Keystone 250BHS

[Gren71]

So on my way home from my last camping trip my wife and I happened to stop in to camping world and look at a few campers. Of the ones they showed us the Keystone 250 BHS is exactly what we’re looking for in terms of space and functionality for our family as my kids grow.

But I have some concerns upgrading from my wolf pup…

I added a picture but the keystone is about 1500 pounds heavier dry than my wolf pup. It’s also about 7 feet longer…. It’s still well within my max tow capabilities though. I already measured the frontal area and it’s less than the max 55 ft.².

So I’m looking for info from folks who are pulling longer, and heavier, travel trailers.

Does the gladiator really struggle with hills?

Do you still see sixth or seventh gear?

How does it ride with a heavier tongue weight?

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[DailyMoparGuy]

This isn’t exactly the same as your potential trailer but his is about 30 feet long and 5,925 lbs dry.

In summary, he said that he wouldn’t tow it super long distance again but it would be fine for a regional trip. He’s got a Mopar lift and 35s (no regear I believe).

- His sticker on the Jayco @ 3:00 minute mark
- His summary of the trip @ 12:10 minute mark



edit: I also think this guy is a forum member.

 

[Jaxmax]

That’s a big camper and it might be in your limits but not by much, my camper weight capacity includes the hitch weight, so you are at 7400 lbs. not sure of other stuff you are carrying but it is going to be a different world then the Wolf Pup.
Perhaps spent some time on line and see what else there is, we are very happy with the camper we ended up with, and must have looked at everything out there…..Jack

 

[Hobie1]

A conservative estimate of the tongue weight on that camper may be as much as 750lbs. If your just towing local, 1-2 hr hauls, you might be ok but your not going to be happy with your JT ‘ s performance. I pulled a very similar camper with a Chevy Silverado and that truck was not happy unless I was on flat land. Yes, you will find plenty of folks who tow more with our trucks and are quite happy with it. However, as we all know, happiness is very subjective.

 

[bleda2002]

Can your truck do it safely? Yes as it's within your limits.

Are you going to be happy towing that heavy though is the real question. I'd wager after 4-5 trips you'd probably get used to it and be fine but those first couple trips I'm sure there will be a lot of pucker factor

 

[Labswine]

What about this one?

https://www.venture-rv.com/products/sonic-travel-trailers/SN220VBH.html

It's similar to my SN220 VRB but, instead of the outdoor kitchen there is an over/under rear bunk in the VBH. It's a VERY roomy trailer. Mine is about 5,300 lbs loaded and the tongue weight is well within the limits, even for my Overland. And, it tows like a dream.

 

[badger719]

Keep in mind that all those camper manufacturers list weights as if the trailer was completely empty.

Once you fill the fresh water tank, add propane/camping supplies etc you may be pushing the upper limits of a JT.

Me personally I am going to go with flat towing it behind a dedicated motorhome which should be more capable of handling the weight.

 

[Gren71]

Thanks for the reminder @badger719

Thankfully I dont ever fill the fresh water tank and we always pack light since we do primarily 3 day 2 night trips. Total my gear is (ball park) less than 700lbs. Calculated the weight on the 250bhs estimated is around %9.5 on the tongue.

Making my total weight on the TT around 6500 and the tongue around 618lbs. Which is about 200lbs more than my current TT's tongue, and 1500lbs more in total weight than my pup.

Ive seen a handful of fellas in the what are you towing thread who are pulling TTs just a heavy. It seems as long as I don't have grandiose expectations about performance Ill be fine. I don't go through any crazy steep grades when traveling. The worst I think ive done in the last two years has been going west into Harpers ferry WV.

 

[DavidBT]

I tow a 26' travel trailer with my sport s max tow and don't think I would want to go past 28' myself. We just did a 2,000 mile round trip to Komiefornia and our trailer weighs right at 5,500 lbs. Got 11 mpg and and could comfortably get 200 miles per tank. Really quite impressed with the gladiator and it's capabilities.

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