Ok folks I need to hit up the experts.


I had a place in central Wisconsin (near the Dells) if anyone is familiar with that area. 2 weeks ago a tornado ran through the area destroying all of my woods(6 acres) and although damage was minimal to my mobile the insurance company has totaled it out. Now it's an 84 14x54 so not really worth me rebuilding with my payout.


I'm thinking about replacing the mobile with a travel trailer somewhere's in the 25-28 ft length. When I just want a quiet weekend the trailer will sit up north, when the kids and I want to get away for a few days I can hook up and go.


Problem is, I'm not real familiar with campers. I'm looking for something a couple of years old, but with most of the amenities. Websites that can help me communicate with other RV'er's would be nice if you can throw any at me.


Also other than the fact that I can tow more weight, are there any real benefits to going a 5th wheel vs a draw bar? I do use my bed extensively, but bolting and unbolting a hookup from time to time doesnt seem to be a big deal.


I'm really green here, so throw personal opinions, comments, thoughts and experiences at me please.......

www.rv.net (http://www.rv.net)


I would go 5th wheel. The main advantages for me are being able to tow another trailer behind you. This varies state to state. It's also a lot easier to hook up, especially by yourself. Also less things to hook up. On top of that 5er's tow a lot better.Edited by: Max Power

I prefer 5th wheel. Easier to hitch up,easier to park,better wieght distribution and tows better. Everyone has their personal preferences,thats just mine. You might check out Woodalls also.


www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm?site=WPD (http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm?site=WPD)

Just so you know woodalls and rv.net are the same site. It has several other names as well.

I've pulled both and while I don't have one right now, the next will be a fiver toy hauler.


The answer to the hitch question and being able to easily use your truck bed might be found here:


http://turnoverball.com


It's a touch more expensive, but I think well worth it. You also then can have the ability to pull goosenecks, or have the fiver converted.


Fiver's also take a little getting used to on backing up, but once you pick that up, you can park them in some tight spots if needed.


Fiver/gooseneck is the only way to go IMHO...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gifEdited by: Zeeb

I'm not a fan of goose to 5th wheel converters. Most who have had them feel the same.


Most 5th wheel hitches can be easily removed with just 4 pins. Reese makes one that doesn't even leave any rails in the box if thats a concern.

I'm not a fan of goose to 5th wheel converters. Most who have had them feel the same.





I'm not either, but it's an option for someone who doesn't want to go with a conventional fiver hitch, or spend the money for the B&W Companion fiver adapter, which is what I'll be doing.

first of all thanks for the responses. Seems fifth wheel is the way to go. Thanks for the links. So when I find a model, I'll need a 5th wheel(more than likely since selection is so much better), a hitch, some tow mirrors since my are the power fold and not the extend's. Maybe even some air bags.


Weight shouldn't be an issue at all, but safety and stability are upmost of importance to me, especially for my loved ones.

If you decide on the B&W, make sure it's not one of the older ones. The base around the Companion fiver adapter is two inches wide on the older ones and doesn't line up with the raised sections of you bed quite right with the newer trucks.


The current model has three inch wide bases with micarta feet under it instead of the rubber and should not dent the bed. You can buy all the B&W stuff direct and the prices are better than most even with shipping added in.


If weight is not a problem, I don't think you'll have stability issues with the fiver like a bumper pull trailer would have. Even SRW setups are much less susceptible to cross winds and 18 wheelers passing you going the other way, than bumper pull trailers.


There's also the height consideration with fivers. I prefer what I think is known as the "mid" height since I go off road. These are about the same overall height as a bumper pull, but less head room over the pin area. A lot of what I've read on RV net suggests you should do a test pull with any trailer you are considering due to some problems you might discover with a particular setup.


I'm with Max on the RV net thing. Spend some time there and you'll pick up a bunch of useful stuff.


Bye the way, where might I find the clear anti-abrasion tape for the rear box area and my "VR Straps"?

Hi Victory, Check out Hidden Hitches 18K Hitch. I actually found it cheaper than some of the 15K-16 models out there and it has a lifetime warranty. You may not need it but I figure if I can get more for the same price, I'll take the increased safety factor. If you want more info let me know.


TT

The current model has three inch wide bases with micarta feet under it instead of the rubber and should not dent the bed.


Bye the way, where might I find the clear anti-abrasion tape for the rear box area and my "VR Straps"?








Thanks for the heads up on the newer style. I'm not sure what you mean by micarta feet so if you can give me a quick explanation of what they are/look like.


As for the anti abrasion tape. 3M makes an excellent product. Just about any auto parts store, hardware store or possibly even Wal Mart will have an invisible bra material or a clear protective paint film that will suit the purpose. The contact is minimal, but over time it may affect paint finish.


The material that jpblock and a few others have used is this


CABELS's 3M Tape (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml;jsessionid=AAUG1CBMMYLQ2CWQNVDSCNQK0BWU KIWE?id=0004066520817a&navCount=0&cmCat=srchdx&cm_ ven=srchdx&cm_ite=srchdx&_requestid=2393)Edited by: GMC-2002-Dmax

Remember too that 5th wheels also have much higher towing clearance requirements and they are not without their own unique quirks either. I have used both and I am partial to a tag on a nice heavy tow vehical up to the task. Edited by: snoman

Victory Red,


I also live by the Dells (Portage) and know about the tornado you're talking about. I had a 5'r in the past and crosswinds are a big concern. I went the other way for a camper. My Hi-Lo is lower than the D/A when pulling. Only the AC unit is higher than the truck. Semi's and crosswinds aren't even a concern anymore when towing, well, within reason anyway. The camper has everything my 5'r did and more, but only because it is newer. And you gotta love the MPG thing, running 19 empty and around 15-16 with camper. No air drag, loaded with everything I want, will put it around 7K, and the Duramax don't even know it is back there. You know this area and some of the hills around here. I so far found 'one' steep enough to make the Allison come out of overdrive with T/H engaged. And then it was back in OD before the top of the hill.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


I still enjoyed my 5'r when I had it, but I do enjoy this one even more.

Red,


It looks like you have a short bed..... If true go with a Pull Rite 16K Super Glide. With the super rail there is nothing left in the bed and will work with a bed liner. The only down side is cost at about 2400$ they are not cheep....... But one of the best buys I have made.


http://www.pullrite.com/superglide16K.html


A

zeeb.... if you edit the URL in your post to this..

http://tinyurl.com/yvcmt

the topic format will get fixed.

Hoot,


I guess I'm confused about what you're saying?


Is there something wrong with the link I posted to B&W?


I didn't intend for the reference to RV net to be a link since Max had already provided one. But I'm certainly no 'puter whiz, if I'm messing something up I'd be more than interested in finding out about it...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gifEdited by: Zeeb

www.wildcatonline.com (http://www.wildcatonline.com) http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif

That really long link messes with the width of the displayed screen because it hase no carrige return. You can't put a carriage return in the link because that will stop it from working. No biggy but if you edit that link nd paste mine in it will go to the same place but fix the screen width.

Well I edited the B&W link, looks like it does change the page width when opened that way as opposed to the one with the www in front of it.


Usually when I post links, I just load the page in another window and copy, then paste to the forum post. Should I just eliminate the www prefix on those? Or have I completely missed the point?


Thanks for the help.


edit info:


Are you talking about the post Victory Red put up with the link for Cabelas?Edited by: Zeeb

Yea you are right..... Victory Red is who I meant..

I do that all the time.

No sweat, I learned something new.


VR, sorry about hijacking your post for computer instruction...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Embarrased.gif

NP Zeeb,


I'm still waiting for a final call from the insurance(or the check) but I have been having fun looking at trailers. The toy haulers are really cool, but a little more expensive, that and I'd need some toys to haul http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif. It has been fun shopping though.


Atrzes,


I know of the concern's with 5th wheels and short beds, but that price tag is a little steep for me.

Victory Red,


Not sure if you've already made your decision or not, but here is something else to consider between gooseneck and 5th wheel which is what made my decision to go with 5th wheel. Do you know any buddies that have trailers that you may want to borrow? Utility, Toy Hauler, etc. that have the same style hitch as yours would be easy to trade around. My brother-in-law has a 5th wheel camper, so I went with that for my trailer, so if I want to go camping, I hook his trailer up, and if I want to haul sh. . . stuff, I hook up mine.


Dennis

Dennis,


That's the whole point of using the B&W, with the Companion fiver adapter for the hitch you can pull what ever you want, fiver or gooseneck with no mods required for the trailer...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


Plus when not using it, there's nothing left in the bed of the truck to prevent using it. Takes 30 seconds to flip the ball, or a few minutes to remove the Companion and bingo, a fully useable truck bed.

VR,


Here is an RV forum that might be of interest. http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm


Sorry for your loss. I love my 5'er. Tows like a dream! Must get back to the Dells sometime soon to ride the new coasters!


Richard

Zeeb,


Ok, I gotcha. I wasn't familiar with the B&W. I guess I'm just a little hesitant to do anything that is a hybrid. Take bicycles for example, a hybrid sucks at mountain biking and sucks at road biking, but you can use it for both. I usually just go with one particular type and shy away from the multipurpose things.


Thanks,
Dennis

As of yet I've made no firm decisions. I am leaning towards a 5vr because interior designs seem so much nicer. Also I've had the issue with towing and wind from trucks and other large vehicles. I want the tail wag to be minimal and 5ver's seem to fit that bill so that's two votes for it.


My insurance company is laughable though(actually I'm not laughing) . They sent out my check to a previous address on 7-7-04. So a stop payment was done, and a new check issued. Funny how their billing side knows where to find me, but not the claims office.


Also I've signed the contract with the forester. Until they get in there and clear out my woods I won't be able to get anything in or out. Of course there will also be a lot of cleanup left to do. Brush piles will need to be burned, trash cleanup and hauled to the county dump, removal of the remainder of my personal belongings and disposal of the current mobile home.


I'm not even sure if I'll get all this done before fall. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Throw Up.gif

Vic,
If you have any interest in Airstream travel trailers, go to www.airstreamforums.com and have a look. lots of info there. luke

You can get a travel trailer with a sway control. I had a TT with the Reese cam sway control hooked up to my weight distribution bars. It was beautifull. Then when I got a bigger truck, the wife wanted a fifth. The fifth is easier to hook up on your own, and will manover better in tight areas(with a sliding hitch in shortbox) but towabilty was neglegable.
Depends on what and how you carry things in your box. Preference of floorplan/layout. My own opinion.
The cams could also be tough to hook/unhook if truck and trailer weren't the straightest. I took weight off truck with tongue jack, and had few problems.

not sure if any one hit on this, but what ever you get make sure it has at least 1 slide room. makes a big differance


my .02

Good point. Makes it feel roomier.

I would check out a Cardinal 5thwheel. I am in constuction, and my wife and I looked at a variety of 5thwheels and were sold on what Cardinal has to offer,it comes standard with: 3 slideouts, HEATED STORAGE TANKS-water (and living where you do you will need it), and 5th wheel hitch installation. The one we were looking at was a 35 footer with a den and a fireplace! Most have a step between the bedroom and the bathroom, but the one we looked at had the step between the bathroom and the kitchen-so if you get up in the middle of the night you don't trip and fall. There pricing is very competitive.


I have a friend who is now paralized from pulling a tagalong trailer that flipped over due to not having any stabilizer bars.


Just something to ponderhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Rock On.gif





http://www.forestriverinc.com/nd/default22.asp?page=card&nav=rec&choice=brochureEdi ted by: dmaxfan

At this point I'm still waiting on the logger to get in gear. I can barely get my truck in the lot let alone anything else. After he's done, I'll have a good week or so of cleanup on top. It's starting to look like my purchase will be put off until spring(or middle of winter).


I've looked at several dealers and more models than i can remember. I do prefer the 5vr setups the most(I like the raised bedrooms). A slide out is a must since most of the time it'll be a park style home and I don't like the cramped feeling.


The feedback is greatly appreciated though since I'm a noob when it comes to trailering.

Rick, Another big rv website is www.irv2.com (http://www.irv2.com) All kinds of rv info,comparisons,and stuff. Don't feel bad abut having to wait so long before you can get serious about getting your trailer.Believe me- the more you know about them, the better off you'll be. Best advice anyone can give- don't get in a hurry. It's a big expensive move. Listen to your wife's likes and dislikes. Women have this sense of what's good and bad in a home- and it will pay you to let her have her say so in choosing. Oh, did I say- take your time choosing?


My wife has about 40 brochures. Talk about an expert!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Evil Smile.gif zip

Zeeb,


Ok, I gotcha. I wasn't familiar with the B&W. I guess I'm just a little hesitant to do anything that is a hybrid. Take bicycles for example, a hybrid sucks at mountain biking and sucks at road biking, but you can use it for both. I usually just go with one particular type and shy away from the multipurpose things.


Thanks,
Dennis





At least as a gooseneck, the B&W is top notch. It is a dedicated gooseneck. For the 5th, it just uses the gooseneck socket to attach and then is a full 5th. Haven't personally used the 5th though.

I have to agree with ZEEB, when I take my companion hitch out or turn the ball over, the bed is completely empty.


We also use a gooseneck trailer , so works good in both of my worlds.

Victory Red:


It's an older thread but wanted to echo the statements of several folks here.


We have owned an RV in one form or another since 1989, and I've learned the hard way some things. I could have saved myself a lot of grief had I known about irv2.com. It is an awesome site with lots of great info.


We just sold our 26' Travel trailer because we bought a used 31' 5er. The things we liked about our travel trailer: It had what they call a garden tub where the bathroom was in the middle of the camper with the bedroom on the aft end and the other living quarters in the front. This allowed everyone to have space when they needed it and the bathroom was large enough to easily change clothes in. The floorplan really worked for us. On the other hand, with 3 kids, two adults and two dogs, the Jayco was small when we were all in there. Also, it was towable with our YukonXL. We had the weight distributing hitch attachments, PLUS a sway bar (don't tow without it!) I had the thing hitched tighter than a drum and it towed great. I bet I towed that thing 50,000 miles while we owned it and I never knew it was back there. Oh, sure, in a crosswind when a truck passes you it kinda sucks your whole rig towards the truck, but that's something you get used to. I used to tell the kids to "Lean to the RIGHT!" and I'd pull the car all the way to the right side of the lane.


Our new setup is a 10000# 5th wheel with one long slideout. Holy Smokes! It's absurdly huge on the inside. We have room for a huge couch, plus two full size rocker-recliners. It's so tall it has a ceiling fan. And, it's so tall I damn near took off the AC on an underpass once. I did forget to put the antenna down and it's on a road somewhere in Ohio. So what some of these folks have said is true: 5ers are quite a bit taller going down the road and you have to be aware of that when you're rolling.


That said, the 5er hitches and unhitches MUCH easier. It tows better, though both lashups (TT and 5er) are pretty good when you do them right.


Since you have a diesel, weight of the trailer probably isn;t an issue but be careful to learn about tow weights before you buy. Learn what your GCWR is for your truck. Towing "capacity" is not enough.


We love camping (although in a 31' fifth wheel it really isn't "camping") and I take the 5er on business trips. It saves hotel costs, plus I like it better since I don't have to haul my stuff in and out of a hotel every night.


Good luck and check out the RV forums on the various sites others have mentioned.


Rip