Forum Discussion

papa-scooby's avatar
papa-scooby
Explorer
Dec 25, 2015

newby fiver wanabe, million mile + trucker, needs educated

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
  • NC_Hauler's avatar
    NC_Hauler
    Explorer
    Dec 25, 2015
    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 FL60

    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


    Totally confused with Jim-Linda reply, unless they're stating you might need a HDH to tow a 5er with only a3800# pin weight:h

    Dually's today can easily handle above pin weight and length

    What 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..)
  • MWJones's avatar
    MWJones
    Explorer
    Dec 25, 2015
    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's avatar
    Jim-Linda
    Explorer II
    Dec 25, 2015
    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 FL60

    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
  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Dec 25, 2015
    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!!!

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