1st Time 5th Wheeler - What to look for

[MChrist]

MAleshire, how heavy of a fifth wheel trailer would you recommend to a beginner? You seem to have experience towing heavy fifth wheels with a 2500.

 

[RVTRKN]

I would recommend as big as your truck can legally carry, at the cost of these things, you would have to wait for a lot of years to get your money's worth. They get small quick, if you want to save some money, learning with a small unit that you can pick up for a couple of grand. We did this, so I know what its like, by the time we were ready to get a comfortable 5ver, I spent as much on the 5ver that I paid for it in repairs. looking back now, it was a waist of money and I should of just bought the biggest I could legally tow.

 

[MAleshire]

Do all the calculations, and don't try pulling a trailer too heavy for your truck.

Weight on a trailer equates to size of the RV. The biggest thing to consider is your comfort zone. You won't be in tune with that until you actually start towing. I started out being a nervous wreck, and emotionally drained after a day of towing. That does not make for fun. Your comfort zone will be determined by driving in heavy traffic, being able to back and park, and in general, gaining experience. I'd recommend buying a 5th wheel that will more than meet your needs, because those needs will increase with time, and one that stays within the towing specs of your truck. Being in bumper to bumper LA traffic, trying to change lanes for your exits, and having vehicles knife in front of you as you try to maintain a safe distance is not a good way to start. That's why it's important to make some short trips while you gain experience and confidence. Good luck!

 

[MChrist]

So for the OP, would you recommend something in the 11,000# range?

 

[Jim W]

So for the OP, would you recommend something in the 11,000# range?

In my case my GCVW is 20,000 LBS. The truck and trailer fully loaded with fuel, DW plus myself and camping gear,my combination weights in at 18,240 LBS. I have weighted the trailer and truck on a scale the front axle is 4940, the rear axle is 5160 and the trailer axle is 8140 LBS. The the trailer GVW is right at 11,000 LBS, so to me with a 2500 HD size truck this is comfortable to pull.

 

[RVTRKN]

Although its dry weight with the truck full of fuel, it shows I'm within axle weights and still have some reserve weight. Look at sig for the 5ver.

 

[MAleshire]

Although the weight is important due to the specs of the truck, the floor plan of the 5th wheel is also very important. You can get an RV that weighs a lot, and doesn't meet your needs because of a floor plan that wastes a lot of space. So, get a ball park figure on how much weight you can safely pull, then start looking at floor plan within that figure. You'll be surprised at how much difference there is in weight vs. floor plan. Our fifth wheel, at 11K, works well for my wife and I and a couple dogs. With the slide it's like a small apartment, and comfortable to use.

 

[RVTRKN]

I like that about my Arctic fox, wide open living room and feels like a one bedroom apartment. The only negative, I don't like that the fresh water tank is way forward of the axles so when its full it adds a lot of pin weight, some more food for thought.

 

[Grizzly]

My Arctic Fox 27-5L has the fresh water tank between the axles, which is good. I can get to everything with both slideouts in, except the pantry. So, when we stop for lunch or a bathroom break, we make sure not to put anything in the pantry we need. Found that out the hard way. We have even slept in it with the slideouts in one time on a quick overnight stop in a Las Vegas casino parking lot.



george

 

[Mark31]

Has anybody heard from Grizzly or know anything about him? He might have been here on TDR and I just missed him. I havn't seen a post by him in a LONG time. Mark

 

[HBarlow]

You're right. Haven't seen a post from Grizzly in a couple of months or more.

 

[RonD]

Has anybody heard from Grizzly or know anything about him? He might have been here on TDR and I just missed him. I havn't seen a post by him in a LONG time. Mark

He replied to a post of mine in mid to late October

 

[Mark31]

Has anybody heard from Grizzly or know anything about him? He might have been here on TDR and I just missed him. I havn't seen a post by him in a LONG time. Mark

I sent Grizz a pm and he repsonded that he was fine, busy working on Christmas woodworking projects, etc. Whew! Mark