On the fence between a Delta 252RL or Delta RK234

[Anonyme]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and would like to have all possible inputs from Alliance owners.

We are planning to buy an Alliance RV next spring. I have been over alot of reading and towing capacity calculator scenarios for either the 252RL and the RK234 models. I have also been looking at other brands and models, but all in the same lenght, UVW, GVWR and hitch weights as those two Alliance models. Sure, there numbers are not exactly the same, but I think that they are all in the same range. Some may argu that the 252RL and the RK234 are not in the same class of RV's. The RK234 being in the light weight category. But for a usage aspect (seperate dinette, three place entertainment seating, central bathroom and closed bedroom), they offer the samething.

My wife and I have a little preference for the 252RL, because of the larger dinnette seating, the placement of the entertainment center in regards to the dinette and three seat sofa, the included exterior grill, enclosed services hookups and 40 amps solar charger controller (the RK234 has 15 amps). Also, the weight of the heavier componements (Frig and stove), seem to be placed more on the RV's axle then on the RK234. I would think that this would give a better towing experience. Would it? But the RK254 has some linen storage in the bathroom which the 252RL does not. But the RK234 has a rear kitchen, which from what I read contributes to stuff moving around while towing. The exterior height of the 252RL is 11'2" and lenght of 29'11". The height for the RK234 is 9'9" and lenght of 27'11". In theory, the 252RL would be more prone to side winds and wind drag when towing, then the RK234. But in real life would it be?

I used the Excel towing calculator from Keep Your Day Dream

My truck's (2023 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4, max tow package, 3.73 differential, Screw cab, 6'6" box), specs are:
UVW=5500#
GVWR=7150#
GCVWR=18400#
Available paylod=1498# from my VIN on the Ford's towing calculator
Front axle GAWR=3850#
Rear axle=4150#

After running my trucks numbers againt both the 252RL and RK234 numbers, I see very little differences

The hitch weight that I used in the towing calcultaor for the 252RL is the vendor number plus 150# for batteries and propane, plus 146# for the weight of the WDH. Same numbers for the RK234. For the passenger and truck cargo weight I used 550#. Si I think that I am using real world numbers.

To put all the chances on my side, I will be adding the Road Active Suspension kit to my truck and using the WeighSafe weight distribution hitch (the middle weight with the 12500# bars).

The calcultated results for the 252RL are:
Available truck payload 20# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in 25% effect with a WDH the available payload will be 252#
Calculated truck GVWR 6 978#
Calcultated truck GCVWR 14 500#
Calculated truck rear axle weight 4 228# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in a 25% effect with a WDH rear axle weight will be 3 996#

The calculated results for the RK234 are:
Available truck payload 42# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in 25% effect with a WDH the available payload will be 269#
Calculated truck GVWR 6 956#
Calcultated truck GCVWR 13 500#
Calculated truck rear axle weight 4 206# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in a 25% effect with a WDH rear axle weight will be 3979#

From the calculations, I am under all of the capacities for the Truck and the RV if I factor in the effect of a WDH, so I think that I did my homework. I was supprised to see that their is not a big difference on the truck between the 252RL and the RK235 Rvs.

But in the real world... (this is where I am asking experienced Rvers), are my numbers right?
Would I have a good towing experience with either of the two RVs?
Would my truck struggle towing the 252RL?

I would like to thank you all in advance for all and any inputs and comments. My goal is to not make an error of a couple of ten thousands dollard error next spring.

Andre

 

[Lantley]

Both trailers will have you at Your limits. I did not examine all of the numbers but you are at your li8mits.
With that in mind you need to lean towards the smaller lighter of the 2..
You can only estimate your rear axle weight you cannot calculate it as though it is gospel. The only way to know your actual weight is to weigh tour combo.
Assuming you will get 25% weight transfer via WDH is sort of fantasy and may appear that way on paper but does not necessarily work out in the real world.
TW or hitch weight does not change do to WDH it only transfers.
TW should be 13% of your actual scale weight.
You cannot definitively know your TW without knowing your scaled weight WDH does not enter the equation.

 

[Anonyme]

Both trailers will have you at Your limits. I did not examine all of the numbers but you are at your li8mits.
With that in mind you need to lean towards the smaller lighter of the 2..
You can only estimate your rear axle weight you cannot calculate it as though it is gospel. The only way to know your actual weight is to weigh tour combo.
Assuming you will get 25% weight transfer via WDH is sort of fantasy and may appear that way on paper but does not necessarily work out in the real world.
TW or hitch weight does not change do to WDH it only transfers.
TW should be 13% of your actual scale weight.
You cannot definitively know your TW without knowing your scaled weight WDH does not enter the equation.

Thank you for your reply. Your comments make sense. I will take them into account when making my final decision. I guess since both RVs are close in numbers, choosing the shorter in length and shorter in height, will make me be fine. Smaller RVs then the RK234 generally don’t have a closed bedroom. Since we will be bringing our grandkids once in a while, a closed bedroom is a must.

 

[Maxi1966]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum and would like to have all possible inputs from Alliance owners.

We are planning to buy an Alliance RV next spring. I have been over alot of reading and towing capacity calculator scenarios for either the 252RL and the RK234 models. I have also been looking at other brands and models, but all in the same lenght, UVW, GVWR and hitch weights as those two Alliance models. Sure, there numbers are not exactly the same, but I think that they are all in the same range. Some may argu that the 252RL and the RK234 are not in the same class of RV's. The RK234 being in the light weight category. But for a usage aspect (seperate dinette, three place entertainment seating, central bathroom and closed bedroom), they offer the samething.

My wife and I have a little preference for the 252RL, because of the larger dinnette seating, the placement of the entertainment center in regards to the dinette and three seat sofa, the included exterior grill, enclosed services hookups and 40 amps solar charger controller (the RK234 has 15 amps). Also, the weight of the heavier componements (Frig and stove), seem to be placed more on the RV's axle then on the RK234. I would think that this would give a better towing experience. Would it? But the RK254 has some linen storage in the bathroom which the 252RL does not. But the RK234 has a rear kitchen, which from what I read contributes to stuff moving around while towing. The exterior height of the 252RL is 11'2" and lenght of 29'11". The height for the RK234 is 9'9" and lenght of 27'11". In theory, the 252RL would be more prone to side winds and wind drag when towing, then the RK234. But in real life would it be?

I used the Excel towing calculator from Keep Your Day Dream

My truck's (2023 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4, max tow package, 3.73 differential, Screw cab, 6'6" box), specs are:
UVW=5500#
GVWR=7150#
GCVWR=18400#
Available paylod=1498# from my VIN on the Ford's towing calculator
Front axle GAWR=3850#
Rear axle=4150#

After running my trucks numbers againt both the 252RL and RK234 numbers, I see very little differences

The hitch weight that I used in the towing calcultaor for the 252RL is the vendor number plus 150# for batteries and propane, plus 146# for the weight of the WDH. Same numbers for the RK234. For the passenger and truck cargo weight I used 550#. Si I think that I am using real world numbers.

To put all the chances on my side, I will be adding the Road Active Suspension kit to my truck and using the WeighSafe weight distribution hitch (the middle weight with the 12500# bars).

The calcultated results for the 252RL are:
Available truck payload 20# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in 25% effect with a WDH the available payload will be 252#
Calculated truck GVWR 6 978#
Calcultated truck GCVWR 14 500#
Calculated truck rear axle weight 4 228# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in a 25% effect with a WDH rear axle weight will be 3 996#

The calculated results for the RK234 are:
Available truck payload 42# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in 25% effect with a WDH the available payload will be 269#
Calculated truck GVWR 6 956#
Calcultated truck GCVWR 13 500#
Calculated truck rear axle weight 4 206# without the effect of a WDH
But if I factor in a 25% effect with a WDH rear axle weight will be 3979#

From the calculations, I am under all of the capacities for the Truck and the RV if I factor in the effect of a WDH, so I think that I did my homework. I was supprised to see that their is not a big difference on the truck between the 252RL and the RK235 Rvs.

But in the real world... (this is where I am asking experienced Rvers), are my numbers right?
Would I have a good towing experience with either of the two RVs?
Would my truck struggle towing the 252RL?

I would like to thank you all in advance for all and any inputs and comments. My goal is to not make an error of a couple of ten thousands dollard error next spring.

Andre

We did the same thing. We ended up getting a new truck. A sierra 1500 max trailering pkg. 13000 lb.
We went for the 252 BL. Will
Pick it up tomorrow finally!!