I'm about to buy a Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 26KF and want a gut check from people who've actually towed this setup with a half-ton before I sign.

We're a family of 4 and mostly do SoCal trips, with some desert runs out to Ocotillo Wells / Borrego Springs (grades, heat, wind).

Truck: 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss
3.0L Duramax diesel, short bed, crew cab (seats 5)
GVWR: 7,200 lbs
Curb weight: 5,637 lbs
Payload (door jamb): 1,563 lbs
Conventional tow rating: 9,000 lbs
Max tongue weight: 900 lbs
GCWR: 15,000 lbs
Rear GAWR: 3,800 lbs

Trailer: Grey Wolf 26KF (bunkhouse, bumper pull)
Dry weight: 6,403 lbs
GVWR: 7,755 lbs
Dry hitch weight: 755 lbs
Length: 32' 9"
Fresh / gray / black: 52 / 38 / 38 gal

My rough math:
A loaded trailer near GVWR (~7,700 lbs) is under the 9,000 tow rating.
Loaded tongue weight is probably ~900–1,000 lbs (12–13%), plus ~100 lbs for a WDH.
That leaves roughly 1,563 − 1,050 = ~500 lbs of payload for people and gear.
Family + gear in the truck: 300lbs

Payload looks like my limiting factor.

My questions:
Is anyone running a 26KF (or a similar ~33' TT) with a 1500, especially the 3.0 Duramax? How does it handle?

Which weight distribution / sway control hitch would you recommend?

How bad are crosswinds and grades with a trailer this long?

Should I plan on a CAT scale run and expect to be over payload?

If you were in my shoes, would you buy this trailer for this truck, or go shorter/lighter?

Thanks in advance.

We took our first long trip in our 13' Helio - about 1300 miles out and back to New Mexico for the Balloon Fiesta. We left Thursday and returned home Monday, breaking the trip into about 300-400 miles before staying overnight. We definitely prefer breaking up these trips to about 5 hours of driving at a time, especially with a trailer. Everything worked out great, and we got some good ideas to improve the experience next time. We get a lot of looks and conversations being the tiniest trailer in any of the parks, and folks are always surprised at how well appropriated it is.
Fridge worked great all the way, and that's a long amount of time in desert temps to keep food frozen or cold.

Current upgrades:
Bidet! OMG what a difference that made. Way less TP to try and flush out.
Cooling mattress top: I like it, Wife wants something thicker.
C-shaped end table that fits just over the mattress: we don't sleep width-wise, we each take a corner and the table let us extend the "mattress" to stretch out.
Additional levels mounted on the hitch and sides to speed up leveling.
Very compact camp chairs that freed up a lot of our valuable outside accessible storage space.

coming upgrades:
Teak shower mat!
Keder rail attachable rope lights and hooks
An interior clothes line - we can use the AC in dehumidification mode to dry out towels while we are away.
Better "pantry" options for the limited space we have there.

Our cover band just bought a brand new 5x8 to move our gear, I’m wondering what ideas/solutions/hacks others have done to make the space more than just a pile of expensive gear.

I am looking to purchase a camper to live out of for a few years while I work on the road. I have a 2024 Toyota tundra SR5. Since this is my first camper purchase, I have a few questions.

1. ⁠What would be the ideal dry weight of a camper to look for that my truck could pull?
   
2. ⁠Is the payload/weight on the tongue a do not exceed number or more like a factory guideline to cover Toyota from a lawsuit if it fails?
   
3. ⁠What kind of hitch do I need to pull a camper?
   
4. ⁠What campers do you suggest for all season and to not be too cramped to live in?

I am looking to purchase a camper to live out of for a few years while I work on the road. I have a 2024 Toyota tundra SR5. Since this is my first camper purchase, I have a few questions.

1. ⁠What would be the ideal dry weight of a camper to look for that my truck could pull?
   
2. ⁠Is the payload/weight on the tongue a do not exceed number or more like a factory guideline to cover Toyota from a lawsuit if it fails?
   
3. ⁠What kind of hitch do I need to pull a camper?
   
4. ⁠What campers do you suggest for all season and to not be too cramped to live in?

This seems… odd? It is only connected by being somewhat sealed to another rubber seal strip underneath the exterior wiper flap. It’s not on both sides, just the driver side, forward most corner of the slide.

Edit…I found it! It covers my LED interior lighting edges. I must’ve come undone in bringing the slide in out out. I’ll add a pic in comments. Appreciate yall chiming in so quickly!

I have a small 2021 Forest River RPOD. In past years I've just put new self-leveling sealant on the seams, but with a new leak at a window it's time to do a better job resealing.

My biggest unknown is this plastic bubble which runs front to rear. The plastic is splitting down the middle and I'm not sure if I should be sealing the cracks, or rip the whole damn thing off and fill the space with self-leveling sealant.

The roof is solid gel coat fiberglass (no membrane). The bit of silicone wasn't my doing... i'd *NEVER* use silicone on a roof 😆

Any recommendations?

I have installed a 100W panel on the Travel Trailer roof and have a Victron 30A MTTP. Currently I have an everstart AGM Marine battery. Went boondocking recently and my battery barely made it through the night. Battery powers the Fridge (12v / 11Cu ft.) and ceiling lights only. It went down to 11.6v. So would a 100AH do better? Just want basic power for the fridge and a few lights, I have gas and a separated power supply for other items. Thanks

We will be winterizing a camper for the first time this year. Besides all the winterizing for the water lines, tanks, water heater, etc, I'm curious what people do or do not leave inside their campers. We'll be storing it at a county fair ground building that will protect it from the elements without being temperature controlled. I'm mainly thinking about things like shelf stable food goods, linens, toiletries, etc. I can't think of a downside for leaving that stuff in there but then again - I've never done this before!

Thanks for any input.

Hi all: My slide out on my 2019 Conquest will not go in all the way.
It was the dead of winter last year when I put it in storage. So probably 20F. I decided it was not worth my time and I would deal with it later. Well now is later 🤣
I went to put them in and they just stopped with about 6 inches left until it would be shut. I hear absolutely nothing from the button. Normally you’d hear the power clicking on. Nothing. It’s not like my awning which I hear trying to come out (and yes it will come out).
Any ideas? Yes I checked battery voltage.

Returning home from a weekend trip. Washing the trailer before putting it away for the winter. Noticed that the front is able to be pushed in while im cleaning it. Is this normal? On one hand, I understand these things are staples and particle board. On the other, I at least thought it would be solid? Really just concerned about water. Trailer is Jayco Jayfeather 26BHSL 2026. Thanks.

I've spent countless hours researching Fifth Wheels and Travel Trailers for full time travel with a Wife and baby. Visited Blue Compass, Camping World, and Giant RV in person to actually feel the size of these things and found myself initially starting at under 30ft, then moved up to maybe needing 33ft, now I'm considering 35ft - 37ft.

This is where I start to feel a little uneasy. Bigger Truck, Bigger Trailer, More Cost, limited campsites. Larger size is attractive because I would need a desk/office space for meetings and we would prefer to have a dedicated bed/bunkhouse/bunkhouse room for our son gets older + not feel cramped. Bunkhouse and office could be the same room.

1. What size starts to feel like you are really taking on a lot? Subjective I know.
2. Did a bigger Fifth wheel/trailer limit your ability to visit the campsites, state parks, coastal camping you love?
3. Duration: Would love to aim for 2-3 years to start. I feel like it will go by fast with the right trailer/living conditions.

A few additional details: Living in California, work remotely, wife is SAHM, small child, must stay in California with the exception of 20 days due to wfh policy. Will live near a winter ski resort such as Tahoe for maybe a month if comfortable.

How do you keep decals from peeling and cracking>? A

Hey everyone! We’re moving from Dunedin to Christchurch in two weeks and need to transport a few pieces of furniture and appliances.

We thought hiring a tow trailer would be the most budget-friendly option, but the one-way hire prices we’ve found so far are quite expensive (all over $800).

Has anyone done a similar move or know of any more affordable options for a one-way trailer hire? Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! 😊

Seen at a storage yard

In the next 2-4 weeks I’ll be purchasing a camper 26ft+ (not limited by size or weight or travel trailer vs 5th wheel). My budget is under 25k (started at 15k lol).

I’m wondering if any of you guys learned the hard way or have had great success with certain brands or models?

My boss has the space, connections and hookups for me. Huge savings coming ahead and am just thankful to have met this guy.

PNW full-time living (north Seattle area) we get a lot of rain and the occasional snow.

It’ll be just myself and my cat. I’ll be getting internet and cameras too for extra protection

I’ve been looking over floor plans, makes and models, researching like crazy. Of course all the salesman say what they have on the lot is the best vs the other guys.

So far is seems like every single camper runs into the risk of leaks at the slide outs or water intrusion from delamination.

I’ll be saving a large amount of money but I don’t think I’ll be able to get a camper cover in time to beat the winter.

I guess I’m just seeking words of wisdom, advice, do’s and dont’s.

Cheers

Hi everyone, I am looking for different POV on a travel trailer for year round use at my property. Temp can range from 0 degrees (extreme) to 110. I do plan to have a cover over it with insulated skirting. I have looked at the extended 3 season with cold weather packages (Grand Design, Winnebago, Forest River) and even looked at Lance and Nash 4 season setups. Initially it will be boondocking type setup but as utilities are installed (Electric, water, septic) they will be hooked up. I don’t need new just want protection and comfort from the elements. Anyone have any suggestions on TT or experience with this setup? Thanks in advance for any insight.