Looking for a 5th Wheel

[Community Alumni]

I just currently went full time into my 31' Class C. I am looking to "upgrade" to a 5th wheel since I will be living in it full time for many years to come. I am 6'7" and would love the much needed space, especially the head room. I do not want a toy hauler and I would like to stay under $60k. I would like new if possible. I don't want to go too heavy because I would rather not have to upgrade my truck. I currently have a 2014 F-150 STX supercab. I understand I may have to upgrade my leaf springs to equal a F250.

I am in the preliminary stages so the first couple of questions are

1) What brands are notorious for troubles?
2) What are the pros and cons of the rigs you have?

I like the Coachman Chaparral models. They have a lot of headroom, even in the master bedroom. I am also not looking for models that have multiple bedrooms or bunks.

[TGPILOT]

Congratulations, we all need to pamper yourself now and then. Be safe on the road.

[allornothing]

Congratulations on the new TV and Fiver. You'll have to let us know how the combination works for you. Sure is a nice looking Fiver that's for sure.

Good Luck, Happy Camping and Happy Holidays

[Community Alumni]

I am picking up the 2017 F350 XL turbo diesel this week. Got a great end of year deal.
And I just fell in love with the 2018 Grand Design Solitude 379FLS. I went a little above what I wanted to spend but then realized I was going to be living in the RV so I didn't mind the extra expense. I am getting a lifetime warranty on the RV as long as I own it. I'm excited to surprise my son next visit. We both will have so much more room. The only con is that the RV is 42'. I won't be able to fit the RV, truck, and enclosed trailer in my spot. I use the enclosed trailer as a garage for the motorcycle. I guess I'll need to set up the 10x10 canopy to cover the motorcycle and put the trailer in storage.

I know I could have got a deal on a good used truck and 5th wheel but I have never purchased anything this nice new before. I have always been a penny pincher. After this recent divorce, I decided to pamper myself.

[TGPILOT]

Like others have said. You can find a good used 5th and save a lot. You can also save a lot on a good used truck. For example, we just sold our 5th and no longer need our truck. It's fully loaded with hitch and rails, plus new brake controller. It's a one ton Dodge SWR with automatic, life time Sat. radio and GPS.

This truck is road ready and everything you could want for a 2006, including low miles. Bank said it's worth $26,000. We are asking $20,000. So, using our rig as an example, you can find a good rig out there if you just look for it.

[Community Alumni]

It looks like I will be uprgrading to a F350 diesel. And I’m narrowing down the 5th wheel search to a front living room layout. Since I’ll be living in it, it will be much more comfortable with the bedroom and shower in the back with the much needed head room.

[ChuckV1]

There are allot of good used trailers out there, you just have to know what you are doing when looking one over making sure it isn't a POS that someone traded because of such...

Like Lyle I saw a few weeks ago a complete setup truck an trailer from an owner who passed away, the DW didn't want it because she no longer could drive an they were only a few years old, priced at 55k for the both. Had a friend that sold his 5th wheel that was about 6 years old, stored inside an was a really nice 5th wheel, paid about 70K for it, sold it for $15K, we would have bought it in a minute but didn't find out about it till after it was sold..

Again i believe you could get into a nice new Kz Durango Gold for allot cheaper than you think an you have a 2 year warranty on such bumper to bumper...Problem being Kz dealers in some area's are far an few between, goo thing about Kz is that if you are 150 miles away from your selling dealer you call Kz Customer service an the steer you to a dealer who will fix your 5th wheel under warranty 🙂

Safe travels an again good luck in anything you buy

[laknox]

All of the above!

Cost difference between a 250/2500 truck and a 350/3500 single rear wheel is not that much. Go with a SRW 1t.

For FT living, you're going to want something more well-built, NOT any "light" model, which means weight. Go with a SRW 1t.

Short term, there was a guy on RVTrader selling a Jayco Eagle HT 27.5RLTS and RAM together for about $55k. Combo packages are out there, if you're willing to take used. This Jayco would likely work for a few years if you don't winter in extreme temps. You could then upgrade the FW to something nicer. The truck would likely last a lot longer than the FW.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

I am in the preliminary stages so the first couple of questions are

1) What brands are notorious for troubles?
2) What are the pros and cons of the rigs you have?

I like the Coachman Chaparral models. They have a lot of headroom, even in the master bedroom. I am also not looking for models that have multiple bedrooms or bunks.

1. there are no brands that are notorious for trouble. Just choose the floorplan you like in a price range you can afford.

2. my trailer is a old 11200 lb '97 28 RK with two slides. My '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins has pulled it with ease for 15 years now.

A F250 Ford diesel or gas has a 6100-6340 rawr that will carry all the weight in the bed.
Gas or diesel trucks rear axle may weigh the same .....within 75-100 lbs or so.
The newer gen F250 trucks rear axle can weigh in the 3000 lb range from the factory leaving approx 3100-3300 lb for a in the bed payload. I figure my pin weights using those numbers when looking for a trailer including type of trailer.
Now....if you choose a F250 with the heavy service/camper package it has the same front and rear suspension as the F350 srw truck.

The F250/F350srw has about the same tow rating for all types of GN/5th wheel trailers...not just a rv trailer.

[spud1957]

If you are getting a gasser, a 250 will suffice for a mid size 5th wheel. If you are getting a diesel, get a 350.

Both of those choices will net the same payload at ~3500ish lbs.

[NMDriver]

Do not buy a truck until you know what 5er you want.

A truck limits your options. Even a 1 ton has limitations. You may decide you want a semi-tractor to pull some of the biggest models of 5er and there are good arguments for getting a semi-tractor even if you are not pulling a big, heavy, 5er. Check out the Escapees Forum for Heavy Duty Trucks. link

A good used semi is cheaper than a new heavy duty pick-up and will have more miles left on the drive train than a new pick-up. They generally have a better turning radius and are built to last, but if something does break,... it is expensive to fix 😉

[Old-Biscuit]

Me Again wrote:

chag67 wrote:
After just a quick trip to a local RV dealer and to Ford dealership, I know now that I will need a F250 to be safe. I don't mind getting a bigger truck. Now that I know I need a bigger truck, what about my previous questions?

Do not make a second truck mistake. Get at least a 3500/350 SRW truck. That will open you up to a fairly large pool of trailers to look at. Heartland has both Big Country and Big Horn 5th wheels with full height roof lines had are great for taller people. Click "Our Rig" in my sig line.

Our Bighorn 3575el is 39'4" long and has a 16K GVWR. King bed, large shower on and on. We paid a small percentage over your target price. Big Country's and the next step down and most likely within your target price. Landmark, Bighorn and Big Country are built on the same assembly line. Chris

Many 250/2500 payloads are NOT very high...so check the Yellow Tire Data Sticker on driver door jamb for the cargo carrying capacity

Price difference between a 250/2500 not that big so many times it is worth just going to a 350/3500 SRW

[Me_Again]

chag67 wrote:
After just a quick trip to a local RV dealer and to Ford dealership, I know now that I will need a F250 to be safe. I don't mind getting a bigger truck. Now that I know I need a bigger truck, what about my previous questions?

Do not make a second truck mistake. Get at least a 3500/350 SRW truck. That will open you up to a fairly large pool of trailers to look at. Heartland has both Big Country and Big Horn 5th wheels with full height roof lines had are great for taller people. Click "Our Rig" in my sig line.

Our Bighorn 3575el is 39'4" long and has a 16K GVWR. King bed, large shower on and on. We paid a small percentage over your target price. Big Country's and the next step down and most likely within your target price. Landmark, Bighorn and Big Country are built on the same assembly line. Chris

[MarkTwain]

chag67 wrote:
After just a quick trip to a local RV dealer and to Ford dealership, I know now that I will need a F250 to be safe. I don't mind getting a bigger truck. Now that I know I need a bigger truck, what about my previous questions?

Good for you on the F250 choice. This opens up many more choices and will make your towing experiences safer and easier on both you and your truck. I would first figure out what kind of RVing you plan in terms of types of RV parks, locations i.e. resorts, state parks, private parks, boon docking etc. Are you planning on staying for 3 to 4 months a year in 1 park? Are you planning on moving around every few weeks, days etc.? What parts of the country are planning to spend most of your time at, ocean, desert, cold parts of the country etc. The "R" rating insulation is important. The answers to these questions will help you narrow down which features are most important when going out to select your RV. This is especially important when considering the length and weight. It is important that you consider RV's with refrigerators that run on propane/electrical/batt. You also want to select RV's with the largest black and gray tanks possible, any tanks smaller than 50 gallon will severely limit your RVing lenght of stays with out having to move your rig to dump your tanks. Make sure the dealer puts tires that are at least 10 ply and G rated. No chinese brand tires! I like Good Years. Get a RV with a self leveling hydraulic leveling system. I have a Heartland 5th wheel Big Horn 34.5 ft. Have had great success with good support from Heartland customer service. There are other good RV 5th. wheels so look and compare. I would trying selecting RV's on the upper end. Also look at some late model used RV's.

[Swell1]

As said earlier the KZ line has some good trailers. another is the Keystone Cougar line. I do have an F150. Mine is setup with the 3.5 eco boost motor and max tow package. I'm currently pulling a SportTrek w/GVRW of 8300 pounds with no problem.
good luck