Pulled the trigger...into the 5th wheel world!

[AMink]

Well, we finally pulled the trigger and sold our '05 bumper pull 30ish foot Wildcat and bought a '16 Genesis Supreme 33CK 5th wheel toy hauler. I drove from Reno to Phoenix to pick it up, took it to Tucson to visit my folks, and then back to Reno.

Overall, very pleased with the way it pulls. We got the Pullrite Superglide after many hours of anguishing and reading. I actually got an Andersen Ultimate but wasn't sure that it would provide enough clearance with the Megacab short box. Backing was a new experience but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I also put bags on the rear to help hold it all up. Mileage? Well, on the flats in AZ it was good at about 11 or 12 according to the overhead. The hills and headwinds in NV knocked down into the 9's but I guess that's pretty good for pulling a barn!

 

[RVTRKN]

Nice rig, that's a clean looking 06 as well.

 

[RustyJC]

Just a suggestion - check the tires on that new 5er. If they're no-name China bombs, get rid of them as quickly as possible and get some decent shoes on that new rig before you're replacing side panels, wiring and piping.

Congratulations on the new toy hauler.

Rusty

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Looks awesome. Don't let it sit around and I hope you enjoy it.

 

[AMink]

Just a suggestion - check the tires on that new 5er. If they're no-name China bombs, get rid of them as quickly as possible and get some decent shoes on that new rig before you're replacing side panels, wiring and piping.

Congratulations on the new toy hauler.

Rusty

That's a good call. Is the Michelin still the tire of choice? Or are there decent trailer specific tires in 16" E rated? I put GY Marathons on my old trailer and they did well.

 

[RustyJC]

If you have 6000 lb axles, the LT235/85R16E Michelin XPS Rib (3042 lbs @ 80 PSIG) is still a great tire. If you have 7000 lb axles, I'd go with the LT235/85R16G Goodyear G614 RST (3750 lbs @ 110 PSIG). Both are all steel construction radials that are rated for trailer service. Just make sure your wheels are stamped as being rated for the 3750 lbs and 110 PSIG if you go with the latter - with 7000 lb axles, they should be.

If you really want to bomb-proof the trailer, you could go with trailer-specific 215/75R17.5 Michelin XTAs or Goodyear G114s rated 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG. The overall diameter is actually 1/2" less than the typical LT235/85R16 trailer tire, so fitment should not be a problem. A wheel change would be required, of course. I upgraded our previous Mobile Suites to 17.5" wheels and tires ordered from Trailer Tires & Wheels - they ship the tires and wheels premounted, balanced with center caps and lug nuts included straight to your door. If you call them, ask for Scott. Our current Mobile Suites, which uses MorRyde independent suspension with an 8000 lb axle rating, came with the 17.5" Goodyear G114s, and they've been fine so far.

The Goodyear Marathons are being reported as "iffy" as Goodyear is apparently sourcing them from China currently. Some have good luck with the Chinese Marathons; others don't.

Rusty

 

[AMink]

Looks awesome. Don't let it sit around and I hope you enjoy it.

That shouldn't be a problem as we averaged 40-50 nights per year in our old one.

 

[shorthorn]

Congrats... Nice looking rig.

 

[AMink]

If you have 7000 lb axles, I'd go with the LT235/85R16G Goodyear G614 RST (3750 lbs @ 110 PSIG). Both are all steel construction radials that are rated for trailer service. Just make sure your wheels are stamped as being rated for the 3750 lbs and 110 PSIG if you go with the latter - with 7000 lb axles, they should be.


Rusty

The axles are 7000# rated. I don't know about the rims though. I'll have to crawl under and see if they're stamped 80# or 110#. The current tires are 235/80R16 at 80psi.

 

[Jim W]

Nice Trailer and good looking truck. I would suggest that for improve mileage try staying around 60 to 65MPH and let everyone else pass you by. I am pulling a 5er also and traveled out west through the Rockies on I70 this year. The truck fuel mileage for the trip from Denver CO. to Green River UT. averaged around 11MPG doing between 60 and 65MPH. This is hand calculated fuel mileage.

 

[AMink]

Nice Trailer and good looking truck. I would suggest that for improve mileage try staying around 60 to 65MPH and let everyone else pass you by. I am pulling a 5er also and traveled out west through the Rockies on I70 this year. The truck fuel mileage for the trip from Denver CO. to Green River UT. averaged around 11MPG doing between 60 and 65MPH. This is hand calculated fuel mileage.

I keep at 65, or less when grinding the big hills. I see no reason to jam up a hill 5mph faster while blowing more fuel and putting more stress on the truck.

 

[Beast2B]

Nice combo! Wife and I are agonizing over a new toy hauler at the moment. We really like the Genesis 34GS with the slide that moves the gaucho couch and kitchen. Sure opens up the living space while keeping toy storage available.
Where did you end up buying from in AZ? We have Toyhauler Liquidators here in Sacramento and they sure seem like they offer good pricing.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For sure upgrade the tires!!! Sell the existing on CL while they still look good.

Congrats nice combo!

 

[BILLUA]

Another vote for Michelin XPS ribs. I run those on my toy hauler and do 75 mph on the flats with no issues.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

That shouldn't be a problem as we averaged 40-50 nights per year in our old one.

I miss our TH tremendously. We used to go somewhere about once a month for 3/4 days......until our eldest daughter started high school and couldn't pull her out on Thursday for an extended weekend. It sat for about 3 years, so we sold it.

 

[RustyJC]

Another vote for Michelin XPS ribs. I run those on my toy hauler and do 75 mph on the flats with no issues.

Unfortunately, the XPS Ribs, although a fine trailer tire, don't have enough load rating for the OP's 7000 lb axles as a pair of XPS ribs are only rated for 6084 lbs maximum. I'll run 'em every time on 6000 lb axles, though.

Rusty

 

[AMink]

Nice combo! Wife and I are agonizing over a new toy hauler at the moment. We really like the Genesis 34GS with the slide that moves the gaucho couch and kitchen. Sure opens up the living space while keeping toy storage available.
Where did you end up buying from in AZ? We have Toyhauler Liquidators here in Sacramento and they sure seem like they offer good pricing.

We got it at Rowley White in Phoenix. Lower price than THL and had the bigger gen and second a/c. Ask for David and tell him Andy Mink suggested him. The GS is also really nice.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Very nice rig. I inadvertently disliked the post and now I can't undo. bg

 

[WalterJ]

IMHO: Get rid of those "light truck" tires ASAP. I've had tread separations 4 times in 5 years. The last ev ent caused $400+ additional trailer damage.

I finally got the info I felt I needed. Consider using Goodyear G-614 [LT235/85R16, Load Range G, 126/123L] tires for your trailer. These are stiff walled heavy duty commercial trailer tires.

My worst wear occurred during backing into & pulling out of, my home driveway. This wore the outer beads severely, but highway miles did not. Good luck & safe travels.

 

[JHRider]

Joined the ranks of Ram haulers this week. Traded the class c MH for a Ram '13 3500 DRW 4x4 auto with flat bed. Then picked up a '16 Montana 35' 5th wheel. Love that Cummins, even with the 3.42 diffs it does great. Not much history available on the truck unfortunately so I'll be going over it soon. Any suggestions on any concerns I should look at first please speak up with your suggestions.

Keith
Presently volunteering at Sequoah NWR in Vian, OK