What are you towing with your 2014?

peejaykay · October 12, 2014

Here's mine...combined weight is 16,200 lbs. Finally got the equalizer dialed in. Trailer is open range 310 bhs.

How's your trailer holding up? We're looking at a 308BHS, saw one this weekend at an RV show. Towing experience over the last few months? We'll spend about 3 months on the road next year and want to keep it at least 10 years...so I want to make the right decision. What made you go Mesa Ridge vs the 308, besides ceiling weight?

calgator73 · October 12, 2014

How's your trailer holding up? We're looking at a 308BHS, saw one this weekend at an RV show. Towing experience over the last few months? We'll spend about 3 months on the road next year and want to keep it at least 10 years...so I want to make the right decision. What made you go Mesa Ridge vs the 308, besides ceiling weight?

Pretty good so far. Be careful on the weight. Catalog said 9310...actual was 9795. Tows really well. Additional slide in master is a huge plus. Corian counters on inside. Need to have outside kitchen counter looked at. Not corian and not sealed very well at front edge. First rv...so far so good.

peejaykay · October 12, 2014

Yeah, the actuals are always higher. This one was 9100 yellow sticker weight, 1080 on hitch with full propane tanks. Have you gone up/down any large grades? We will be doing alot of climbing and while I'm in no rush, am most concerned about going down the hills. I understand that both the 308 and 310 are pushing the truck to its limits, the 310 more so. There's another guy on here (full_throttle) who tows a Jayco fifth wheel. He's definitely over with the just the pin weight, but seems to be towing OK.

calgator73 · October 12, 2014

Normal on/off ramp grades and a couple of bridges but no problem accelerating. Going down was piece of cake...got one alert on grade braking and it maintained okay. I upgraded my hitch to a curt 2" class v.

My first trip into the mountains will be next spring.

olegachevy · October 14, 2014

I just completed my first long (approx 400 miles) towing trip with my 2014 1500, and I couldn't be happier. My truck is a 2WD LT w/ 3.42 gears, and it did quite well towing our approx 6500 lb travel trailer. I kept the speed at or around 60 mph for the most part, and averaged over 10.5 mpg when hand calculated.

I've always installed dual exhaust systems on my trucks, but I am seriously thinking about leaving this one like it is. It was so quiet, and I really enjoyed being able to carry on a conservation without yelling. The backup camera made hooking up to the trailer by myself much easier than my last truck.

If I could have found a similar equipped truck with the max trailering package, I would have bought it. After weeks of searching a 250 mile radius for one, I raised the white flag and went with the color and level package that I was comfortable with while rolling the dice on towing performance. However, after this trip, I have absolutely no regrets going with the 3.42 gears. When the truck is challenged by steeper inclines and mountains, I may change my mind. If so, I will replace the gears with 3.73.

peejaykay · October 14, 2014

I just pulled the trigger on a 2015 Open Range 308 BHS. ~9100 optioned and empty, roughly 940 hitch weight. 10,400lb GVWR. Arriving in 6 wks so I'll let you know how it works...and pictures to come!

olegachevy · October 14, 2014

I just pulled the trigger on a 2015 Open Range 308 BHS. ~9100 optioned and empty, roughly 940 hitch weight. 10,400lb GVWR. Arriving in 6 wks so I'll let you know how it works...and pictures to come!

Open Range makes a very nice trailer.

peejaykay · October 15, 2014

We strongly considered Outdoors RV 27BHS but decided it was too small. Northwood mfg makes some awesome stuff too. Open range was the only thing that came close. Nash/Northwood are much better built than OR, specifically, the frame. Although, they all have their initial quality issues.

calgator73 · October 15, 2014

I just pulled the trigger on a 2015 Open Range 308 BHS. ~9100 optioned and empty, roughly 940 hitch weight. 10,400lb GVWR. Arriving in 6 wks so I'll let you know how it works...and pictures to come!

Enjoy the journey!

Also, join openrangeowners.com

olegachevy · October 15, 2014

We strongly considered Outdoors RV 27BHS but decided it was too small. Northwood mfg makes some awesome stuff too. Open range was the only thing that came close. Nash/Northwood are much better built than OR, specifically, the frame. Although, they all have their initial quality issues.

Not one single problem after nearly two years and approx 6K miles of towing our Nash 25C. I hope that I didn't just jinx myself.

snarkee · October 16, 2014

Away for winter

olegachevy · October 17, 2014

Good looking TT. Looks roomy with the big slides.

Away for winter

snarkee · October 17, 2014

Thanks. We love the room and the outdoor kitchen

Too bad I under bought in the truck category

Knepp1bj · October 17, 2014

Snarkee, what is wrong with your truck? not a max tow?

Brian S. · October 17, 2014

3500 lb enclosed trailer up to 5k when loaded pulls great no problems. I really like the hill descent mode that came with the Z71 package it holds itself on a hill when stopped and helps on steep grades so you are not riding the brakes.

2500 boat/trailer combo with 4.3l. I like the incline assists as well, a nice feature.