Looking for a 5th wheel brand that meets these needs:

[jdjimenez]

It seems the closer I get the further away I end up!

Looking for a Brand not Model that will fit my needs.

Realizing that we moving more into the entry level category now I'd like a brand that's reliable with decent customer service.

Both lightweight and with low hitch weight so it can be pulled with my 2001 F-250 diesel pickup.

My truck is a shortbed and I will not be able to use slider hitch at this time so something the has a favorable cap to be hauled by said shortbed.

This may be the killer: we will be using this fulltime for at least 1-2 years so my wife would like a W/D combo (not separates) in the 5th wheel.

Any suggestions will be appreciated as I've been combing the brands I know and having lots of trouble.

JDJ

[jdjimenez]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Veebyes wrote:
As an early poster said, the truck is the limiting factor. There is a limit that it can pull, & stop. Then there is the desire for a trailer that has all of the big trailer features in a package small enough for the small truck.

It is not going to happen. Either trailer expectations have to be reduced or the truck has to be increased. Physics.

Agreed!

Just because it can pull and stop it does not mean it can "Handle" it.

I realize this and if we do not find a lighter weight trailer that we like we're just going to buy an F-350 dually and get the bigger trailer. At this time we're looking into the lighter 5th wheels to see if they will fit our needs.

[Cummins12V98]

Veebyes wrote:
As an early poster said, the truck is the limiting factor. There is a limit that it can pull, & stop. Then there is the desire for a trailer that has all of the big trailer features in a package small enough for the small truck.

It is not going to happen. Either trailer expectations have to be reduced or the truck has to be increased. Physics.

Agreed!

Just because it can pull and stop it does not mean it can "Handle" it.

[Veebyes]

As an early poster said, the truck is the limiting factor. There is a limit that it can pull, & stop. Then there is the desire for a trailer that has all of the big trailer features in a package small enough for the small truck.

It is not going to happen. Either trailer expectations have to be reduced or the truck has to be increased. Physics.

[wandering1]

keep looking.

[Quartermoon]

jdjimenez wrote:
We like the trailer that you have and have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

1.) The W/D combo in the bathroom is not vented. How long does it take to dry a load of laundry without a vented dryer?

2.) The setup for the TV in the bedroom looks like it would be at a difficult angle for both people to watch while lying in bed.

We aren't installing a W/D combo, so I can't answer question #1.

The bedroom TV setup is definitely a bit awkward. The trailer is new (actually picking it up next week) to us, so we haven't installed TVs yet. However, the first thing DH said was that the TV would go on the wall at the foot of the bed. Since he's a fixer/tinkerer ("nothing is perfect until it's modified"), and since audio/video is our business, I'm sure he will find a way to run wires over there and mount the bracket.

[jdjimenez]

Quartermoon wrote:

jdjimenez wrote:

hawkhill wrote:
We just took a look at a new fifth wheel that our neighbor bought that is 1/2 ton towable with a 90% turn radius ( 5.5 ft bed truck). It is part of a new Open Range line called Light. It was surprising nice. Actually had some of the features we really like in our 36 foot Carriage Cameo, such as kitchen island for counter space and storage, dual recliners facing entertainment center and nice bath layout . They range from 25 ft to 32 ft in length. The only downside for you it does not appear to offer a washer/dryer option. As some of the others have stated we have had a washer/dryer combo in a previous fifth wheel and you could not give me one for free. Really felt it was a total waste of money and a pain; however, it appears that you have your heart set on this and it may really limit your options.

Thank you, this Open Range Light just might be a winner as it does offer W/D prep in the bathroom on at least 2 models.

Open Range Light is what we went with. Towable with our current truck, but still roomy enough for extended travel. We watched a video at the RV show about it, and it seems well made and customer service oriented. Has an all-season or 4-season package too. Washer/dryer prep in our 318.

We like the trailer that you have and have a couple of questions if you don't mind.

1.) The W/D combo in the bathroom is not vented. How long does it take to dry a load of laundry without a vented dryer?

2.) The setup for the TV in the bedroom looks like it would be at a difficult angle for both people to watch while lying in bed.

[Quartermoon]

jdjimenez wrote:

hawkhill wrote:
We just took a look at a new fifth wheel that our neighbor bought that is 1/2 ton towable with a 90% turn radius ( 5.5 ft bed truck). It is part of a new Open Range line called Light. It was surprising nice. Actually had some of the features we really like in our 36 foot Carriage Cameo, such as kitchen island for counter space and storage, dual recliners facing entertainment center and nice bath layout . They range from 25 ft to 32 ft in length. The only downside for you it does not appear to offer a washer/dryer option. As some of the others have stated we have had a washer/dryer combo in a previous fifth wheel and you could not give me one for free. Really felt it was a total waste of money and a pain; however, it appears that you have your heart set on this and it may really limit your options.

Thank you, this Open Range Light just might be a winner as it does offer W/D prep in the bathroom on at least 2 models.

Open Range Light is what we went with. Towable with our current truck, but still roomy enough for extended travel. We watched a video at the RV show about it, and it seems well made and customer service oriented. Has an all-season or 4-season package too. Washer/dryer prep in our 318.

[jdjimenez]

We are headed over to Arizona in a couple of weeks and have been able to locate some of the models mentioned to look at while we are there. We really have limited ability to see many 5th wheels in the Los Angeles area so this will give us some ideas about what 5th wheel we want to live in and then we'll decide on the truck situation. While we are there my brother who owns a trucking company is going to have his mechanic check out my 2001 F-250 and see what can be done, if anything, to make our current truck a solution. We'll also look at the new
F-350's so if we decide to pull something heavier we'll be able to line out a new truck.

JDJ

[Devocamper]

Most of the time a W/D combo is a waste of your water and holding tank space for the amount of wash you can do, if you’re going to be fulltime you will be at campgrounds with laundry facilities. As for fulltime use of a light weight trailer that may cause you some problems most light weight trailers are for recreational use not full time use and that is stated in the fine print , not sure it would hold up and the warranty surly will not be honored if they know your full timing in it.

[jdjimenez]

pauljgrenier wrote:
We just purchased an open range, Mesa Ridge 345.
Has washer /dryer option
Paul

One issue with the Open Range Light it that the w/d in the bathroom is not vented and will lead to long dry times.

[Dandy_Dan]

JDJ, Check out the Open Range line. They do make 5ers that are 1/2 ton towable and the factory is excellent to work with.

Regarding the W/D combo. You might consider a stack unit from what little I have seen. Others are going to be getter versed on this but I know some folks that have one and it seems that the capacity is small then it takes quite a while to dry.

Good Luck on your search and Happy Camping.

[pauljgrenier]

We just purchased an open range, Mesa Ridge 345.
Has washer /dryer option
Paul

[wski]

kopy kat wrote:
Flagstaff - by Forest River- has the Revolution pin box which swivels 22" back from the king pin- so you can turn 90 degrees with a short bed ford using a standard hitch system.

Works great with my 4 door short bed f350.

It's also around 9,000- 10,000 lbs so it's lighter in weight.

Our model has an island kitchen and is very roomy!

Larry

Hey Kopy Kat been looking at this brand and model for a little bit now. Can you tell me the good and bad of this 5th wheel? Thanks for taking the time to answer this question...

[jdjimenez]

wmbkdb wrote:
Wife and I recently purchased a Shasta Phoenix 5er... We were shocked at what it gave us that our prior Cougar did not...
Down the road when I retire I believe that this might be the one that can support our goals and still remain towable with our present 2500 series TV.

We think this will support our fulltimer requirements nicely. It is a Shasta Phoenix 32RE

Happy Trails.

Thank you, added Shasta to the list.