Imagine 2800bh vs 290bh 150 series?

[Gotime4]

My wife and I are having a tough time deciding between the imagine 2800bh or the reflection 150 series 290bh, seems the price difference we can get is like $6k(give or take) between the 2. Is a fifth wheel worth the $6k difference. I have 2500 Silverado diesel with payload of 2600 so weight is not the issue. This would be our first RV and we have 3 kids. I would just love to hear peoples opinions on the differences and the pros and cons of each?

Thanks in advance

[sbarlag]

Hi Gotime. When I'm showing a TT versus a FW, some of the variables are: do you need the truck bed space which the FW hitch will consume; the FW will tow better with less sway. Between the two units: the FW offers more privacy for the bunk beds; the FW offers more counter space; the bathroom in the FW is closer to the master bedroom. These are a few of the immediate thoughts which come to mind. I'm sure you'll get alot of input. Take care,

Scott
Product Specialist
Camp-Land RV
[email protected]

[theclarks]

It's just the 2 of us. . . . had a TT we towed with an Avalanche, carried the bikes on the rear deck cover and some stuff in the bed of the truck due to limited storage in the TT. Moved up to a 5th wheel last spring, love the way it tows compared to the TT, with that said the bikes are on the back of the 5er (can't keep an eye on them) / can't carry much in the bed with the hitch plus the bed is open to the rain. We started towing the 303RLS with a gas 2500HD with a payload of 2604# and at the rally last August we were 500# over the GVWR of the truck. There's a lot of good information on this forum. . . . .

[Callahan4]

I have the 2800bh and it very nice an fit us great with two kids and I can put stuff in the truck bed. But I really love the tow feel of the 5er and the extra space. So it’s kinda a win win as in you will win with a GD model either way u go lol


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[SouthTX]

You won't even know the fiver is back there and there won't be any more white knuckle moments when a semi passes you or you're in a cross-wind. My basement has more storage than I could pile in the truck bed. Hang your bikes on the rear trailer hitch and watch them with your backup camera. Did I mention that you'll love the way it pulls.

The downside is that a fiver may take a little more truck. Be sure you have enough payload to handle 25% of the gross weight of the fifth wheel.

Enjoy either one.

[OSU Sig]

John, is the 25% number a hard/fast percentage or one you use? I'm up in the air about a 2670MK TT and a Reflection 150 series, either the 230 RL or the 273MK, which is my wife's favorite. I drive Ford F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost and max tow package. Shouldn't have an issue with the 273MK but don't want to make a towing mistake.

[TheLexx]

We almost bought the 150 series 290bh. My wife LOVED the triple bunks back there. It would have been perfect for our 3 kids. The kids loved the little inset where they could hide out between the bunks. It would have been their perfect little playroom.

Unfortunately the lack of auto levelers was the deal breaker for us. We're newbies at this and we just didn't want to have to deal with manually leveling the trailer. However I have since learned you can have aftermarket leveling systems installed.

[WhittleBurner]

Manually leveling is really quite easy. In fact with the problems with the auto levelers we read about we are thinking we don't want one. Some of the manual set up is also done with self leveling. Even self leveling you have to make sure side to side is close enough for it to work. After getting a board down for side to side level doing front to back only takes about a minute or two.

[Cate&Rob]

x2 on Gary's (& Marcy's) comment. I can level faster with my Anderson levellers for side-to-side and the powered landing gear for front-to-back, than any auto levelling system. And this is the definition of a KISS system . Also, I don't have to worry about hitting a low hanging levelling strut while maneuvering the trailer. Others love their auto levelling . . . but I prefer not to have to deal with the many reported issues.

Just my 2 cents worth . . .

Rob

[Lizardqing]

Manuel leveling is not bad at all, especially after getting down a system. For us my wife backs it in, I grab the ramps and four foot level. Pop the door open, toss the level on the floor and see which side the ramps need to go on. Toss them under the tires and she backs it on them. At this point I can even tell which step on the ramps needs to be used by where the bubble is initially. Front to back is even quicker once unhitched. Takes less than five minutes. When we are set up for a longer stay I put a bottle jack under the frame right in front of the springs, takes away about all the bounce, especially when going in and out.