Bought a new 5th wheel today!

[Steve M]

It wasn't exactly what we wanted but it's a good step up from our '95 18. 5 Aljo. We bought a '00 Jayco 237 Quest. 25' long and approx. 6,000 lbs. One slide and a CD player. Alot of other goodies too. Getting a Reese 15k hitch installed tomorrow. Decided to let them do it as I'm plenty able but very busy.
What we wanted was a '99 new leftover 31' Jayco Eagle two slide 5'er. They let me tow it around with their chevy to see if I wanted to go that big. It is too big for weekend camping and an occasional two week vacation. A real bear to park in tight places.
Then they got a new Hornet single slide 5'er in stock that was perfect all except for one thing. with the slide in, you can't get into the bathroom or bedroom.
Anyone towing a 5'er with a short box? Anything as big as the 31'? I'm hoping the 25ft 5'er will work out with my short bed club cab.

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[Barry]

Does the trailer have an extended neck on the hitch? And the Reese Hitch, is it the Classic 15 or the Trail Boss. Spend the few extra bucks and buy the Clasic. My . 02

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, VA Magic Box, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag- Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. (RV Dealer)

 

[Steve M]

It has an 18" extended pin going on tomorrow and the hitch is a Reese 15k non rocker. Not sure if that means it's the Classic but I think there's only one 15k available now isn't it? I've never pulled a 5'er til this morning when they loaded up the 31' for me. What a difference in ride versus a ball mounted tag along. It will take some getting used to not have the ball overhang to help keep the trailer trailing the truck on those sharp turns. Backing it up will take some practice to as the overhang of the ball mount gave some directional leverage not found with the 5th wheel. Sounds like it's going to be fun!

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[JohnB]

Congrats on your purchase. I pull a 27' 5th wheel with a short bed. No problems at all. I mounted the hitch centered on the axle and I have never had to slide yet (I assume you have an extended pinbox). If you do slide it back, make sure the tailgate is down because the pinbox will contact it. Mine weighs 9000lbs wet and 1800 hitch weight.
Have fun

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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

[Guest00]

I have a short box, reese 15k 4way pivot, slider ( cost about $550 installed by dealer ). I have never had to slide it but can if need arises. 25 ft is a good size as there is not too much rear overhang and U turns are pretty easy in a gas station or on the road. The pivoting 5th is nice when on back roads or pulling off on sholders, etc. where the truck will be on a different plane as the trailer, other wise the stress will be on the pin and the truck or trailer will be trying to level with each other.
You will enjoy the 5th as they pull easily, extremly stable in front and side quarter wind, and no back slap from the ball hitch bucking the front end of the truck. You will wondeer why you didn't get one sooner.
Enjoy. . #ad


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2K, 2500,Laramie,Quad,4x4,3:54LSD,auto,reese 15k 5th slider, EISLEY BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS, TA's,9000's, DD1's,PE-EZ & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC and COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA,VFW,SASS

 

[Steve M]

Got my hitch installed today and got to take our 25' 5th for a ride. You're not kidding! I never realized just how smooth a 5'er rides. With the extended pin I can almost turn 90 degrees. Good enough for a lock to lock forward and a one shot back-up into the shop so they can finish with the detailing before we accept it. They're going to wax it and flush the antifreeze, fix a couple of imperfections, fill the gas bottles and we're off to the panhandle for Christmas. I can't wait to see how it does on the famous concrete expansion joint I-10 in the panhandle. The 18. 5 TT about back slapped us silly the past couple of years. Why didn't I do this sooner!!!

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[Guest00]

It will handle the expansion joints better than running empty.

ENJOY #ad


[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 12-16-2000). ]

 

[C Schomer]

If the trailer doesn't have shocks, put them on all 4 wheels. It makes a h*ll of a difference. When the trailer rides better - the truck does too! I put 4 HD gas shocks on the trailer before my Sunnybrook, then I found out Monroe makes a kit. They even kept things from flying around in the rear cabinets. Jayco is a good choice - they have big tank capacities for dry camping! Craig

[This message has been edited by C Schomer (edited 12-16-2000). ]

 

[Steve M]

Bob, I recieved an e-mail from you regarding the panhandle. Your computer has the JS kak virus. This virus is a worm and will slowly make you unhappy. I use McAfee virus scan and it picked it right up. Unfortunately, I lost your e-mail in the process. We will be near Pensacola. Ask Santa for some virus software and update it right away. It will rid your machine of the virus and save you some headaches. First and foremost, go to your e-mail properties and delete your electronic signature. The virus creates it even if you don't use one. This is how it is spread by inocent recipients. (sp?)
We are tickled pink with our new 5th wheel. Lots of room and a couch!!! I still need some practice backing it into the yard in an S curve entrance. It doesn't respond like the little tag-along did. But I'll be getting some practice next week!

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1