New to RVS: 2600RB VS 2500RL and General RV Questions

[GeorgiaJeff]

I'll add one point about the two air conditioners. We have a 230RL fifth wheel. It is 30 amp and only has one AC. The AC does a pretty good job cooling the trailer but since it is mounted right about the TV it's a pain to hear the TV with the AC going. Even with the Bose soundbar we still have to crank the volume. We wish we had 50 amp and the second AC just so we could run the rear AC to keep the rig cool while we sit and watch TV.

 

[AZ_JOE]

Hi Mike -

I tow a 2023 GDRV Imagine 2600RB with a 2021 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel and 3.92 axle ratio. My GF and I settled on the 2600RB, but did consider the Imagine XLS 23LDE. As you may know the XLS line sits below the Imagine line. The latter has larger wheels and axles. That said, I cannot speak to the 2500RL. We found the 2600RB to be a great "couples" trailer. Below are my response.

1. Nothing to add.
2. Used would definitely save you some bucks. Test everything before buying.
3 & 4. You might be able to get away with 30A and two ACs with the installation of a couple micro-air EasyStarts. EasyStarts will also allow you to dry camp with a smaller generator.
5. 30A is more common, but 50A is not far behind.
6. I upgraded my suspension. First, have your tires balanced. They do not come balanced from the factory. Costco balanced my tires for $5 apiece. Next, I replaced the equalizers with Lippert's Road Armor Shock-Absorbing Trailer Equalizer Tandem Axle Kit, Heavy Duty Shackles and Wet Bolts. And finally, I installed ROADMASTER 2460 Comfort Ride Tandem Axle Shock Absorber System. I had the frame shock brackets welded as the tapped bolts came out.
7. The bathroom of the RB is huge, and I like that it is located away from the kitchen and sleeping area.
8. Decide what trailer you want, and pit nearby dealers against one another. I was will to drive 500 miles for the best price.
9. 20% to 25% sounds about right.
10. I two with ProPride 3P Hitch. No sway of moved when large trucks pass. Look for a used one as they are pricey.

Best, Joe

 

[Mike_Z]

Thanks. Yes; I agree weighing is the best practice regardless of what you are towing. I picked mine up the other day and went straight to the scales. The trailer was pulling a little heavy on the way up to the scales. The good news is the Hensley Arrow hitch performed just about flawlessly; there was no sway but there was a bit of bounce, which will be corrected through adjustment of the spring bars. The weight was WAY heavier than expected on the trailer and of course the rear axle. Turns out I had two inspections done; the PDI and a private inspection. They filled the water tanks for testing and the dealer or the inspector forgot to drain the tanks. Lucky nothing worse happened! There is well over a thousand pounds of water on this rig that will not normally be there. Anyhow, I have it here getting it geared up and will drain the water and weigh it again before taking it to the storage facility.

 

[Mike_Z]

Once you get everything done and trailer loaded to camp you should run it through a cat scale and post the results
Hopefully you are not extremely over

Thanks. Yes; I agree weighing is the best practice regardless of what you are towing. I picked mine up the other day and went straight to the scales. The trailer was pulling a little heavy on the way up to the scales. The good news is the Hensley Arrow hitch performed just about flawlessly; there was no sway but there was a bit of bounce, which will be corrected through adjustment of the spring bars. The weight was WAY heavier than expected on the trailer and of course the rear axle. Turns out I had two inspections done; the PDI and a private inspection. They filled the water tanks for testing and the dealer or the inspector forgot to drain the tanks. Lucky nothing worse happened! There is well over a thousand pounds of water on this rig that will not normally be there. Anyhow, I have it here getting it geared up and will drain the water and weigh it again before taking it to the storage facility.

 

[Mike_Z]

Hi Mike -

I tow a 2023 GDRV Imagine 2600RB with a 2021 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel and 3.92 axle ratio. My GF and I settled on the 2600RB, but did consider the Imagine XLS 23LDE. As you may know the XLS line sits below the Imagine line. The latter has larger wheels and axles. That said, I cannot speak to the 2500RL. We found the 2600RB to be a great "couples" trailer. Below are my response.

1. Nothing to add.
2. Used would definitely save you some bucks. Test everything before buying.
3 & 4. You might be able to get away with 30A and two ACs with the installation of a couple micro-air EasyStarts. EasyStarts will also allow you to dry camp with a smaller generator.
5. 30A is more common, but 50A is not far behind.
6. I upgraded my suspension. First, have your tires balanced. They do not come balanced from the factory. Costco balanced my tires for $5 apiece. Next, I replaced the equalizers with Lippert's Road Armor Shock-Absorbing Trailer Equalizer Tandem Axle Kit, Heavy Duty Shackles and Wet Bolts. And finally, I installed ROADMASTER 2460 Comfort Ride Tandem Axle Shock Absorber System. I had the frame shock brackets welded as the tapped bolts came out.
7. The bathroom of the RB is huge, and I like that it is located away from the kitchen and sleeping area.
8. Decide what trailer you want, and pit nearby dealers against one another. I was will to drive 500 miles for the best price.
9. 20% to 25% sounds about right.
10. I two with ProPride 3P Hitch. No sway of moved when large trucks pass. Look for a used one as they are pricey.

Best, Joe

Apologies for the late response. Thank you! We The suspensions systems you recommended will be going on. We intend on taking this long distances and I feel this will not only help with comfort but also safety so it's a no brainer for me. I'll have to get jacks and stands to get the tires balanced but gotta do what I gotta do. They need to come off for the TPMS install anyhow.

I am going to pop off the covers today on the air conditioners to get a pic of the load stickers. I'll share here but the loads are different for Furrion ACS manufactured in 2024 than they were for earlier manufacturing years (lower in 2024).

 

[Mike_Z]

Just sharing a few pics of the rig and the hitch. Anyone with the physical ability and very basic handyman skills can install the hitch.
I saw one video where it took a guy two days to install the Arrow. I was getting totally beat up by the heat on the day of install and it took about two hours. It would have been 90 minutes on a cool day. The hitch eliminates sway, there is just no other way to describe it. I was getting passed by many trucks at high rates of speed and there was absolutely no noticeable movement. Lane changes were performed as a single unit. Hooking up was challenging the first time but I've got that figured out now.

 

[RV2600RB]

I am SURE you are going to get some interesting opinions! So, here are a few of mine! We have a 2021 2600RB so that is what I am talking about.
#3 . We live in Texas and we only have one AC which has been enough...even in 105F daytime temps. If we were living in the TT for long periods of time we might want more. So I guess it would depend on how you are using the TT.
#4 . Two AC units would definitely require 50 AMPS to run them at the same time...especially if you used any other appliance such as the microwave or hair dryer.
#7 . We like the rear shower since it seems to provide an uninterrupted living area with lots of storage.
#10 . We use an WDH and I don't even know the brand. My suggestion is to get one that is easy to use!

In summary, we love the unit and have pulled it around 10,000 miles in the last 12-months. I have a collection of accessories that I carry to allow for versatility and comfort such as a 30A to 50A adapter so I can hook up anywhere.

Good luck!

Yup. We are very happy with ours as well.
Rich