I will be in 60 days have the money (cash) to buy an F-350 king ranch loaded for 5th wheel towing and a as it's called a fiver, 5th wheel camper.I am looking to get educated by those living the life. I will be making this my full time home, moving it around lets say quarterly.I am looking for a 20+ year usage of it.I will spend no more then 65k for it, new or a lightly used upgrade version over a 65k new.So please, give me your knowledge. Best builts, amenities. Insurance, maintance issues, tips, tricks, whatever.Floor plans for hosting a 2nd couple, sleeping up to 4 people.My truck will ((not)) be a short bed, rather a full 8ft dually with a 24k towing and 6k pin weight/payload.So with much thanks, hit me like Neo in the Matrix.TYVM-Papa-scooby

Welcome to the forum. You are going to get a lot of responses. We can only respond to our choices. Bought a new 2014 Keystone Alpine 3500 RE which is almost 39' long, 2600 lb pin and about 13.5 k lbs. Out the door $57k msrp $82k. Good sam insurance $505 yr. GS extended $540 yr. CA reg $438 yr. We have added king relay sat dome($619) and Dometic ventless washer dryer ($713). We have a Champion 3800 watt lpg /gas portable gen in truck bed for power when not FHU. 2010 Ram 3500 4x4 SRW megacab with B&W companion and Firestone air bags on rear. Bilstien 4600 shocks all around. AFE 4 qt larger trans pan keeps tranny below 180 degrees on 90 deg day. Viair 400P portable air compressor. TST 507 RV tire press monitor on all 8 tires. The initial purchase is just the beginning of your spending spree so plan accordingly!!!

papa-scooby wrote:I will be in 60 days have the money (cash) to buy an F-350 king ranch loaded for 5th wheel towing and a as it's called a fiver, 5th wheel camper.I am looking to get educated by those living the life. I will be making this my full time home, moving it around lets say quarterly.I am looking for a 20+ year usage of it.I will spend no more then 65k for it, new or a lightly used upgrade version over a 65k new.So please, give me your knowledge. Best builts, amenities. Insurance, maintance issues, tips, tricks, whatever.Could you share just what LDT will handle a 6K pin weight? Inquiring minds want to know.Jim BTW, we are in a 1998 NuWa Champagne 38', pin is about 3700 and tow with a FL60Floor plans for hosting a 2nd couple, sleeping up to 4 people.My truck will ((not)) be a short bed, rather a full 8ft dually with a 24k towing and 6k pin weight/payload.So with much thanks, hit me like Neo in the Matrix.TYVM-Papa-scooby

You will be VERY lucky if your first purchase is your last or as you said - a 20yr purchase. VERY FEW can say that. I thought the same thing with my first one in 2003. I'am on my 3rd one now.My advise -- SHOP, LOOK, go to Shows, talk to other RVers until you are convinced as to what you want. Then start all over and SHOP more!!!!You will need a good hide-a-bed couch for your guest.Good luck with your search.

Jim-Linda wrote:papa-scooby wrote:I will be in 60 days have the money (cash) to buy an F-350 king ranch loaded for 5th wheel towing and a as it's called a fiver, 5th wheel camper.I am looking to get educated by those living the life. I will be making this my full time home, moving it around lets say quarterly.I am looking for a 20+ year usage of it.I will spend no more then 65k for it, new or a lightly used upgrade version over a 65k new.So please, give me your knowledge. Best builts, amenities. Insurance, maintance issues, tips, tricks, whatever.Could you share just what LDT will handle a 6K pin weight? Inquiring minds want to know.Jim BTW, we are in a 1998 NuWa Champagne 38', pin is about 3700 and tow with a FL60Floor plans for hosting a 2nd couple, sleeping up to 4 people.My truck will ((not)) be a short bed, rather a full 8ft dually with a 24k towing and 6k pin weight/payload.So with much thanks, hit me like Neo in the Matrix.TYVM-Papa-scoobyTotally confused with Jim-Linda reply, unless they're stating you might need a HDH to tow a 5er with only a3800# pin weight:hDually's today can easily handle above pin weight and lengthWhat 5er are you looking at Papa-scooby that has a pin weight of 6,000#? My last 5er,(39' 9"), loaded to 16,400# had a pin weight of 3460 which left me under my trucks GVWR of 14,000# by 1,340#, which could allow for pin weight of up to 4800# and still be at trucks GVWR and not use the trucks RAWR, which most people use instead of the GVWR when trying to figure how much pin weight their truck can handle. (I personally use trucks GVWR ratings, but I'm also referred to as the weight police:))What GVW are you looking at for your 5er? 20% of 5er's GVW will "ballpark" you 5er's pin weight, ( don't use empty or dry weights if you want to be more accurate to get an idea of how much pin weight you may be adding..)

ok so to address some of the questions that have come up here. 1st my lingo usage may be off on a few things.The F350 I will be getting will have a 12 ton/24k towing capacity and a 3 ton/6000 payload capacity.I will be opting for both a larger transmission pan and, what do you think, do I need to get a trans cooler?My trucks GVW will be 14,000Some items that were listed I have to admit I over looked but this is just the 1st week of me looking at what I will be doing so everything is a learning curve.Construction of 5er's...Who has the best or what publication can give me the best data on this?I don't mind cutting corners on high end ammenities if it means getting the best I can get under the skin. I.E the frame and general construction.Like I said I will have the cash in 60 days but am not planning on buying anything till I know I am getting what fits my needs and desires for longevity.Please tell me your likes and dislikes on anything from your trucks to the 5ers

newby fiver wanabe, million mile + trucker, needs educated

papa-scooby
Explorer
Dec 28, 2015
Getting lots of help here folks and thank you very much...let me ask, I am having a hard time finding a publication or group that, lets say hands out awards for 5ers of the year and such. I am very interested in the method of construction and what not. Have been in a carpenters Family all my life and theirs a world of difference in built and well built.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2015
For that kind of coin you should be able to pick up a very nice slightly pre enjoyed upper end builder unit. JMO, but much better money spent that way than same money for a mid market new unit that will not give you the time that you want.

There are those who must always have the newest thing in the CG & lose heavily in depreciation to have the newest thing in the CG. Their loss is your gain.
pigdoc
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
If you're interested in solid construction, then first look at the frame. A boxed steel frame is more solid than I-beam frames. You can find boxed steel frames on higher end brands, or on slightly used brands like Excel, Carriage, and a few others. You might consider trying a slightly used Carriage, if you like the lifestyle, then upgrade to a newer model. JMHO.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2015
papa-scooby wrote:
Getting lots of help here folks and thank you very much...let me ask, I am having a hard time finding a publication or group that, lets say hands out awards for 5ers of the year and such. I am very interested in the method of construction and what not. Have been in a carpenters Family all my life and theirs a world of difference in built and well built.

I've never seen awards given from any credible organizations to a specific brand RV trailer of the year. Very subjective at best.

I would look at each trailer mfg website for construction materials and methods used in construction for the brand your looking at.

Forum Discussion

newby fiver wanabe, million mile + trucker, needs educated

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Educated guess !

Need an Education

Are OTR truckers restricted from speeding?

COG educational thread

Starting my education process....