Thinking of 23LDE

[Youngb-FRF]

My wife and I are new to towing a travel trailer. We recently purchased a Flagstaff Microlite 21DS. After using it for two weeks realized we need more space. Our dealer will take the trailer back with minimal $ loss and we are now looking at a GD 23LDE.

The thing that is holding us back from making the change is the idea that the longer trailer will be more prone to sway. I have a 2024 Ford F150XLS 3.5 EcoBoost with the tow package and a Blue OX WDH Pro. This setup pulled the Microlite well with minimal sway.

The only notable specification differences between the two trailers are the length as well as the 23LDE is 600 pounds more. I have read a post on this site that a 23LDE owner experience significant sway and several members thought it was a result of the rear kitchen in this model.

We would appreciate thoughts regarding using my current truck to pull a 23LDE and if we will potentially experience more sway.

 

[NB Canada]

If you don’t keep enough weight on the tongue you will experience sway

Sway is scientific. As weight gets moved forward sway won’t happen

The issue with those trailers is it is difficult to get enough weight forward

Good luck

 

[Youngb-FRF]

If you don’t keep enough weight on the tongue you will experience sway

Sway is scientific. As weight gets moved forward sway won’t happen

The issue with those trailers is it is difficult to get enough weight forward

Good luck

Thank you for your thoughts. That was one of my concerns but they seem to sell a lot of this model. Would be great to find out how folks get the correct figure out weight.

 

[Riverbug]

Ours is too front heavy based on all the additions we've made. Had no sway issues before adding our off-grid system to the storage bay though. But our truck is quite a bit heavier than yours is, so not a great comparison.

I will say though that we had a 2003 F150 towing a 22MLE which is also a rear kitchen and had no issues at all with sway. We also did not have any of the additions we made to the 23LDE, so that was a better comparison. The only problem we had with that combination was lack of power to pull it.

Based on the 22MLE and 23LDE, I would not hesitate to get a rear kitchen again. In both of them prior to the off-grid system, we were right at 12-13% on the tongue fully loaded. On long trips, we did make a conscious effort to put our heavier items under the bed, like canned goods and extra water.

Maybe you could ask if they would let you take it for a test tow just to get a feel for how it handles. I know it wouldn't be loaded but might give you some indication. Perhaps someone else will chime in that also has experience with this model and a truck more similar to yours. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Youngb-FRF]

Ours is too front heavy based on all the additions we've made. Had no sway issues before adding our off-grid system to the storage bay though. But our truck is quite a bit heavier than yours is, so not a great comparison.

I will say though that we had a 2003 F150 towing a 22MLE which is also a rear kitchen and had no issues at all with sway. We also did not have any of the additions we made to the 23LDE, so that was a better comparison. The only problem we had with that combination was lack of power to pull it.

Based on the 22MLE and 23LDE, I would not hesitate to get a rear kitchen again. In both of them prior to the off-grid system, we were right at 12-13% on the tongue fully loaded. On long trips, we did make a conscious effort to put our heavier items under the bed, like canned goods and extra water.

Maybe you could ask if they would let you take it for a text tow just to get a feel for how it handles. I know it wouldn't be loaded but might give you some indication. Perhaps someone else will chime in that also has experience with this model and a truck more similar to yours. Good luck with your decision!

Thank you for your comments. Would appreciate hearing for others that have a similar truck and what there experience was.

 

[NB Canada]

Thank you for your thoughts. That was one of my concerns but they seem to sell a lot of this model. Would be great to find out how folks get the correct figure out weight.

They sell a lot of 2670mk models as well but doesn’t mean they are safe

Everyone does things differently but there is a large front storage plus under the bed storage.
Put all the heavy things there

You will likely want 1000 lbs of TW. The next thing is have you weighed your truck to see if 1000 plus pounds is doable?

 

[Youngb-FRF]

They sell a lot of 2670mk models as well but doesn’t mean they are safe

Everyone does things differently but there is a large front storage plus under the bed storage.
Put all the heavy things there

You will likely want 1000 lbs of TW. The next thing is have you weighed your truck to see if 1000 plus pounds is doable?

thanks