Forum Discussion

jmcgsd's avatar
jmcgsd
Explorer
Jan 17, 2017

New 5'er Owner

Went and did it yesterday. We purchased a Cougar 29RLI. We are experienced RV'ers, currently spending about 9 months a year as CG hosts, but we're cramped in our current 28' TT with one small slide.

We are probably going to sell the house we've owned for 38 years and live in the new fifth wheel at least temporarily while building a new home or perhaps buying a manufactured home in a senior community.

All the fifth wheel stuff is new to me though. I've spent a lot of time today on YouTube looking at hitches and how to hitch up. Looks simpler that my bumper pull!

I'm also hoping to keep my Lance TC. That will mean a hitch that's relatively simple to remove from the bed. I can live with plywood to raise the camper over the bed rails, because it looks too expensive to get into the Anderson Hitch.

So folks what are the "gotchas" that I need to know about with a 5'er?

Thanks
Joe
  • jmcgsd's avatar
    jmcgsd
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    N-Trouble wrote:
    campinrooter wrote:
    Watch your height trees like ac units.


    ^^THIS^^ is the only downside I have found moving from a bumper pull to 5er. Everything else about it is better IMO. Enjoy...


    Probably won't be an issue since I'm used to driving around with a Lance TC on the truck and that's about the same height. Although I admit I've still had some close calls :o
  • patriotgrunt's avatar
    patriotgrunt
    Explorer
    Jan 19, 2017
    FishOnOne wrote:
    campinrooter wrote:
    Watch your height trees like ac units.


    So do banks.... Link

    Also make sure your hitch is latched. Check and double check before taking off. Link


    I have to agree with Fish, make sure your hitch is latched visually before taking off. It's a good way to lose a tailgate and damage the FW.
  • Mote's avatar
    Mote
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2017
    We currently have a 5th wheel and truck camper. I have the 5th wheel rails that stay in the bed all of the time. I made some 2x4 and plywood platforms that I put in the bed when hauling the truck camper. I put a rubber mat on top of the plywood to help keep the camper from sliding around. We've been doing this for three years and haven't had any issues. Yeah, it's a pain to load the wood in the truck anytime I want to haul the truck and it does raise the overall height by two inches. But I'm not ready to spend the big money on the B&W hitch when I already had the current setup.
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2017
    campinrooter wrote:
    Watch your height trees like ac units.


    ^^THIS^^ is the only downside I have found moving from a bumper pull to 5er. Everything else about it is better IMO. Enjoy...
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jan 18, 2017
    X3 for the B&W Turnover Ball base and Companion FW hitch. The Andersen will also fit in the B&W base.

    Lyle
  • Halmfamily's avatar
    Halmfamily
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2017
    cmeade wrote:
    Here goes ---- B&W has a gooseneck that mounts under the bed. Their Companion fifth wheel hitch has a square post that goes into the gooseneck and the hitch base has a vertical tensionbolt and 2 U bolts that attach to the post. The hitch has two pins to attach it to the base. Bed is completely flat with the hitch removed and only a round 4" hole.


    I agree with the B&W, the newer styles, like I have, loosen the one bolt pull the pin and hitch pulls out of the bed. Leaves bed perfectly flat.

    Make wide turns as the fiver tracks inside the truck on turns and as others have said look up for tree branches, utility lines and corners of buildings.

    Congrats and have fun.
  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2017
    Here goes ---- B&W has a gooseneck that mounts under the bed. Their Companion fifth wheel hitch has a square post that goes into the gooseneck and the hitch base has a vertical tensionbolt and 2 U bolts that attach to the post. The hitch has two pins to attach it to the base. Bed is completely flat with the hitch removed and only a round 4" hole.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jan 18, 2017
    campinrooter wrote:
    Watch your height trees like ac units.


    So do banks.... Link

    Also make sure your hitch is latched. Check and double check before taking off. Link
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jan 18, 2017
    That's really nice; lots of counter space, corner shower, beautiful woodwork.
    Great choice!
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Jan 18, 2017
    Andersen also makes a rail mount hitch so you could check that out. I really like mine.

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