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Another newbe to the club

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6:18 pm
November 3, 2010


Ken O.

Member

posts 39

Hi All, 

I'm Ken O. from Centennial, ColoradoI just registered today and don't have my Sportsmen Classic yet.  I am planning on purchasing a 19SB.  Everything sounds very positive about the Sportsmen Classic that I have read on the Forum as well as the Internet.

I just purchased a 2009 Kia Sedonia with a V6 engine.  It is rated to tow 3500 lbs.  My plan is to put an E.H. on it with sway bars.  Will also be adding a transmission oil cooler.  The type of use we will be giving it is lots of travel.  We have family in Minn., Mass. & NY and most always spend a few weeks in southern N.M. in Feb or March as well so you can see we are not hurting for places to travel.

My question for you is — do you have anything to add or comment on what I have outlined here?  I am not new to RVing but have always had a truck as a tow vehicle and have always had a TT or 5th wheel in tow.  This world of smaller TT's and TV's is new to me and I want to know all I can before make the purchase.

Thanks very much for your help and am looking forward to a great experience with the club and on the Forum.Confused

Spree Escape E19SB – 2009 Kia Sedona 6 cyl. – WD Hitch – Anti sway Control – Electric Brakes

7:37 am
November 4, 2010


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

I can't personally speak to the Sedona as a TV, but I think you will be happy with the TT.  Welcome to the forum!

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

12:30 am
November 7, 2010


smilinjohn

Minnesota Prairie

Moderator

posts 380

Welcome, Ken!

SmileJohn

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

9:23 pm
January 9, 2011


doug577

NE Ohio

Member

posts 12

Starting to plan a trip out to the Denver area sometime this Spring/Summer – might have to pick your brain about campgrounds in the area.

3:17 am
January 10, 2011


kayaknut

Member

posts 376

Post edited 3:20 am – January 14, 2012 by kayaknut



6:04 am
January 10, 2011


bratgirl53

Member

posts 31

I agree with Julie.  We did the same thing.  We puchased the 19SB with a V6 tow vehicle with a towing capacity of 3500.  I don't regret the purchase at all because I like having the separate bed and dinnette area.  And the extra storage.  And I did feel a bit claustrophobic in the smaller campers BUT towing the 19SB is no fun.  That is the most stressful part of the whole trip.  We took it two states away on flat land and it was okay.  But when we go on even the smallest of hills, we lose our ummph.  Several times we ended up back in 1st gear just to get up the hill.   I have family in Colorado and have already told them that there is no way we are bringing the camper there – until we get a V8.  So just like Julie, our plan was to get a V8 eventually but we are seeing now that it is going to have to be more sooner than later if we really want to go travelling around the country.  But as mentioned earlier – if you want a small, lightweight travel trailer – these are the way to go.

8:25 pm
January 10, 2011


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

I will concur, even with a smaller V8, we definitely feel the hills with my 16BH.  I would definitely rethink your options – especially with the max weight equaling the max towing weight of your TV.  And how are you on gross weight – will you be exceeding it with people and stuff in addition to the trailer?

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

1:35 pm
September 19, 2012


Ken O.

Member

posts 39

CoolHi Again,  I thought everyone would find this interesting in hindsight.  I started this topic way back in Nov of 2010.   I recently sold my SB19 to my son and his wife.  Not because I didn't like the camper, but because of health.  Many folks replied to my posting at the time with regard to my pulling the SB19 with that vehicle.  The configuration of the outfit was a WDH & Swaybar.  The TV was a 2009 KIA with a V6 engine.  I tried and tried to have a transmission oil cooler added to the TV but never was able to locate one.  That was my major concern. 

SurprisedNow, since almost two years have past since the first post I'd like to tell you the result of this TV & TT combination.  Our first use of the outfit was a simple overnight at a local campground just to get the feel of things.  After making some adjustments as a result of the ovenight stay we were on our way.  We stared out from here in Centennial, Colorado.  We traveled to Rochester, NY.  That leg of the trip went fine without any mishaps.  Biggest problem was the gas mileage which ran about 11MPG.  I really didn't expect much better than that but I was hoping.   From Rochester we traveled to Pittsfield, MA. for another family visit.  From there we traveled to Minneapolis, MN for another family visit.  From there we returned to Colorado.  The total trip was in the area of 4,600 miles and was trouble free.  We encountered some hills in the Berkshire Hills in Mass. but nothing huge.

WinkAfter resting for a week or two we loaded up again and headed for some real tests.  We went south on I-25 to southern Colorado and then west toward the Rocky Mtns.  The first test was La Veta Pass.   The pass is 9,642 feet.  I drove very cautiously up the Pass, watching the temp constantly.  We went over the Pass without a problem and the TV shifted down into 2nd range most of the way.  I made no attempt to push it, made a stop at the summit to cool although it never overheated.  We continued west and finally came to Wolf Creek Pass.  This was going to be a real test I imagined.  It was a much longer pull and the summit was 10,850 feet although the TV never overheated or showed any signs of problems.  From there to Mesa Verda Nat'l Monument was a breeze.  Our return trip was over the same route and still with no problems.  Any trips after that were short local trips.  Unfortunately, the camper was not used at all in 2012 because of health issues.

SmileIn my experience with this outfit, I don't think enough can be said in favor of the combination.  We never encountered a problem with either the TV or the camper and loved them both.Smile


Ken O.


Spree Escape E19SB – 2009 Kia Sedona 6 cyl. – WD Hitch – Anti sway Control – Electric Brakes

4:42 pm
September 19, 2012


Mike M

SE Massachusetts

Member

posts 88

Ken,

Glad you took the time to post, and I'm sorry to hear that your health is impeding your ability to keep at it.  I hope the prognosis is good.

I'm also towing with a V6, and have had good experiences thus far as well.  Gas mileage has been in the 12-14mpg range depending on the hills.  Right now I can only hope to do the kind of traveling you've reported on, and maybe someday I will.  I don't think the V6 will hold me back.

Mike

2012 190 pulled by a 2011 F150 Supercab 3.7 2wd.

6:11 pm
September 19, 2012


camphappy

Regina, Canada

Member

posts 27

Hello all.  Just wanted to share my experience towing with a V6 as well.  When I purchased my 19SBT last year I owned a 2003 toyota tacoma V6 and I figured it could handle the trailer weight well.  The truck has a small V6 ( 190 hp ) 3.4L but it is rated to tow 5000lbs.  When I picked up the trailer last year from the dealer that was located about 70 miles from home I drove straight into a 40 MPH headwind and could only maintain about 50 MPH at most.  I was using a WDH and never had any sway issues.  On our first trip this year I had the same problem heading west…high head winds and trouble keeping up speed.  Once we hit the rockies in Alberta the winds were down and the truck did pretty decent even on the mountain grades…minus the poor gas mileage.  My conclusion was that the truck did fine as long as weather and road conditions were good which is rare up here.  I also felt like I had no reserve power for passing or emergency manouvers…It was like a dead gas peddle in that when I pushed it @ say 60 MPH there was little to no response which made me feel uneasy.  I forgot to mention that I did have a tranny cooler installed pre trip.  Anyways we did about 1200 miles and made it home safely.

For our next trip I made the decision to upgrade to a bigger V6 ( same Tacoma but 2007 with 4.0L 236 hp and 6500lb tow rating).  Huge difference in power and much more enjoyable.  We didn't want to get a V8 due to high fuel costs and I'm glad we didn't.  We just went out to Wisconsin from Regina Canada which totaled about 2500 miles and the truck performed so well.  We are using a WDH as well on this truck and I did flip the axle on the camper earlier this year before the camping season…I love the extra ground clearance.  The MPG on the newer truck is about the same as the previous truck.  I think the V6's do a fine job towing and they don't get enough credit. Cool

2011 Sportsmen classic 19SBT Towed with 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 4×4 with 4.0L engine and towing package

6:13 pm
September 19, 2012


Ken O.

Member

posts 39

Hello Mike,

LaughThanks for your reply to my recent post.  I'm glad you found it of interest.  I would say that your TV is a stronger unit than mine was.  Just the fact that it's a truck to begin with would add a lot of extra confidence and peace of mind.   Also, the fact that it's a Ford would add a lot of additional confidence and comfort too.

CoolI'm sure your outfit will provide you with a great amount of service in the future and will provide many such trips as we have had.  I'm very comfortable that once we get through  this bout with the health issues we will be back on the road.  We just couldn't watch the camper sit there unused  when our son could be putting it to good use and enjoying camping with it.  They have been out with it almost every weekend since they got it too.  Colorado is a great place to camp and to travel (and to live), but don't let that get around.

SurprisedMy wife and I were both born in Mass. many years ago.  I was born in Millers Falls (near Greenfield) and she in Pittsfield.  I call Pittsfield my hometown and still have many relatives living there.

Thanks for your reply.  Will be watching for your future posts

Ken & Marilyn

Spree Escape E19SB – 2009 Kia Sedona 6 cyl. – WD Hitch – Anti sway Control – Electric Brakes

7:31 am
September 20, 2012


sandersmr

Texas

Member

posts 338

I'm glad that you have had good success with the V6.  That is good to hear.  I'm still chugging along with my small V8 but I have towed longer distances with it in the last 2 years – still don't have any real mountains like you have CO, Ken – but did the northern AL/GA mountains with no major problems.

Ken – I hope that your health problems don't keep you from enjoying life and hope your son enjoys the trailer.

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

1:42 pm
September 20, 2012


Mike M

SE Massachusetts

Member

posts 88

sandersmr said:

I'm glad that you have had good success with the V6.  That is good to hear.  I'm still chugging along with my small V8 but I have towed longer distances with it in the last 2 years – still don't have any real mountains like you have CO, Ken – but did the northern AL/GA mountains with no major problems.

Ken – I hope that your health problems don't keep you from enjoying life and hope your son enjoys the trailer.


That 4.6L V8 you've got is a great motor.  It doesn't set the world on fire in the overall HP category, but it has decent low-end grunt.  I've been working on vehicles for over 35 years, and have driven many of them and owned one in a Grand Marquis.  The 3.7L in my newer truck is technically more powerful than the no longer produced 4.6, but the power in the V6 doesn't come on until 4K+ rpm's.  It tows fine, but you have to be o/k with the tranny shifting a lot to keep the engine in the powerband.  With a V8 there's a lot less shifting.

No matter what motor you've got, the biggest impediment to highway cruising is the wind resistance created by the TT.  The thing about the Classic series is that the weight could vary up to 1500lbs from smallest to largest, but they all show pretty much the same face to the wind.  I'm finding that 60-65mph strikes a good balance between getting there sometime today and not going broke at the pump.

Mike

2012 190 pulled by a 2011 F150 Supercab 3.7 2wd.

6:19 am
September 21, 2012


mcmanawayp

Richland Center, WI

Member

posts 37

Hi Ken,

We pull a 2012 Sportsmen 200 with a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country minivan.  It's equipped with a 3.8L V6, tow package which includes load leveling, tranny cooler and HD battery/alternator.  We've taken it to Washington DC (1,000 miles each way over the Appalachians) and have experienced no real issues.  She does slow a bit at inclines of 7% or so but we kept up with traffic most of the way. This was our first season with this particular rig and we've used it a lot.  The combination of TV/TT has been very satisfactory.


Paul and Jean

Wisconsin