Fifth wheel trailer advice

[tractorface]

The wife and I are talking about purchasing a fifth wheel trailer to live in while we build a new house than use it for traveling instaed of the Gulfstream TT we own now. I have a 2500 auto truck and am not sure how big a 5er and can go to LEGALLY. Any advice would be appreciated. Not even sure of the weight of my truck although I know it has a GVWR of 8800lbs. Also we will have a newborn with us, is living in a 5er a bad idea for say 6 months? Am I way off base here or is it doable. We will be looking at used trailers and would like to buy a quaility unit but not sure who makes good ones. A lot of questions but figured you guys would know.

Thanks

 

[damon]

Your truck is the same as mine it appears, so you should have the following weight specs:



truck dry weight = 6900 + your BOMB's

GVWR = 8800

GCWR = 18000



I just purchased a 33' toyhauler 5th wheel that weighs 9200 dry, but once I loaded the family, 2 dirt bikes, and all of the other stuff that it takes, the GCWR came in at 18760 fully fueled - and I thought that 3000 lbs would be plenty to play with. The good news is that the truck handled the load beautifully even though we are a bit over the GCW.



As for living in a 5er with a newborn, never done that. But I would suggest a bedroom with a door in the back of the rig so that your bedroom in the front may give you SOME peace and quiet. As many have told me before, no matter what size rig you have, don't expect privacy or "your own space" in any RV.





Damon

 

[Dkevdog]

Check Ken Lenger's Website for some good reference on Vehicle Tow wieghts click here .



Kev

 

[pwr2tow]

In 1999 the GCWR was 16,000 for an automatic equiped truck. We all know it can handle more than that but it all depends on how legal you want to be. Some ignore it (see signature) and some go strictly by the book.



Ron

 

[Pogodually]

living in RV

It is doable. I used to use my RV for 3 months before my [PCS] move and 3 months after I got to my new duty station, or until I could get housing. At the time we have a 25 foot TT.

I worked for us with 20 month old. This worked for 3 moves and a 3 month TDY, over the next 6 years. You just have to make some adjustments to your living life styles. Did enjoy the pools etc. at RV parks.

Oo.