Hello Everyone,
First a little back ground. We have a family of four, two kids (8 and 6) and they are now of the age where camping is really exciting to them. We have been holding off on buying a new truck and camper till the kids could appreciate it more and we could save up more money.
My wife and I have finally got enough money together to purchase a new truck and trailer, or so we thought. I have only ever owned trailers, I have owned several pop-ups and a 30' travel trailer that we used frequently through out the 1980 and 1990. My wife and I had our hearts set on one of two travel trailers. One, a Starcraft Autumn Ridge 289BHS or two, Jayco Jay Flight 28 BHBE. We have had the opportunity to see the Jayco and not the Starcraft. while looking at the shows in Michigan and seeing the Jayco's, we began talking with seasoned RV'ers and they were wondering why not look into the fifth wheels that have the same configuration. My question was why? Their answers was safety and more pleasurable towing experience. So we shifted gears a bit, we found a Fifth wheel that fit our criteria. Alum. sides and bunks in the back and found the Starcraft 26 BHS fifth wheel.
The truck has not changed:2016-7 GMC 2500 crew 4X4 6.0 6.5 ft box, but the rv has. Need a little insight as this setup and any experiences fifth wheel towing. Is it a more pleasurable experience? is it safer, I plan to use a Pullrite Superglide series hitch that is right for our truck and this Fifth wheel.
Having never owned, or even considered a fifth wheel any insight be great.
Thank you
Jim and Tera
There is nothing wrong with trying out a different type of RV. Life is an adventure. If you don't like it you can always go back to a travel trailer. Just be certain your truck has the payload for the pin weight. Most travel trailers use less of the truck's payload for the hitch and tongue as tongue weight rarely exceeds 15 percent of total trailer weight. Most fifth wheels have a pin weight of 20-25 percent plus the weight of the hitch. You can be near or at the payload of your truck depending on all the other things you carry in the truck and your people.
