
02/21/2008 11:05 AM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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I have read some critical remarks about Forest River trailers and wanted to give my experience. This is my second season with this unit, and have had no major issues. The only problems have been cosmetic, fit and finish. I have taken my power driver and finishing screws and rienforced some of the wood work inside. This unit comes with a full bathroom, forced air heat, air conditioning, hot water heater,TV and DVD player, and full kitchen. It says it sleeps 6 but really will sleep 4 large adults or two adults and 4 kids. The underside is 11" I beams and is well built. For $13,700 this is a great deal unlees you are expecting a luxury coach, it sure is a big step up from a tent. It hauls around two 500 EFI touring quads and all our gear with my Silvarado 2500, total wieght of trailer and quads is around 7500 lbs.
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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02/21/2008 07:21 PM
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LittleBill
Pro Rider

Posts: 863
Joined: 05/19/2004
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damn 7500, crap i was hoping to pull something like that with a car, LOL guess i was dreaming
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02 Rancher ES 4x4 Warn 424 Unlocker Custom Winch Fuel Filter Addon Originally posted by: Dillpick351
does it even go by gears its a drivetrain
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02/26/2008 10:44 AM
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BruteForceButton
Range Rover

Posts: 107
Joined: 10/10/2007
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I sure would love a set up like that when doing quad camping, awesome.
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ATV'S and JEEPS Rock! 2007 Kawasaki Brute Force 650I 2006 Jeep Rubicon, locked & loaded
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02/26/2008 07:07 PM
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atomlinson
Trailblazer

Posts: 88
Joined: 03/29/2006
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Sweet looking camper! This is something similar to what I've been looking for. Does the camper have a slide out? Sweet looking Silverado, too.
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'03 Yamaha Grizzly 660 Member-Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV Club http://harlancountyridgerunners.googlepages.com
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02/26/2008 07:24 PM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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No, no pull out. It's not real big inside but suits my wife and i just fine, plus can take a few of the grandkids without problems. Here is a link to view the inside. Love the truck too, it pulls great.
pics
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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02/26/2008 07:30 PM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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Sorry link didn't work try this test
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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02/27/2008 12:31 PM
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sjbr549
Pro Rider

Posts: 523
Joined: 08/22/2007
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here's something like that fleetwood evolution
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95' polaris 400L 2x4 no name version
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04/07/2008 02:44 PM
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1M800
Trailblazer

Posts: 25
Joined: 03/29/2008
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I just bought one of these last weekend. I pick it up Saturday. We can't wait to use it this summer. Hopefully my 1/2 ton Ram will pull it OK.
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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites
2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition
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04/07/2008 04:01 PM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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I think your 1/2 ton should do fine. Only area you might have a problem is rear sag when the quads are loaded. There is quite a bit of wieght on the hitch so be sure and use a few links on the WD bars. Worse case you may need helper springs or bags to level the ride. Enjoy!
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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04/07/2008 04:16 PM
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1M800
Trailblazer

Posts: 25
Joined: 03/29/2008
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Originally posted by: reno82
I think your 1/2 ton should do fine. Only area you might have a problem is rear sag when the quads are loaded. There is quite a bit of wieght on the hitch so be sure and use a few links on the WD bars. Worse case you may need helper springs or bags to level the ride. Enjoy!
Thanks. I was thinking I might have to do the bags if it sags too much. If we ever get any decent weather I will be able to try it.
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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites 2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition
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04/07/2008 04:57 PM
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DSengineer
Pro Rider

Posts: 1265
Joined: 01/30/2004
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My biggest concern wth this type of setup is the amount of tongue weight once you load your quads up. Any idea what your tongue weight is fully loaded???
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04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Stage II with some other goodies. 04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Lectron 46HV, ported intake, end cap, 15T CS, RWR 60% springs.
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04/07/2008 05:17 PM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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I have been meaning to check this out but have not wieghed it yet. My quads together wiegh almost 1600 lbs. Hooked up to my 2500 I use the third link on my WD bars and the rear of the truck which sits a little higher than the front drops down to level. The whole unit rides level with no sag. I can tell you there is no tail wag, the extra wieght up front makes for a steady pull. I've had it in 50 mph winds crossing the mountains with no sway so that's kinda nice. I also make sure all my cargo is loaded behind the trailer wheels to add some balence, and if it was an issue I could fill the 50 gal fresh water tank which is behind the rear wheels to take some wieght off the front.
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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04/07/2008 05:27 PM
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DSengineer
Pro Rider

Posts: 1265
Joined: 01/30/2004
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I'm sure with your 3/4 ton your probably OK despite the heavy tongue weight I know these thngs must have. My concern is with the 1/2 ton crowd buying these things thinking they are a light weight alternative to a traditional toy hauler setup. THe manufacturers and salesmen of these things are simply pulling the whool over their eyes.
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04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Stage II with some other goodies. 04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Lectron 46HV, ported intake, end cap, 15T CS, RWR 60% springs.
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04/14/2008 11:13 PM
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ericgiroux69
Weekend Warrior

Posts: 16
Joined: 04/14/2008
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its a chevy/gm i hope it pulls good LOL im a big chevy/gm fan p.s nice trailer i might get me one
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04/15/2008 12:08 AM
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22Hornet
Trailblazer

Posts: 31
Joined: 11/06/2003
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I've seen pics of these but really don't understand the design of putting all that weight up front. I'm sure there is a good reason I just haven't figured it out yet.
I have a 23' 5th wheel and considered trading it for a unit with a garage or just adding a hitch to the back of the 5th wheel and then pulling the utility trailer behind it.
Anyone go this route?
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- 97 F250 4x4 460 K&N Air
- 2003 Ozark - Mods: ITP Mud Lites, Mile Marker Winch
- 2006 Ozark (for the wife) No Mods
- 2006 Honda Metropolitan 75MPG
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04/15/2008 09:45 AM
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DODGE57HEMI
Pro Rider

Posts: 542
Joined: 01/11/2008
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Most 1/2 ton trucks nowadays won't have any problem towing this size of trailer. You want to keep the max weight rating {gvwr} under 8000lbs and you will be just fine. I would recommend useing a weight distributing hitch thoe as It will make the trailer pull better and the truck ride better as well!
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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R 04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600
PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!
MOPAR FOREVER Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!
Edited: 05/01/2008 at 06:05 PM by DODGE57HEMI
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04/15/2008 10:09 AM
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1M800
Trailblazer

Posts: 25
Joined: 03/29/2008
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Originally posted by: DODGE57HEMI
Most 1/2 ton truch nowadays wont have any problem towing this size of trailer. You want to keep the max weight rating {gvwr} under 800lbs and you will be just fine. I would recommend useing a weight distributing hitch thoe as It will make the trailer pull better and the truck ride better as well!
I just towed mine home on sunday (empty). No problems with my 2003 Ram 1500 Quad cab 4.7. (This is with a programmer, dual exhaust and a K&N cold air intake, but it also has 35" tires with 3.91 gears. This has virtually no tongue weight empty. I had to be careful taking off from stops not to spin the tires. but it still pulled great. I don't see any problems pulling it with 2 sportsmans on it. This was my first trailer with brakes. (That is definately nice) We can't wait for the snow to melt in MN so we can actually go camping!
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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites 2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition
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04/15/2008 03:34 PM
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DODGE57HEMI
Pro Rider

Posts: 542
Joined: 01/11/2008
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Your 4.7 shouldent have any troubles w/ this kinda trailer until you start pulling realy steep passes like the one we have in here in CO. Personally I am waiting till 2010 for the new 5.6 Cummins V8 in a half ton truck, then I'll need to change my user name to CUMMINS56DODGE lol.
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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R 04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600
PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!!
MOPAR FOREVER Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!
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04/15/2008 03:54 PM
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1M800
Trailblazer

Posts: 25
Joined: 03/29/2008
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Yeah I have taken it to colorado pulling a smaller trailer and it had to really work to get up some of those mountains. But I know that my next truck won't be a diesel! With diesel prices what they are and the horsepower that they are getting out of the 2009 Hemi I would stay with a gas. Several of my buddies have diesels, some dodges and some fords and for the extra cost of the truck and the fuel, you can drive the gas truck for a long time before you ever see any benefits of the increased fuel mileage. Just my 2 cents.
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2005 Sportsman 700 EFI Dale Earnhardt Jr edition 26" Mud Lites
2002 Sportsman 500 H.O. Remington Edition
Edited: 04/15/2008 at 03:56 PM by 1M800
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04/15/2008 04:01 PM
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reno82
Range Rover

Posts: 141
Joined: 02/07/2008
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If you don't like having the quads transported where you're going to sleep, you need to have them up front like mine, or go to a longer trailer with garage.
I don't need more trailer, it's just my wife and me and sometimes a couple grandkids. Having the wieght over the front, if your truck can handle it, is WAY better than having it in the rear. I have pulled mine through the mountians in 50 + mph winds with no trailer sway, you won't do that with a longer trailer and lighter tounge wieght. I have several thousand miles with this unit and love the way it pulls.
As far as going a 5th wheel and utility trailer, that would be a PITA for me. The only other option I would chose is an aluminum flat bed truck to hold the quads and pull a trailer behind. With that set up you could leave the trailer and still haul the quads to the staging area. Before you go pulling two trailers I would sure give it a try, backing up is crazy, you almost have to unhook one before backing. Fueling is even more fun, plan on using only truck stops. JMHO
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2-2008 500 EFI touring jeep wrangler rock crawler 2008 Silvarado 3/4 ton 30 ft toy hauler too much fun....not enough time
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04/15/2008 04:04 PM
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DODGE57HEMI
Pro Rider

Posts: 542
Joined: 01/11/2008
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When it comes to towing esp if you do it allot you will never go wrong w/ a diesel truck. In CO 92% of 3/4 truck sales are diesel becuse of the types of roads that we have here. If you keep your truck more than 8 years it will pay for itself, this is why I want one that and the fact no gas engine will match the torque of a diesel at low RPM.
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08 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R 04 POLARIS SPORTSMAN 600 PLEASE DON'T BE THE ONE THAT RUIN'S IT FOR THE REST OF US!!!!!!!! MOPAR FOREVER Move-Over-People-Are-Raceing!!!!!
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