TT/Fifth wheel, What to buy?

[ropinfool2]

If you are looking to buy new, take the MSRP and subtract 25% for a good starting point. Good Luck. John

 

[Grizzly]

Not yet, but it books for about 25K new.

I am kind of thinking a 5er is going to be a better option for me. I am a little leary about getting a TT that long. A 5er at least has some of it's length over the truck.

I looked at a couple Keystones Cougars again tonight and really like them.

Now your talking, a 5er is a better way to go IMO. Don't make the classic mistake that most first time RV buyers make by getting one that's too big and heavy. Cougar 5er is good, 2 to 2 1/2 star, but a Nash is better, 4 star. Good advice from ropinfool2. RV's have about a 40% markup.

 

[ropinfool2]

Grizzly makes a good point about going too big, I also want to caution about going too small. My first 5th wheel was 19'. Thought it was huge (came from a tent), first rainy camping trip we almost went nuts. It was so claustraphobic. Anyway that was a long time ago. I almost bought a cougar, looked at them for a couple years and really liked them. I was convinced I was going to buy one until I walked into my Wildcat. I bought it on the spot and really like it. No problems so far, knock on wood. John

 

[TowPro]

As someone else here pointed out, you have to watch your clearence between the top of the bed to the bottom of the 5th wheel. I see your signiture shows

4wd plus 35" tires. you might be high enough that a 5th wheel would require being raised in order to provide safe clearence between the bed and 5er body.

 

[JCasper]

As someone else here pointed out, you have to watch your clearence between the top of the bed to the bottom of the 5th wheel. I see your signiture shows

4wd plus 35" tires. you might be high enough that a 5th wheel would require being raised in order to provide safe clearence between the bed and 5er body.

I am a little concerned about that. I need to do some measuring.

 

[JCasper]

Grizzly makes a good point about going too big, I also want to caution about going too small. My first 5th wheel was 19'. Thought it was huge (came from a tent), first rainy camping trip we almost went nuts. It was so claustraphobic. Anyway that was a long time ago. I almost bought a cougar, looked at them for a couple years and really liked them. I was convinced I was going to buy one until I walked into my Wildcat. I bought it on the spot and really like it. No problems so far, knock on wood. John

I don't want to go too big, but we are planning on having a 3rd child. When that happens in a couple years I don't want to trade and buy the one with 4 bunks. Also my oldest is 6 and she has friends and nephews that like to go with us. I want to have enough sleeping room.

 

[BDeMartile]

No experience with the hensley arrow but have only heard good things. Our trucks handle tongue tows up to 8k really well without alot of goodies anyway. 5th wheels tow great without question however the hitch cost is a real consideration. I bought a Valley hitch 16k with rails in the bed. It was realtively inexpensive about 475 total but not the finest hitch by any stretch. That said I would go with a turnover ball and a bd if I had to do it again. Just a thought. Your price range will limit you some but you should be able to get something decent. Get together a list of what to look for and go over it with a good eye used can also mean bugs have been worked out and the all impoortant goodies that come with a used rig can be a huge cost savings. Most of all get something and get out and enjoy it.

 

[Grizzly]

As someone else here pointed out, you have to watch your clearence between the top of the bed to the bottom of the 5th wheel. I see your signiture shows

4wd plus 35" tires. you might be high enough that a 5th wheel would require being raised in order to provide safe clearence between the bed and 5er body.

That an excellent point. I too noticed the 35" wheels. What else can you do to rise the 5er besides flip the axles, adjust the pin box, get taller trailer tires, remove the spacers on the truck springs over the axles and get smaller truck tires?

 

[ropinfool2]

Well my Wildcat has an adjustible suspension. I don't know if it adjusts high enough for 35" tires though. I have 295's and I'm on the lowest setting so I think it will. JR

 

[Superdawg]

JCasper,

Reference fifth wheel trailer height. I have a 2004. 5 48re 4wd shortbed w/ stock tires and stock suspension. I bought a used fifth wheel 2000 Jayco Eagle 28. 5 (great trailer so far). It already is a pretty high trailer. I still had to put the leaf springs under the axles to get 5" clearance between the bed rails and the bottom of the overhang on the trailer. It is still not enough. I kissed the trailer a couple times with the bed rail going up steep inclines. 6"-7" would be better. I can just about mow the grass under the trailer, it is that high. The floor is about waist high from the ground and I am almost 6' tall. The point is, you might be better off with a travel trailer if you are really attached to those 35s.

That said, after having a TT and going to a fifth, I dont think i could go back. No more sway, the truck actually tracks better towing than when not. I miss the using the bed but it sure tows nice.

I love my Superglide 18k! 11 mpg towing, approx. 16k gross weight from Paso Robles to Orange County on the 46 to the 5 freeway.

My only complaint is it is tricky to add the exhaust brake. #@$%!

Tom

 

[BBeck]

JCasper,

Reference fifth wheel trailer height. I have a 2004. 5 48re 4wd shortbed w/ stock tires and stock suspension. I bought a used fifth wheel 2000 Jayco Eagle 28. 5 (great trailer so far). It already is a pretty high trailer. I still had to put the leaf springs under the axles to get 5" clearance between the bed rails and the bottom of the overhang on the trailer. It is still not enough. I kissed the trailer a couple times with the bed rail going up steep inclines. 6"-7" would be better. I can just about mow the grass under the trailer, it is that high. The floor is about waist high from the ground and I am almost 6' tall. The point is, you might be better off with a travel trailer if you are really attached to those 35s.

That said, after having a TT and going to a fifth, I dont think i could go back. No more sway, the truck actually tracks better towing than when not. I miss the using the bed but it sure tows nice.

I love my Superglide 18k! 11 mpg towing, approx. 16k gross weight from Paso Robles to Orange County on the 46 to the 5 freeway.

My only complaint is it is tricky to add the exhaust brake. #@$%!

Tom

Hi Tom: do you have the 2500 or 3500?



Thanks,

Brad

 

[Grizzly]

Reference fifth wheel trailer height. I have a 2004. 5 48re 4wd shortbed w/ stock tires and stock suspension. I bought a used fifth wheel 2000 Jayco Eagle 28. 5 (great trailer so far). It already is a pretty high trailer. I still had to put the leaf springs under the axles to get 5" clearance between the bed rails and the bottom of the overhang on the trailer. It is still not enough.









Do you mean that you flipped the axles, axles over springs. It appears that a stock Dodge 4WD are built taller then any other stock truck.

 

[TowPro]

Here is the best way to move the axle to under the springs.

#ad

 

[JCasper]

Thanks everyone. We are still looking, but I think we are leaning towards the TT at this time. My wife really likes a couple that we have seen. And yes I am attached to my 35's.



I have seen a lot of 5ers that I really like, but my wife thinks they are too big. With this being our first RV I think I may save the 5er for my next upgrade. I am not real sure I want to lose the bed of my truck now. I think our next RV after this will probably be a fifth wheel toy hauler. But that is a few years down the road.

 

[Buffalo]

I have towed TT's over much of this Country & parts of CA. & have not had any 'sway' issues that scared me into a fifthwheel. I'm not saying, at all, that a TT tows better than a FW. I don't believe it does. Just that the TT, set up properly (hitch & anti-sway bar), is nothing to be afraid of.



I have a 25' Nash (25-S) & LOVE it. Very reliable, trouble-free trailer. Has a small, queen sized bed, a couch that makes into a bed & a dinette that makes into a bed. 50 gal. fresh water. Large bathroom with double-door closet.



I've spent the better part of 2 summers in it & was always comfortable. There are 'nicer' trailers, out there but, I sure wasn't 'roughing it' in mine.



I cannot recommend the Nash/Arctic Fox lines of trailers, highly enough. Try to find a good used one. Mine is a '98 & was 7 months old, when I bought it. Paid $12,600. 00 for it. It was a bit too big for the couple that originally bought it.



I don't mean to 'hound' you about the Nash/Arctic Fox brand but, after owning numerous other RV's, these have been great, in comparison.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[Grizzly]

I have towed TT's over much of this Country & parts of CA. & have not had any 'sway' issues that scared me into a fifthwheel. I'm not saying, at all, that a TT tows better than a FW. I don't believe it does. Just that the TT, set up properly (hitch & anti-sway bar), is nothing to be afraid of.

I have a 25' Nash (25-S) & LOVE it. Very reliable, trouble-free trailer. Has a small, queen sized bed, a couch that makes into a bed & a dinette that makes into a bed. 50 gal. fresh water. Large bathroom with double-door closet.

I've spent the better part of 2 summers in it & was always comfortable. There are 'nicer' trailers, out there but, I sure wasn't 'roughing it' in mine.

I cannot recommend the Nash/Arctic Fox lines of trailers, highly enough. Try to find a good used one. Mine is a '98 & was 7 months old, when I bought it. Paid $12,600. 00 for it. It was a bit too big for the couple that originally bought it.

I don't mean to 'hound' you about the Nash/Arctic Fox brand but, after owning numerous other RV's, these have been great, in comparison.

Joe F. (Buffalo)

Joe, you and I have been recommending Nash and Arctic Fox and he has been ignoring us. I guess he just doesn't want to go that route for whatever reason and they are made in his home state. Northwood has tours of their factory one can take, which I hear are worth taking. If I lived that close to the factor, I'd take the tour.

 

[JCasper]

Joe, you and I have been recommending Nash and Arctic Fox and he has been ignoring us. I guess he just doesn't want to go that route for whatever reason and they are made in his home state. Northwood has tours of their factory one can take, which I hear are worth taking. If I lived that close to the factor, I'd take the tour.

I appreciate all the advice everyone has given. It is very hard to choose something my wife and I both like without spending a fortune.



My wife really likes the Springdale TT and it can be had for about 20K brand new.



I have not seen a Arctic Fox yet, mainly because there are not any dealers real close to me and it has been a very busy week. I am at work again today. The closest dealer to me is in Portland, I just looked. I have heard good things about them from all of you here and also some other places I have been looking.



If I have time this afternoon or tomorrow I will go look at them. Better yet, I will call them when they open to see if they have any floorplans on their lot that my wife and I would both like.



Again, thank you for your help. This is a hard decision as I have read that there is a lot of trailers with problems out there. That's why new and with a one year warranty sound appealing to us.



Thanks, Joe

 

[Grizzly]

You can see the Nash and AF on line and you can have any dealer give you a quote. Don't ever pay more then 75% of Dealer's invoice. Web site is northwoodmfg.com. The dealer I like best in Oregon is Thunder RV in La Grande, which is very near by the manufacturing plant. I'd speak to Paul Olson. There phone # is 1-888-532-3422. Good luck.

 

[JCasper]

I have browsed over Northwood's website. They look to be very nice trailers, but here is our problem. This is the only floor plan that comes close to what we want. Northwood Manufacturing



That trailer I have not priced, but it is heavy and I am sure the price tag is also. This is my first trailer and I am trying to stay around 20K or under. I have not seen any used around me. I will pick up an RV Trader today when I leave work and browse there.



On another note: A friend of mine called me yesterday and told me that a friend of his has had a lot of problems with his Desert Fox. It seems all the cabinets are falling apart and are in constant need of repair.



The floorplan we really like so far is this one: Springdale Division of Keystone RV manufacturers of Recreational Vehicles.



Although it is an entry level trailer so to say I think it is pretty decent. I have not been able to find any major problems on rv.net with them.



I personally think that long of a TT is a bit big, my wife likes it a lot and I think in 4-5 years we will step up to a Fifth wheel toy hauler. I may have to buy a truck with big hips at that point also.



Thanks again for your advice on the Northwood products. I will browse through an RV Trader today.



Joe

 

[AMink]

If you don't like the idea of such a long trailer, some manufacturers make a rear slide. The bed is in it. Allows you to tow a shorter trailer, then add about 5-6 feet when you get there. I do believe I saw one with bunks in the front and a small kitchenette slide. I think Sportsmen by KZ did this setup. The one you're looking at has one feature my wife won't be without... the walkaround queen. Our first trailer had the bed against two walls, front and side. She hated it as the person next to the front of the trailer got squished. I slept on the kitchen table bed in there!



EDIT: Check this out. The 2810 floorplan has the 4 bunks. Haven't heard of this brand (Malibu), but it gives you an idea of what I was talking about.