Moldel and Year of 5'ver

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

I always have a look out on the Internet for Sunline 5th Wheel units. Anyways I found one yesterday, but I am certain the dealer has the information listed wrong as Sunline did not make a 5'ver's in 2005. I thought I would post it here to see if SunlineFan and others could tell me what year and model this unit really is. Here is the link is?

I am thinking it is a 2004 293SR, but am not 100% certain. Also I have to wonder why what appear to be new swivel rockers in the picture. Also look at the carpet in the picture of the table and chairs. Just wondering why this might be lifting and if this would be an easy fix?

 

[MACK C-85]

Looking at the 2004 fiver brouchure I would say your right on the model.

It appears that the "flap" of carpet that covers the transition on the bottom of the slide may have been folded under when the slide was retracted causing the "imprint" on the carpet. It should be fairly easy to straighten out, just make sure it doesn't fold under when the slide is brought in.

I wonder if the previous owner may not have used the swivel seats and stored them?

 

[kanyonkitty]

Yep, appears to be a 2004 F-293SR with Fern Blue interior. The chairs look like the originals, so I'd venture a guess that the owners had them in storage and had other chairs in the Sunline.

Sure looks like a nice rig.

 

[Sunline Fan]

I'm inclined to think it's a 2005, but there is a lot of evidence to think it's an '04. That is the Fern Blue interior, not Country Blue Floral ('05), but since the '05's were custom built, I think they used up a lot of extra materials in '05.

Only the VIN will tell...unfortunately I've got two e-mails out to other dealers now and neither have responded, and it's been two days.

Jon

 

[kanyonkitty]

Here some info on this Sunline. Like WOW, I hope someone from our group grabs this puppy. It IS a 2005, it was used like 3 weekends, and the rest of the time it has been on the lot as a demo unit. That is why the chairs look and basically are brand new. I spoke to "Chasity" and it was their unit and that is how I got the info.

Also, TC's have some items left over for Sunlines, she mentioned that they have some striping, now who was it that was looking for some striping. You need to call to see what they have.

Sorry Jon, no VIN# as they had a problem giving out the #'s and once a crook almost managed to get a rig registered in his name.

Kitty

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

Thanks for the info. I have to tell you I am seriously interested in this unit. Does anyone know if this is a good price for it our not. Kitty, is there anyway you can find out why "Chasity" traded the unit? Also do you know what they pulled this unit with. Just wondering what the pin weight is and if it can be pulled by an F250 Diesel?

Thanks

 

[Sunline Fan]

Darn!

I should have opened up that spreadsheet earlier.

I just remembered a '05 293SR out that way a while back, a new one. I just looked it up and it was at TC's, and it's #8225. Now that I think about it, I think I got that from their stock numbers, I think they used to use the end of the VIN's as stock numbers, but not anymore.

I wonder if this is the same coach then? They both had the Fern Blue interior, and I doubt that many were made in '05, especially a 293SR with the Fern Blue.

I just went and looked up the file for that coach, more specifically the PDF of the ad, and they did use the end of the VIN as the stock number.

Bill, if you are really interested, I have eight pictures from that time that I'd be happy to e-mail to you. It does show the same chairs in the back with the tags still on them.

Jon

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

Darn!


Bill, if you are really interested, I have eight pictures from that time that I'd be happy to e-mail to you. It does show the same chairs in the back with the tags still on them.

Jon

Jon, yes I am interested. I would appreciate it if you could e-mail me the photos. Do you still have my e-mail address? Also do you have any info on the weight and more specifically the pin weight of this model as I need to know if my F250 PSD can handle it or not before I go too far.

Thanks.

 

[kanyonkitty]

This Sunline IS NOT a trade in. Apparently they are the people that own the dealership. They purchased it brand new, did get to actually use it for 3 weekend, and the rest of the time it was used as a demo until Sunline closed up. Then they kept telling themselves, OH, we'll make time to use it, we'll get to use it on weekends, and that has never happened, so it's now looking for a new home. It is in new condition according to what she was telling me. I just love that floor plan. As for pin weight, my '04 brochure does not have it for that model, but I'd take a WAG at 2200 to 2300 lbs, but that is just a DAB (dumb azz blonde) guess


PS: didn't think to ask her what they pulled it with.

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

Kitty, thanks for all the info. This is surely a nice trailer and great find being basically new. I just have to figure out if my F250 can pull it and then if I can swing a deal on it right now as I would probably have to try and sell my trailer her in Canada and with the economy the way it is right now, I am not sure how easy that would be.

 

[JohnGB]

Oh boy……. What a beautiful coach!!!

I just showed it to Cindy and she said, WOWWWWW. It just like ours? And it is. That 2004 293SR is an all grow up T310SR.

Here look

A 2005 293SR

A 2004 T310SR

A 2005 293SR

A 2004 T310SR

A 2005 293SR

A 2004 T310SR

Trailblazer, you better grab that fine looking coach so I can stop thinking about it…..

Actually if you really like that floor plan and want it in a TT, there is or was another 2004 T310SR TT for sale here about a month ago. Sunline Fan found it.

On the price, you can look it up in NADA etc however I’ll throw this in, I’m sure they may move some in price. For the quality of that camper and if it is in great shape, you will have one hard time finding a replacement for that price.

Now the pin weight, I weighed HappyCampers pin weight last June at the M & G. His was 2,700#. You can ask him how loaded the cargo holes where as you can climb up in there and go to sleep, literally…. He also I think had a rear kitchen which means weight in the back to offset the pin. The rear living room campers load to the front. You really would have to sort that pin weight out on yours.

Good luck. She is a beauty.

John


PS after about 5 minutes Cindy came back and said, boy that must be a dance hall with the couch slide and the kitchen slide open. That is 8 feet wide of open area. And she said, no we will keep the one we have now. So this also helps me get it out of my head. If I was closer to retirement, I might go looking harder. But I'm happy with what I have.

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

JohnB, thanks for the pics and the pin weight infor. The pics look great! I am amazed at the pin weight for HappyCampers rigs. That is in the 23% range which seems very heavy. If this is what the range the T-293 is in then it is too heavy for my F-250. I am going to have to contact the dealer to see what they say now.

 

[JohnGB]

JohnB, thanks for the pics and the pin weight infor. The pics look great! I am amazed at the pin weight for HappyCampers rigs. That is in the 23% range which seems very heavy. If this is what the range the T-293 is in then it is too heavy for my F-250. I am going to have to contact the dealer to see what they say now.

Trailblazer

HappyCampers 5er had camping stuff in it. The dealers will be empty.

Look at the floor plan on the T293. It has the same features as an rear living room camper even a TT. The T2499, the T310SR the T293.

That big beautiful window in the back plus those 2 nice blue rocking chairs do not weigh much.

Look where all the storage is in the T293. The front bed room slide closet, almost all that camping gear weight will be on the pin. The cargo hole under, that one is semi spilt between axles and pin. The pin will for sure gain at least 50% of the weight of gear in the cargo holes. The fresh tank, have to figure out where that is. If it is over the axles, then not problem. If it is forward of the axles then the pin takes some too.

I looked at the frame in HappyCampers rig. it was a good looking rigid frame. It also weighs.

There is not much storage aft of the axles in the rear living room layouts. That allows the pin or tongue to go up. I did not know what spring pack you had in the F250. Ford has many offerings. I'm thinking that your rear axle may be able rated at 6,000#. Mine is 7,000# on the F350 SRW

My Ford source book is home but I can look up your payload options later tonight if needed. I know you will be close on the limits

Good luck, she is a beauty.

John

 

[Trailblazer-MGRV]

John, my rear axle rating is 6,100 lbs and the front axle is 6,000lbs with a GVWR of 9,800. According to the ford towing guide I can handle a 15,400lb fifth wheel but then you need to subtract from that the weight of the passengers and hitch. Now on a GCVWR I can handle this trailer with the F250. I believe my weakness comes in the pin weight for the trailer. Now I have not had this truck across a scale yet, but going by the door sticker I have 2,024 cargo carrying capacity. Now Sunline went to great lengths to get the 15% of the trailer weight as tongue weight on a bumper pull. I was wondering if they did the same with the 5th wheel. If this trailer is 15% pin weight after loaded then it is doable with my truck, At 20% I am at or slightly over depending how you calculate the weight on each axle of the truck as it sits now, which I won't know for sure until I weight it. At 25% pin weight the F250 cannot handle this trailer. Also I have to factor in the weight of the 5th Wheel hitch which at the moment I am guessing right now is 200 lbs. Now when I look at HappyCampers pin weight it is at 23% of the trailer weight which in all my research show it on the heavy side and puts it in the toy hauler fifth wheel range. Now the fridge seems to be sitting over the trailer axle so as you say that will not be an issue, but from what I can tell the Fresh water, Black Water and Grey Water tanks are in front of the axle. When talking to the dealer I will ask where exactly these are sitting because as you say this will really determine how much weigh goes on the pin. The more homework I do, I am seriously starting to believe the king pin weight puts this unit out of the range of my truck .

 

[JohnGB]

Hi Trailblazer

Yes you may well be at/beyond the pin weight limits.

Looking at my 2005 F350 CC, Short bed, the V10 with SRW in place of your Diesel.

Just truck, DW and I and full gas

Front Axle: 4,800 GAWR. Scaled 4,460#. Available Capacity: 340#
Rear Axle: 7,000 GAWR. Scaled 3,240# Available Capacity: 3,700#

GVWR: 11,000 #
Book Spec Base Payload: 4,200#
Scaled GVW: 7,700#

Actual Available Payload: 3,300#

GCWR: 21,000#
Spec TT towing Rating: 12,500#
Reality TT Towing capacity: GCWR- GVW (actual) = 21,000 – 7,700 = 14,000#
Spec 5 er Towing capacity:16,500# but can never get there.

As you can see, I can carry my entire payload on the rear axle and still have some rear axle capacity left. Front axle is almost all used up.

If you get the 2005 Dually, that up’s the GVWR to 12,600#, GAWR rear: 9,000# Truck spec available Payload: 5,500# Actual usage with people and options is probably like 4,600#

That T293 is in 1 ton territory to have any kind of breathing room if the pin come in at 2,700 to 3,000#

Like I said if you like the floor plan, there is a 2004 T310SR TT out there for sale. Sunline Fan I’m sure can find it again.

PS Your diesel puts a bigger front axle in the truck and eat up more of your payload but yet it is a pull monster. Yours is in the 23,000 GCWR range. You can pull more then I can. I can hold up more weight.

Good luck

John

 

[HappyCampers-SUN]

Mandy and I were looking at that coach online just the other day, it's definately a great layout. We love our coach but I would love to have a rear living room instead of the rear kitchen. I wish that had been for sale when we bought ours. The pickings were slim on Sunline fivers when we were looking and ours fit the bill nicely, but........I'm never satisfied. Guess thats why in 28 years old and have had five campers so far. If it sits long enough I may just get that itch again.

As to the towing aspect. They (the fivers) are extremely heavy trailers. When you take a look at the frame you can definately see why. The frame under my Sunline makes the frames under a lot of other fivers look like toothpicks. When we bought the coach I had a 2001 2500 Ram with 3:55 rears. I towed the coach home the 550 miles through the White Mountains and the Pocono Mountains with no trouble holding a very steady 60 mph the whole way in July with the AC on full blast. The truck never struggled with the heft of the coach, either pulling or stopping. Before I left I installed an aftermarket tranny temp guage in the truck to monitor it's proformance. The guage never went over 185-190 degrees until we sat on the Mass Pike in traffic for 2 hours. Even then it never got close to approaching any temp that would alarm anybody. I was assured by more than a few people that the coach was definately in the capability range of my 3/4 ton diesel. The only reason I'm not still driving it was I wanted a long bed truck to haul more stuff.

If I'm not mistaken delcon88 is towing his 37' fiver with a 3/4 ton truck also.

JohnB is correct I had camping stuff in my coach. If you look in the basement of my rig you will find just about everything you can imagine. Horseshoes, tiki torches, about 6 chairs, doggie playpen, fans, grill, turkey fryer, extra propane bottle, totes full of electrical cords, extra water hoses, pinbox stabilizing jack, rain gear, tools, axes, hatchets, lights, totes full of misc. needs, etc...All that weight is basically adding directly to your total pin weight. So with a little discretion (which I seem to lack ) you could easily subtract a few hundred pounds from my pin weight by more evenly distributing the stuff around other storage points in the coach.

Good luck, they are most certainly a great coach.

Lowell