Don't have a Cat-house, yet........

But I've been getting pretty exited about the new 2010 25rl. See if you think I'm thinking straight about this.

Background, tow vehicle is a 2007 newstyle 3/4 ton dmax-Allison crewcab so I've got that covered. We live in western Nebraska so CO., WY., and SD is where most of our trips occur. Our trips are usually weekend or long weekend camping trips at the lakes or mountains. DW, 12 1/2 lb. Pekinese and myself and sometimes 1 or 2 grandkids. Usually 1 or 2 longer week to 10 day vacation trips with no grandkids!
Our Current 5th, is a brand xxxxx lightweight we bought new in 2000 and will have had for 10 years next season. I've added a rear reciever hitch I pull either our 16 ft. boat (local within 100 miles) or a single axle ATV trailer. I also flipped the axles on it when we got our current pickup. It has served us well and we've really enjoyed it, but its time to upgrade!

Due to the way we use a 5th, I really want to stay < 30 ft overall and and the 25rl looks to me to be a great fit. High carrying capacity, available 16" wheels and tires, 10" frame, and factory 2" reciever make this trailer standout compared to offerings from other companies. One thing I do wish it had was a little larger kitchen area as lack of counter top area has been one the biggest issues with our current trailer.

So,,,I'd really appreciate feedback from you. Does my thought process sound reasonable? Or do you think I need to look at a bigger 5th, possibly a rear kitchen model and add my own reciever on it for double towing?
Sorry for the long first post. Randy

Sujade to the forum. The factory 2" receiver I would have it check real good and make sure it will hold up for the boat. I had a factory hitch that had to be beef up in order to support the two Honda generators I put on the back of the camper.
I sure you will have lots of fun in the new Cat with g-kids. Lots of great information available on the forum and just ask any question.

Welcome Sujada!!

Your logic is sound, but your tow vehicle can handle more than a 25RL. There are MANY forum members here with the 29rlbs and they all absolutely love it!! Adding that extra four feet of living space will make a huge difference. Or, if you like extra storage and counter space, check out the 28rkbs. There are quite a few of us who prefer rear kitchens and we all swear by ours too!! If you want to go ultra-plush, the new 31ts is the Cat's meow...pardon the pun.

Whatever you do, I'm looking forward to having a fellow Nebraskan to swap notes with. GO HUSKERS!!

TC

Just wanted to say Welcome to the group. We are glad you are here. Right at this moment I am sitting in our 28RKBS watching the sun rise through the trees. It's 60 degrees outside and the coffee is hot. It doesn't get any better than this.

John

Thanks for the welcome's!
We're still early in the process, planning on upgrading in the spring and being ready for a full season next year. I've really enjoyed reading the forum, especially the mods everybody's done. Certainly some talented people on here and upgrades that I'll have to do.

Keep the opinions coming, we're not locked into any particular model until we sign on the dotted line.

to the forum, Sujada. When we started looking at 5th wheels in 2006, we almost bought a 24rl - we wanted something small. When we saw the 29rlbs, we realized how much better it would be.... and it was 29ft 8in - we didn't want to go over 30 ft. It's just the two of us (no pets), and we're very happy with it.

If the 25rl is more than what you have now, you'll probably be happy with it. But, if it is less or is missing something you've gotten used to with your current set-up, then I'd recommend going to something bigger.

We tow our 29rlbs with an F250 and have had no problems - not even in mountains. Your Duramax should do about as well as our F250.

Welcome to the forum.

I double tow all the time. I'd forget about the factory receiver option and have one fabricated after you take delivery. With my 31QBH and truck, I'm at 51ft. When I add my jetski trailer to the mix, I'm up around 66-67'. I'd get what you want and wouldn't settle for the smaller trailers. I'm allowed up to 70' in NV. WY (85'), SD (75'), CO (70') and NE (65').

jetskier wrote:and NE (65').

Guess that means you could never come to Nebraska for a visit unless you left your toys at home.

I'm saving for another ATV to take when prospecting. My youngest totaled the last one, and nearly totaled himself in the process. I've been looking at this trailer to haul my ATV on when the time comes.

http://www.smarttrailers.com/Toy_Hauler/

I'm with Jetskier, have a receiver fabricated to your specs...then get what you want!!

TC

Here's another option for a swivel tow trailer:

Idahotote

$$$$ but it appears to be very well built and has a ton of available options (at more $$$) including 15" tires, shocks, lockout for the swivels and a tongue to pull it behind your pickup to get to the trailheads after you have camp setup.

I know I could handle a larger 5th with my pickup, but I get out in some pretty tight areas camping, once we had to slide the hitch's back to have enough clearance over the water bars to get back where we were going. Also limited storage behind the house backing off the alley.

Checking prices online it isn't a whole lot more to go up to a 28 rear kitchen and I'm looking at those options now also. Probably won't make a purchase til spring unless I run into something I can't turn down, just exploring all the options. Another question I didn't see on any of the websites, can the wildcats be ordered with an onboard generator installed (gas) or at least gen prepped?

Sujada wrote:Another question I didn't see on any of the websites, can the wildcats be ordered with an onboard generator installed (gas) or at least gen prepped?

On the west coast models, I was able to order a 5500W Onan Propane generator for about $2995. That's everything (genset, frame mod, exhaust, gas plumbing, controls & auto transfer switch). I'm not sure if the east coast factory is offering a generator. Keep in mind this was in 2006 when I ordered my unit. I can run about 8-10 hours on one 30#, 7.5 gallon tank of propane w/ the AC and other stuff running.

You should at least consider a couple of Honda eu2000i gennies. When connected together, gives you around 4000 watts which means you can run AC + other things. I can run all day on 5 gals of gas. And, you can store them either in the truck, or in the basement. Two with the cables will run about $2000.00.

Oh yeah, one more thing about portable gennies to consider...they can be used for other things. They don't have to be dedicated to RV only.

TC

I was lazy. Just push and hold start for 3-5 seconds. No companion cables or anything to mess with.

jetskier wrote:I was lazy. Just push and hold start for 3-5 seconds. No companion cables or anything to mess with.

LAZY, LAZY, LAZY!!!

TC

jetskier wrote:I was lazy. Just push and hold start for 3-5 seconds. No companion cables or anything to mess with.

Me too!!! Of coarse I had to build mine on to the back of the cat. One thing I have noticed lately is that the exhaust seems to infiltrate the cat on humid mornings, so I need to extend the exhaust pipe out past the gennie.

I've currently got a Champion 3500 watt. Works OK if you don't take it over 10,000 ft, then I wasn't able to run the microwave with it. Surprised me because I didn't have any problems running AC or microwave with it here about 3800ft. I have it twice to Taylor Park, CO and neither time was I able to run the microwave and didn't even try the AC since I was running the furnace anyway . The first year I had it padlocked to a tree and using a 30 amp extension cord and I blamed the extra length for too much voltage drop, but this year I was plugged in directly and I could still tell the microwave wasn't working properly so I gave up on it.

2 Honda 2k's are sure a possibility and offer lots of options for other use's beside just needing one to charge battery's, run the furnace, etc. I was hoping to get an onboard with a fueling station and get rid of the gas cans.