CamperHardlyKnowHer

Gulf Stream Trailmaster 278DDS

Travel trailerbuilt 2015–23Budget 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
~7,569 lbestimated as towed, for 2 people

dry weight 6,344 lb + fresh water (51 gal, full) 425 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 around8,410 lb (10% margin)
GVWR (the sticker maximum)9,730 lb
Tongue weight, loaded~1,110 lb (15%)
Cargo capacity3,386 lb
WHICH TOW VEHICLES IT FITS — 46 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 278DDS's published weights held steady.

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
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
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 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
Nissan Armada (tow pkg) '17-248,500 lbfits, loaded, with 10% margin
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 49it doesn't fit
  • Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.7 Turbo HO, tow pkg) '23-26 — over by ~639 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (2.8 Duramax) '15-22 — over by ~639 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Suburban (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-26 — over by ~99 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Tahoe (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-26 — over by ~9 lb loaded
  • Chevrolet Traverse (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Chrysler Pacifica '17-26 — over by ~4,329 lb loaded
  • Ford Bronco 4-dr (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~3,519 lb loaded
  • Ford Explorer (3.0 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,529 lb loaded
  • Ford Maverick (2.0 EcoBoost, 4K tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~3,969 lb loaded
  • Ford Ranger (2.3 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '19-23 — over by ~819 lb loaded
  • Ford Ranger (2.7 EcoBoost, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~819 lb loaded
  • Ford Transit (HD tow pkg) '15-26 — over by ~1,359 lb loaded
  • GMC Acadia (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • GMC Hummer EV Pickup '22-26 — over by ~819 lb loaded
  • GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (5.3 V8, max tow) '21-26 — over by ~9 lb loaded
  • Honda Odyssey '18-26 — over by ~4,419 lb loaded
  • Honda Passport (AWD) '19-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Honda Pilot (AWD, tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Honda Ridgeline (AWD) '17-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Palisade (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Hyundai Santa Cruz (2.5T AWD) '22-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Jeep Gladiator (3.6 V6, max tow) '20-26 — over by ~639 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.7 Hemi) '11-21 — over by ~1,089 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~1,989 lb loaded
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee L (5.7 Hemi) '21-26 — over by ~1,089 lb loaded
  • Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4-dr (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~4,419 lb loaded
  • Kia Telluride (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~2,619 lb loaded
  • Land Rover Defender '20-26 — over by ~189 lb loaded
  • Land Rover Discovery '17-26 — over by ~189 lb loaded
  • Lexus LX 600 '22-26 — over by ~369 lb loaded
  • Mazda CX-90 (3.3 turbo, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter '19-26 — over by ~819 lb loaded
  • Nissan Frontier (3.8 V6, tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~1,134 lb loaded
  • Nissan Pathfinder (tow pkg) '22-26 — over by ~2,169 lb loaded
  • Ram ProMaster '14-26 — over by ~1,349 lb loaded
  • Rivian R1S '22-26 — over by ~639 lb loaded
  • Subaru Ascent '19-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Subaru Outback (XT / Wilderness) '20-26 — over by ~4,419 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model X (tow pkg) '16-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Tesla Model Y (tow pkg) '21-26 — over by ~4,419 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (4.0 V6) '11-24 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Toyota 4Runner (i-Force Max) '25-26 — over by ~2,169 lb loaded
  • Toyota Grand Highlander (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Toyota Highlander (tow pkg) '20-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
  • Toyota Land Cruiser (i-Force Max) '24-26 — over by ~2,169 lb loaded
  • Toyota Sienna '21-26 — over by ~4,419 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (i-Force Max, tow pkg) '24-26 — over by ~1,719 lb loaded
  • Toyota Tacoma (V6, tow pkg) '16-23 — over by ~1,449 lb loaded
  • Volkswagen Atlas (tow pkg) '18-26 — over by ~3,069 lb loaded
THE SPECS
Length31.8 ft
Height (incl. A/C)10.8 ft
Width8.0 ft
Interior height6.7 ft
GVWR9,730 lb
Dry weight6,344 lb
Dry tongue weight930 lb
Cargo capacity3,386 lb
Sleeps10
Slide-outs1
Axles2
Fresh water51 gal
Grey water74 gal
Black water37 gal
Air conditioning13,500 BTU

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

WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP
  • 1× Front queen bed(Permanent)60×74
  • 2× Rear upper and lower double bunks(Permanent)54×74
  • 1× Sofa in the slide(Convertible)—
  • 1× U-shaped dinette in the slide(Convertible)—
HOW IT'S BUILT — 0/5
WallsWood frame + siding
FrameWood
RoofStandard
UnderbellyOpen

Gulf Stream (Budget tier): Gulf Stream Coach

YEAR BY YEAR — WHAT CHANGED
  • 2015Introduced
  • 2023Discontinued
FINDING ONE

Common — usually several for sale within a day’s drive. Why: Gulf Stream is a volume manufacturer; 9-year production run. Estimated from build volume and production span — not a count of live listings.

THE READ

Rear-bunk family plan with an over-size shower.

OTHER TRAILMASTER FLOORPLANS
20QBG · 7,820 lb · sleeps 4262RLS · 8,270 lb · sleeps 6266RBS · 9,450 lb · sleeps 626BHG · 7,930 lb · sleeps 10271DDS · 9,710 lb · sleeps 10275FBG · 7,690 lb · sleeps 10276BHS · 9,550 lb · sleeps 10285DBS · 9,810 lb · sleeps 10288ISL · 8,480 lb · sleeps 10295SBW · 9,810 lb · sleeps 6299RLI · 9,740 lb · sleeps 6299SBW · 9,828 lb · sleeps 6301TB · 9,685 lb · sleeps 10302SBW · 10,360 lb · sleeps 6the whole line →
Is the 278DDS 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 dealer and aggregator listings, retrieved 2026-07.