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Sunset Trail Opinions Wanted |
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xterra1 
Forum Weekend Camper 
Joined: 12 Jan 2009 Location: Central PA Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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 Posted: 06 Apr 2009 at 8:44pm |
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We purchased the Ck19 last year as our first rv and tow it with a 07 Xterra, it has been a really nice camper and we have been very happy with the unit. This year we did the rv show's in Baltimore and York, PA and after climbing in and out of other brands, I realized how solid the Sunset Trails is. The steps don't creak, the floor doesn't sink in spots and the walls are stronger than the others. I also looked at some with cheaper prices and you can see it in the quality because they have the creaking steps, sinking floor and cheaper walls and cabinets. One of the main points that sold us was the fold up queen bed with a couch under it. The Xterra is pretty good for towing a camper but you are limited to a size under 21 ft, and when looking at other brands they did not offer the bed and couch, the others offered the bed or the couch. Hope this helps your decision, I would buy another Sunset Trail again. Ed Xterra 1 |
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Ed,Tina, and Alex
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music69
Forum New Camper 
Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: 06 Apr 2009 at 9:20pm |
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Thanks for all the responses!
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Susie_Q462
Forum Weekend Camper
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Location: Denver Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 06 Apr 2009 at 9:21pm |
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We are very happy with our ST29RL. We looked at 6-8 different brands/models and decided on this one due to both the price and the level of workmanship. We also really liked the amount of dressing room between the bed, shower and toilet area. Compared to some of the shoddy units we looked at, this one really sold us. The few items that we found after we took the unit home were quickly repaired at our dealer (which has unfortunately gone out of business in the last month or so). Crossroads had one of the better warranties out there. We also looked at some other forums (such as rv.net) and there were very few Crossroads complaints, especially compared to some other brands.
The weight was also a large factor. We didn't want to have to upgrade our tow vehicle to a half ton or larger to be able to pull the trailer. We tow with an Expedition and it does very well except for some of the steep grades here in the Rockies. We took it on a trip from Denver to the Grand Canyon (via Moab), Las Vegas and then up through Utah back to I-70 and have very few problems.
Bottom line - no buyer's remorse for us - just looking forward to when I can retire and we can take it on a LONG trip!
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Rex, Susan and James
ST29RL  
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music69
Forum New Camper
Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: 08 Apr 2009 at 8:00am |
By "problems w/ some steep grades", are you saying that you didn't make it, or that you just needed to slow down? In my mind, slowing down on steep grades and pulling the rpms up to a good power level is to be expected for a gas engine tow vehicle in the mountains. Just curious, and thank you for replying! |
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Susie_Q462
Forum Weekend Camper
Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Location: Denver Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 08 Apr 2009 at 8:31am |
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Purely a matter of slowing down. Coming east on I 70 to the Eisenhower tunnel was our biggest challenge - we were right among the semis on the far right climbing slowly. The story about the little engine that could kept popping into my mind |
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Rex, Susan and James
ST29RL
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jjustman
Forum Family Vacation Camper 
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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Posted: 08 Apr 2009 at 11:32pm |
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We have a 2005 Ford F 150 Super crew 4X4, 5.4 engine, 3:73 gears. We had a 22RB ST and now have a 27RB ST that weighs 4990# factory numbers. The first St weighed about 900 # less than the current one and I can tell the difference. The truck pulls the 27 RB fine and I have hauled the ATV in the truck bed twice pulling the camper. The ATV adds 600# to the load and does OK. We haven't had any issues with our ST's so far. We like them and like the room the slideout provides. My wife didn't want to spend the money to up grade to the slideout, but now claims she had a great idea to trade up!!
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John
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music69
Forum New Camper
Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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Posted: 09 Apr 2009 at 10:19am |
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Thanks for the input John. My inclination, when looking, has been to stay under 28' bumper to ball. The 24BH looks like a good layout for us within this limit. Your camper looks to have similar length as the 30BH, which gives a full bed up front (rather than a flip-up bed/couch in the 24BH).
We currently pull a 22', no-slide camper with our 08 GMC Sierra Crew-cab 5.3L/3.73/4-spd and have no issues with power or stability. I'm guessing it weighs in about 4k lbs unloaded. Your experience pulling the longer camper indicates that it can be done comfortably with a long wheelbase 1/2-ton. I guess I may need to at least consider the longer layout, but my instict tells me to stay with a shorter unit. That may be due to the fact that our old camper is stick/wood framed and relatively heavy for it's size. |
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jjustman
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Status: Offline Points: 235 |
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Posted: 10 Apr 2009 at 10:44am |
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Our F-150 is the one with the real short bed. I believe Ford has a longer wheel base 1/2 ton than ours. I don't notice the extra length of the 27 RB verses the 22RB, when going down the road, but do when you get to the campground and look for the spot you can get into.
John  |
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John
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Seamonster
Forum New Camper
Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Posted: 13 Apr 2009 at 11:03pm |
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We have the 31 with the quad bunks.
We are very happy with it so far, we just got it last fall.
I did a ton of research on the internet and went to lots and lots
of dealers. I felt the construction of the ST was the best value
for the money. I highly recomment the ST.
I tow with a 2007 gm half ton with out a problem. I do have the 6.0
with 4:10's but it pulls it easily and is very stable with the
Equilizer brand sway control.
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wsc01q
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Posted: 28 Apr 2009 at 3:58pm |
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We had a ST19CK which we pulled with a '96 Tahoe that was tow rated at 5500#. We moved up to a ST26RK and upgradded the Tahoe to pull 6000# but it wasn't all that great. We keep the trailer pretty lightly loaded but I'm sure it exceeds 6000# a little. I simply don't like trailering with a truck anywhere near it's factory rating and we have gone to a 3/4 ton truck. The brakes, transmission, power, tires of the heavier duty truck all provide a huge margin of safety. We could tow in excess of 10,000# if needed. We don't need a sway-stop or even a load leveling hitch with the ST26RK. It's like a toy back there compared to the old Tahoe. With dealers trying to "give away" trucks, getting the 3/4 ton was a no brainer for us.
If anyone wants a really nice upgraded '96 Tahoe with only 50K miles on it; I have one for sale. |
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08 Chevy 2500HD - 11 CF30SKP
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Susie_Q462 wrote: