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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper iproff1's Avatar
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    Tow Vehicle for Reflection 297 RSTS

    Never had an RV before have a 12,500 lb boat that we love but its time to change hobbies. We will most likely purchase a used 2018 GD 297 rlts private sale or a new one from Lazy Days in Florida. We have a winter home here that we have decided to sell and purchase an RV. One of the reasons is the cost of health insurance to come to the US its crazy expensive for me over 3 months. Owning a house with property taxes, water and sewer bill year round does not make sense for staying 120 days in Florida so the house is going. We have found a number of parks that we can stay in for 4 months leave the trailer there in storage and drive home. I am purchasing a Ram Limited with tow package, air ride and 3.92 rear end, it is used low miles on it and the dealer is holding it for me. I get home mid April. We will come down next December and stay in the trailer for the winter, yup our first stay in an RV will be for 120 days. The reason for the 1500 Ram is because I've really liked this model for a long time if I buy a 2500 and we don't like staying in an RV im stuck with a truch I don't want. I will tow it to Winnipeg Manitoba and put it on a camp ground on lake Winnipeg. We can stay in it with our two grandsons for the month of July and then my two daughters can use it the other months of the camping season as a cottage for them. Our grandsons are 3 and 6 so the next 6 years is probally all they would want to spend a month with us. I've pm a few people on this board about what they tow their 297 with and a few got back to me thanks for the input.

    Any input is welcomed

    Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk
    2020 Imagine 2450RL
    Wasaga Beach Ontario Canada
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 Trailer Tow Package
    Eaz-Lift Elite WD Hitch 14,000lb capacity 1,200lb bars

  2. #2
    Long Hauler
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    I think that is too much trailer for a 1500 truck. You will be overloading the truck with that camper.

    Brian

  3. #3
    King Pin
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    I tow my 2017 Reflection 297 RSTS with a Ford F350 SRW. The tongue weight on the 297 is very heavy when loaded. Mine runs around 1,450 pounds. That kind of tongue weight will really eat up the payload capacity of a 1500 truck. I pair the trailer with a Blue Ox 2,000 Sway Pro hitch set up.

    Jim

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    iproff1 - On this forum, we try to use thread titles that reflect the content. This makes the information easier to find in the future when others are searching for something similar. I am going to change your title from "Not sure if this is the right section or not but here goes" to "Tow Vehicle for Reflection 297 RSTS" since I think this is the TT you are considering.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  5. #5
    Big Traveler Calbar's Avatar
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    I tow mine with a Tundra and use Reese straight line 1500 lb bars. Have towed to Florida and back and no issues. 250 lbs over payload from the scales. Know I am borderline with the Tundra but it towed and handled great. Biggest concern would be to check you hitch rating and payload on the Ram. I know the F150 hitch rating would not work with this trailer due to the heavy tongue weight.
    Rob & Barb
    2022 Solitude 378MBS
    2022 RAM 3500 SRW HO Aisin 4x4
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  6. #6
    Rolling Along RVRunners's Avatar
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    I believe that camper will give any 1/2 ton truck a real workout but is feasible. You will need to make sure the truck is set up right and you are mindful of payload and/the way you are loading the camper and truck. Also consider the ability to stop the rig when needed as well as having the power to tow. There’s no doubt a 3/4 or one ton truck would do better. Good luck!
    The Adams - 2017 Reflection 367BHS, 2019 F-350 6.7L PSD 4x4 CC DRW, B&W hitch on Ford pucks, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 Ultimate Plus air bags, "Rupert" the Weimaraner.

  7. #7
    Big Traveler Calbar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RVRunners View Post
    I believe that camper will give any 1/2 ton truck a real workout but is feasible. You will need to make sure the truck is set up right and you are mindful of payload and/the way you are loading the camper and truck. Also consider the ability to stop the rig when needed as well as having the power to tow. There’s no doubt a 3/4 or one ton truck would do better. Good luck!
    I agree with your comment about making sure it is all setup perfectly. I do find however that the Tundra gets pretty much the same gas mileage as it did piling my Rockwood which was 2000 lbs lighter and 2' shorter. I do notice the extra weight pulling the grades when going to Florida down 75. Ideally I would not like to be at the edge of the trucks ratings but until the Tundra needs replacing I am comfortable towing with it. Will see what is out there when it is time for a new one.

    Rob
    Rob & Barb
    2022 Solitude 378MBS
    2022 RAM 3500 SRW HO Aisin 4x4
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  8. #8
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by iproff1 View Post
    Any input is welcomed
    Three themes in your post, Ken. The most obvious is the tow vehicle. There's a thread in the Reference Library that has a lot of information for you to absorb. https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ing-Capability It is well worth your time to ensure you understand the relationship of payload, tow capacity, tongue weight, and all the various terms associated with towing an RV. (Note: I got this wrong the first time and ended up having to buy a second truck. Long story that I won't repeat here--trust me--do your homework on this subject!)

    Second: "First night is going to be 120 days long". Now that's jumping in with both feet! If at all possible, try to schedule in a "shake down" trip.

    Third: "...most likely buy a used 2018...or new...". Go to Grand Design's website and download the 297's owner's manual. In that PDF search for "warranty". You may be surprised that most of the warranties do not transfer to the second (or subsequent) owner. The used '18 may be fine--just want you to be aware. (Make sure it has Dexter axles! If they are Lippert the seals and brakes must be checked. Search the forum for this issue.)

    Hope I didn't overwhelm you with info...
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
    2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)

  9. #9
    Seasoned Camper iproff1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by RVRunners View Post
    I believe that camper will give any 1/2 ton truck a real workout but is feasible. You will need to make sure the truck is set up right and you are mindful of payload and/the way you are loading the camper and truck. Also consider the ability to stop the rig when needed as well as having the power to tow. There’s no doubt a 3/4 or one ton truck would do better. Good luck!
    If we don't care for RVing we will only be taking it to Winnipeg and leaving it at a campground year round. Won't be very much in it at all. The used one comes with a stabilizer hitch if we elect to buy new I would still buy a hitch and have the dealer set it up.

    Ken

    Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
    2020 Imagine 2450RL
    Wasaga Beach Ontario Canada
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 Trailer Tow Package
    Eaz-Lift Elite WD Hitch 14,000lb capacity 1,200lb bars

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper iproff1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by howson View Post
    Three themes in your post, Ken. The most obvious is the tow vehicle. There's a thread in the Reference Library that has a lot of information for you to absorb. https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ing-Capability It is well worth your time to ensure you understand the relationship of payload, tow capacity, tongue weight, and all the various terms associated with towing an RV. (Note: I got this wrong the first time and ended up having to buy a second truck. Long story that I won't repeat here--trust me--do your homework on this subject!)

    Second: "First night is going to be 120 days long". Now that's jumping in with both feet! If at all possible, try to schedule in a "shake down" trip.

    Third: "...most likely buy a used 2018...or new...". Go to Grand Design's website and download the 297's owner's manual. In that PDF search for "warranty". You may be surprised that most of the warranties do not transfer to the second (or subsequent) owner. The used '18 may be fine--just want you to be aware. (Make sure it has Dexter axles! If they are Lippert the seals and brakes must be checked. Search the forum for this issue.)

    Hope I didn't overwhelm you with info...
    Wow Thanks never thought the warranty would not be transferrable. I know that the used on did have the main AC fixed and the axles were not in the build timeline for the brackets that needed to be fixed. They had a sheet that the technician ran on their trailer to show all warranty work and recalls everything was up to date. We would like to hire an RV surveyor to look at it if we decide to purchase the used one.

    Ken

    Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
    2020 Imagine 2450RL
    Wasaga Beach Ontario Canada
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 Trailer Tow Package
    Eaz-Lift Elite WD Hitch 14,000lb capacity 1,200lb bars

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