Undecided 23BHE verses 23LDE

[Grandstander]

So I have been researching travel trailers and am down to one of these two. I have not walked them yet, so still need to physically look at them. I just did a Jayco tour of ones I was interested in and honestly was not impressed with their quality or camp queens. So these two are on my list, but I am torn between sleeping accommodations and having places to sit. If only the 23lde had a pull out sofa instead of theater seats, it would win! I could just carry some nice folding chairs for the 23bhe, but I don’t trust that the kitchen is part of the slide out do to some problem plumbing reviews I’ve read. Anyway would appreciate feedback from owners of these two models. My wife and I are approaching retirement and have her handicapped adult brother that lives with us, but like i said if the 23lde had the fold out couch to increase its sleeping capabilities to 4 or 5 it would be a win. Also I need to keep the weight down so these two choices are perfect.

[NB Canada]

I personally don’t like trailers with rear kitchens as they are more difficult to get important weight back on the tongue
The kitchen area tends to be the heaviest part of the trailer and you don’t want that on the tail IMO
But like you said I wouldn’t want the issues of the sink in the kitchen slide. That is a design nightmare
We looked at that trailer and chose our 2400

Just curious why you felt the Jayco quality is bad
Considering Grand Design uses the cheapest materials to build the Imagine interiors (doors will warp) and my last Jayco had quality hardwood


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Grandstander]

I personally don’t like trailers with rear kitchens as they are more difficult to get important weight back on the tongue
The kitchen area tends to be the heaviest part of the trailer and you don’t want that on the tail IMO
But like you said I wouldn’t want the issues of the sink in the kitchen slide. That is a design nightmare
We looked at that trailer and chose our 2400

Just curious why you felt the Jayco quality is bad
Considering Grand Design uses the cheapest materials to build the Imagine interiors (doors will warp) and my last Jayco had quality hardwood


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I went into a new 264BH and the trim was falling off the dinette (stapled in) also the cabinet doors were miss aligned with the bed struts broken off. Could have been abused by window-shoppers, but still. I loved the 24RL but the tongue weight was 650 dry. My other issue is I am trying to pull these with my SUV (2022 BMW X5) with a factory tow rating of 7200, but I am not sure if it would handle the tongue weight. Do you feel you have enough seating in your 2400? Thoughts?

[NB Canada]

Just to inform you both of the trailers you mentioned will have tongue weights over 800 pounds

We have the dinette in our 2400 so there is lots of seating but we stay outside all the time

Just use it for sleeping


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Tigger1]

@Grandstander

I don’t have either trailer but have a 22mle which is similar to the 23lde just shorter.

Couple of thoughts as you work through your decision making:

Our last CAT scale weights from the end of last season; 740# tongue weight and 5240# trailer axles, add those together for the total trailer weight 5980#. We pack light and don’t carry any significant water in the tanks. I suspect the 23lde would be similar or higher.

For the 23bhe, check this past Hitch Weight survey thread, in particular page 3 post# 29 for actual weights:
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...t-Survey/page3

Final thought. If you like the 23lde and can figure out how to tow it safely with your vehicle or another one, you could consider replacing the theater seating with a folding sofa, see link below; assuming Grand Design does not offer that as an option. I just measured the width of the seats in our 22mle and they are about 61”. There’s a couple inches room on either side so the linked sofa would fit. You should call Grand Design’s customer service to verify if you go down that path. Just a thought.

https://www.recpro.com/recpro-michae...fold-sofa-bed/

[Grandstander]

Just to inform you both of the trailers you mentioned will have tongue weights over 800 pounds

We have the dinette in our 2400 so there is lots of seating but we stay outside all the time

Just use it for sleeping


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

The 2022 23BHE and 2400BH have the same dry tongue weights, (504 and 505lbs) according to the GD site. Figuring a battery is 65lbs., and another 40lbs., for full propane tanks, I would be looking at 610lbs. I know the 2400 is heavier overall, so although I think it’s a little nicer, I may stick with the 23BHE to save some weight. Let me know if I am missing something in my estimated tongue weight calculations.

[NB Canada]

The 2022 23BHE and 2400BH have the same dry tongue weights, (504 and 505lbs) according to the GD site. Figuring a battery is 65lbs., and another 40lbs., for full propane tanks, I would be looking at 610lbs. I know the 2400 is heavier overall, so although I think it’s a little nicer, I may stick with the 23BHE to save some weight. Let me know if I am missing something in my estimated tongue weight calculations.

Those are dry empty weights
Grand Design and most all RV companies should be sued posting these numbers
It is even before they put options in so it is a useless figure
The trailer tongue alone will be 50-70 lbs heavier right out of the factory then once the dealer installs propane and a battery it will go up again then I doubt you will want to camp in an empty trailer so once you add things the tongue will be almost or over 800 lbs
My tongue weight is around 900 lbs

2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Tigger1]

My tongue weight is around 900 lbs

2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

Wow, 900 seems high. Is that from a CAT scale or a tongue weight scale?

Looking at the Hitch Weight survey thread again, I found a person with a 2400BH, page 3, post 23, only showing 700. Do you carry a lot of fresh water? That might help explain the difference.
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...t-Survey/page3

[NB Canada]

Wow, 900 seems high. Is that from a CAT scale or a tongue weight scale?

Looking at the Hitch Weight survey thread again, I found a person with a 2400BH, page 3, post 23, only showing 700. Do you carry a lot of fresh water? That might help explain the difference.
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...t-Survey/page3

Considering the TW is 650 lbs before a single item is placed in the trailer I find 700 unlikely

Cat scale weights. No fresh water just a pack full front storage of BBQ ,heavy tools ,lumber for leveling,multiple folding chairs etc plus we load the under bed storage with all of our drinks(sodas,water etc). I store nothing in the rear of the trailer
Heavy TW is the answer to everything
Likely why others feel “white knuckled driving” and I drive with one finger relaxed

That thread you posted is a worthless post and actually should be removed IMO. It is inaccurate and just adds confusion
The trailer you mentioned posted axle weights of 6500 and TW of 700. If it is accurate he is in a dangerous under loaded TW
YMMV


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Tigger1]

The trailer you mentioned posted axle weights of 6500 and TW of 700. If it is accurate he is in a dangerous under loaded TW
YMMV


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

700/6500 = 10.8% which falls into the acceptable 10%-15% range.