CamperHardlyKnowHer

Forest River Grand Surveyor 253RLS

Travel trailerbuilt 2023– (in production)Mixed build tierCommon on the used market
WHAT ONE COSTS
—price not published

The maker never published an MSRP for this floorplan. Unknown is not cheap — treat any asking price against comparable models, not against zero.

WHAT IT WEIGHS BEHIND YOUR TRUCK
~7,737 lbestimated as towed, for 2 people

dry weight 6,603 lb + fresh water (40 gal, full) 334 lb + propane + battery 200 lb + gear for 2 600 lb. Brochure dry weight omits water, propane, batteries and your gear; this estimate doesn't.

You want a tow rating around8,600 lb (10% margin)
GVWR (the sticker maximum)7,765 lb
Tongue weight, loaded~896 lb (12%)
Cargo capacity1,162 lb
WHICH TOW VEHICLES IT FITS — 48 OF 95

Judged the way the app judges: estimated loaded weight against each vehicle's rating less a 10% margin — per model year, because the 253RLS's published weights changed mid-run.

VEHICLETOW RATINGVERDICT
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 (6.2 V8, max tow) '19-2613,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax, max tow) '24-2622,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '20-2318,510 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500HD (Duramax) '11-1918,100 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '20-2636,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500HD (Duramax DRW, gooseneck) '11-1923,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (max tow) '14-1812,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Silverado EV (4WT) '24-2612,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lb2023–25 model years fit
Dodge Durango (5.7 / 6.4 Hemi, tow pkg) '14-268,700 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '18-249,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford Expedition (3.5 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '25-269,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '24-2613,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '11-1411,300 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '15-2013,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost, max tow) '21-2314,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-150 Lightning (max trailer tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, gooseneck) '20-2222,800 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel, tow pkg) '17-1918,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 diesel) '11-1616,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-250 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel, gooseneck) '23-2623,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '20-2237,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '17-1932,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 diesel DRW, gooseneck) '11-1621,600 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-350 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2638,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ford F-450 Super Duty (6.7 HO diesel DRW, gooseneck) '23-2640,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Sierra EV '24-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-268,400 lb2023–25 model years fit
Jeep Grand Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-269,850 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Jeep Wagoneer (Hurricane, max tow) '22-2610,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Lexus GX 550 (tow pkg) '24-269,096 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Armada (3.5 twin-turbo, tow pkg) '25-268,500 lb2023–25 model years fit
Nissan Armada (tow pkg) '17-248,500 lb2023–25 model years fit
Nissan Titan (5.6 V8, tow pkg) '17-249,760 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Titan XD (Cummins diesel) '16-1912,710 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (3.0 Hurricane, max tow) '25-2611,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi eTorque, max tow) '19-2412,750 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 1500 (5.7 Hemi, max tow) '11-1810,620 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins HO) '19-2620,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 2500 (6.7 Cummins) '11-1817,980 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins DRW, gooseneck) '13-1831,210 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '25-2636,610 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Ram 3500 (6.7 Cummins HO DRW, gooseneck) '19-2437,090 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Rivian R1T '22-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Tesla Cybertruck '24-2611,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Sequoia (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '23-269,520 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (5.7 V8, tow pkg) '11-2110,200 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Toyota Tundra (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '22-2612,000 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
The 47it doesn't fit
  • Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.7 Turbo HO, tow pkg) '23-26 — over by ~807 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.8 Duramax) '15-22 — over by ~807 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Suburban (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-26 — over by ~267 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Traverse (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Chrysler Pacifica '17-26 — over by ~4,497 lb loaded
  • Ford Bronco 4-dr (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~3,687 lb loaded
  • Ford Explorer (3.0 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,697 lb loaded
  • Ford Maverick (2.0 EcoBoost, 4K tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~4,137 lb loaded
  • Ford Ranger (2.3 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '19-23 — over by ~987 lb loaded
  • Ford Ranger (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~987 lb loaded
  • Ford Transit (HD tow pkg) '15-26 — over by ~1,527 lb loaded
  • GMC Acadia (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • GMC Hummer EV Pickup '22-26 — over by ~987 lb loaded
  • Honda Odyssey '18-26 — over by ~4,587 lb loaded
  • Honda Passport (AWD) '19-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Honda Pilot (AWD, tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Honda Ridgeline (AWD) '17-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Palisade (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Santa Cruz (2.5T AWD) '22-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Jeep Gladiator (3.6 V6, max tow) '20-26 — over by ~807 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 Hemi) '11-21 — over by ~1,257 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~2,157 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee L (5.7 Hemi) '21-26 — over by ~1,257 lb loaded
  • Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-dr (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~4,587 lb loaded
  • Kia Telluride (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,787 lb loaded
  • Land Rover Defender '20-26 — over by ~357 lb loaded
  • Land Rover Discovery '17-26 — over by ~357 lb loaded
  • Lexus LX 600 '22-26 — over by ~537 lb loaded
  • Mazda CX-90 (3.3 turbo, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter '19-26 — over by ~987 lb loaded
  • Nissan Frontier (3.8 V6, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~1,302 lb loaded
  • Nissan Pathfinder (tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~2,337 lb loaded
  • Ram ProMaster '14-26 — over by ~1,517 lb loaded
  • Rivian R1S '22-26 — over by ~807 lb loaded
  • Subaru Ascent '19-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Subaru Outback (XT / Wilderness) '20-26 — over by ~4,587 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model X (tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model Y (tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~4,587 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (4.0 V6) '11-24 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (i-Force Max) '25-26 — over by ~2,337 lb loaded
  • Toyota Grand Highlander (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Toyota Highlander (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
  • Toyota Land Cruiser (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~2,337 lb loaded
  • Toyota Sienna '21-26 — over by ~4,587 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~1,887 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (V6, tow pkg) '16-23 — over by ~1,617 lb loaded
  • Volkswagen Atlas (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~3,237 lb loaded
THE SPECS
Length32.7 ft
Height (incl. A/C)11.3 ft
Width8.0 ft
GVWR7,765 lb
Dry weight6,603 lb
Dry tongue weight765 lb
Cargo capacity1,162 lb
Sleeps6
Slide-outs1
Axles2
Fresh water40 gal
Grey water40 gal
Black water30 gal
Air conditioning15,000 BTU
Solar (standard)200 W
Awning21 ft

A missing row means the maker never published that figure — unknown, not zero.

WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP
  • 1× front king bed(Permanent)—
  • 1× rear tri-fold sofa(Convertible)—
  • 1× dinette(Convertible)—
HOW IT'S BUILT — 5/5
WallsAzdel composite
FrameAluminum
RoofWalk-on
UnderbellyEnclosed

Forest River (Mixed tier): Surveyor, a division of Forest River Inc. (Topeka, IN)

YEAR BY YEAR — WHAT CHANGED
YEARSGVWRDRYMSRP
2023–257,815 lb6,368 lb—
2026–7,765 lb6,603 lb—
  • 2023Introduced
  • 2026Body lengthened to 32'8"; UVW up to 6,603 lb and CCC cut to 1,162 lb
FINDING ONE

Common — usually several for sale within a day’s drive. Why: Forest River is a volume manufacturer; still in production. Estimated from build volume and production span — not a count of live listings.

THE READ

Rear-living couples plan with front bedroom, outside kitchen and two entry doors.

OTHER GRAND SURVEYOR FLOORPLANS
263RKSS · 7,705 lb · sleeps 6267RBSS · 7,615 lb · sleeps 6268FKBS · 9,720 lb · sleeps 4275FKBS · 8,623 lb · sleeps 4290RLDS · 9,583 lb · sleeps 6301RKBS · 11,245 lb · sleeps 4302RDBS · 11,355 lb · sleeps 4305RLBS · 10,408 lb · sleeps 4the whole line →
Is the 253RLS your #1 — or just a spec sheet?

These are the facts. Whether it beats the other six thousand rigs for you depends on what you care about — set your priorities as sliders and watch the whole market re-rank around them. Nothing gets hidden, everything gets explained.

Rank it against your setup →

Data compiled from manufacturer spec sheets, retrieved 2026-07.