Sponsored

Brake controller

Gvsukids

Well-Known Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
Mar 7, 2020
Threads
26
Messages
7,263
Reaction score
6,899
Location
Grand Rapids
Website
www.youtube.com
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator Sport S Max Tow
Occupation
Delivery Driver
I'm not sure if it's something I want to try to do myself or have a dealer do it. They told me if nothing is needed it's $499 for them to install one.
Is the bluetooth Curt any good for someone that doesnt tow all the time? Might be good for the situation
I use the bluetooth Curt controller when I tow my boat. Keep the device under the rear seat. Easy to use.
A friend also has one when towing his camper. Easy to switch between vehicles.
Sponsored

 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
I use the bluetooth Curt controller when I tow my boat. Keep the device under the rear seat. Easy to use.
A friend also has one when towing his camper. Easy to switch between vehicles.
Something to consider as well. I think we are gonna be using it pretty often though. My wife hasn't been on board other times I mentioned getting one but she started looking at a few of them and realized they had a lot more to offer than she thought.
 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
Why I got some your ears just curious what size campers do any of you tow, weight wise. We were looking at a Hybrid camper last night but I think we are gonna pass on it because of some of the cons as far as moisture in the pull outs and it being hard to keep them temps regulated in the pullout sleeping areas. The guy sending us a few non hybrids to take a look at. I'm trying to keep the weight under 3500lbs on one. Is that a smart move? I'm figuring about 4700lbs to 4800lbs gross weight once we load it up and that's at the higher end honestly probably way less. They said I should give a 1200lb buffer on the weight. I'm new to it so any advice on that would be awesome.
 

KLJ5636

Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 15, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
7
Reaction score
3
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2022 Gladiator Sport Max Tow
Occupation
Law Enforcement
Why I got some your ears just curious what size campers do any of you tow, weight wise. We were looking at a Hybrid camper last night but I think we are gonna pass on it because of some of the cons as far as moisture in the pull outs and it being hard to keep them temps regulated in the pullout sleeping areas. The guy sending us a few non hybrids to take a look at. I'm trying to keep the weight under 3500lbs on one. Is that a smart move? I'm figuring about 4700lbs to 4800lbs gross weight once we load it up and that's at the higher end honestly probably way less. They said I should give a 1200lb buffer on the weight. I'm new to it so any advice on that would be awesome.
I have a Max tow that I use to tow a passport 240bh that weighs 4830 dry. We bought this one because we have a large family and it sleeps 8 but it’s also light enough to be towed by the vehicle we drove at the time (which was rated for less than my gladiator now). We use an echo Bluetooth brake control and weight distribution hitch and it tows fine. The engine revs a little higher then I would prefer before shifting and I would always wish for better gas mileage but I love jeeps and am not able to afford to buy a truck just to tow with so my gladiator does fine. However I think we will be selling our camper to look for an RV.
 

Gren71

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
143
Messages
4,004
Reaction score
6,390
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JT sports S Max Tow (Sold) '23 Ram 1500
Occupation
Magician
Vehicle Showcase
1
how do you intend to camp?

I go out 50-60 total days throughout the year with my family on 3 to 5 day trips. We camp March through November in temps as low as 25ish. I currently have a 30ft trailer with a large slide out. We use a dehumidifier and a small electric space heater in the colder temps to cut down on propane usage. The family and the dogs sleep well at night with the space heater rolling as needed and the propane set to 66, incase it gets too cold and the space heater cant keep up. Im not sure if ive been lucky or what but I dont get all the hesitancy with slide outs...both ive had have worked flawlessly and require minimal maintenance.

current camper is Keystone Bullet 250BHS 5600lbs dry, with 715lbs on the tongue, 30ft long. Just about maxes the frontal area my 2020 JT max tow is rated for.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
I have a Max tow that I use to tow a passport 240bh that weighs 4830 dry. We bought this one because we have a large family and it sleeps 8 but it’s also light enough to be towed by the vehicle we drove at the time (which was rated for less than my gladiator now). We use an echo Bluetooth brake control and weight distribution hitch and it tows fine. The engine revs a little higher then I would prefer before shifting and I would always wish for better gas mileage but I love jeeps and am not able to afford to buy a truck just to tow with so my gladiator does fine. However I think we will be selling our camper to look for an RV.
They sent me one that looks to be around 3700lbs so I'm feeling good about buying one at that weight now.nThis one has bunks and and slide out, A Cantina I think. 2021 priced at $16,000 which is under budget from what I was wanting to spend and it's local to me as well. I was worried about the weight being above 3500 but it seems like from what I've read I should be fine with the Max Tow.
 

Gren71

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
143
Messages
4,004
Reaction score
6,390
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JT sports S Max Tow (Sold) '23 Ram 1500
Occupation
Magician
Vehicle Showcase
1
They sent me one that looks to be around 3700lbs so I'm feeling good about buying one at that weight now.nThis one has bunks and and slide out, A Cantina I think. 2021 priced at $16,000 which is under budget from what I was wanting to spend and it's local to me as well. I was worried about the weight being above 3500 but it seems like from what I've read I should be fine with the Max Tow.
tongue weight and frontal area are also important in figuring out what you want / can tow
 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
how do you intend to camp?

I go out 50-60 total days throughout the year with my family on 3 to 5 day trips. We camp March through November in temps as low as 25ish. I currently have a 30ft trailer with a large slide out. We use a dehumidifier and a small electric space heater in the colder temps to cut down on propane usage. The family and the dogs sleep well at night with the space heater rolling as needed and the propane set to 66, incase it gets too cold and the space heater cant keep up. Im not sure if ive been lucky or what but I dont get all the hesitancy with slide outs...both ive had have worked flawlessly and require minimal maintenance.

current camper is Keystone Bullet 250BHS 5600lbs dry, with 715lbs on the tongue, 30ft long. Just about maxes the frontal area my 2020 JT max tow is rated for.
I think we will at least use it once a month for sure. I'm planning on starting to run more foot races out of town and the cost of Hotel rooms are starting to add up, plus the wife doesn't like to go along with me because she worries about our dogs which are all 11-14 years old. She wants to bring them along. She wasn't open to buying one until she started looking them up. The one I'm really interested in now has a slide out in the back but the Hybrids with the cloth slides out in the ends are the ones that I've been told require a little more maintenance. I got zero experience with it so I'm just going off what a buddy told me and some YouTube videos I've read.

The one he sent me we are liking is a 2021 Forest River RV Salem 178BHSK.
 

Gren71

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
143
Messages
4,004
Reaction score
6,390
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JT sports S Max Tow (Sold) '23 Ram 1500
Occupation
Magician
Vehicle Showcase
1
I think we will at least use it once a month for sure. I'm planning on starting to run more foot races out of town and the cost of Hotel rooms are starting to add up, plus the wife doesn't like to go along with me because she worries about our dogs which are all 11-14 years old. She wants to bring them along. She wasn't open to buying one until she started looking them up. The one I'm really interested in now has a slide out in the back but the Hybrids with the cloth slides out in the ends are the ones that I've been told require a little more maintenance. I got zero experience with it so I'm just going off what a buddy told me and some YouTube videos I've read.

The one he sent me we are liking is a 2021 Forest River RV Salem 178BHSK.
makes sense, my dogs LOVE camping with us.

That camper looks good. But ill share that I dont personally like murphy beds as they are not as comfortable IMO. I also prefer a double axle now, vs the single axle on the one your looking at. After having a single first, and now having a double, the double axle is superior when it comes to stability and sway while driving. Ill edit this post in a couple minutes and show ya some links to ones to look at.

Where are you located? I can google some dealers near you and offer some suggestions if youre interested.
 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
makes sense, my dogs LOVE camping with us.

That camper looks good. But ill share that I dont personally like murphy beds as they are not as comfortable IMO. I also prefer a double axle now, vs the single axle on the one your looking at. After having a single first, and now having a double, the double axle is superior when it comes to stability and sway while driving. Ill edit this post in a couple minutes and show ya some links to ones to look at.

Where are you located? I can google some dealers near you and offer some suggestions if youre interested.
I'm in the Kannapolis NC area and the one I'm looking at is in Raleigh NC but I'm willing to drive a little bit the right deal. The previous one was in Macon Ga but it seemed like a good deal and slept 7 but the more research we did it seemed to be geared more toward people who still want that tent like feel when they are sleeping and my wife didn't want that.
 

Sponsored

Gren71

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
143
Messages
4,004
Reaction score
6,390
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JT sports S Max Tow (Sold) '23 Ram 1500
Occupation
Magician
Vehicle Showcase
1
Another thought is give some time to sit in the bathroom and stand in the shower. Im 6ft tall and in my old wolf pup I couldn't close the door to poop without the door resting on my knees...which was just unpleasant. The shower was tall enough for me but I couldn't get out of the shower into a bathroom space to finish toweling off and get changed. If it was just my wife and I that wasn't an issue...but as soon as my boys started getting older it was time to give my wife space to get out of the shower and get dressed in private.

I also agree that the tent sided campers are a no go. They do need more maintenance and im sure they dont hold temps as well.

Here are some links to a handful of products by forest river that may fit your bill.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/salem-fsx/176QBHK/8436

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/salem-fsx/174BHLE/8440

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wolf-pup/16BHSW/7863

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wolf-pup/17JW/7866

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB16.6/8113

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB19.8/8120

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/rockwood-geo-pro/G20BHS/8026

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wildwood-fsx/174BHLE/8460
 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
Another thought is give some time to sit in the bathroom and stand in the shower. Im 6ft tall and in my old wolf pup I couldn't close the door to poop without the door resting on my knees...which was just unpleasant. The shower was tall enough for me but I couldn't get out of the shower into a bathroom space to finish toweling off and get changed. If it was just my wife and I that wasn't an issue...but as soon as my boys started getting older it was time to give my wife space to get out of the shower and get dressed in private.

I also agree that the tent sided campers are a no go. They do need more maintenance and im sure they dont hold temps as well.

Here are some links to a handful of products by forest river that may fit your bill.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/salem-fsx/176QBHK/8436

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/salem-fsx/174BHLE/8440

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wolf-pup/16BHSW/7863

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wolf-pup/17JW/7866

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB16.6/8113

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/no-boundaries/NB19.8/8120

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/rockwood-geo-pro/G20BHS/8026

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/wildwood-fsx/174BHLE/8460
Thanks boss, as soon as I get a chance I'm gonna take a look at them.
 

Gren71

Well-Known Member
First Name
Matt
Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Threads
143
Messages
4,004
Reaction score
6,390
Location
Delaware
Vehicle(s)
Jeep JT sports S Max Tow (Sold) '23 Ram 1500
Occupation
Magician
Vehicle Showcase
1
Thanks boss, as soon as I get a chance I'm gonna take a look at them.
no rush, im sitting at a computer waiting for the radio to go off. So i have time to peruse links haha Ill throw some more up here in a little. Im assuming you want bunks?
 
OP
OP
Jeeperjamie

Jeeperjamie

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jamie
Joined
Feb 12, 2020
Threads
135
Messages
4,754
Reaction score
5,412
Location
Kannapolis nc
Vehicle(s)
2020 jeep gladiator
Occupation
Weyerhaeuser
Vehicle Showcase
1
no rush, im sitting at a computer waiting for the radio to go off. So i have time to peruse links haha Ill throw some more up here in a little. Im assuming you want bunks?
Yes sir! Mostly will be the wife and I but we have a Granddaughter and Grandson that will more likely come alone some. Looking for something that will sleep 4 or 5.
 
 







Top