I just picked up an '06 2500 with the intention of getting into towing a camper. (Wow, this thing is better than my 1/2 ton Ford!)

While I was initially only looking at travel trailers, I'm curious about 5th wheels. Everyone seems to agree that they tow better and I like the extra headroom (I'm 6'3" and the travel trailers, while tall enough, always make me feel a little claustrophobic). What extra issues are involved with getting a 5er? The camper dealerships say they'll throw a hitch and install in with the deal so the cost of a hitch doesn't bother me much. After reading some posts I see that I'll need to relocate the plug to the bed (maybe the dealership will do that too?). What's a slider and why would I want one? If I'm looking at an intro-level mid-height, do I need to worry about helper-springs in my 3/4 ton? Warranty issues with mods to install the hitch?

Another issue is bed use. I also do quite a bit of hauling and it looks like the hitches would be a pain to remove and install all the time. Am I correct in that assumption? How heavy are they (I'm a big boy, but I don't want to be asking friends to help me horse around a hitch all the time)? Are there any quick-release type set-ups that I should be looking at? Should I just suck it up and stick with travel trailers?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

1. If you have a long-bed truck, you won't need a sliding hitch. I'd suggest looking at the B&W turnoverball gooseneck with the companion 5th wheel hitch accessory. It's rated 30K/7.5K gooseneck and 18K 5th wheel, and the companion 5th wheel hitch can be removed to leave a clean bed for hauling.

2. If you negotiate hard enough, the RV dealer should include a hitch, a 7-pin plug in the bed and a brake controller. On the latter, I'd push for a Jordan Ultima 2020, but would settle for a Tekonsha Prodigy (the McDonalds' Big Mac of brake controllers - it's OK, but despite being the most common, it certainly isn't the best).

3. A 5th wheel carries more of its weight on the hitch (pin weight is typically 20% to 25% of loaded weight) versus a travel trailer (around 12% or so). This is an issue with a 3/4 ton truck since the pin/hitch weight is carried by the truck. Yes, there are a lot of 3/4 ton trucks pulling heavy 5th wheels, and they're running over their GVWR to do it. Maybe that's important to you, maybe it isn't, but you need to be aware of it at any rate.

You can get more information on RV-specific forums such as iRV2.com. Hope this helps.

Rusty

 

I just recently entered the world of 5vrs when I baught a 02 31ft Gulfstream with slideouts. I pull trailors everyday for work mostly a 30ft g/n loaded to the "gills". I purchased a B/W with the intentions of someday owning a 5vr, for the reason it easily converts to fifthwheel that I can do by myself. Love the B/W setup. As for pulling with your 3/4, just hookup and go. My 3/4 pulls fifthwheels and g/n trailors much easier than my dads 03 dually. My setup wieghs in at 10900 loaded.

 

Rusty summed it all up nicely, and I'll third the motion for the B&W.

Probably the best thing that I like about the fiver is the maneuverability. I amazed my father-in-law this summer with some of the sites that I was able to get into that he (nor I) would even attempt with a comparable sized tag-a-long.

Ken

ps. Happy hunting!

 

There is no comparison in the road handling of a good fiver setup than with a TT, even with weight distributing hitch. There just is no sway with truck passing and with cross winds. Just a bit more tricky swinging corners wider and backing into a tight place. Reaction time is slower. Just watch your pin weight when buying a fiver. Don't exceed your GVWR of your truck. Weigh your truck first with full tanks, hitch in place and loaded ready for a trip. Then, see how much pin weight you can handle and look for a fiver accordingly.

Bob

 

All good advice above. I had a 3/4 ton dodge & moved up to a 1 ton dually do to being over with my pin weight by 950lbs & over on my gvwr by 3,000lbs. If you stay with about a 27' 5vr or below you should be right in the ball park for weight. You can see my rigs in my gallery.

 

look at the husky slider if you need one, it comes apart in two places, easier to carry i can have mine out in about five minutes. including time to carry it to the garage

it sits on valley rails valley has the new hardware for the hydroformed frames

 

I pull my Hidden Hitch out in a couple minutes by myself - - it is on Reese rails. Out in two parts and Hidden Hitch is fairly inexpensive in comparison. I have a 20K.

 

Hi there rocketguy:

I just went thru the same thing as you. We pulled a 30 ft. travel trailer (6000 lbs.)for the last three years and we wanted to upgrade. Couldn't decide whether to go for another tag along or go for a fifth. I wasn't unhappy with the way the tag towed but I always wondered how a fifth wheel would pull. We all hear the stories about how much more stable they are.

Well I'm here to tell you that it's all 100% true. We ended up with a 30 ft. fifth wheel (8600 lbs. dry wt.) with an 1800 lb. pin. Pin weight is included in the dry weight. I can't beleive how well it behaves in tow. No sway, no movement when passed by transports.....it's solid. I couldn't be happier with it. It's heavier than our old TT. but it seams to pull easier, especially into a head wind. The front cap is rounded and more aerodynamic than the flat front of the old trailer. This is one of the things to pay attention to, in my opinion, when deciding on a fifth wheel.

If your leaning toward a fifth wheel have your dealership install a hitch and hook up a fifth wheel you like and take it for a ride...the worst that could happen is you pay for a hitch. It should address some of your concerns and then once the hitch is in you can test tow as many different trailers as you like.

I also have helper springs on my truck. When I hooked it up the truck squated to just where the helpers started to make contact. I felt it could use a little help. I installed a set of Timbrens with a 3/4 inch space between the Timbren and the plate that sits on top of the axle. Now the truck drops the 3/4 of an inch and stops....the Timbrens carry the weight. Be carefull not to exceed axle weight ratings and as Rusty said be aware of GVWR. Timbrens are cheap, about $250 installed. Do a search on the net for more info.

Hope this helps....don't "just suck it up and stick with travel trailers". Thats exactly what I almost did.

Joe

 

We tow a 30' Cougar Double-Slide

Plenty of room inside,


plus outside storage, and it takes me about 5 minutes to pull the RBW hitch out by myself and I'm just a little guy.

 

Once you go 5vr, you'll never go back to a TT. We just purchased way to big a unit for my truck. Be VERY carefull when you go looking. Your eyes can get bigger than your GVWR in a hurry. That's what happened to me and since some person in Oregon won the Power Ball. I'm stuck with an undersized tow vehicle.
That said, we love our Fifth wheel. Ton's of room, storage and fresh water(Tow Hauler) Good luck in your search. Check out the web site Rusty mentioned, they have a ton of good info over there.
tom

 

I have a 26-C5 Arctic Fox on order due in a couple of weeks. A couple of days ago, I weighed my truck with full tank, hitch in, wife, dog & me. The weight was 6770lbs. The pin weight on this new 5r is 1500lbs according to the brochure.
That takes the weight up to 8270lbs. The GVWR on my truck is 8800 lbs.
I figure another, maybe 300lbs of junk in the truck and I'll be at 8500+.
Do the auto. manufacturers build in any safety factor when they quote the GVWR? Do you think I'll be OK at 8500lbs +/-.

 

Put the 300 lbs. of junk in the 5ver instead of in the truck, that way you'll stay under the 8500 anyway. Yes there is a little bit of safety factor built into the ratings from the mfgr, but it is never wise to push it.

 

I, too bought too much fiver/too little truck. Had to have a set of OL springs
built in Dallas. Cost about $240. as I recall. I am still "over" according to the
book. Pin weight is 2100. I've been toting it like that for 5 years now, and the
only thing I broke was my 47RE.

4 clevis pins pop out and the hitch lifts right out. Reese 16k. Leaves the rails
but you just put a few 2x4's cross-ways in the bed and its pretty smooth.

You won't regret the fiver!

 

Sounds like everyone's unanimous - the 5th wheel is the way to go. I don't think I need to worry much about GVWR at this point (after dropping the $$ on the truck, I can't afford anything real big). Proally looking at something 25-27 ft right now.

Anybody else notice a shortage in trailers right now? Apparently my local place sold their entire inventory to FEMA for Katrina relief. It'll be a few months before they get back up to speed.

Any suggestions on what kind of 5er to buy? I'm looking to stay in the low $20K range. Think is's safe to look at used? (I've seen some pretty rough used stuff) Any options I definitely want? Truck accessories? Not too worried about power right now, but, since most of my towing will be in the mountains, I'm thinking the Jake brake would be a nice idea.

Thanks for all the info and advice - this place beats the he!! out of most other auto formums I've visited......