Calling all 5th wheelers

[burndog]

We are heading to Quartzsite Arizona this month and it is time for more room. The Lance camper is getting too small for longer trips.

I want a toy hauler in fiberglass and a slide and a garage,hell I want it all !



I like the Play Mor triple slide the best,but can't find one in stock,or they are 60k. so... ... ..... How about the Tahoe 36 footer with the garage. 25k sounds better than 60k when talking price.



I just read the thread on 6spd. 4:10 VS 3. 54. ,so what is it like to pull 14,000lbs. around behind you? I haven't pulled a 5er before,so what can I expect?



My truck is a 2001 3500 4x4 6spd quad 3. 54 and a exhaust brake.



I guess I'll keep my Lance since the dealers don't want to give you much in trade value.



I keep checking Barrys site and am waiting for something I like to show up ! (joke)



Thanks in advance to all replies.



burndog

 

[Bug Out]

Pulling a 15,000 5th

I was concerned about pulling a 15,000 # 5th that I bought. Not a problem. You have the exhuast brake, so stopping should be good.



The 4:10's I think are the way to go with a heavy trailer. If you were in the 10-12, maybe 13,000# range, maybe 3:54 would be good. JMHO.



My 4:10's work good for me. I'm not going REAL fast, but I'll get there in one piece. .



I'll be pulling it to Oklahoma in a week. I'll give an update about it when I get back.

 

[LFarrar]

5er

no problem!!! I pull ragen 30 5er with truck in signture ran across scale this weekend at 20,600,I only us the propane on the smaller hills and get milage up,power is there even with it off,the thing I feel the most is a head wind even with 3;55 gears and 6 speed easy going have fun!!!

 

[Gunny]

Burndog

I have almost the same truck as you, see sig. I tow a 34 ft 5er triple slide, empty trailer weight is 10,400 and the truck weighs 7,700. If I did'nt look back there from time to time would'nt even know the trailer was still hooked up. my truck has the 3. 54's and I would'nt trade them if they paid me. just hook-up and go.

Gunny

 

[Andy Perreault]

There is another brand called "Patio Hauler", don't know much about them, though. I know they have garages. Maybe you can search for them on the net.

I have toybox trailer (bumper hitch, not 5th wheel), a Wanderer Wagon #257TB from Thor (they also make the Tahoe brand). Actually, I'm living in it full time. You don't have to own any toys like dirt bikes or snowmobiles to make practical use of a toybox trailer. The open area in the rear of mine is where I have my desk, computer, tool chest, file cabinet, & misc storage. Also next to the entry door is a good size home made bird cage for Charlie the cockatiel. My trailer doesn't have a separated garage section, it's all one room.

Living in this trailer, I have learned two things that I did not think about when I bought it: It's not very well winterized (I was living in SoCal at the time I bought it), and the bed is not very comfortable. The next trailer will definitely be a 5th wheel, mainly because I want a "real" bed. Changing the sheets on the bed, which is above my desk is a real PITA. On the plus side, this floorplan has a lot of kitchen counter space compared to most trailers I looked at. Since I rarely opened the big rear door, I added some insulating material and duct tape around the door jambs, and that cut out the drafts. Anyway, this trailer's okay for Charlie and I for now. Toybox trailers seem to be getting more popular, which means the manufacturers will hopefully be offering more selection.

Oh, one more minor complaint: All of the heater ducts are at the front of this trailer in the kitchen/bath area. Sitting here at my computer at the other end of the trailer, I get cold, so I have an electric portable heater back here.

Andy

 

[burndog]

Thank you all for the replies. It looks like I'll be doing some shopping this weekend.



Andy... ..... I have seen the Patio Hauler. The one I looked at had a floor in the garage that was like a home deck. There were spaces (gaps) in the floor boards and you can see the ground. I didn't care for that style. I also like the one piece rear ramp door.



Does anyone have the B&W turnoverball style 5th wheel hitch on their truck? I'm thinking of going that way.



Thanks again,

burndog

 

[klenger]

burndog



RustyJC has one. I'm sure he'll chime in soon.

 

[Charley]

burndog:



I have the BW turnover ball in the truck with an adapter on my 36', 15,000# Holiday Rambler and like it. Have pulled several thousand miles with no problem. In fact this is the second truck I've used it in. There was a prettly long thread on this subject a few days back that you might want to look at. Lots of pros and cons.



Charley

 

[RWorth]

I have the B&W Companion hitch and really like the product. The jaws are heavier built than what you will find on other brands. The hitch is rated at 18k lbs. . I have also visited the plant in Humboldt Kansas. They are a class act and very responsive to questions.

 

[TEaton]

burndog,

Check your PM. I PM'ed you (twice actually).

Troy

 

[burndog]

Thanks TEaton I will give them a call.



burndog

 

[NVR FNSH]

burndog,

I recently went thru the same exercise you are going thru. I looked for almost a year at ALL the toybox type trailers and ended up buying a '00 (used) Patio Hauler 351F w/LR slideout for $22k. I looked at a brand new Patio Hauler 351F in Bend, OR and the dealer was willing to let it go at ~$26k. I looked at one PlayMor up in the Placerville area but it was a bare bones trailer and didn't fit my needs. PlayMor's are built in Missouri(?) so you don't see too many of them out here - I think the closet dealer is in AZ. Feel free to email/PM me for more info or if you're in the neighborhood and would like to check out my trailer.



We just got back from a 1400 mile trip to Dove Springs & Death Valley and the trailer performed great. The open patio floor & moving ramps worked much better IMO than my buddies 34ft TailGator 5th wheel toybox. If your on uneven ground the ramp door is a bit of a pain. The previous owner of my trailer installed a rubber mat/astroturf in the patio are to cover up the slats but I removed it because it weighs a friggin' ton.



I drive a '00 2500 4wd 6sp w/4. 10s & 315/75 tires. I have a VA CPC on my truck. On I-5 65mph in 6th is no problem. I was able to pull Hwy 58 from Bfield to Tehachapi in 5th w/o a problem. SR190 from Panamint Springs to Stovepipe Wells was a different beast - 9% grade according to the sign. I was down in 3rd going east & in 4th coming west. The only time I weighed my combo it was at 21,300lbs. I think I averaged 10mpg for the trip but haven't actually calculated it.



Brian

 

[burndog]

Thanks for your input Brian. I'm glad your happy with the Patio Hauler. Putting a mat in the back may be an idea if I don't like the open spaces.

I understand what you mean about the rear ramp door. I looked at a few this weekend and if the trailer is in a funny position,or tilted a bit forward,it sounded like the ramp was cracking and making all kinds of noise. With the two metal ramps you can position it any way you like. One more thing to think about.

Thanks,



burndog

 

[Elk]

I think your on the right track looking at toyboxes I love mine for hauling my toys and once the toys are out it is great if you have kids and pests oh i mean pets. I would stay away from fleetwoods toyboxes. Mine has been back at the factory for the last 2 month because of many problems that only the factory could repair. I will look at the desert fox when they come out in a 5th wheel. They are made in oregon I belive they have a web site they are the same people who make the artic fox and the nash both very well built units.