Forum Discussion

OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
OutdoorPhotogra
Explorer
Aug 06, 2017

Soon to be 5th Wheel owner

We had a pop-up for 7 years and loved it. I gave it to a family member last year because it couldn't handle the mileage we put on it with long trips and moves. It's been hard not having a camper, particularly now that I'm in AZ with so much boondocking available on public land.

I will soon purchase a Rockwood 8288SS from a family member. Not sure of exact year but it's around a 2008. I can't wait to be back in the game.

I'm new to 5'ers. 30 years ago I towed a 26' flat bed gooseneck occasionally for work and loved it compared to bumper pull. I'll need to find a place to practice the difference in backing response.

I'm looking at a B&W companion hitch. I don't need that much capacity with a 9,000 lb 5er but I like that I have a flat bed when I remove it compared to the patriot hitch. Is it possible for the hitch to be overrated for 5er weight?

TV is a 2012 F-250, 6.2 with 3.73 axle. Truck weighs 7160 lbs with full tank of gas. 10k lbs GVWR.

I look forward to hanging out on this forum more as well as boondocking. Time to research battery banks and inverters.
  • OutdoorPhotogra's avatar
    OutdoorPhotogra
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2017
    Thanks for the reply. Yep, I prefer to have several thousand cargo capacity but I can make it work for 5 years. I would have preferred a TT to keep my bed for extra storage but I do like the simplicity of hooking up a 5er. This is a good deal for family member to sell and gets me back camping sooner.

    I've put my truck on scales multiple times. 5vr is located several states away so I won't be able to put it on scales to get a true dry weight for a while. Battery bank could be an issue with weight.

    We've camped across the U.S. twice on moves but this will mostly be used for long weekends where packing light is easy.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 07, 2017
    2008 Rockwood 8288SS
    GVWR ......8461#
    VWR ......6932#

    Dry pin weight.....1461# with 5471# on axles (a 21% dry pin weight)

    So load up 5vr with 1500# of stuff (water, propane and your stuff) you will be very close to 5vrs GVWR and have a Wet pin weight close to 1800#

    Could overload 5vr easily BUT should have NO problems with weight on truck

    And truck S/B able to easily handle that 5vr.

    Just remember....
    Any extra 'options/upgrades' added to 5vr cuts down on what you can load for camping,,,,,,,,,clothes, linens, pot/pans, FOOD, pantry, etc.

    Only have 1529# of CCC for 5vr. (GVWR minus DRY weight)
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2017
    A pop-up "...couldn't handle the mileage we put on it with long trips and moves." Interesting.

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