism on the Alpine is probably different from the one on our 20 year old Itasca. The 2 screw drives on it have never been touched and we've never had an issue with the slide.

[carybosse]

What are the specs on your truck?

Payload? Tow capacity?

[Jay D.]

we tow a 27" that weighs appr. 6500# ready to camp, full water. our 2012 1500 crew cab, gas, pulls it very easily. i wouldn't trade my 13"slide- out for anything.
Jay D.

[Marine359]

Recommend you check the payload rating on the sticker inside the driver side door of the Silverado. Tongue weight should be your biggest concern. For planning multiply the trailer’s GVWR by 12%, then add another 100# for the hitch to that number to approximate how much of your payload will be used by the trailer. Subtract this number from the payload on the door of the Silverado, and you’re left with the remaining cargo carry capacity of the truck, which will be consumed by passengers and gear. Many 1/2 tons have modest payloads under 1,500#. So, they really are challenged to tow a travel trailer with a GVWR exceeding 6,000#. Don’t trust or believe any salesman if they tell you a trailer is 1/2 ton towable. Work the numbers yourself to stay safe. There are many trailers the style of bed you want in 23ft and over length, a couple of feet longer if no slide.

[MCCOHENS]

On a purely qualitative analysis yes you will notice a ton or more more of weight and 5 feet more length. Going up and down hills, in crosswinds it may not be fun. Time to look up the numbers on your truck and trailer and see what percentage of max tow and payload you currently have.
On slides never had them and have no interest in having one. Our 19 ERD has a north south bed, so maybe finding other different options would be a good winter project.

[carybosse]

I pulled the specs on the trailer now that I am on a computer and not my phone. I think for a half ton truck, my truck is pretty well spec'd with 1900 pounds payload and 9900 pounds tow capacity. My 263BHXL was the max I would consider for my truck.

Your trailer is almost 1,000 pounds heavier on dry weight, has a carrying capacity higher than my TT, so the GVWR is about 8800 pounds compared to my 7700 pounds.

Using the 12% of GVWR at 1,056 plus 100 pounds for a WD hitch, you are at 1156 pounds off your payload before you load up people/cargo in the truck. My 1900 pounds payload is pretty good for a half ton truck, you may be in trouble on yours.

Will let others talk about the length concerns, but you are 1 1/2 feet longer than my tow combo.

NOTE: When a GM truck comes with the tow package, that may mean simply it has a 2" receiver, wiring for the 4/7 pin trailer connection, and MAYBE, an integrated trailer brake controller. The max towing package is a different option.

[Dave Pelletier]

Short answer; I think you're making a mistake with that combo and that's more trailer than I'd tow with a half ton. Your current trailer is a good match for your truck.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by Marine359

Recommend you check the payload rating on the sticker inside the driver side door of the Silverado. Tongue weight should be your biggest concern. For planning multiply the trailer’s GVWR by 12%, then add another 100# for the hitch to that number to approximate how much of your payload will be used by the trailer. Subtract this number from the payload on the door of the Silverado, and you’re left with the remaining cargo carry capacity of the truck, which will be consumed by passengers and gear. Many 1/2 tons have modest payloads under 1,500#. So, they really are challenged to tow a travel trailer with a GVWR exceeding 6,000#. Don’t trust or believe any salesman if they tell you a trailer is 1/2 ton towable. Work the numbers yourself to stay safe. There are many trailers the style of bed you want in 23ft and over length, a couple of feet longer if no slide.

Well said, as usual. 👍

[B RAD]

You say you gutted and rebuilt your camper so if you are ready for some more work I suggest you convert your side ways bed to a couple of twins. We did this 2 years ago and are very happy, It helps if you or your wife are on the shorter side. both of my twins are 5’ 3” long but mine has a pull up extension that gives me 6’. Her side was limited by the fridge and mine required removing the seat in the dinette area which I replace with a standard camping chair. Just fold up the chair and flip up the bunk extension.

[THeGAME]

Ive got smacked down a few time because I dont like slides.
The reasons are more parts that can go bad, heating, and upkeep.


For me, my TT is a way to get out of the weather when it goes bad, and a convenient toilet and shower. Everything else I do is going to be outside. So I have no need for a slide, or a large TT for that matter.


My advice is to find one within your towing capacity with ease. Research, research, research! on the web for owner suggestions and build problems. Then go and look at the trailer you are interested in and take a walk through. Open every drawer, closet, stand in the shower stall. Look at the brands of the appliances. Look and feel the roof and the under carriage. Have them demonstrate the slides, and look and listen how they are working. Keep and eye on the tilt, spit on the rails and frame to see how they work with moister when going in and out. Feel for wind coming in around the seals. Do not buy just because of the brand. Make sure everything works correctly BEFORE you leave the lot. Once you pick your TT, put a scratch or a crayon mark somewhere so they dont bait and switch you.


After purchase, make sure you clean the top of the slide every time you extend it before you retract and dont use a slide topper unless its factory. You may have to use some sort of lube on the slide to keep the seals working. Do not use slide jacks to support the bottom unless factory installed..

[Marine359]

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

Short answer; I think you're making a mistake with that combo and that's more trailer than I'd tow with a half ton. Your current trailer is a good match for your truck.

Spot on again Dave!

[JIMNLIN]

Originally Posted by carybosse

What are the specs on your truck?

Payload? Tow capacity?

Too many folks lump all 1/2 ton trucks in the same gvwr/rawr category.

The OP says his 1500 chevy has a tow package. If its the NHT 6.2 v8 420hp/460 torge with up rated gvwr/rawr package it will make a good combo.

If the OP 1500 chevy is a std version with the 2.7 or 5.3 lower rated standard duty gvwr/rawr truck then its gonna' struggle in high head winds and hilly country.

Like bosse says we need the trucks specs ( year model gvwr/rawr/engine/tranny particulars) to make a educated opinion .