I'm coming to realize I will need to upgrade soon enough.& planned on a multi slide Truck Camper , but when even I drive in heavy wind this heavy truck camper up high on top of my pick up bed concerns me.Seems like a lot of weight up high ( High Center of Gravity )Yet have never seen even a picture of one flopped over in the wind?I've seen in person a couple of tongue trailers & never a Motorhome?Nor a 5th wheel.Are the tongue trailer the most likely issue in high winds?What about compared to a 5th wheel trailer?I'm not crazy about buying a motorhome being the cost & I like the idea of disconnecting from a TC or Trailer & having my truck again.& yet with any of these choices, my storage space comes into play.I originally went went with a TC for it towing ability behind it with a car trailer or boat & etc..Yet have learned to HATE taking my boat to the loading ramp at the water with my HEAVY TC on my trucks bed & it being a manual trans rig.That whole parking brake & clutch & steep ramp angle game is no fun!Yes my rig is 4X4 & 4x4 LOW does help but still.Not in anyway pleasant.I may just stop using this truck with the TC on it for any fishing trips.Yet also realize most trailer sorta become an issue with the boat being involved.Sure in Ca. I can tow a double if its a 5th wheel, but the I can't back up & its just become so long!

Wish you well as you sort out these issues and concerns.

Wind will cause trailers to sway but if you use a weight distribution hitch with a sway bar, you will not be pushed byte he wind as much. The longer the wheel base on the tow vehicle, the better off you will be. If the trailer is long and you have a short wheel base truck, the tail will wag the dog.

We've owned a Hybrid TT and a Class C Motorhome. High winds effected the Motorhome more than the TT, granted the Motorhome was 13' longer. I've never seen or heard of an RV that has been blown over by wind. I don't think most folks venture out in their RVs when the wind is blowing strong.I have seen the results of Motorhomes, TTs, 5th wheels and TCs after an accident. In the accidents I have seen, it seems the Motorhomes and TCs survived the accidents the best. TTs and 5th wheels seem to implode when they flip over.If you plan to tow a 5th wheel and the boat, you might be able to get a front mounted hitch and put the boat in the water from the front hitch. Not sure if backing up a steep boat ramp with a 5th wheel behind you will be anymore fun than having to pull forward with the TC on the truck. You could always just drop the 5th wheel before putting the boat in the water.-Michael

Stability wise a 28 to 40 foot fifth wheel with a dually Long bed crew cab truck will be the most stable without question.The long wheelbase of the truck makes for stability and the dual wheels on the rear absolutely make it more stable-- and just the way it's mounted ,the fifth wheels have best stability.--if it wasn't the best setup then --Why is every single commercial tractor-trailer a fifth wheel and not a tow behind...????(And before someone says" well the ones on Three trailers are pull behind"..-- no they're not-- they are fifth wheel on a dolly.:W

I have no idea what a TT is & yet do have a front hitch mount on my front bumper!Never thought about that!Yet still being a stick shift manual trans with the heavy camper on its back does not allow for any error on my part!If I stall it as I have, the power brakes go away!

Camper, Trailer or motorhome? | Good Sam Community

DryCreek
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What year is your truck? It should have zero launch if it's somewhere around 2003 (?) forward. (somewhere around there anyway)

I had a 2001 5.9 HO/6 speed with the Bosch VP-44 and it also had the Zero Throttle Launch capability. The low end governor on the CP3 pumps is even better - so the ability to roll off the clutch with no throttle input was even more noticeable.
Blanco1
Explorer
Jun 08, 2017
Blanco1 wrote:
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What year is your truck? It should have zero launch if it's somewhere around 2003 (?) forward. (somewhere around there anyway)

What is Zero Launch?

Can someone explain Zero Launch?

My is a 1997 & I'm sure I don't have this option?

Can I install it into my older truck?
blofgren
Explorer
Jun 09, 2017
The Cummins zero launch feature allows one to release the clutch with no throttle input. The computer in the truck automatically adds fuel to the engine and away you go! I can take off on steep hills with my 16k fiver with no throttle input whatsoever.

I suspect your truck may not have this feature, but given the fact that your truck has the Cummins it will have plenty of low end torque. When pulling out of a boat launch, put the truck in 4x4 low as you indicate you have done, put the truck in first gear while holding your foot on the brake and slowly release the clutch until you feel it grab (will be noticeable by the engine starting to lug down slightly), slowly release the brake pedal and then fully release the clutch. This should allow the truck to start moving forward with absolutely no rollback at all. I have owned 3 diesel trucks with manual transmissions and I have found them all quite easy to take off with. The worst was my 6.0L Ford mostly because they have lousy low end torque.

I have driven manual equipped trucks for so long I honestly don't even really think about what I'm doing a lot of the time; it's branded into me!

I hope this helps. If you have any more questions fire away! :B

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