Coachmen Apex Nano 185bh RV for Telluride

[eyetelle]

Hey everyone, I've been trying to figure out a good combination of factors for a great RV for my family. It's just me and my wife, our 4 year old girl, and our four-month-old girl. Daddy and the 3 girls, So a small family.

We're looking to upgrade from an Odessey to the Telluride.

And before 10 guys jump in and say " if you want to get a real tow vehicle you need this or that"....as long as we are within our specs, it should all work out just fine. So let's go with that for now.

As we all know the Telluride is rated to tow 5000 lb and it has a hitch weight of 351 lb.

Which means, as long as we stay at 3500 lb and 10% hitch weight (351) it is completely balanced, and we should be good to go. And we'll have PLENTY of pulling power being well under the max.

I'm planning on getting a brake controller installed and WDH with this setup. Possibly aftermarket Airbags and a welded on Hitch Rated for 5000/500.

I was looking at the Coachmen Apex Nano 185bh

Here's some of the specs....

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:
350 lb.
GVWR:
3800 lb.
UVW
2850 lb.
CCC
950 lb.
Exterior Length:
20' 6"
Exterior Height:
9' 9"
Exterior Width:
90"
Fresh Water:
30 gal.
Gray Water:
30 gal.
Black Water:
30 gal.
Awning Size:
12'

So with water and all gear loaded up that should put us right at 3500 lbs.

This thing should be sailing on the freeway with flying colors cause we are well under our tow capacity.

Sleeping for 4 with a dedicated dinette or sleeps 5, double sink, full fridge, toilet and separate shower / tub, this is quite the upgrade from many other RVs in the same weight capacity.

Thoughts on this being a great RV match for the Telluride?

 

[2020Telly]

Hey everyone, I've been trying to figure out a good combination of factors for a great RV for my family. It's just me and my wife, our 4 year old girl, and our four-month-old girl. Daddy and the 3 girls, So a small family.

We're looking to upgrade from an Odessey to the Telluride.

And before 10 guys jump in and say " if you want to get a real tow vehicle you need this or that"....as long as we are within our specs, it should all work out just fine. So let's go with that for now.

As we all know the Telluride is rated to tow 5000 lb and it has a hitch weight of 351 lb.

Which means, as long as we stay at 3500 lb and 10% hitch weight (351) it is completely balanced, and we should be good to go. And we'll have PLENTY of pulling power being well under the max.

I'm planning on getting a brake controller installed and WDH with this setup. Possibly aftermarket Airbags and a welded on Hitch Rated for 5000/500.

I was looking at the Coachmen Apex Nano 185bh

Here's some of the specs....

SPECIFICATIONS
Hitch Weight:
350 lb.
GVWR:
3800 lb.
UVW
2850 lb.
CCC
950 lb.
Exterior Length:
20' 6"
Exterior Height:
9' 9"
Exterior Width:
90"
Fresh Water:
30 gal.
Gray Water:
30 gal.
Black Water:
30 gal.
Awning Size:
12'

So with water and all gear loaded up that should put us right at 3500 lbs.

This thing should be sailing on the freeway with flying colors cause we are well under our tow capacity.

Sleeping for 4 with a dedicated dinette or sleeps 5, double sink, full fridge, toilet and separate shower / tub, this is quite the upgrade from many other RVs in the same weight capacity.

Thoughts on this being a great RV match for the Telluride?

I think you may still have a concern with that 351 tongue weight as that 350 hitch weight may be a “dry” calculation meaning unless you don’t plan on traveling with water, a propane tank or gear that add up to 10 pounds you might still have a problem. (3,510 - 3,500 = 10) So driving it home from the dealer you would be safe and balanced. The second you get ready for a trip and load anything in the trailer you will be increasing your hitch weight. I think? If you go longer than 20’, for example 22-23’ you might be able to find one with a lower hitch weight rating.

Although I could be completely wrong if I ignore the Telluride manual and just go by this website: What Kind of Camper Can my Vehicle Tow? Guide to Safe Towing | Camper Report

From what I’m reading there the tongue weight is factored without a weight distributing hitch. “Max tongue weight is the maximum amount of weight that can be put on the hitch and is included in the max payload. This may vary depending on the type of hitch being used. Example, it maybe 500 pounds for a weight bearing hitch and 1200 pounds for a weight distributing hitch.” I think that website is stating that with a weight distributing hitch the hitch weight can be increased so maybe that 351 gets then increased to 500 with weight distribution?

I see a lot of the Nanos around where I live and they appear to be great for a bunkhouse design. I also like that it is not a slideout. Someone told me that slideouts are harder to maintain as they age because they have more seals that could leak that require more inspection. If you are looking for others to compare, here is a list I compiled: Small travel trailer towing options

 

[eyetelle]

I think you may still have a concern with that 351 tongue weight as that 350 hitch weight may be a “dry” calculation meaning unless you don’t plan on traveling with water, a propane tank or gear that add up to 10 pounds you might still have a problem. (3,510 - 3,500 = 10) So driving it home from the dealer you would be safe and balanced. The second you get ready for a trip and load anything in the trailer you will be increasing your hitch weight. I think? If you go longer than 20’, for example 22-23’ you might be able to find one with a lower hitch weight rating.

Although I could be completely wrong if I ignore the Telluride manual and just go by this website: What Kind of Camper Can my Vehicle Tow? Guide to Safe Towing | Camper Report

From what I’m reading there the tongue weight is factored without a weight distributing hitch. “Max tongue weight is the maximum amount of weight that can be put on the hitch and is included in the max payload. This may vary depending on the type of hitch being used. Example, it maybe 500 pounds for a weight bearing hitch and 1200 pounds for a weight distributing hitch.” I think that website is stating that with a weight distributing hitch the hitch weight can be increased so maybe that 351 gets then increased to 500 with weight distribution?

I see a lot of the Nanos around where I live and they appear to be great for a bunkhouse design. I also like that it is not a slideout. Someone told me that slideouts are harder to maintain as they age because they have more seals that could leak that require more inspection. If you are looking for others to compare, here is a list I compiled: Small travel trailer towing options

Hey NC, Thanks for your insight and yes I saw the list you compiled - thank you!

But yes I did think about all those things, adding extra weight to the hitch with water, propane and batteries and going over the 351 tongue. BUT, If I'm simply moving things to the back of the trailer - just for traveling purposes, I'll still be at the 351 weight limit no prob.

Again, if my total weight comes in at 3500 lbs, and I keep my hitch at 351lbs, ill be at 10% of my hitch weight - REGARDLESS of where I put my cargo.

So I'm thinking, all I need to do is move items to the rear, check the weight, repeat - and I should be perfectly balanced.

Thoughts?

 

[FireMartZ]

We got a Wildwood 179 DKB as we wanted room to sleep 5 without using the table as a bed. After market hitch is rated at 500 TW, matching the max loaded weight of 4800 lbs. Unloaded weight is 3350 lbs. Fuel usage approximately doubles when towing this, loaded with stuff, with 2 adults and 3 kids with stuff in the car as well.

______________________________

 

[eyetelle]

We got a Wildwood 179 DKB as we wanted room to sleep 5 without using the table as a bed. After market hitch is rated at 500 TW, matching the max loaded weight of 4800 lbs. Unloaded weight is 3350 lbs. Fuel usage approximately doubles when towing this, loaded with stuff, with 2 adults and 3 kids with stuff in the car as well.

View attachment 2953View attachment 2954View attachment 2955View attachment 2956

Awesome! How did it do? What was the performance like? Steering, braking etc?

 

[BrianF]

But what is the actual (not spec) hitch weight of the trailer?

 

[FireMartZ]

Awesome! How did it do? What was the performance like? Steering, braking etc?

It did well, I have nothing to complain about. We have AWD (all canadian models are AWD) and this for sure helped in a few cases (some inclined gravel road). Braking is a bit odd as the trailer is always pulling back (as if it was braking too much) a bit, no matter how I set the brake controller, but at least, the whole thing goes to a stop.

I didn't go faster than 60 mph very often, mainly because fuel usage goes up very fast when going above 55 mph. When going downhill I allowed it to go up to 75 mph and when going up steep hills, even if the Telluride would have been able to keep the speed, I slowed down to 45-50 mph, again, mainly to keep fuel consumption "acceptable". If you end up with front wind, fuel will go up even more (i.e. 20 mph front wind will do the same as if you drive 20 mph faster).

We have a weight distribution hitch that also do sway control and everything was fine in that regard, even with moderate (we have yet to experience worst than that) cross winds.

The main issue, albeit not a huge one, is that the gas tank is quite small and when doing ~12 mpg, you have to fill up quite often.

 

[FireMartZ]

But what is the actual (not spec) hitch weight of the trailer?

I have yet to stop on a truck scale to measure it. Unloaded weight is 3350 lbs, max loaded weight is 4800 lbs, I trust (should I?) the manufacturer to design the trailer to have ~10% of that weight on the tongue, so TW should be between 335 lbs and 480 lbs.

______________________________

 

[eyetelle]

It did well, I have nothing to complain about. We have AWD (all canadian models are AWD) and this for sure helped in a few cases (some inclined gravel road). Braking is a bit odd as the trailer is always pulling back (as if it was braking too much) a bit, no matter how I set the brake controller, but at least, the whole thing goes to a stop.

I didn't go faster than 60 mph very often, mainly because fuel usage goes up very fast when going above 55 mph. When going downhill I allowed it to go up to 75 mph and when going up steep hills, even if the Telluride would have been able to keep the speed, I slowed down to 45-50 mph, again, mainly to keep fuel consumption "acceptable". If you end up with front wind, fuel will go up even more (i.e. 20 mph front wind will do the same as if you drive 20 mph faster).

We have a weight distribution hitch that also do sway control and everything was fine in that regard, even with moderate (we have yet to experience worst than that) cross winds.

The main issue, albeit not a huge one, is that the gas tank is quite small and when doing ~12 mpg, you have to fill up quite often.

That's amazing news. Have you ever towes anything before this?

 

[BrianF]

There are so many variables in loading and weight distribution it is best to weigh it and be sure.

 

[FireMartZ]

That's amazing news. Have you ever towes anything before this?

I only towed utility trailers once in a while and towed a hybrid camper trailer once with an Honda Odyssey and really didn't like it. Towing the utility trailer with the Telluride is like nothing and towing the camper trailer is much much better.

 

[eyetelle]

I only towed utility trailers once in a while and towed a hybrid camper trailer once with an Honda Odyssey and really didn't like it. Towing the utility trailer with the Telluride is like nothing and towing the camper trailer is much much better.

Awesome. What's your weight distribution rated?

______________________________

 

[FireMartZ]

Awesome. What's your weight distribution rated?

6000 lbs:
Husky CENTER LINE TS 400-600 lbs

 

[Bjakub82]

Hey FireMartZ I’m curies, when towing, does the Telly disable the Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise? Or do they function with out any issues?

Also, what kind of wire harness set up do you have? I see a 7 way connector, I’m assuming aftermarket since Kia doesn’t offer one yet.

 

[FireMartZ]

Hey FireMartZ I’m curies, when towing, does the Telly disable the Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise? Or do they function with out any issues?

Also, what kind of wire harness set up do you have? I see a 7 way connector, I’m assuming aftermarket since Kia doesn’t offer one yet.

It doesn't disable anything, but the blind spot monitoring will turn off after 1-2 hours with a message stating that the radar is blocked, yet it worked mostly flawlessly for those 1-2 hours. Everything else is working fine, but I wish we could silence the rear proximity sensor as it beeps and requires to turn it off each time I back up.

I manually disabled the lane keep assist before towing as I found it nice on the highway, but making the ride feel harsh on secondary roads.

Yes, the 7 pins connector is aftermarket, but was installed with the brakes controller by my dealer as part of the deal.

 

[Isthisidused]

It doesn't disable anything, but the blind spot monitoring will turn off after 1-2 hours with a message stating that the radar is blocked, yet it worked mostly flawlessly for those 1-2 hours. Everything else is working fine, but I wish we could silence the rear proximity sensor as it beeps and requires to turn it off each time I back up.

I manually disabled the lane keep assist before towing as I found it nice on the highway, but making the ride feel harsh on secondary roads.

Yes, the 7 pins connector is aftermarket, but was installed with the brakes controller by my dealer as part of the deal.

There is a button near the gear shift to turn off the rear proximity sensor, at least on ours (SXL).

______________________________

 

[eyetelle]

We got a Wildwood 179 DKB as we wanted room to sleep 5 without using the table as a bed. After market hitch is rated at 500 TW, matching the max loaded weight of 4800 lbs. Unloaded weight is 3350 lbs. Fuel usage approximately doubles when towing this, loaded with stuff, with 2 adults and 3 kids with stuff in the car as well.

View attachment 2953View attachment 2954View attachment 2955View attachment 2956

BTW, where did you get the tow hitch? I'm in the US.

 

[FireMartZ]

There is a button near the gear shift to turn off the rear proximity sensor, at least on ours (SXL).

Yes, but you have to press it each time you get in reverse as it turns back ON automatically.

 

[FireMartZ]

BTW, where did you get the tow hitch? I'm in the US.

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[Isthisidused]

Yes, but you have to press it each time you get in reverse as it turns back ON automatically.

True. I find it odd that you have to change the driving mode each time too. I have to remember to put it in Sport mode everytime I start the vehicle when towing.