Our rving needs have changed. It looks like we will be living 2-3 months out of the yr in a camper. We are looking at fifth-wheels.We wanted to stay around 35 ft. Weight wise was a round 10K pounds.I have a 2013 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, ext cab, 4x4, short box. I had hoped to find something I could pull with this truck. Looking today we found a 42 footer that just about fits our needs perfectly. Number wise the truck could handle it. I don't feel comfortable with the numbers. I would get a different truck if needed. My questions are1. How hard will it be to find camping sites in or near National parks with this 42 ft camper?2. At what point do you say I need a DRW not a SRW truck?3. What difficulties will I have with this size fifth-wheel that I would not have with a 35 fter?I will have to get the tape measure out to see if I can even fit this thing on my property. The largest trailer I have pulled was 25ft. We have been in a camper of some type for almost 20 yrs. We are experienced campers just with not something this size. Today was the first day of seriously looking, so I am not really ready to buy tomorrow.

Too long for Olympic, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite out West.

grizz272 wrote:1. How hard will it be to find camping sites in or near National parks with this 42 ft camper?2. At what point do you say I need a DRW not a SRW truck?3. What difficulties will I have with this size fifth-wheel that I would not have with a 35 fter?1. Harder than you probably expect in many of them. You'll definitely have to be careful and do more research.2. Right NOW!3. Getting up a hill. And down.

You need to seriously think about up-grading your truck. We have a 42' Montana, being pulled by an F-350, SRW which works well. As far as difficulties go, the most thing you need to get used to is the turning radius of the trailer. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

Your truck likely has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds and scales ready to camp around 7500-8000 pounds. So how are you going to carry 2500 to 3000 pounds of pin plus hitch without exceeding mfg weight numbers? Before you spend money on anything you really need to load the truck like your going camping and drive across a set of scales.Edit,Fifth wheels will place approx 20% of their actual weight directly over the rear axle. NOT the advertised humber nor 20% of its published dry weight but its actual weight loaded ready to camp. Simce you dont have that number yet, consider using 20% of the trailers GVWR. Under? Likely, but at least you will error on the side of caution.

you can go on line and go to the national parks website, click on the link for plan your visit and when you find a park, it usually will tell you what size limitations there are. Also, find the phone number to the local park and call and find out. For us, i have been pretty successful by opening up the campground map, figure out which space is 3, 45 or 76 etc, click on google maps and zoom in and you can sometimes figure out the configuration of the spot as well. We have been all over and usually will not have a problem finding a spot, at the least, a near by state or national forest will have camping spots, local information, a camp ground host with a phone, (ins some cases) and then just do day trips to the national park if needed. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

Fifth-wheel Questions. | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2017
Too long for Olympic, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite out West.
2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2017
grizz272 wrote:

1. How hard will it be to find camping sites in or near National parks with this 42 ft camper?
2. At what point do you say I need a DRW not a SRW truck?
3. What difficulties will I have with this size fifth-wheel that I would not have with a 35 fter?

1. Harder than you probably expect in many of them. You'll definitely have to be careful and do more research.
2. Right NOW!
3. Getting up a hill. And down.
md_procouple
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
You need to seriously think about up-grading your truck. We have a 42' Montana, being pulled by an F-350, SRW which works well. As far as difficulties go, the most thing you need to get used to is the turning radius of the trailer. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2017
Your truck likely has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds and scales ready to camp around 7500-8000 pounds. So how are you going to carry 2500 to 3000 pounds of pin plus hitch without exceeding mfg weight numbers? Before you spend money on anything you really need to load the truck like your going camping and drive across a set of scales.
Edit,
Fifth wheels will place approx 20% of their actual weight directly over the rear axle. NOT the advertised humber nor 20% of its published dry weight but its actual weight loaded ready to camp. Simce you dont have that number yet, consider using 20% of the trailers GVWR. Under? Likely, but at least you will error on the side of caution.
jffnkrn
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
you can go on line and go to the national parks website, click on the link for plan your visit and when you find a park, it usually will tell you what size limitations there are. Also, find the phone number to the local park and call and find out. For us, i have been pretty successful by opening up the campground map, figure out which space is 3, 45 or 76 etc, click on google maps and zoom in and you can sometimes figure out the configuration of the spot as well. We have been all over and usually will not have a problem finding a spot, at the least, a near by state or national forest will have camping spots, local information, a camp ground host with a phone, (ins some cases) and then just do day trips to the national park if needed. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !
MACHZER
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
hello, I don't think there is a toy hauler out there that has a pin weight of less than 22oolbs. That is usually way too heavy for most 3/4 tons
Veebyes
Explorer II
Dec 07, 2017
A 10K 42'er! What is it filled with? Helium. My 34 Alpenlite was 11,500# dry.

Yes, size does matter. Once past the mid 30s options in SPs & NPs start to rapidly decrease with size. A real consideration for us when researching.

Sure that 2500 will pull but will it stop. What happens when you go into that corner a bit too fast or encounter a good broadside wind? Seen more than a few that have had too much tail for the dog. Not a pretty sight.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
grizz272 wrote:
Our rving needs have changed. It looks like we will be living 2-3 months out of the yr in a camper. We are looking at fifth-wheels.

My questions are
1. How hard will it be to find camping sites in or near National parks with this 42 ft camper?
2. At what point do you say I need a DRW not a SRW truck?
3. What difficulties will I have with this size fifth-wheel that I would not have with a 35 fter?

In calif. State Parks have a max length of 30 feet. At 42" you can reasonable assume you will eliminate
State Parks and forrest services parks. At 42" I would want a Diesel 3500 or 1 ton truck DRW with a good Exhaust Brake. As others have suggested, I would do my research on each RV Park as to what the length of their sites and plan on making reservations well in advance of your scheduled trips. Personally I have found my 34' 5th wheel meeting all my needs for the 2 of us.
azrving
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
I have a one ton pulling less so a dually is probably a certainty but what does that 42 footer weigh?
BB_TX
Nomad
Dec 07, 2017
I honestly don’t see how the numbers for a 42 footer could fit the numbers for a 2500. I would expect the LOADED pin weight to be quite a bit over 3,000 lbs. Does your 2500 have that payload rating?

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