Hey guys---new here as you can see from a few posts I made yesterday! I joined because I saw the site in Diesel Power Magazine (which I love!). I have a 2006 F250 Diesel FX4 Crewcab wit a stock motor, 22" rims and a nice set of Nitto tires with a leveling kit. I am pretty close to stock---just a lil above. I am wanting to find out a few things here. 1. Anyone have a particular 5th wheel brand that they really like? We are looking to buy in the next few months here. (price range would be 20k-30k)--we have been to a few RV shows and lots and have found we like a minimum of 2-3 slideouts and the big picture windows as well. 2. Anyone currently towing a 5th wheel and have suggestions on what I need to make sure to have, get, etc. to make towing this thing easier. These are general lines of questions, meant to spark some information from those of you that know more than I in these categories. Thankd for any info. Chad
I'd first suggest buying a 5er thats a year or two old. You will get a good unit that has had all the mfg bugs worked out and a much better price. I like the Lardeo's, we will be upgrading our aerolite TT to one soon. You will be hard pressed to find someone complaining about a Laredo. Find the floor plan you like and then look for the unit. Most units now have slides, stay away from the cable units. And the fiberglass unti cost more, but they are much easier to maintain. *Oh, you will be surpised how much weight you can add with all the tanks filled and gear loaded. Good Luck! Some links: http://www.rvclearinghouse.com/category/5th-Wheel/ http://rvusa.com/default.asp http://www.rvhunter.com/category-1364.html WOODS
Bike Pics LOL....What a lotta help you are!! Go figure...a Chev guy--LOL...just playin guy! Here are a few more pics of the raked out Chopper!!!
We've got a Jayco Eagle 5'er on order due to deliver the first week in April. The wife and I looked at many before we settled on the Eagle. Triple slides- well built and lightweight. We went with brand new so that we'd have the full warrenty and the bank was easier to deal with us on a new one.
Hmmm....funny because we just looked at the Eagle this past Saturday at the RV dealer. It was a bit above our price range, so I think we are going to go with this one: http://www.couchsrvnation.com/30lsbs.htm Take a look and let me know what ya think. Good thing is that it is only 9200 lbs. It has 3 slides and a ton of storage space inside. Only downfall was that the actual underneath storage was not as big as some others we looked at due to the way the frame is built. We also looked at that 5th wheel hitch that is completely hands free that rotates as you turn to keep it from getting close to your cab if you have a shortbed---I am sure you have seen it at the dealers as well....what did ya think of it? What kinda hitch ya getting for your trailer? We are thinking we will order this one brand new so we can get the options we want, etc... If you don't mind me asking--what did you pay for that Eagle when all was said and done? This one is showing as $27k at the dealer right now....just thought I would compare prices..ya never know what another dealer is offering....Chad
I all ready have a gooseneck ball in the bed of the truck so we're going with the ranch hitch adapter on the 5'er since we have a long bed and don't have to worry about hitting the cab unless I crank them tight in a turn. http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchan...de=E&Product_Code=CAB-C5G&Category_Code=FWGNA We've ordered the Eagle 291 RLTS with the extra air unit in the front, free standing dinette, slide covers and the customer care package. Our dealer shot us a price of $32,900. ready to pull off the lot(that includes dealer prep, titling fee's and everything).
That's a pretty cool little gadget--so i guess you dont even have to have that big 5th wheel hook up in your bed with that thing then? And don't they make the gooseneck hookups that have the capability to fold under your bed so when you're not using it you can just put it under your bed? But, I guess since I have a shortbed I would not be able to use that kind of hook-up for mine huh? That 5th wheel looks pretty nice...I actually walked thru that and then thru the one we decided on and we fell in love with the fireplace and all the strorage so we went with the Wildcat as opposed to the Eagle----otherwise they really look very comparable.
Yes, Mine folds down unbder the bed when I'm not using it. Makes it nice to have the full bed when you need it. They make an offset hitch for short bed owners who don't want the fifthwheel hitch taking up space. http://www.etrailer.com/mm5/merchan...de=E&Product_Code=CAB-5GX&Category_Code=FWGNA We walked through the Wildcats and like you said, They are really close in looks. Ours came down to the dealers. Our Jayco dealer has went above and beyond to make our first 5'er experience a great one. When you get yours post pics and I'll do the same.
So this would work to tow my 5th wheel with my shortbed truck and I would not have any issues with it hitting the cab when I make sharp turns? Does this kind of setup require you to get out when making real sharp turns (i.e. backin into a lot at a campground) to adjust anything or no? Also, while I got ya here..lol...do you have a link for the underbed gooseneck hitch on your truck? You don't happen to have any pics of it when it is showing in your bed and then when it's not do you? I am curious to see how this thing works. And if you don't have to get out and adjust anything on sharp turns, why in the heck would everyone not have this setup as opposed to that big 5th wheel hookup taking up 1/2 your bed? I am new to this and have not yet had any experience with either hitch yet. Any downfalls to using this setup as opposed to a regular 5th wheel hitch? I mean the one top of the line 5th wheel hookup I was looking at was like $1800---ouch! Thanks a ton for passing along all this helpful info. Chad
We have a couple that pulls with a 2001 Chevy short bed with the 7-1/2" off set and he can not almost double back like I can, but can make a tighter turn without ever leaving the cab then with a straight hitch like mine will be. A lot of people are going to tell you that a fifth wheel hitch is better on your truck only because that's all they've pulled with. This is the hitch I have under my bed. http://www.turnoverball.com/
Keep in mind though. Going to a Goose neck Conversion. You loss the ability to carry passengers in the 5'ver. Check with the warranty issue's with the GN conversion with the trailer manufacture. This type of conversion will add more stress to the Pin/Pin Box. RE: You will be adding additional leverage to the Pin/Pin Box with the extension. Not :stir: here. Just my .02 cents. Quick Test. Grab hold of a pencil at the top (vertical) between your Index finger and thumb. Grab the bottom with your other hand and move it (Feels Loose huh). Now grab the top near your fingers and move it (More Stable). This is basically what your Pin & Pin Box will feel. I have the B&W hitch with the Companion. Love it! Nice Bike!!! waytogo
To follow up on what YFZ Bob said about hauling passengers in the 5'er, This is almost a non-issue since it is against the law in 80% of states now days. The warranty is an issue to a point. We talked to service departments at 3 different dealers and if there was ever a problem with the pin box then most trailer MFG's will try and blame something the owner has done to get out of paying for it. That goes the same with things like putting a receiver hitch on the back of the trailer, that automaticly viods the warranty on the frame and sides. Just trying to help by letting everyone know the research we've done.
Wow duallydriver. Looks like the state we live in is one of those 20%. Won't be for long though, If it's something we enjoy. The State of Kalifornia will put a stop to that! Anyhow... Here's a list of RV LAWS for each state. I asked our trailer dealer about the adaptor. He said "No way :doah: ". But we're also pulling 35' Toy Hualer.
I too can vouch for the gooseneck method. For me it is the way to go. I have a hide a way gooseneck (folds down into the bed) with a "cushioned" fifth wheel adaptor mounted to my 26" alpenlite 5th wheel. It is manufactured by "convert-a-ball". They basically integrate polyurethane into the system to cushion the ride and eliminate the buck and jump common to many gooseneck systems. The one I bought cost me about 300$ for the adaptor through e-bay and it pulls like a dream. I believe they also offer an offset system that would help with a shortbed. ( I have a longbed). The best part about a hide away gooseneck is that when you are not towing your rig you can use the entire bed for cargo without that dang 5th wheel hitch taking up space (ever try loading drywall or cargo with a 5th wheel hitch bolted into the bed?).
? on what kind of trailer Try www.RVDRECT.com I got 2006 Laredo 29RK last June and paid about $13,000 less than anything I could fine in SoCA.Areal good outfit to deal with. MSRP$33,843.00 cost to me $21,234.00 tax & tags encluded. I did have to pick it up in elkhart IN but was still worth the trip. Took the long way home and stoped at all the walMarts for the stuff we needed, (towles, dishes, bed sheets ect. The trip home was one of the best times to learn how to drive this little 5th wheel. After 35 years of Big Rig's the little fiver is soooo sweet. The big plus was I got to give the 2006 Dodge a good break-in on the trip there & back.waytogo
If you have not bought yet, Check out KZ RV. I bought one and its a great rig with a fantastic warranty. 2yr top to bottom front to back. With every thing I've had fixed all KZ has said is fix it. We want him happy
