Well, decided to pull the trigger on a new 5th wheel toy hauler. It'll be a forest river wolfpack, 295wp. Pin weight of 1830 and UVW of 7760. I'm confident the truck can handle this. Had a few questions though. Please bear with me :cool:

I'll be new to towing a 5th wheel. I plan on getting a prodigy brake controller and installing myself, are these pretty much plug and play (I have the brake controller wiring from factory). Or are there adjustments?

The dealer is advising a slider hitch, which I definitely want even if I only have to use it once. He's also suggesting upgrading to a 14k because the style they have in 13k doesn't pivot 4 ways, only 2. Installed it's just shy of $1k. Is that a fair price, just making sure I'm not WAY off base. Also I've read about a lube plate? What might this be? I'm assuming something to avoid having to smear grease all over the hitch?

I've been to rv.net and read about the walkthrough and I'm camping at the place the night after the purchase to make sure I know how to work everything. Also the place I'm purchasing from (lakeshore out of michigan) seems to be a very reputable place from what I've read.

They've also got a generator 3kw for sale for $1500, can't remember the brand but they stated it was quite, kipor maybe? Should I shop around for the generator or does that seem in the ballpark? Hopefully I can hear the thing run and make my decision. I've heard some obnoxious generators!

One last thing. See signature. What PSI would you put in tires? I've already heard about safety and not towing with 285's but also know a lot of people do...

Already have the removable chocks ordered for the moto bikes and I'm getting excited for this spring and summer and being comfortable at the races!

I was torn between this and an outback 28krs but decided to step it up to a 5th wheel, figured it'll tow nicer even if it is quite a bit heavier.

Any advise, suggestions, comments are greatly appreciated!

-Chris

With out a doubt I would get the hitch that pivots 4 ways that is what I have and love it. Pricicng might be a little high I have a Reese 16k hitch and when I bought it and had it installed I think it came to about 650. I am sure the slider hitch is a little bit more money. As for the genrator that is personal prefrence. I just bought two eu2000 Hondas for about 850 each. You buy a link cable and you got twice the power. Plus the portablity but then you have to worry about where to store them and someone making off with them. I don't have a prodigy box but I don't think they are any diffrent in installation than any other.

I cant help too much but I do know your going to want a slider with a short bed, and I would shop around for a generator. Yes its personal preference but IMO Honda's are nice and last quite awhile

I always thought that the four way pivot may cause problems on uneven terrain allowing the trailer to come in contact with the top bed rails of the pickup box . Please correct me if I am wrong .

The price on the Kipor is high, Do a google search and you will see lower priced units. Ebay is another option. The 3000w gen is a heavy unit and takes a good grunt to lift it. Unless you have help the option of the two Honda's is a better idea and there are times you may only need one if you're not running AC. I bought a cheap 3500 watt generator at Menards for under 300 bucks and it will run my air and is fairly quiet. I don't use it much but it's nice to have available and lighter than the 3000 Kipor.

I have a 16k Reese Kwikslide and it was around 900 installed if I rememebr right.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

The price on the Kipor is high, Do a google search and you will see lower priced units. Ebay is another option. The 3000w gen is a heavy unit and takes a good grunt to lift it. Unless you have help the option of the two Honda's is a better idea and there are times you may only need one if you're not running AC. I bought a cheap 3500 watt generator at Menards for under 300 bucks and it will run my air and is fairly quiet. I don't use it much but it's nice to have available and lighter than the 3000 Kipor.

I have a 16k Reese Kwikslide and it was around 900 installed if I rememebr right.

Good Luck and Enjoy!

What is the brand name of your generator? I don't plan on running it much at night so noise isn't as much of an issue for me (plus, not like motocross races are quite!). I was just looking at lowes and I can get a 5500 watt generator for 1/2 the price of that kipor. I guess I'll just hold off on the generator until I do a little more research.

Thanks for the input.

Can anyone else verify that it's possible for the trailer to hit the truck if it rocks side to side? I don't plan on going crazy with it, but sometimes the entrances to the moto tracks are a little rough.

-Chris

;) I think that you'll be happy with the 5th wheel. I went with the Reese 16K double pivot, and installed it myself. Using the custom brackets took all the guesswork out of positioning it correctly in the bed. The double pivot will make hooking easier on uneven terrain, and there will be less stress on the hitch and pinbox when things get off level while towing. I think the recommendation is for 6" of clearance between the trailer and truck, so with a SB, I would be more concerned about back of the cab clearances on tighter turns. Conditions are always different, and constantly changing, so trying to keep an eye open for ALL clearances while moving is a good idea. You'll also be happy with the Prodigy, and with their optional harness, it truly is plug and play. You'll have to make some initial adjustments once you hook up your trailer, but if you follow the instructions, you'll do just fine. Good luck, and let us know how things work out once you start using your new trailer.

I have never used my slider and I had this hitch in a 1/2 ton with the ultra short box (60"). I've also never really cranked the trunk around 90 degrees to the 5er. If you have the $$$s and think you might use it once by all means buy it - 1k$ for a slider installed is about right, I think mine was around $950.

I have a Tonoshka(sp?) which is a step or 2 below the Prodigy. Would I like the Prodigy - sure - but the controller I have works fine. Wiring the controller isn't that hard just follow the directions that come with the Prodigy and plug it into the fuse box lower/left under the dash, I think the owners manual shows where with a schematic. Mount the controller where you like it and zip tie the wiring harness up. Mine is above the go pedal using 2 screws already in the lower dash covering. I thought it might interfere with my leg as I have fairly long legs but it doesn't. I don't even know it's there unless I'm towing and reach down to make adjustments...

-chris

Some answers from a guy who lives full time in a 5th wheel.

Q) I'll be new to towing a 5th wheel. I plan on getting a prodigy brake controller and installing myself, are these pretty much plug and play (I have the brake controller wiring from factory). Or are there adjustments?

A) Prodigy is a great controller, you'll need a few crimp connectors and a wire stripping/crimp tool. Straight forward as others said just follow the directions.

Q) The dealer is advising a slider hitch, which I definitely want even if I only have to use it once. He's also suggesting upgrading to a 14k because the style they have in 13k doesn't pivot 4 ways, only 2. Installed it's just shy of $1k. Is that a fair price, just making sure I'm not WAY off base. Also I've read about a lube plate? What might this be? I'm assuming something to avoid having to smear grease all over the hitch?

A) Short beds need sliders unless your 5th wheel has an extended (sticks out in front of nose cap at least 8 inches) pinbox. Always go with a hitch that exceeds your 5th wheel's GVWR (on a sticker left front side of the trailer) and do not exceed that weight fully loaded with your toys inside. If in doubt take it to a truck stop and weigh the whole rig then drop the trailer in the truck parking and weigh the truck alone then do a bit of math. Lube plates are exactly what you thought and I would not be without one (way less mess).

I won't try to answer about the generator as I've never had one.

One last thing. See signature. What PSI would you put in tires? I've already heard about safety and not towing with 285's but also know a lot of people do...

I won't offer advice on 285's but will say on the rear of the truck run max psi for max load as stamped on the side of the tire. With a 2500 I used to run 80, with a dually 65 psi. On trailer tires also run max on side of tire but be sure to check the inside of one of the rims for rim max psi as some tires are capable of holding more than some of the rims, it should be stamped into the metal of the rim on inboard surface (ie the side toward your trailer brake drum.

See ya out in the boonies, enjoy!

I have used the Prodigy in my 05 Tahoe and had great success with it. There was a factory supplied harness that simply plugged into a port below the dash and was then hard wired to the Prodigy. In my older trucks the install was a little more difficult since the harness was just left in the engine compartment and you had to connect the power leads and find the brake circuit to connect to the older controllers. The Prodigy has electronic inertia sensors that proportionally set the brakes based on how hard the truck is braking. It works great. My new 2500 HD LMM will come with the built in brake controller, lets see how it compares to the Prodigy.

I picked up a slightly used Pullrite Super Glide 16k hitch on craigslist for $800. I will install the under the bed rails and drill the bed of my new 2500 HD when it gets here. I ordered a custom plate for the king pin of my 5er that will mate dirrectly to the Super Glide.

I bought the 2 Honda EU 2000i inverter generators and love them. They fit inside the front bay of my 5er and are super quiet. The cheaper and heavier generators that I used over the years were always a source of aggrevation because no matter where you camp, you always have neighbors that became instant enemies due to the noise.

Good luck with your set up.

What is the brand name of your generator? I don't plan on running it much at night so noise isn't as much of an issue for me (plus, not like motocross races are quite!). I was just looking at lowes and I can get a 5500 watt generator for 1/2 the price of that kipor. I guess I'll just hold off on the generator until I do a little more research.

Thanks for the input.

Can anyone else verify that it's possible for the trailer to hit the truck if it rocks side to side? I don't plan on going crazy with it, but sometimes the entrances to the moto tracks are a little rough.

-Chris

I think the brand name is "Wen" or something like that. It's one of those Chineese ones but so far it's been o.k. Time will tell about whether it's a good investment. I don't expect much from it. If you're in for the long haul a more reliable unit such as a Honda or Yamaha may be the way to go. The manual lists a parts warehouse in Illinois and I reckon about any small engine mechanic could work on it. Only problem I've had was that I was a little over served once last spring and flooded it by leaving the choke on when I thought it was off. Took a little bit to get it going like any machine would but was fine after geting the cylinder cleared. Normally starts on the first pull and is not loud like some of the construction type gennys out there. One of my friends had a dog house built to cover his machine with to knock down the noise. I can set this one about 20 feet away and sit inside without much of a disturbance from the noise.

I have not used it, but many folks will swear by their Pull-rite hitches. Anything that takes the risk out of forgetting to get out of your truck, flip the slider lever and not hit the trailer seems good to me. Pull-rites automatically slide based on the position of your truck/trailer.

And I just installed my Prodigy (as other have said, look on eBay, I got mine for $100 shipped). It was an easy install, just under the dash right in front of the "Go" pedal.

This is year 10 for RV'ing .

My SB has a 16k Reese Slider Dual Pivot, rented a truck with single pivot and had a *** of a time getting hooked back up on unlevel ground, never heard of anyone damaging their box rails from a pivot hitch.

In 2003 upgraded to Prodigy controller...Wow!! Much better controller than most...after 4 years of use I'm stiil as happy!!

I have a Honda 2000 purchased 3 years ago at $900, very portable and quiet, my friend has a Kipor 3000, works good, is quiet...but not very portable.

I run my tires at 70-75psi (rear) and 65-70psi (front) and tow 8,200lb 5th (1400lb hitch) with storage box in rear. I found 80 psi to hard and rough ride.

Glad to hear someone has the Kipor with good luck. You can get a kipor3000 for the price of the honda 2000. There's a local dealer by my house, so I'll probably purchase from them. I can deal with the nonportability issue. If I have a buddy handy we'll be able to manage. I think it's 130 lbs or so, I'll try to get one w/ wheels!

Thanks for all the info guys. I'll post some pics after next weekend.

-Chris

A buddy of mine has a Kipor 3000, had it for 2 yrs and has no problems w/ it.
I just bought a Honda 3000eu, a little bit quieter than the Kipor and more money.
I've had my 5er for a year now,15k reese single pivot,no slide.Works fine just need to know turning limits so you don't get yourself into a bind.I picked it up used for $100 and installed myself(piece of cake).

I have an '03 2500HD SB with the 16k Reese slider. Haven't had to use it but good to know that it's there if you need it. I would't go any smaller than the 16k though. My 5th wheel is 26.5 ft but I tow a boat behind that.(pics in garage)
The prodigy is a plug in so no big deal there either.
We bought the Honda 2000 & really haven't used it much. At the lake we need electrical to run the a/c due to the heat and you'd need 2 2000's to run the a/c but the Honda's are very quiet.

Get the slider and heavier hitch as far as the generator stay away from kipor very hard to deal with for service i bought a used honda eu3000is from ebay 1200 shipped but somewher in midwest you can get a new honda 1650 shipped free and as far as brake controller to me they're all the same but others will swear that's not true so get what you want it's only sending an electrical surge to tell your brakes to come on and make sure you get one with adjustments i have a forest river and love it it's a cedar creek silverback 35l4qb and go with a lube plate good luck

It's here!

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5085747
http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5085746

I tried to set the prodigy the way the manual said, however I could never get the trailer brakes to 'lock'. If I ran the prodigy at full power the braking was WAY too hard, especially at slow speed.

I backed it off until it felt good stopping from slower speeds but still had enough to take care of a hard stop.

I'll post some pics of this bad boy loaded up over easter weekend with all the moto bikes.

Thanks for all your help in making this easier!

-Chris

Congratulations! Sharp looking rig that should be an easy pull for your DMax

It's here!

I tried to set the prodigy the way the manual said, however I could never get the trailer brakes to 'lock'. If I ran the prodigy at full power the braking was WAY too hard, especially at slow speed.

-Chris


The prodigy has the boost feature meaning the moment you operate the brakes the voltage to the trailer starts at a high level then adjusts to the inertia it feels. I have found that on the highway with a 6000lb trailer that a B1 setting "leads" the braking nicely. At low speed around town I turn the boost of. For your heavier rig you may want to have B2 on highway and B1 or nothing around town with the same initial set up of locking the wheel with the hand lever fully over. I also found the new trailer brakes bite well at first but loosen off over time so you don't notice them as much.

Be safe