It's been a few years since selling our Alpenlite and we are getting the itch again. We have been looking at units with bunks but most are too pin heavy to consider for my TV, I did find one (Cedar Creek 362BTS) that comes under ok, a bit over 1800 for the pin, however it's listed at 38 ft. Never towed anything that large and remember seeing a recommendation against it, but it's not in my manual that can find anyways. Just wondering if I should keep searching for a smaller unit, but seems like everything is coming up 32-38ft for decent bunk units. We don't typically tow far...8 hrs to beach once a year and the rest local within the state (WV). Thanks!

You don't state what your tow vehicle is, so I can't comment on whether the Cedar Creek is appropriate for your vehicle. As far as length goes, I moved up from a 30' fifth wheel to a 37' two years ago and can honestly say that it doesn't handle all that different. The only problem with longer trailers is the availability of sites. We used to be able to call last minute with the 30' and always find a site. Now with the longer trailer, most campgrounds in our area have a limited number of sites that accommodate larger trailers and we need to plan well in advance. On the pin weight, I would almost be concerned to only have 1800 lbs of pine weight on such a large trailer. I had nearly that much (1600 lbs) on a 30' trailer that only weighed less than 9000 lbs fully loaded. It is much easier for the tail to wag the dog with a light pin weight. The other side of that is for the trailer to be balanced enough to have a light pin weight, the axles must be fairly forward which will make it maneuver better in tight spots.

Believe me the best truck for that CedarCreek is going to be a dually. The 1800 pound pin weight you mentioned is dry. When loaded to travel your pin weight could swell to 3000 pounds or more.

You don't state what your tow vehicle isIt's in his profile.

For reference it's a 2007 Cedar Creek 362 BTS. 1862 hitch, 11810 unloaded, 13860 gvwr. My TV is a 05' chevy 2500hd, LLY ext cab. I'm roughly 6900 with myself unloaded.

For that gvwr the pin weight should be around 3,000lbs which is 1ton drw territory.

Towing long 5th wheels | Good Sam Community

dockmasterdave
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
You don't state what your tow vehicle is

It's in his profile.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jun 01, 2014
Believe me the best truck for that CedarCreek is going to be a dually. The 1800 pound pin weight you mentioned is dry. When loaded to travel your pin weight could swell to 3000 pounds or more.
720Deere
Explorer
Jun 01, 2014
You don't state what your tow vehicle is, so I can't comment on whether the Cedar Creek is appropriate for your vehicle. As far as length goes, I moved up from a 30' fifth wheel to a 37' two years ago and can honestly say that it doesn't handle all that different. The only problem with longer trailers is the availability of sites. We used to be able to call last minute with the 30' and always find a site. Now with the longer trailer, most campgrounds in our area have a limited number of sites that accommodate larger trailers and we need to plan well in advance.

On the pin weight, I would almost be concerned to only have 1800 lbs of pine weight on such a large trailer. I had nearly that much (1600 lbs) on a 30' trailer that only weighed less than 9000 lbs fully loaded. It is much easier for the tail to wag the dog with a light pin weight. The other side of that is for the trailer to be balanced enough to have a light pin weight, the axles must be fairly forward which will make it maneuver better in tight spots.

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Towing long 5th wheels

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