311BHS Is the deal $$ looking good?

[larry0071]

My wife and I are newer camper owners, 10 months back we purchased our first camper, a Coachmen Apex UltraLite 289TBSS. This is 33' end to end. We had a 2017 RAM Rebel 1500 5.7L with the ZF 8 speed transmission and 3.92 gears. We found that the offroad rebel with 4 corner air was unfit for duty with 1075 lb payload, so I dumped it for a 2019 Ram 2500 6.4L with the ZF 8 speed transmission and 3,100 lb payload with 14,600 towing.

So now we've mounted the Apex into a permanent site and have been using it heavy, and we realize that this is not the right trailer.

I'm working a deal on a Grand Design Reflection 311BHS that will fit my truck that has the factory fifth wheel and goose neck prep, snow chief with the dual 220 alternators, 20" wheels and 3.73 gears. I'm good as far as truck.

The 311BHS is a leftover 2020 and it's been hauled to the Pittsburgh PA and the Erie PA RV shows last winter. The frame and slide mechanisms have salt residue and surface rust showing. So the deal is being worked because I'm going to have spend a good deal of time cleaning, preparing and epoxy coating everything from axles to leafs to frame and to slide mechanisms. This is also the darker interior early 2020 with the regular bench dinnet. I would prefer the lighter interior, free standing table, 2 chairs and ottoman/bench of the 2020.5+ but I also like a value packed deal [emoji1787]....

There are a dozen places within 8 hours of me at $53k for this 2020 model. He was at that same price as almost all, and I told him not a chance I would buy when I can buy any other same unit, not salted ones, at the same money deal.

So he's dropped to $49,988 due to the paint/surface rust issues. Am I looking at a deal that is getting good enough to jump at? At $56k he will order me a new 2021 with the free standing dinnet.

I'm not sure that the price is fully where it needs to be. He claims that the $20k tease deal on my 10 month old Apex is a screaming good offer. I paid $29 for it, owe $24k on it.

I'm putting $10k cash on the deal. My Experian credit score is 780 as of my last monthly update from Turbo Tax.

Should I take the offer? Should I try to hard ball it more? Maybe try to get the fifth wheel stuff to drop into my RAM with the 5 holes in the bed?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[NordicNevs]

I got mine in January for 47 out the door new with almost every option.

I’ll say my 3500 with the high output did really well. The towing weight (imho) would be pushing it for the 6.4 especially if your navigating hills. I wouldn’t do it with a 2500 coil rear. Not a chance.

Here in the southern Rockies the downhills without an exhaust brake would not be enjoyable with that trailer in tow.

The cat scale is completely empty weight but with 3 kids in the truck with me. You are pushing the 2500 once she is loaded.

[geotex1]

So, if that trailer was pristine with a list of $66,419, you should be able to take it away at $45,500 (smoking) to $49,800 (meh). So, he's not giving you any deal on the condition at that price. Now, currently, because of COVID19 there's a big spike in RV sales of all types with diminishing inventory so dealers are commanding higher prices - that's been discussed around here past few weeks. That said, this should still put you in a good position because Campers Inn has a lot queen on their hands because it has some wear and tear and doesn't have the new all about it. Further, like new used campers are also commanding top dollar on the used market. Two members in our camping circle have unloaded 18mo and 23mo old campers at eye-popping private sale prices, in less than 1 month of their advertising them! Let them get out of one case where they bought too impulsively and ended up not fitting them and the others ended up early retired from COVID and want a full-time rig...

Taking your current one out of the picture, you want that leftover at the $45K point IMO. I would really try to sell your current one privately, especially if you're near a decent populous. He's really making money on you with both ends of where you are currently at in the deal.

[jasonl78]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first post! I will apologize up front that I don't have much advice for you about the price of the 311. I do have some questions though about your truck. Can you give us a few more details about it? Is it a crew cab? 6'4" bed? 4X2 or 4X4? Are your payload and tow ratings the actual numbers for your specific truck? I'm kind of trying to figure out your configuration from what you listed to ensure it lines up with the towing guides Ram has. All your numbers could be spot on but a 311 is a good sized fifthwheel for a 2500. I have a 3500 with 6.4L and 3.73s. My payload is 4006 lbs but my tow rating is only 12,320 lbs. A 14k lb trailer will have a significant amount of pin weight which may leave you with little to no payload. Double check to ensure the numbers you provided reflect your actual truck. I considered a 311 for my 3500 but running with 3.73s I just felt it was going to be too taxing on the truck so I downsized the a 28BH. Let us know a few more truck details. I welcome others opinions as well.

[larry0071]

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first post! I will apologize up front that I don't have much advice for you about the price of the 311. I do have some questions though about your truck. Can you give us a few more details about it? Is it a crew cab? 6'4" bed? 4X2 or 4X4? Are your payload and tow ratings the actual numbers for your specific truck? I'm kind of trying to figure out your configuration from what you listed to ensure it lines up with the towing guides Ram has. All your numbers could be spot on but a 311 is a good sized fifthwheel for a 2500. I have a 3500 with 6.4L and 3.73s. My payload is 4006 lbs but my tow rating is only 12,320 lbs. A 14k lb trailer will have a significant amount of pin weight which may leave you with little to no payload. Double check to ensure the numbers you provided reflect your actual truck. I considered a 311 for my 3500 but running with 3.73s I just felt it was going to be too taxing on the truck so I downsized the a 28BH. Let us know a few more truck details. I welcome others opinions as well.

The numbers aren't from an advertisement, I shopped the yellow sticker.... I learned of the yellow sticker on my 2017 Rebel when the stupid air suspension kept going into limp mode and I discovered a 1075 payload was the issue. It knows that your exceeding payload and it locks out the system.

Anyways, I was shopping the 2500 series and realized that a Cummins in a 2500 is useless, my 2019 F-150 with the heavy payload package and 2040 payload can hold more that some of the 2500/Cummins trucks I was looking at.

So yes, my truck is a crew cab, 6.4, Bighorn (no fancy leather or automatic taint tickler [emoji23]) 4x4, 6' 4" bed, white with Sport appearance package, LED package, snow chief, fifth wheel prep, base 8.4 with no Uconnect.
I added the bed step, added an aluminum toolbox that I keep empty unless I'm needing it, added stainless Havoc HS3 steps, added tint.

So this particular build is 3100/14,600. That was what I was looking for, good ability to haul my equipment trailer with 8K lb mini excavator, New Holland 10K lb skid steer, my Jeep and my camper.

The 6.4 rips through the 2 lane mountains up in Elk County Pa. with 14,000 lbs behind it at 70 mph passing slower people. It pulls just fine.

I've got no plans today to haul any trailers across the country. I'm still a working class slave, typically 4 day weekends and maybe a week off now and again. I don't think we will be charging up Monarch Pass (Colorado) to soon [emoji106]. But I have total faith that the truck would do the job.

A Cummins would do it better but we aren't drag racing trailers up mountains like TFL Trucks.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[jasonl78]

The numbers aren't from an advertisement, I shopped the yellow sticker.... I learned of the yellow sticker on my 2017 Rebel when the stupid air suspension kept going into limp mode and I discovered a 1075 payload was the issue. It knows that your exceeding payload and it locks out the system.

Anyways, I was shopping the 2500 series and realized that a Cummins in a 2500 is useless, my 2019 F-150 with the heavy payload package and 2040 payload can hold more that some of the 2500/Cummins trucks I was looking at.

So yes, my truck is a crew cab, 6.4, Bighorn (no fancy leather or automatic taint tickler [emoji23]) 4x4, 6' 4" bed, white with Sport appearance package, LED package, snow chief, fifth wheel prep, base 8.4 with no Uconnect.
I added the bed step, added an aluminum toolbox that I keep empty unless I'm needing it, added stainless Havoc HS3 steps, added tint.

So this particular build is 3100/14,600. That was what I was looking for, good ability to haul my equipment trailer with 8K lb mini excavator, New Holland 10K lb skid steer, my Jeep and my camper.

The 6.4 rips through the 2 lane mountains up in Elk County Pa. with 14,000 lbs behind it at 70 mph passing slower people. It pulls just fine.

I've got no plans today to haul any trailers across the country. I'm still a working class slave, typically 4 day weekends and maybe a week off now and again. I don't think we will be charging up Monarch Pass (Colorado) to soon [emoji106]. But I have total faith that the truck would do the job.

A Cummins would do it better but we aren't drag racing trailers up mountains like TFL Trucks.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I'm considering upgrading next year. Curious how you got dual 220A alternators with the 6.4L. That option is only available on the diesel I thought. The Snow Chief Package comes with a single 220A alternator and requires 18" wheels. Did you go aftermarket to get 20"? Just curious because the Snow Chief package is something I'm considering in my next truck.

[huntr70]

With brand new 2021 Apex's like you have selling for $24-25k, $20 is a good trade value. (Use RV Trader, several new ones listed at that pricing)

I have 3- 2020's in stock, all with the booth dinette. If they are the white exteriors, they are the newer builds. The old build with dark interior had a tan exterior.

I have all 3 of ours listed at $50,695, with 2nd a/c. I don't stock that bunk model with table/chairs.

[larry0071]

I'm considering upgrading next year. Curious how you got dual 220A alternators with the 6.4L. That option is only available on the diesel I thought. The Snow Chief Package comes with a single 220A alternator and requires 18" wheels. Did you go aftermarket to get 20"? Just curious because the Snow Chief package is something I'm considering in my next truck.

I thought I scanned the sticker to my Google Drive, but I didn't. I'll have to get it next week.... I'm camping currently and away from my files!
The 20" wheels are factory, I think part of the Sport package?
The snow plow deal was just there, not something I was looking for.
I'll have to get to the truck and pop the hood.... I honestly haven't done that yet. It's only got 3800 miles on it since I drive a car every day for work. I only use the truck for pulling my equipment as needed. I used to use a older Ford Dump but it was a slow horrible pig. The Ram is like a freaking race car compared.... I play landscaping in the side. I sit at a desk in front of a PC for work.Attachment 27203Attachment 27204Attachment 27205

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[larry0071]

With brand new 2021 Apex's like you have selling for $24-25k, $20 is a good trade value. (Use RV Trader, several new ones listed at that pricing)

I have 3- 2020's in stock, all with the booth dinette. If they are the white exteriors, they are the newer builds. The old build with dark interior had a tan exterior.

I have all 3 of ours listed at $50,695, with 2nd a/c. I don't stock that bunk model with table/chairs.

So I think that your generally saying that he's showing money on the trade that makes the $49,900 a good deal? So should I jump forward at this, or start poking at other dealers looking for offers?

I'm currently working from home (Covid 19) from my Apex. I have time to poke around, but I hate to waste people's time if the deal I am already standing at is about as good as it can be.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[huntr70]

I would think you can get a similar deal on a non-rusted one.

Like I said, we have non-rusty, with 2nd air rigs for less than $1000 more.

Try Boyer's RV in Erie. Ask to talk to Brandon. Tell him Steve from Tom Schaeffer's recommended you call him. (not sure where you are from)