Need help narrowing down 5th wheel

[Vpolio90]

Good evening all,

My wife and I are going to be in the market to purchase our first camper and are super excited. I have a 2022 ram 3500 SRW that's getting built as we speak (hopefully) and we are having a hard time picking the right 5th wheel.

We both like the lighter interior color schemes alot of manufacturers are coming out with and we want a camper that sleeps at least 8. Unfortunately due to the market what once was affordable for us campers like the GD Reflection 28BH, GD Reflection 150 278BH, and cougars seem to be out of reach for us.

We are really like the layout and the interior color schemes of the Keystone Sprinter 29BH and the Coachmen 274BH. We want to stay below 45k after a discount off MSRP. For me I like the Coachmen 274BH to me it seems built better however, I am completely new to this and need guidance as far as determining which is better quality or if there are any 5th wheels that sleep 8, have a light interior color schemes, and that are good quality/ fit our budget. Please share yalls thoughts. Thanks!

[MFL]

JIMNLIN wrote:

Jimnlin, you state go by rear axle weight rating , that is fine if you choose to do that, but to recommend it to others, can place them in legal limbo!

Baloney ...... There is no legal limbo with (DOT or other legal theories) for exceeding the truck mfg gvwr. Thats just plain rv website scare myth thats been pushed by a few rv owners opinions..... yourself included.

For those that swear by the trucks gvwr or its gvwr based payload sticker.... loading 3500 Rams rear axle to full 7000 lbs will not exceed a 3500 srw Rams 12400 gvwr.

Not choosing sides, but Jim has spent a lot of his life, towing trailers for a living, and understands the legalities involved. There are obvious reasons for specific axle/tire ratings, but not so much for GVWR. An example, that came up on this very forum a few years ago, a Ford F350, with 10,000 GVWR sticker. Owner was told that his 350 would not work, since payload was less than 2K, even though his axle rating had lots of room to go. He was told by members here, to trade for a 350 with a GVWR of 11,500, and payload sticker to match.

Anyone holding huge assets, is always going to be a target, for civil suits from a dead beat. Just human nature for those folks, wanting to take from others, rather than work, to improve their life. Easier things to sue for than a bit over GVWR, but under axle/tire ratings.

Lots of wanna be Lawyers, and all others have an engineering degree, to back their arguments on these type forums.

The trailers the OP is considering, are not going to be an issue anyway, unless he fills the bed with sand.

Jerry

[Lantley]

I don't want to jump into a axle rating vs. GVWR debate.
But the fact that every owner's manual clearly states do not exceed GVW makes the whole debate more than just RV forum myth and innuendo.
To think exceeding GVW cannot become an issue in a civil matter is naive.

[JIMNLIN]

Jimnlin, you state go by rear axle weight rating , that is fine if you choose to do that, but to recommend it to others, can place them in legal limbo!

Baloney ...... There is no legal limbo with (DOT or other legal theories) for exceeding the truck mfg gvwr. Thats just plain rv website scare myth thats been pushed by a few rv owners opinions..... yourself included.

For those that swear by the trucks gvwr or its gvwr based payload sticker.... loading 3500 Rams rear axle to full 7000 lbs will not exceed a 3500 srw Rams 12400 gvwr.

[hondapro]

For the hitch I recommend the B&W Companion slider.

[C_Schomer]

The wifey and I went to three RV shows in the beginning of 2017 and it’s hard to imagine that builtd quality got even worse. Everything was already 100% pressed wood interiors… I couldn’t find any solid wood anywhere. The parking lot at the cardinal stadium is an RV junkyard this weekend and I’m not even interested in looking at any of that ****. Craig

[rhagfo]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Long or short bed 3500 srw have the same 7000 rawr regardless of GVWR or gvwr based payload sticker numbers.

Looking at Ram Body Builder guide base weight specs shows the same cab/drive train/6.7 Cummins/Aisin/etc std bed...rear axle is around 140 lbs lighter than the long bed version = 5th wheel hitch weight that sits on the trucks rear axle, load carrying advantage going to the std 6' 4" bed.

Jimnlin, you state go by rear axle weight rating , that is fine if you choose to do that, but to recommend it to others, can place them in legal limbo! It is stated many times in both owners manual and towing documents that is is unsafe to exceed any one of the axle and or GVWR. While one may never get a ticket for exceeding their GVWR, if in a crash, if over GVWR then doesn’t matter if either driver was cited, that can be listed as a contributing cause of the crash.
To buy a NEW truck at todays prices that may be needing to depend axle ratings because it is over GVWR is insane.

The OP’s truck is on order, so he can likely refuse without issue.

[Vpolio90]

That's a good idea Lyle, that might me the best solution for the "just in case situation".

As for the slider I was leaning towards a slider from the get-go, I just wanted to hear yalls recommendations.

[laknox]

Vpolio90 wrote:
I want to stick with a srw. As of right now im leaning towards a grand design reflection or a KZ durango either used or new.

Since my trucks is going to be a short bed what 5 wheel hitch do yall recommend, also slider or non slider?

If you already have the RAM, realize that it has the shortest bed of the Big 3, so you =may= need a slider. My '02 D'max will NOT hit my cab turning R or L at full lock. Even my old, square-front Komfort, wouldn't hit. Having 4x4 probably does affect my turning radius. That being said, ALL will hit in reverse; a slider just gives you more time before you DO hit. Ask me how I know. 😕

Lyle

[laknox]

Vpolio90 wrote:
Ken, the maximum payload capacity will be from about 3800lbs to 4000lbs. It will most likely be at 3900lbs from the videos I've seen with people with the same trim level. The 5wh GVWRs I've been looking at have been no more than 11500lbs therefore, having a max pin weight of 2300lbs (using the 20% rule). So I would have around 1600lbs not including passengers, extra cargo, 5wh hitch etc.

Yes, I agree we only plan to have 3 to 6 people when using our camper but the capacity of 8 would only be a just in case situation.

Victor

If that's the case, then I'd look at rigs that comfortably sleep 6 but have open floor space where a blow up mattress(es) could be laid out in a pinch.

Lyle

[JIMNLIN]

Long or short bed 3500 srw have the same 7000 rawr regardless of GVWR or gvwr based payload sticker numbers.

Looking at Ram Body Builder guide base weight specs shows the same cab/drive train/6.7 Cummins/Aisin/etc std bed...rear axle is around 140 lbs lighter than the long bed version = 5th wheel hitch weight that sits on the trucks rear axle, load carrying advantage going to the std 6' 4" bed.

[rhagfo]

Well I haven't looked at the recent Ram build sheets, but in the past the SRW short bed topped out GVWR of 11,700# where the Long Bed went to 12,300# so a loss of about 400# to 500# in payload.

You should have researched 5th wheels before you started looking at trucks. Many only look at tow capacity(Ability to pull), and not payload or axle and tire ratings (Ability to Carry).

[Vpolio90]

I want to stick with a srw. As of right now im leaning towards a grand design reflection or a KZ durango either used or new.

Since my trucks is going to be a short bed what 5 wheel hitch do yall recommend, also slider or non slider?

[TXiceman]

Vpolio90 wrote:
I have never thought about a TH. What TH 5er would yall recommend.

If you want the top of the crop, look at DRV Mobile Suites Full House and New Horizon. But it takes more than a SRW truck can haul...Youa re into MDT territory.

Ken

[wowens79]

ACZL wrote:
What does everyone think about OP taking a look at mid bunk/multi purpose room 5ers? Offers 2 in mid room, 2 on loft and 2 in rear. Although, I'd tend to agree that a toy hauler (TH) would probly be his best best overall.

I really like the mid bunks, I was intrigued by them, the problem I see is the one I liked was 41', and would eliminate most of the state parks we like to visit.

[Vpolio90]

I have never thought about a TH. What TH 5er would yall recommend.