Forum Discussion

RoyBell's avatar
RoyBell
Explorer
Jul 05, 2017

Looking to upgrade QB to TH

So I saw a lot of THs at the camp ground last weekend and my itch is growing more and more.

Currently have a Cruisers 28' QBSS. Great trailer and I have been very happy with the quality of it. We are on our third season with it. Only complaint about the trailer itself is the fact that the slide takes the whole interior up when closed. Can't get to the bathroom or rear bunks for loading. Fridge you can open at least. Bathroom is very small, but it is a 28' bunk so not much we can do there.

Starting to research a TH for next year. Would like to get a golf cart for the kids (teens) to drive around in, maybe some quads and a place to put the bikes easily. I have a full size Harley I would like to eventually start bringing with as well. The kids rather sleep on the sofa than the bunk so I don't see the point in keeping a dedicated bunk house anymore.

Couple things I would like to see are a max length of 34' OA. This is dictated by my driveway length. Any longer and it will be hanging over the sidewalk which I want to prevent. Current one is just over 33' OAL



I have a cap on my truck and the dog rides back there so I am limiting myself to a BP.

Truck is a 3/4T '16 CTD . Power isn't an issue, but I could see needing airbags if hitch weight is substantially higher than I have now.

Like the floor plans of the 28' shockwave with nice front bunk and bathroom with some room.

Never hawing owned a TH before, couple questions I have are 1) are any availble with an outside kitchen? I really like the outside fridge and stove on mine. Keeps the kids from spending all day looking for pop in the main fridge and keeps the beer close to the camp fire.

2) Does the trailer handle any differently (worse) without any weight in the garage? I hear people complaining all the time about longer BP being a handful. Since upgrading to the Ram, I have zero issues. My Tundra got pushed a round a bit, but the Ram has no issues. It's very enjoyable, and cruises 70mph without any wiggle or sway. With a TH with 800-900 lbs in the garage be similar?

Appreciate any help and advice. Looking forward to trading up next year.
Toy Haulers
  • RoyBell's avatar
    RoyBell
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2017
    atwowheelguy wrote:
    How will you lower the rear ramp door to load your toys into it in your driveway if the trailer is that close to the house?


    Well that thought never really crossed my mind before. I suppose when I want to load it up, I will have to pull it up away from the house.

    I also looked into those portable battery powered trailer dolly. I had the theory that if the trailer was too long, I could flip it around and put the tongue towards the house. I have a 2 foot overhang on the second level which prevents me from backing the trailer right up to the garage. THs seem to have no bumper so OAL can't be stored "under" that overhang as much as my current trailer.

    Only concerns are

    1) Trying to see around the trailer at the sidewalk when I have my truck parked on the driveway. I would be contending with the back end of the trailer vs the tongue which is basically a couple feet of open space to see around.

    2) My street can get a little busy at times. Those machines are not particularly quick. People get impatient waiting the 10 seconds for me to back in now.

    Benefit is

    1) I can get a trailer slightly longer (36') which seems to be the sweet spot for the shorter THs

    2) No one can easily steal it!

    3) Easier to load. The side door is on the correct side of the house, and as mentioned above, the rear door has full room to open and load.

    I will do some more looking around online when the weather is cold out.
  • tinner12002's avatar
    tinner12002
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2017
    The internet is your best friend for doing that kind of research. Personally I'd look for one with a front bed you can walk around and a separate garage.
    Most manufacturers that make 5th wheel haulers make the TT haulers also.
  • atwowheelguy's avatar
    atwowheelguy
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    How will you lower the rear ramp door to load your toys into it in your driveway if the trailer is that close to the house?

  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    On the fifth wheel side there are lots of trailers that would push you into dually territory, but on the bumper pull side I don't think your truck will limit you at all. Especially since you're trying to stick to a shorter unit.

    If you decide you want to supplement the rear springs a bit I really like the way timbrens work with the coils on my '15 Ram. I installed them without the spacer so the ride is unchanged empty but more settled at highway speeds when loaded with my fifth wheel. I got them instead of bags primarily because they're simpler and maintenance free.
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    Our former hauler was a 32' long bumper pull. I think your truck will be fine, we pulled ours with a F250 before upgrading to the dually in preparation for a 5th wheel. It did feel a bit better with a toy in the back because it's designed to have something back there. In our case, a RZR so heavier than what you're talking about. But, we also towed without anything back there and it was OK... it was a windy drive on I-70 from Denver to Grand Junction, so a harder drive than you'll probably ever face in the Midwest.

    I haven't seen one with an outside kitchen, I think it'd be hard to fit one unless you're cutting space out from the garage area or don't have the space for a built in generator. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist though.
  • RoyBell's avatar
    RoyBell
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    No responses, figured I would send this to the top!! Last trip of the season this last weekend. Time for hibernation and planning next year.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,007 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 26, 2025