Coming back for my second round after 5 years--UPDATE

[jkwilson]

About 5 years ago I thought my wife and I were close to retirement and I posted here seeking help with rig size, tow vehicle sizing and all the other things somebody new has to figure out. I thought I was within a year or two of having plenty of free time. Unfortunately, life got in the way and we were lucky enough to be "burdened" with a major role in raising a relative's teenaged children.

So now we are looking at retirement again!

Just a brief background so you can understand my knowledge level: I live on a family farm. Most of the land has been rented out since I was young. I've been involved raising cattle and hogs, hay production and just about anything you'd ever do on a farm. Driven everything from a bicycle to a semi. Not trying to sound like I know any more than anybody. Fact is in some ways it might put me at a disadvantage. I'm used to low gears and low speed with the flashers on when things get heavy.

So my wife and I have been RV shopping several weekends in a row. We've generally settled on about a 32' rig that weighs 8500 unloaded with 1539lb hitch weight. 13' tall to figure wind into things. Wife loves the floor plan and the kitchen. Seems like a good settling point for our first rig for one or two week regional trips and maybe a long haul out west. We had decided that a full queen bed, kitchen island, larger than typical refrigerator and comfortable seating were our priorities. Not going to spend months in it. Intentionally not mentioning specifics because I'd like to concentrate on choosing a tow vehicle and not get sidetracked.

So what would you tow it with? I'm not a brand fanboy. I know what the specs say will tow it, but I want to know what I'm going to be happy with towing it. A truck has always been a tool to me, not a club membership. I figure 10,000lbs loaded, but how much will my pin weight go up with the load? Is a gas engine ever an okay choice? What about a hitch? I need a gooseneck ball for farm trailers, so does that push me toward B&W? Is bed length a big deal with slider hitches?

I know I'm asking a lot in a single post, so don't feel bad if you don't answer everything. I'm reading through everything I can to try to come up to speed on my own, but every situation is a little different.

Thanks in advance.

[jkwilson]

DownTheAvenue wrote:
You asked about a tow rig, but I have to tell you that a 32 foot trailer is, in my opinion, way to big to take on any trip. Maneuvering into fuel stops, many campgrounds will be a challenge. Forget getting into any national park and many state parks.

In choosing a tow vehicle, look at the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating. The tow vehicle should be rated to tow 120% of that figure.

I appreciate the input, but I'm a little puzzled by your answer. To see a shorter 5th wheel other than the half-ton towables is pretty rare on dealer lots throughout Indiana and Northern Kentucky from what I've seen. Fact is most lots were full of larger rigs but we felt we were gravitating to the smaller ones.

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
So what would you tow it with? I'm not a brand fanboy. I know what the specs say will tow it, but I want to know what I'm going to be happy with towing it. A truck has always been a tool to me, not a club membership. I figure 10,000lbs loaded, but how much will my pin weight go up with the load? Is a gas engine ever an okay choice? What about a hitch? I need a gooseneck ball for farm trailers, so does that push me toward B&W? Is bed length a big deal with slider hitches?

I assume the 32' is max length and not the trailer mfg number as I've seen one mfg trailer with a 32 xcpqr that was 38' long and had a 15500 gvwr.
Not a fan boy? Now your making cents/sense. Any of the white 🙂 3/4 ton diesel LDT can handle that size for you.

We can't tell you how much weight you will load. My 11200 lb 5er has 2200-2400 lb pin weight depending on how long the trip will be. My 2500 Dodge/Cummins short bed with a Reese 16k sliding hitch....Almond color has no problems anywhere at any speed on any mountain pass with this size trailer.

Rams 6.4 hemi or Fords 6.2 and GMs 6.0 seem to pull 10k-11k fine for folks. I would want at least the 4.10 gears with that size trailer. They carry much larger tow ratings however I see some gas owners bit into the 14k-15k tow ratings and many aren't happy.

If your farm trailer(s) require a GN then the B&W setup would be fine. I have a couple of GN trailers up to 16k and use a old Reese GN plate that pins to my trucks bedrails.

Bed length ?? I have both and one doesn't work any better than the other
Short bed crew cabs are one of the most popular on the road pulling a 5th wheel rv trailer according to both larger RV dealers in my area. Your choice.
We have several brands of sliding hitches.
The Anderson ultimate type steel and aluminum hitch and Pullrite 2400 lsr 52 lb hitch systems. Ideal for your use.
Pin box like the Reese Sidewinder pin box system eliminates the need for a sliding hitch.
Spend some time on all the hitch mfg website and see what may work best for you.

[4bearhug]

You are going to get lots of conflicting opinions regarding size and type of tow vehicles, hitches, and size/brand of 5er. I'm a hoosier like you with a 37' 5th wheel and I've never had a problem getting into the Ind and Mich state parks. You would definitely have more choices of sites with a smaller trailer but we haven't had issues with ours if you can plan ahead.

We have a 3500 Diesel with a 6.5' bed for our rig without a slider hitch and haven't had any issues. Also have the gooseneck underbed hitch. We had a slider hitch previously and never used the slider feature so opted to skip that when we upgraded. 5er is a 2010 model so the nose is rounded which helps tremendously. You would probably be fine with a 2500 and gas or diesel would be personal preference. I've towed with both and my preference is diesel. I know some will say a newer model 1500 will tow your rig fine and that might be so. I would not feel comfortable doing it but that's just me.

[Second_Chance]

Use 25% of the fifth wheel's GVWR from the sticker for an estimated loaded pin weight. Published dry pin weights are meaningless. A well-equipped 3/4-ton should be able to handle it, though. If you head for the mountains, you'll really appreciate a diesel.

32' too big? For a fifth wheel, that's small-to-moderate. Ours is 36' and we travel full-time. Haven't found a spot yet that I couldn't get it into (OK, maybe I had to maneuver a little...).

Rob

[stickdog]

Our 5er is 35ft hitchpin to rear cap. Seven years fulltime and we have not had trouble finding a site every night. State parks, COE parks, county parks, city parks. If your going with a residencial fridge you'll need a generator or a good battery pack and solar or hookups.

Have fun, enjoy.

[Old-Biscuit]

Dry weight of 8500#
Dry pin weight of 1539#----roughly a 18% pin weight---that is bit light

Load 2000# in stuff, food, pot/pans, linen etc
10500#
Wet pin s/b close to 2100# plus (20% or higher ...light pin causes 'chucking')

Any of the current brands/models in gas and 250/2500 would be capable of towing 12K....but if new go 350/3500 for few $$$ more (higher 'payload'----250/2500 can be limited by payload rating)


32'.......good choice
We have a 34' 5th wheel 14K 13'4" tall and towed it FT for 7 yrs moving locations weekly....all over the USA
State/National/COE CGs, fairgrounds, city parks, private CG, public CGs and boondocking out in the tulies
Traveled secondary/back-roads using Mom/Pop---local fuel stations.
Had to back out of a couple but so what. Just part of the towing experience. :B

Turnover ball installation in truck bed and then a Andersen Hitch

Slider only really needed with a short-short bed (5.5')
Now a days front cap is curved making for more turning radius, extended pin box and then Andersen Hitch can be flipped for more

32'---good choice

[Edd505]

???? Mines 34ft as was the last. I have found 1 place they said they did not have a space large enough & SP are my favorite camp spaces. Most national parks are pretty full so I'll find a spot near by.

[Lwiddis]

If your preference is private RV parks, you'll be fine at 32 feet but like Down says not for a number of national and state parks. I'm a believer in smaller RVs. The island and larger than usual fridge are nice but not necessary IMO. Who's inside their RV unless it's raining, windy or sleep time? Who can't carry enough fresh food in a standard fridge? Regarding height, at 121 inches for my Winnie your proposed 13 feet scares me but many MHs and FWs are that tall.

[DownTheAvenue]

You asked about a tow rig, but I have to tell you that a 32 foot trailer is, in my opinion, way to big to take on any trip. Maneuvering into fuel stops, many campgrounds will be a challenge. Forget getting into any national park and many state parks.

In choosing a tow vehicle, look at the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating. The tow vehicle should be rated to tow 120% of that figure.