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Hi from a wannabe Sportsmen 19BH owner!

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8:36 am
December 23, 2011


rajdude

Member

posts 15

A big hello to everyone here!

In our quest to upgrade from tenting and wife’s dislike of public toilets we decided we want a TT. We looked around and finally settled for the 19BH. Just big enough for 4 of us and still light enough so that our vehicle can tow it – a Mercedes R320 CDI Diesel. [more on this TV later] Wife loves the floor plan… the fact that we don’t have to setup any beds is a big plus. The bunk beds are perfect for our two young boys; 4 and 6. We used to have a VW Eurovan with a pop up top [LOVED it] but the lack of a restroom meant we ended up doing very little camping in it.

We live in Virginia, DC’s suburbs. Our usual trips are going to Florida / Disney. I guess a TT would make life easier on the usual overnight stop en-route.


I have a few questions and I did get some answers while reading other threads. Maybe someone can enlighten me further?


1. How many times can you flush the toilet before you need to dump?

I see in other threads that the holding tank [same size in all Sportsmen models?] is good for around 2-3 days. But those comments are from people who usually have two people in the TT. We would have 2 adults + 2 kids.

2. Where can I find a used 19BH?

I have looked on Craigslist, local RV dealers and RV listing websites. I don’t usually find any 19BH models there. There are one or two 2011 or 2010 model showing up in the online listings but they want so close to the usual selling price of brand new models that I think….why bother?

3. Has anyone actually weighed a 19BH? Actual tongue weight?

I am worried about the weight limit on my TV – 3500lbs and 350lbs tongue weight limit. No WD allowed. The dry weight listed on KZ’s website and the sticker on the local dealers’s 19BH is around 2800. I guess we can travel with the freshwater tank only half full. Add some clothes and other stuff…I am thinking total around 3200#. Is that a no no?

4. What kind of mileage hit do you take while towing?

My Mercedes R320 usually gives over 25mpg on the highway. It is a Diesel. We love Diesels…power and fuel economy.  Best of both worlds J  216 HP; 398 ft lb torque. Notice the torque….Great for pulling!


Thanks for any inputs. Laugh

9:25 pm
December 27, 2011


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

Post edited 4:27 am – December 28, 2011 by Mike Magee


I think your turbodiesel will have enough torque to do the job nicely, but your tongue weight could very easily exceed 350 lbs. once you add propane (in front), fresh water and cargo.  If I were you I would find a dealer and get them to weigh an actual 19BH tongue with a battery and LP tank on it.  Then look at where the fresh water tank is located, and ponder whether you can load most of your heavier items midship or in the rear.  If you can satisfy yourself about the tongue weight being ok, then I would say you'll be all right.  don't those 320s have the 3L 6 cylinder diesel?  Those things are also put into the Sprinter vans and they will tow about 5K lbs with the right tranny, hitch, and suspension.

There haven't been enough 19BH's sold yet (only about 3 model years?) to make used ones plentiful… I think you would be very fortunate to find any.  But the new ones are pretty affordable anyway.

I get about 12 mpg towing my 14RB, and the frontal area is the same as the 19BH… wind resistance is the biggest factor… so I would tend to think your diesel would get 13 or 14 mpg.

2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

7:30 am
December 28, 2011


rajdude

Member

posts 15

Thanks for Replying , kayaknut and Mike.

I am not worried at all about the capability of the engine and transmission. The same engine and tranny combo is installed on the big GL320 SUV and that is rated to tow 7500 lbs. I may want to look at increasing the size of the transmission oil cooler, though.

The problem is the hitch. MB does not offer a factory option for my 2007 model. On 2011 onwards models they do. So my hitch is an after market hitch. I talked to the manufacturer [Reese] and they say that we are limited by the connection points on the frame… otherwise they would rate it for higher capacity.

Yes, I think the sprinter also has the same engine – the 3L v6 Diesel.


I too was thinking about the same thing…weighing a 19BH full. I talked to a local KZ dealer about weighing a 19BH…he was happy to do that……..but he is supposed to call me back once he has a 19BH is stock. I also talked about relocating the LP tank and battery. He was saying it should be do-able.


The water tank………….hmmm….I am not sure where that is located. I guess since the toilet is at the back…they must have located the tanks there? Or maybe kept them around the axle somewhere.

Can a 19BH owner look at the bottom of their trailer and let me know please? [not sure if the 19BH has a finished/closed up bottom]


I talked to people towing stuff with their R class Mercedes. I did find a guy in UK who gets 17-18 mpg  on his R320 Diesel while towing his 3000 lbs travel trailer. However it seems to me that his TT is more aerodynamic than the 19BH. Here is that thread :

http://www.benzworld.org/forum…..eir-r.html


2:07 pm
December 28, 2011


rajdude

Member

posts 15

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks, but I respectfully disagree with one thing. IMHO I will not be exceeding the limits of my vehicle’s frame. The 19BH’s GVWR – Gross weight [dry plus my stuff] is not supposed to exceed 3500lbs. My Mercedes R320 is rated for 3500lbs in USA. The exact same vehicle is rated for 5500lbs in Europe. I suspect the regulations are the issue not the mechanicals.

Another example I can give is …my 2003 VW Eurovan MV Weekender. It was rated for 2000lbs unbraked trailer weight and 5500lbs braked! And that was on a 1 ¼" ball mount! Can it do it???….we would say NO way! But apparently the European regulations say yes.


The incident you mention seems to me a classic case of a trailer brake controller not working or not adjusted properly. OR, maybe that trailer did not have brakes. A trailer with a less than 3000lbs GVWR is not really required to have brakes in most states.



kayaknut said:

Remember to include passengers and cargo (inside your tow vehicle) into your total weight.  While moving a couple items may take weight off your hitch, its still weight.  Clothing, food and supplies for four people adds up in a hurry, even if you do run with holding tanks empty. 


Your engine may be used in other vehicles with a higher tow rating, but they have frames and suspensions to make up for it.  Unfortunately, it sounds like your vehicle's frame is not designed for what you want to do with it. 


I personally know some folks who pushed the tow limits of their vehicle in this manner…  On their very first outting, and coming up to their very first stop light, even at a reasonable speed and use of a brake control –  Their entire rig was PUSHED through the intersection.  By some miracle, they weren't hit by any of the cross traffic, and didn't plow into anyone.  One can only imagine what the outcome would have been had they hit other cars, had been going faster, or what would happen in the event of an emergency need to stop.  Multiply the "what ifs" had the road been wet or icy….  Worse yet, what if this had happened with children in the vehicles?  So they were VERY fortunate, and learned a very hard lesson.  They kept their new camper, but promptly traded in their van for an appropriate tow vehicle.


It is critically important to remain within SAFE limits of your vehicle's towing capabilities.  Fudging this or that here and there just isn't worth putting yourselves or others at risk.


Best of luck.


2:32 pm
December 28, 2011


reeljuals

Orange Park, FL

Member

posts 43

rajdude said:


The water tank………….hmmm….I am not sure where that is located. I guess since the toilet is at the back…they must have located the tanks there? Or maybe kept them around the axle somewhere.

Can a 19BH owner look at the bottom of their trailer and let me know please? [not sure if the 19BH has a finished/closed up bottom]


The fresh water tank is located beneath the bottom bunk bed. 



2012 Sportsment Classic 19BH w/U-Shaped Dinette

8:32 am
December 29, 2011


rajdude

Member

posts 15

Post edited 3:33 pm – December 29, 2011 by rajdude


Thanks for the info. This is very helpful. What this means to me that as I add fresh water to the tank the tongue weight will actually get LIGHTER! This is what I want to achieve anyway.


Sweet.Cool


reeljuals said:

The fresh water tank is located beneath the bottom bunk bed. 

8:23 pm
January 1, 2012


mbanda

ARKANSAS

Member

posts 121

Hey Julie.

Don't know about you but we never see them there rare Mercedes vehicles in Arkansas! 

I also wanted to see if you think I should trade my TV in for a more powerful model. I only have a full size SUV & I see that these have more HP & torque  –  http://tinyurl.com/89gjh7c
 –  What do you think?  Smile

7:29 pm
January 4, 2012


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

I will just state that I have the 16BH that I tow with a 4.6L  V8 F150 Super Crew.  As a previous poster stated, it doesn't matter whether you are towing a 19BH or a 14RB – they have the same frontal area.  That's going to increase the drag dramatically and suck up power and also gas.

I live in an area that is relatively flat but have towed through the low hills of the southeast.  Even with the overdrive turned off, I have to be careful on some of the inclines that I don't rev up too high.  I haven't red lined, but I have gotten well over 4000 RPM.  Yes, the truck can handle it, but it suffers especially in the gas mileage.

Oh and the 16BH weighs less than the 19BH.

2010 16BH towed by 2002 F-150 Super Crew 4.6L V8

7:39 pm
January 11, 2012


Mike Magee

near Tulsa OK

Member

posts 204

Post edited 5:41 am – February 4, 2012 by smilinjohn


Rajdude, I doubt that anyone here has experience with AmeriLite or Sunset trailers.  My local KZ dealer also handled AmeriLites and I looked at them.  The dealer seemed to feel they were of equivalent quality, and it looked so to my untrained eye.  The only quibble I had was that, on my 14RB floorplan, the arm of the awning went right over a jalousie window and prevented the window from being opened unless the awning were deployed.  Otherwise it looked fine, and I agree that holding tank size can be important for boondocking.  Traveling alone, my fresh tank only lasted me about 3 days, so I'm thinking of carrying a couple of collapsible containers full of water in the tub.

Good luck with your shopping.

2008 Toyota Highlander – 2011 Escape E14RB

11:16 am
January 12, 2012


lotaluck

North East Ohio

Member

posts 11

Rajdude,

Dont bail out on this fourm yet. I noticed you have not posted recently. I too am new and have read allmost all post here already. Great info and most people are very friendly from what I can see. Lets hope it gets more active though.

2012 19BH with u shaped dinet- 2006 GMC Envoy 4×4. n"If you dont buy a machine today, you will have ultimatly paid for one and not have it. " Henry Ford

3:36 pm
January 13, 2012


reeljuals

Orange Park, FL

Member

posts 43

Post edited 2:21 am – January 14, 2012 by reeljuals


In support of rajdude, I did not misconstrue his remarks as being unpleasant or a refusal to accept advice.  In fact, I thought he submitted an excellent, fact driven reply on Dec 29th. 

I've been a member of this forum about four months.  For the most part, the information shared by members has been very helpful.  And for that I am most appreciative.  However, it is a bit disappointing when posters feel the need to proselytize and beat a dead horse in their posts.  Please keep in mind, just because some of us are new to Rving, we are also adults with critical thinking skills and capable of making sound decisions whether in agreement or not with the advice rendered by posters of all levels of experience.  

2012 Sportsment Classic 19BH w/U-Shaped Dinette

9:17 am
January 17, 2012


rajdude

Member

posts 15

Post edited 4:21 pm – January 17, 2012 by rajdude


Thanks for your supportive response, Mike. I was actually afraid to click on the e-mails I was getting from the forum [telling me that someone had posted something on this thread]. I was suspecting it was more of the same…Cry and by reading it I would end up ruining my weekend J HA HA.  So I did not click on it until today…………and I am rather glad that I never saw more of those posts [have been deleted]……..maybe the poster has had a change of heart.


And no….I won't hold it against others here. I  have plenty of experience with onliine forums…….and I have learnt that 1. usually take advice with a grain of salt since YMMV….and….. 2. stay away from a thread if it gets nasty. Just unsubscribe from notifications and be done with it.


Mike Magee said:

Rajdude, I for one do not feel that you have in any way responded "like a spoiled child."  I feel badly that the thread took such a turn and hope you won't hold it against the other forum members.

I doubt that anyone here has experience with AmeriLite or Sunset trailers.  My local KZ dealer also handled AmeriLites and I looked at them.  The dealer seemed to feel they were of equivalent quality, and it looked so to my untrained eye.  The only quibble I had was that, on my 14RB floorplan, the arm of the awning went right over a jalousie window and prevented the window from being opened unless the awning were deployed.  Otherwise it looked fine, and I agree that holding tank size can be important for boondocking.  Traveling alone, my fresh tank only lasted me about 3 days, so I'm thinking of carrying a couple of collapsible containers full of water in the tub.

Good luck with your shopping.


9:33 am
January 17, 2012


rajdude

Member

posts 15

Well, I did actually bail out [for a bit]. Wink

I did notice something as an overall theme of things here and also on other RV forums online elsewhere……people with big trucks/SUVs feel others with smaller trucks/vans are doing something wrong [by towing a TT with them] I guess this is a case of "my XYZ is bigger than yours" mentality. Cool

However, what I don’t understand is……why a manufacture would make small travel trailers and tout them to owners of smaller SUVs when in reality you need a big honking SUV to do the job!

Frankly, if I had a full size SUV or a big pickup truck why would I wanna look at these small Travel trailers……..I would rather get a big travel trailer with a slide or two and travel in style. Why would I want to ‘get by’ with so many limitations….space….gross weight…..tongue weight…….. no sink in the bathroom…… etc etc.

Isn’t the whole point of these smaller TTs is to be able to use your existing vehicle…be it be choice or inability to upgrade?

Hey, I really don’t want a full size SUV or a big pickup truck as a daily driver. I really don’t want or can't afford to keep a third vehicle just to tow a TT three times a year. For that….I would rather get a used motorhome! [more on this thought later]

lotaluck said:

Rajdude,

Dont bail out on this fourm yet. I noticed you have not posted recently. I too am new and have read allmost all post here already. Great info and most people are very friendly from what I can see. Lets hope it gets more active though.


10:06 am
January 17, 2012


rajdude

Member

posts 15

Update from my side:

We have been doing a lot of research over this whole weight limitation and vehicle capacity issue. I have called lots of dealers locally and no one is able to give me a straight answer. No one is able to actually weigh the tongue weight on a KZ 19BH TT. One actually did weigh a similar TT from another brand and sure enough…….even the dry weight was about 90lbs higher than what was in the brochure. He had not even put the battery and the 2 LP tanks!

Looking at other threads…..it seems to me this is the norm in RVing……..manufacturers just simply lie or use the fine print to print out rather optimistic weights [especially tongue weights] in their brochures and make people believe that they can tow with small vehicles.


Also, a new development happened over the last weekend. We visited a RV show locally [Washington DC Camping RV Expo]. I took the whole family there. After looking at the stuff there we had a change of opinion on RVs. I think we would rather want to go with a motorhome instead of a travel trailer.

Towing a small travel trailer with our existing vehicle is a compromise on a lot of fronts.

We feel that a motorhome would serve us better. We would be able to utilize the travel time as ‘play time’ with our kids……a time which we always run short of. There is a lot more space in a motorhome than the smallish TTs we have been looking at anyway. The water tanks are much larger too – a very important thing for my wife.

Sure, the gas mileage will suck big time….but then again the difference is not that huge…. 8-9 with a small motorhome towing a toad or 12-13 for a SUV towing a TT. Wife says that it is worth it considering the fact that [in just a few more years] the kids probably won’t want to spend any time with us at all. Make most of what we have now!

Purchase cost probably will increase but a 19BH is already costing $8000 [and possibly will have more depreciation] at least whereas I see used motorhomes listings starting for around $10-15000 [At that price they probably need some work; which I am not afraid of……I repair all my cars and motorcycles myself anyway]

So my friends, I bid adieu to you all. Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts and experiences here with me. I hope to see some of you on the road someday.

Over and out!

-Raj

6:45 am
January 18, 2012


Mike & Diana

Lake Corpus Christi Texas

Member

posts 93

What a turn around? Went full circle. Didn't want a gas junkie large truck / SUV, or a third TV to going after a motor home….pulling a "toad". Sounds like an experienced motor coach master. Went from loving the KZ to bashing them.

Stuck around long enough to stir up some $%#! then move onto get some kicks at another site.

Should always be cautious about newcomers that have a lot to say, long emails, asking for advice but really fishing for something to start an argument about, long,  negative replies and appear to back it up with a lot of presumed facts.

I've seen this many, many, times. People in these forums are soooo quick to assume that everyone who comes in do so with good intentions.

When things quickly go down hill for no apparent reason it's better not to choose sides. Just let go away and 9 out 0f 10 times they'll just fade away to another site. 

11:42 am
January 18, 2012


kayaknut

Member

posts 376

I couldn't agree more….  Be careful on here!


I had the misfortune of recently receiving PMs, as well as off forum e-mails, that were quite unpleasant.  I don't know how my personal e-mail was accessed, as I've never posted my address publicly.  But the e-mails I received contained foul language, name calling, and gender bashing.  Subject matter and member user names all related directly to the forum, but I don't know if it was the result of a trouble maker(s), or if the comments were genuine.  Either way, it was upsetting. 


I've been a contributing member of this forum for a couple of years.  (Its the only forum I have ever joined or participated in.)  I never experienced any trouble on here until now.  This has always been a great resource for KZ classic fans and future consumers. 


As a result of the recent unpleasantness I encountered, I pulled as much of my own content and information as I could from the forum.  I only post this as a heads up….(at this point, I guess it can't get any worse!)


Sadly, a trouble maker (or trouble makers), can really ruin a good thing for everyone else.


8:53 am
January 21, 2012


pfidahospud

Post Falls, Idaho

Member

posts 107

kayaknut-

So glad to see you "back"!  I got a little concerned when you'd removed your past posts and feared you had left the forum.  I'm glad to see I was wrong.

Regarding 'rajdude', all I could see when looking at his name was 'rude'.  I really do appreciate everyone that contributes positively to the forum.  Hopefully we can now continue HELPFUL suggestions for those that are looking forward to a fun-filled camping season Smile

Stephen

Tow-er: 2010 RAV4 3.5L 269 hp V6 with Tow Pkg ~ Tow-ee: 2011 Sportsmen Classic 14RB ~ Director: The wife

11:28 pm
February 3, 2012


smilinjohn

Minnesota Prairie

Moderator

posts 380

Kayaknut, other members and moderators:

I edited / deleted several posts to tidy-up and streamline this thread, also the effort attempted to keep responses germain to the topic.  If I have angered anyone, send me a PM, so we might further discuss your objection.

SmileJohn, Moderator

2010 Sportsmen Classic 14RK; 2005 Ford F-150, 5.4L V8; "…..it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance." Charles Darwin