1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Forest River Salem Cruise Lite

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by TacoWuzzaTurd, Oct 4, 2018.

  1. Oct 4, 2018 at 5:39 PM
    #1
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Any thoughts or experience with forest river salem cruise lite line? Haven't seen much about them here.

    Toying around with possibly purchasing a travel trailer. Went and looked at a couple today. First I was eyeballing some cheaper starcraft launch outfitters but they felt a little cheaper inside, fit and finish compared to the Forest River Cruise lite. I do like the idea of something I can tow back into the boondocks. But we have a 1 year old and probably another on the way soon. This being the case I'm thinking a TT with bunks and a queen bed would be ideal. I read some of @ColoradoTJ posts and it seems like a trailer with sub 500lb tongue weight and between 18 to 23ft would be ideal for towing with the 4x4 CM 5.7L. Definitely dont want to end up netting 8mpg like I saw one guy post. Here in AZ usually would camp in the high country which can be a pretty good climb out but the ride back down likely offsets that.

    Price point would like to stay under $20k for new.
    Wife would probably like to have an oven and a lot of the smaller ones dont come with them from what I see.

    Screenshot_20181004-173116_Chrome.jpg
     
  2. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:13 PM
    #2
    Steve89gt

    Steve89gt New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2017
    Member:
    #10161
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited CM
    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    Had a T230, wasn’t dazzled by the build quality or design. Just traded into a Keystone
     
    TacoWuzzaTurd[OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:13 PM
    #3
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
  4. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:14 PM
    #4
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Hell, I’ll sell you mine...:D
     
    TacoWuzzaTurd[OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:23 PM
    #5
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Thanks ill look into the keystone. I take it they are more reputable?
     
  6. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:23 PM
    #6
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
  7. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:24 PM
    #7
    sprtbkr

    sprtbkr Average Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #15797
    Messages:
    450
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 4x4 Double Cab - Inferno
    TRD Wheels & Tires, Double Cab Fold-down Back Seat mod, LED Interior Lighting, Turned Off Seat Belt Chime, Franken-key (Flip Key), Duraliner Bed Liner, Bed Rails, Hood Wind Deflector, Console Gun Safe, iBoard 5" Running Boards, TRD Sport Bed Vinyl, Fortin Evo One Remote Start with Mycar Cellular Module, Plasti-dipped Badges and Bumper End Caps, Tinted front windows, Extang Solid Fold 2.0, Pop-N-Lock, TUNDRA tailgate inserts, RCI Powder Coated Skid Plate - coming soon - 12” android radio, oemaudio+ Reference 500Q, under dash/seat lighting.
    We have a Forest River R-Pod and love it!
     
    jnevill, itsdchz and Steve89gt like this.
  8. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:25 PM
    #8
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    I looked at the rpod floorplans but look on the small side for a family of 4.
     
  9. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:27 PM
    #9
    sprtbkr

    sprtbkr Average Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #15797
    Messages:
    450
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 4x4 Double Cab - Inferno
    TRD Wheels & Tires, Double Cab Fold-down Back Seat mod, LED Interior Lighting, Turned Off Seat Belt Chime, Franken-key (Flip Key), Duraliner Bed Liner, Bed Rails, Hood Wind Deflector, Console Gun Safe, iBoard 5" Running Boards, TRD Sport Bed Vinyl, Fortin Evo One Remote Start with Mycar Cellular Module, Plasti-dipped Badges and Bumper End Caps, Tinted front windows, Extang Solid Fold 2.0, Pop-N-Lock, TUNDRA tailgate inserts, RCI Powder Coated Skid Plate - coming soon - 12” android radio, oemaudio+ Reference 500Q, under dash/seat lighting.
    That's true. Perfect for 2 people and 2 small dogs.
     
  10. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:35 PM
    #10
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Not necessarily the camper as a whole, but the options.

    First, a couch that converts to a bed just sucks, and there’s little to no privacy. Sometimes in the camp trips, you wanna test out the stabilizing jacks. :D

    You want an oven, get one.

    Big showers are the best.
     
  11. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:38 PM
    #11
    Steve89gt

    Steve89gt New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2017
    Member:
    #10161
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited CM
    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    For us, the design is just better. Ventilation system is more efficient, utility systems are sized appropriately, etc. Also, as you go through your search (regardless of what you pick), think about windows. It seems like a small thing, but the more windows you have, the bigger and more open the trailer will feel. Our T230 only had four small windows, and it felt like we were in a dungeon when we were inside it. The keystone we traded into has windows a plenty, and even though it’s not much larger, it’s just a much more pleasant experience.
     
  12. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:39 PM
    #12
    Steve89gt

    Steve89gt New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2017
    Member:
    #10161
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited CM
    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    This...all of this...+1
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:45 PM
    #13
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Thank you guys that's why I asked. Definitely want to get some experienced opinions before I plunk down some cash
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  14. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:50 PM
    #14
    Steve89gt

    Steve89gt New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2017
    Member:
    #10161
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited CM
    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    N/p. Also, if 20k is your price point, you can go a bit bigger than 23 feet. You’ll
    Be amazed at how much larger a 25 or 26 foot trailer feels, and it’s doable for 20k. Maybe also check out Springdale. I geeked out hard on this stuff last summer, so hollah if you’d like to discuss further
     
  15. Oct 4, 2018 at 7:58 PM
    #15
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    I was thinking smaller for mobility. Boondocking a bit... but I dont know honestly how much different it feels hauling a 25ft trailer vs a 21ft trailer down forest roads a little ways.
     
  16. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:10 PM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    A lot different, and the longer you go, the more apt you are to drag the ass if it gets real interesting.

    Don’t forget, you are also attempting to stay in a certain weight limit.
     
  17. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:15 PM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    The reason I say that about weight is:

    -new trucks are not cheap.

    -selling new campers and buying another one isn’t cheap either.
     
    Patriot likes this.
  18. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:18 PM
    #18
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Yeah saw you upgraded
     
  19. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:19 PM
    #19
    Steve89gt

    Steve89gt New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2017
    Member:
    #10161
    Messages:
    440
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited CM
    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    Agree, Totally valid stuff here. FYI, a 25 foot trailer with even old school construction (wood studs, etc.) will be well within the tow capabilities of a 5.7 tundra. Just my .02...
     
  20. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:24 PM
    #20
    Azblue

    Azblue Beer is Good Ban Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2017
    Member:
    #11025
    Messages:
    6,222
    Gender:
    Male
    The Dirty T
    My worthless advice.
    1. Buy used, many people get a TT and for a multitude of reasons end up getting rid of it shortly thereafter.
    2. Stay light. IDGAF if the Tundra's limit is 10K, it's no fun towing at the limit, not to mention the fuel.
    3. Don't go too long. Getting a longer TT limits the places you can go and is more difficult to maneuver.
    4. Get a good weight distribution hitch.
    5. Get a TT with slide outs. Sure, they add some weight, but make the trailer so much roomier and let you get the square footage you want in a smaller package.
    6. Take your time shopping and look at a lot of them. Finding the right floor plan at the right price is key and it might take some time.

    I ended up with a 2014 Coachman 233RBS with 2 opposing slides for $12,000 (dry 4900 lbs, fully loaded 7500). The slides make a ton of room in a shorter trailer, enough that my wife even got a kitchen island that she loves. The seller threw in a Equalizer WDH, I added new tires and batteries for my own piece of mind. I'll upload a few pics from my phone in a minute.
     
  21. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:38 PM
    #21
    Azblue

    Azblue Beer is Good Ban Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2017
    Member:
    #11025
    Messages:
    6,222
    Gender:
    Male
    The Dirty T
  22. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:43 PM
    #22
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    One of my co-workers purchased a Winnabego 24’ in 2017 and didn’t like it. The purchase price was 25k and after fees and taxes, call it 30k. His family didn’t like it, so he tried to sell it, with no luck. He traded it in for 18k, and spent 60k on a 39’ Jayco 5th wheel.
    Buying used isn’t a bad thing.
     
    Patriot, Azblue and TacoWuzzaTurd[OP] like this.
  23. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:47 PM
    #23
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Good grief!
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Oct 4, 2018 at 8:48 PM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    Member:
    #2766
    Messages:
    35,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    LML 3500HD
    Calibrated Power 5 Tune pack, Allison 1000 tune, PPE deep trans pan, Cold/Hot CAC pipes, Banks CAI, PCV reroute, resonator delete, S&B 62 gal fuel tank, B&W GN hitch
    Point being, if you buy new, better
    get wholesale pricing or
    Keep it forever.
     
    Steve89gt likes this.
  25. Oct 4, 2018 at 9:01 PM
    #25
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    There are some rental places in town. Maybe we will try a few different styles out and see what we like / dislike.
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  26. Oct 5, 2018 at 3:34 AM
    #26
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    Totally agree with all above....buy used or better yet rent one.
     
  27. Oct 5, 2018 at 4:56 AM
    #27
    gladecreekwy

    gladecreekwy Wyoming

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2017
    Member:
    #7463
    Messages:
    906
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Jackson Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2014 trd silver tundra
    6" lift, bumper and winch.
    Just got a jay flight 174bh Baja TT. Two bunks, queen bed, huge ground clearance, under 4000# loaded. Loving this trailer. Tows nice and goes anywhere my truck does which is generally to the middle of nowhere. Under 15 K

    C22D730F-4210-47C0-8387-51016C8B03F3.jpg
    34731355-B2A7-4F7E-8F62-F5EA9E980E04.jpg
    4EAC2B28-029C-4DCD-92C7-A74F808AABAD.jpg

    722E2E89-925C-412D-8750-61DA3C3061A0.jpg
     
  28. Oct 5, 2018 at 6:05 AM
    #28
    TacoWuzzaTurd

    TacoWuzzaTurd [OP] Loving my Tundra

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2018
    Member:
    #17907
    Messages:
    534
    Gender:
    Male
    Scottsdale AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 4x4 Crewmax, TRD Offroad
    6112s @1.9", TRD Dual Exhaust, rims, tires, jl audio system
    Thank you! Have heard mixed reviews on Jayco good to hear a positive experience. That sounds like an ideal configuration!
     
  29. Oct 5, 2018 at 6:37 AM
    #29
    gladecreekwy

    gladecreekwy Wyoming

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2017
    Member:
    #7463
    Messages:
    906
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Jackson Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2014 trd silver tundra
    6" lift, bumper and winch.
    I think the most important things with these campers is the dealer. We did a lot of research and ended up driving 400 miles to buy ours. Very careful walk through and be realistic about the fact that none of these units are perfect. Have to be prepared to make minor fixes in the field. Overall the quality of mine has been good. My priority was light weight and ground clearance.
     
  30. Oct 5, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    #30
    gdiep

    gdiep I like cookies

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    Member:
    #4540
    Messages:
    1,011
    Gender:
    Male
    Syracuse, New York
    Vehicle:
    2014 Red Tundra CM SR5
    Agree that you should buy used. I bought one 4 years old in great shape for 1/3 of new. These things don’t change much from year to year. The only thing I wish I have is powered awning instead of manual. Condition is everything when buying used though.

    Find the right floor plan first. Then make sure you have the features like a/c, power awning, stove (whatever your wife wants). Generally, I think all of these things are built like crap, but the level of crappiness varies.

    If you buy new, you should be able to get 25-30% off msrp, especially this time of the year.

    Good luck.
     
    TacoWuzzaTurd[OP] likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top