Forest River Sandpiper

[TheTonka]

Anyone have any experience or opinions about the Forest River Sandpiper sports or Sierra Sports(there pretty much the same trailer)? There was a thread last week that mentioned them. We went and looked at them at a local dealer and really like them. They have a 34ft tag model that has a cargo carrying capacity of 6800lbs. I am going to go back in a take some measurements but I think the tonka will fit if I remove the rear fold down bed. The dealer is going to let me bring the tonka in and load it up, That should be fun.

I crawled under it and all through it and it looks to be pretty well made. The frame is pretty beefy. I am just wondering if they are overrating their specs.

They are asking $27k on sale right now, normally it is $30K. We will probably wait to buy and have to order since they do not stock the color scheme the wife wants.

Pic

Specs

MODEL : T34SP
HITCH WEIGHT : 975
BASE DRY WEIGHT : 7720
GVWR : 15950
NET CAPACITY : 6871
TIRE SIZE : ST225/75R15D
BOX LENGTH : 35'4"
FRESH WATER : 100
BLACK HOLDING : 40
GREY HOLDING : 80

Features

RVIA Coded for Safety
Air Conditioner 13,500 BTU
Awning A&E
ABS Sport Table
CD Player w/ Cassette AM/FM
Create-A-Breeze Vent Fan
Water Filter System
TV Antenna w/ Booster
Metal Frame Sport Sofa
Large 2 Door Refrigerator
Roof Rack and Ladder (N/A T18)
Spare Tire and Carrier
Exterior Lights all Sides
Solid Raised Oak Cabinet Doors
Cable and DSS Wiring
Diamond Plate Front
Easy Lift Ramp Door
Full Walk on Rubber Roof
Full Linoleum Floors
Generator Ready (N/A T18)
Higher GVWR Package
Large Capacity Storage
Outside Shower
Power Front Jacks FW
Tinted Glass (Safety FW)
Wide Body Design
Water Heater By-Pass
Fully Insulated with R-7
Oak Drawer Fronts
3 Burner Range Hi-Output with 22" Oven
18" Overhead Storage Cabinets in Cargo Area
Dual LPG Tanks w/ Cover TT
Spring Assist Rear Ramp w/ 2600 lb. Cap.
Dual LPG Auto Regulator
Safety Chains TT
Safety Break Away on Brakes
100 Gallons Fresh Water (Ex. T18)
12V Cut Off in Storage
93-1/2" Ramp Opening
6" Box Frame T18, T21, T25
10" I-Beam Chassis No Wheel Wells on Larger Units
Side Walls Mounted on Top of Floors for Extra Strength

[SolidAxleDurango]

Sale -> schmale.....

Going rates for TTs and 5vers is generally 70-80% of MSRP depending on demand.

Haven't bought one from them, but have you priced the trailer you want here??

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/

It'll give you the MSRP and their price.

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by SolidAxleDurango
Sale -> schmale.....

Going rates for TTs and 5vers is generally 70-80% of MSRP depending on demand.

Haven't bought one from them, but have you priced the trailer you want here??

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/

It'll give you the MSRP and their price.

COOL thanks. Like I said we are not buying now. Gonna get rid of a bunch of dead weight in our lives, pay off a bunch of debt, buy a place, and probably get into a trailer next summer. I'm just anal about these kinda things and tend to start my research REAL early and work at it TOO long.

Still looking for opinions and experience with Foret River. I have found opinions about their travel trailers and most people sound satisfied.

[smurfsdad]

How many of those 225/15 tires is under that thing to have that kind of capacity ?

[bignissan]

How many of those 225/15 tires is under that thing to have that kind of capacity ?

that's what i'm wondering??

[SolidAxleDurango]

Also, if you're looking for review of a manufacturer's trailer, don't be overly concerned with people's comments on appliances or the fixtures... There all the same regardless of what brand of trailer it is... Hehe.. there's only about 2 manufacturers for anything in there.

As an example, If someone is posting "I hate Jayco, because their fridges suck..." then they're a moron. There's Norcold fridges, and there's Dometic fridges... That's it.. On one lot, you might even see some Jayco models with one brand, and some Jayco models with the other brand.

What you should be concerned with is the assembly quality and structure. Pay special attention to tendencies for leaks.

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by smurfsdad
How many of those 225/15 tires is under that thing to have that kind of capacity ?

Its a triple axle, so 6 tires. It doesn't say what size axles they are and the tires are D rated. But if the axles are at least 5200# that puts the capacity over 15000lbs. You can always put better tires on it.

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by SolidAxleDurango
Also, if you're looking for review of a manufacturer's trailer, don't be overly concerned with people's comments on appliances or the fixtures... There all the same regardless of what brand of trailer it is... Hehe.. there's only about 2 manufacturers for anything in there.

As an example, If someone is posting "I hate Jayco, because their fridges suck..." then they're a moron. There's Norcold fridges, and there's Dometic fridges... That's it.. On one lot, you might even see some Jayco models with one brand, and some Jayco models with the other brand.

What you should be concerned with is the assembly quality and structure. Pay special attention to tendencies for leaks.

I agree. I am more interested in the opinions on chassis, ramp, floor, and how they tow.

[lwg]

Originally posted by TheTonka

Outside Shower
Spring Assist Rear Ramp w/ 2600 lb. Cap.

So there isn't a shower inside, or is this an additional shower for when your really dirty?

Also, not sure what this ramp capacity means. Hopefully I'm just misunderstanding something.

I really like these trailers as well and had wondered what they cost. The price seems pretty reasonable to me. I also assume these are the 5th Wheel variety?

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by lwg


So there isn't a shower inside, or is this an additional shower for when your really dirty?

Also, not sure what this ramp capacity means. Hopefully I'm just misunderstanding something.

I really like these trailers as well and had wondered what they cost. The price seems pretty reasonable to me. I also assume these are the 5th Wheel variety?

Yeah thats an extra shower outside. Its got a shower with a small bathtub inside. Even has enough room to wipe after I grump. Outside showers are great for when your really dirty or just want to hose off to keep cool. Also good for toddlers that get stuck in trail rigs toooooo long without a bathroom

The ramp capacity is a question for the dealer/manufacturer. I still have to weigh the tonka because I came to the realization that I don't actually know how much it weighs. If that ramp can only handle 2600lbs at a time i'll probably break it.

The tonka's kinda dead or I'd be at the dealer trying to stuff it in that thing, they said I could .

[FYRMAN]

Originally posted by TheTonka


Its a triple axle, so 6 tires. It doesn't say what size axles they are and the tires are D rated. But if the axles are at least 5200# that puts the capacity over 15000lbs. You can always put better tires on it.

The GVW will always be equal to the weakest rated part in the equation. You can't just put bigger tires on it and call it good.

The tires on that trailer better be rated for the GVW of the trailer, or they are in some serious trouble.

[FYRMAN]

Originally posted by TheTonka
The ramp capacity is a question for the dealer/manufacturer. If that ramp can only handle 2600lbs at a time i'll probably break it.

2600lbs sounds right. 2600 pounds on each axle of the tonka. that gives you a total weight on the tonka of 5200 pounds, as long as you don't have both axles on the middle of the ramp at the same time.

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by FYRMAN


2600lbs sounds right. 2600 pounds on each axle of the tonka. that gives you a total weight on the tonka of 5200 pounds, as long as you don't have both axles on the middle of the ramp at the same time.

Yeah it should. I actually don't have any idea how much it weighs, and for some reason I am being really stupid about even guessing. I know my Dads wagon weighs 4200lbs. But I have a D60 in the rear, his is a D44. I have a big housing D44 in front with IH knuckles and 1-ton Chevy hubs, his is a D30. I have a 203Tcase, hes gotta 205. I know my frame weighs more. I have 35 BFGs hes got 32s. I will be putting a cage in the rear and a big winch in front.

I think it'll easily be 5000lbs. So I have to wonder how many times those ramps can handle that much weight and what about the hinge.

Am I being too paranoid? If I am going to finance this thing for 1- years I want it to last.

[TheTonka]

Only picture I can find right now.



More here

Its changed a little since those, but not much. Major changes are in store that might add a little weight(i.e. full cage in bed to protect 2 passengers.)

[lwg]

Originally posted by FYRMAN


2600lbs sounds right. 2600 pounds on each axle of the tonka. that gives you a total weight on the tonka of 5200 pounds, as long as you don't have both axles on the middle of the ramp at the same time.

Good point! I wasn't thinking about actual axle weight.

[tators]

You know the weights they list for the trailer are BASE model weights with no options....

I'd see if the dealer will let you take it across the scales full of water , dishes, clothes, shit paper, etc.. and see what the real weight is....

Full water tank is going to add 800lbs !

Add your rig inside and thats a WHOLE lot of tag along trailer...

I'm not an expert but don't recall ever seing a vehicle rated for more than 10k tag along???

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by tators
You know the weights they list for the trailer are BASE model weights with no options....

I'd see if the dealer will let you take it across the scales full of water , dishes, clothes, shit paper, etc.. and see what the real weight is....

Full water tank is going to add 800lbs !

Add your rig inside and thats a WHOLE lot of tag along trailer...

I'm not an expert but don't recall ever seing a vehicle rated for more than 10k tag along???

Got an F350 Crew Cab 4x4 long bed PSD. I know its pushing it but I know several people who tow tags this big with similar rigs all the time.

I have already talked to the dealer and he is willing to let me do whatever I have to to check if the trailer will work for me. He is very accomidating, of course he is also on commission.

[tators]

Why not go 5th wheel ?

Everyone says they tow MUCH better than a tag-along....

[lwg]

Personally if I went with that trailer, 5th wheel is the way I would go. I know you can tow a lot more than 10K with a bumper pull, but I would rather not. I can't imagine the handling characteristics of a 12-14K bumper pull at 70 MPH!

[TheTonka]

I'd kinda like to stay away from the fifth cause I use the room in my bed under the shell for my car audio business. I know a fifth would be better.

As for what I am looking for from an RY style toy hauler this tag has the largest carrying capacity with the interior dimensions I need. I am still looking for info on the quality of forest river products. I know weekend warrior is really good as well as Thor but neither of them have haulers, even fifth wheel, that have enough room inside or carrying capacity to hold the tonka.

The only reason I have been looking at these is the wife is more impressed with the comfort of the toy haulers than the race trailer. I want a stacker, but I am probably 6 months from purchase and need to cover all possibilities before I sell my current trailer.

[RockDoc]

Originally posted by tators
I'd see if the dealer will let you take it across the scales full of water , dishes, clothes, shit paper, etc.. and see what the real weight is....

And tators has been know to carry a couple hundred pounds of shit paper

Doc

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by RockDoc


And tators has been know to carry a couple hundred pounds of shit paper

Doc

[SolidAxleDurango]

When you start to look at them... STAND IN THE DAMN SHOWER

Many TT and 5vers have a small step up into the shower stall. But the ceiling does not accomondate.. Nothing worse than having to slump over to shower in something you're paying dearly for every month.

Mine has a bubble-style sky light that allows me to stand up straight!

[TheTonka]

Originally posted by SolidAxleDurango
When you start to look at them... STAND IN THE DAMN SHOWER

Many TT and 5vers have a small step up into the shower stall. But the ceiling does not accomondate.. Nothing worse than having to slump over to shower in something you're paying dearly for every month.

Mine has a bubble-style sky light that allows me to stand up straight!

Believe me I know. Although for me the worst has been the crapper. The vast majority of motorhomes, campers, and trailers I have been in(excluding big trailers and bus motorhomes) have NO room around the crapper. There is nothing worst than doin your business and not being able to get a good paper finish.

I don't get it. I'm not a big guy at 6' and 220 but it just seems they think all RVers are little or really flexible.

[lwg]

Originally posted by TheTonka
I'd kinda like to stay away from the fifth cause I use the room in my bed under the shell for my car audio business. I know a fifth would be better.

Understandable. You might just have to run airbags or something to keep the ass of the truck from dragging. I have really been thinking long and hard about this as well. I don't currently have a shell on my truck but have considered it. I figure either I will go with a shell and a bumper pull, or get a toolbox and run a goose or 5th wheel. With my truck having a short bed the goose or 5th option and a toolbox would be a tight fit but I think it would work.