Soon-to-be Sunliner! (I hope)

[DementedNana]

We'll be making the 3.5 hour drive to Niagara Falls this weekend, and if the 2 dozen pix the current owner sent me accurately reflect the condition of the trailer, we'll be bringing home a 'new to us' 2001 T-2553 Solaris Sunline. We've had an electric brake controller installed in our 2003 Dodge 4.7l V8 truck and we are picking up our trailer towing mirrors tonight. The sale includes the weight distribution hitch, and the current owner has the same tow vehicle, so he is going to set the brake controller for my husband. (We just sold our 1300 lb tent trailer, so towing a travel trailer is going to be a lot different!)

We've been looking at travel trailers since last September and really like the Sunline, but so few of them are available for sale in Ontario that they sell very quickly. (We only saw 2 locally: both sold the same day they were listed, but we did get to peek in the windows!)

My husband is retiring mid-May, and we intend to spend as much time on the road as the budget will allow. In the meantime, we want to make a few weekend trips to get the feel of having that extra weight and length behind us. (If we can find an open campground, that is!)

I am soooo excited... I will post pix of our new toy as soon as I get my greedy little hands on it and know for sure that it is ours!

 

[nrgilpin]

congrads & good luck. Hope all goes well with your transaction and you live happily ever after!
The folks on this forum are terrific, very knowledgeable and eager to help others. It's the "Sunline Way"
Buck

 

[MACK C-85]

Welcome to the site. Hopefully everything will work out, because you'll love your "new to you" Sunline.

I don't want to dampen your spirits, but just be aware your pushing the upper limits of that 4.7L equipped 1500. It's going to be a lot more wind resistance than your pop up in addition to the weight. The truck will do it, but don't expect to win any races. :wink:

 

[DementedNana]

That's O.K.... at this point, I don't think anything could rain on my parade, and input from those with more experience (which is anyone who has ever towed a travel trailer) is gratefully accepted!

Our truck has the factory installed towing package with the 3.92 gear ratio, so we are rated to pull up to 7400 lbs. We know there will be a lot of wind resistance compared to our little tent trailer, but the Sunline weighs in at less than 2/3 of our maximum towing capacity (we were told this was a good rule of thumb), and we picked the brains of everyone we know who does (or did) tow travel trailers: the general consensus was that we are well within our limitis with the T-2553. (We didn't rely on dealers for information... it didn't take us long to learn that they will tell you anything if they think they can make a sale!)

As for races, we're not even going to compete with the tortoise... with that extra length behind us, we're just going to mosey along in the slow lane and see how far our home away from home will take us in Canada and the U.S.... Maybe I can talk Lazy Poppa into going to the meet and greet in June!

 

[kanyonkitty]

Welcome to the group and hope you are soon a Sunline owner. It would be wonderful "IF" you could attend the GTG. It's a wonderful event, fun, food & "Sunny" friends

Great place to gather Sunline info and tips,

Kitty

 

[ROC-REQS]

Welcome to the club & congratulations on your soon to be & new to you Sunline T-2553.

I'm sure you already know this, but remember that the tow rating of your tow vehicle has to be reduced by the weight of passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle. Also, if you are close to weight, there are things you can do to minimize the loaded weight of your Sunline, like towing dry, that is no water in the fresh water, water heater, black, and gray tanks. And like not over loading the trailer with extra stuff you won't be using while camping.

Maybe I can talk Lazy Poppa into going to the meet and greet in June!

LOL - That would be fantastic if you decided to join us at the Buttonwood M&G. There's already 2 attendees from Ontario and it would be great to have more.

Good luck and safe travels.
Hutch

 

[sunnyseagull]

welcome aboard , good luck with your new to you Sunline, good luck with the transaction , and that would be great if you make it to the m&g I like that floor plan. well gotta go good luck Dan

 

[Al in PA]

Welcome to the club. We love the floor plan of our T2553. I'm sure you will, too.