Light weight 5th or TT ?

[opjohnny]

I have 1,900 lbs of payload left in my truck for the family and I plus pin/tongue hitch ect. It scaled at 7,100 lbs no driver or passengers but with a full tank. 9,000 lbs gvwr. Would you go light weight 5th or tt? I was looking at the forest river ~25' bunk models and Trail lite and fleetwood has a short bunk. This would be weekends and vacation, not retired yet. Trying to move out of the pop top.

 

[Bertram65]

5th wheel, hitching up and towing are much easier, if you are looking at Forest River check out the Wildcat 28BH 5th wheel.

 

[opjohnny]

What did the pin weight end up at on your 28bh? Was it anywhere near the 1100 they list on the web site?

 

[Bertram65]

I am not sure, I have not weighted the truck with it attached, it sits level when it is hitched up. A fellow member suggested the Wildcat when I was looking earlier this year, I found the '02 shortly after and have been very happy so far with it.

 

[klenger]

I had a Trailite 21' travel trailer. We never had any problems with it and were looking at larger trailers or 5th wheels from them. Note that the Trailite 5ers use torsion suspension, so that axles cannot be easily "flipped" to get better bed clearance.

 

[GerryDrake]

Height

I see you have a 2500 4X4, so it likely sits a bit high, but likely not as high as our 3500 dually does. Make very certain in looking at/for any 5'ers (which I prefer) that you will have plenty of clearance above the bed rails. It shouldn't be a problem with your truck, but buying one and then ending up having to tow nose up for clearance is avoidable. Conventional, bumper mount, or travel trailers, whatever you wish to call them, are obviously not affected. Good luck with it. . RV'ing is a great life

 

[opjohnny]

Thank you all for the info. Good point about the torsion axles. The Jayco line has an adj. plate for 2" of diff in height, just wish the bunkhouse model had less pin weight. Wonder if my wife would kill me if I traded for the 3500 srw?

 

[Schicken bone]

mine didnt kill me but made me wish i was dead. we started with a 30 foot tt and a half ton. needless to say that didnt last long. almost five years later and a four year old son we now have a 5ver. it is the only way to go. like someone said earlier watch to make sure you will have enough bed clearence.

 

[JThiessen]

I tow a Jayco 253D, loaded its about 8500 lbs. Pulls like a dream behind the 2500. Unless Jayco has changed something in the last 4 years, you'll need to flip the axles on it to get the proper bed rail clearance, in addition to moving the springs down to the lowest mounting point.

 

[SHobbs]

opjohnny get the 5er, they pull much easier than a tt. Forest River makes a great trailer, I had a Fleetwood Terry and wasn't happy with it. I bought my current 5er almost a year ago and it has been in for service one time and that was for a bad propane leak detector, my Terry well it was in and out about every month for about 4 months after I bought it. I have pulled tt's and 5er's and I would not have a tt in my opinion. You can actually have a larger pin weight with a 5er and handle it better than a tt. Think about it would you want the pin weight in the center of the bed or hanging off your bumper. If you decide on a 5er I agree with everyone check the clearance and also check to see if you can get a fifth wheel hitch that will pivot side to side for hitching up and lock up it up after that. I found that at times you need a side to side if you are on unlevel ground then lock it in place for going down the road. Good luck in your search.

 

[GEM]

My opinions are: I have a 29 ft wildwood tt..... Get the 5th wheel w/ all the slide outs you can afford. That way obselence might be resisted until payment coupon book is empty. After 2-3 camping trips you won't have to play... Woulda, coulda, shoulda on the little "radio" in your head as you check out others rigs. Have a professional set up the hitch system so you have a name to seek help if something isn't right. If your bed is 6ft... get the sliding 5th hitch so you don't crunch your cab while turning.

 

[mroidt]

Keystone Cougar anyone

First of all I have a small older Prowler Fiver and its the only way to go.

Our truck does'nt even know its there, took it south through the hills

running hard all the way got 13. 5 Oo.

Second, looking to upgrade and the Cougars really caught my eye,

between weight and layout. Just was hoping someone had some love or

hate stories they would want to relate.



Third, Sorry about getting off subject