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New fifth wheel update

bsbeedub
Explorer
Explorer
We picked up our new fifth wheel on 14 May and were able to get a site at a city rv park 10 miles from us the following Friday. We were happy to be able to have our first trip so soon after pick up.
Some thoughts:
I bought an AUH and we originally had the ball at the highest setting to clear the tonneau cover rails and the ball funnel putting the trailer farther from the cab. After towing it home I dropped the ball to the middle setting and turned the funnel around which gave me more clearance to the rails. It still rides a bit high but I am going to drop the ball to the lowest setting and see how much bed rail clearance that gives me. Since the trailer was nose high the ride was a bit rough but it pulled nicely. My truck has more than enough guts to pull this 5er.
This trailer is six inches wider than my TT was so it was quite a bit more difficult to put in the same storage spot. Iโ€™ve never towed/backed a 5er before so there was a large learning curve. I had to go around and start over at least 10 times. I was getting quite frustrated but was finally able to get it parked. Itโ€™s real tight in there now!
Some new things that we have now but didnโ€™t with our TT are: large slide (no slide before), electric awning, black tank flush, large shower, queen size bed, 12 volt fridge, more outside storage and larger holding tanks.
The fridge reached operating temperature in about 90 minutes at home on electric. Itโ€™s 11.5 cubic feet and is cavernous compared to our 6 cubic foot propane fridge.
Hitching and unhitching the AUH was as easy as everything Iโ€™ve read and every video Iโ€™ve seen. My DW and I were quite good at hitching our TT and this is different but much easier. Since the GVWR is a bit under 10,000 I feel Iโ€™ve made a great choice in going with the AUH.
I also installed the Torklift Glowstep Revolution Uprising steps after removing the factory installed LCI Solid Step. It was a pretty simple install. It also came without the $1000 Furrion 50โ€ flat screen option (thankfully) so I had purchased a Vizio 50โ€ from Samโ€™s Club for $300 and installed that as well. My DW had a blast putting all of our stuff into the much bigger cabinets and pantry. Our first โ€œrealโ€ trip is in two weeks.
Overall weโ€™re very pleased with our new purchase and are looking forward to the rest of this season.



Bob & Susan
Shelby the Beagle June 8, 2005 - Dec. 24, 2016
2018 Ram 3500 6.4 HEMI, long bed, 4.10โ€™s
2021 Coachman Chaparral Lite 25 RE
2011 Gulfstream Ameri-Lite 23BW - retired
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 - retired
16 REPLIES 16

jdb7566
Explorer
Explorer
Very nice. Enjoy!

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
Looks like a nice setup you have there! I'm a bit envious, though. I used to own a great setup until a stroke took me out of full timing and RVing in general. Having gone through various campers and motorhomes, I found a fiver/truck combo was the best for me. A fiver with slides makes an excellent full timer home, beating by far having to live in an apartment setting, which I need to do now. Here's wishing you years of enjoyment with your recent acquisition. ๐Ÿ™‚
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)

TravelinDog
Explorer II
Explorer II
Congrats on the new 5er! We hope to join the ranks of 5th wheel owners very soon as well.
Just say no to the payload police :C

blofgren
Explorer
Explorer
Congrats, OP! Your rig looks great!

As you have found, backing a fiver is quite a bit different than a travel trailer. It's important to remember that they are slower to react to a turn while backing, but turn quickly once they start so it is important to follow it around quickly. Further, backing a fiver in on the blind side is much harder than a TT because once the trailer starts to turn it limits your visibility severely, where a TT is further back from the truck and easier to see. All it takes is a bit of practice and you'll be a pro! ๐Ÿ™‚
2013 Ram 3500 Megacab DRW Laramie 4x4, 6.7L Cummins, G56, 3.73, Maximum Steel, black lthr, B&W RVK3670 hitch, Retrax, Linex, and a bunch of options incl. cargo camera
2008 Corsair Excella Platinum 34.5 CKTS fifth wheel with winter package & disc brakes

Wood_chip
Explorer
Explorer
packpe89 wrote:
Nice! Thinking I will try the AUH when I move from a TT to a fiver. Use my gooseneck on occasion.


When you go to a 5th wheel, the Trailersaver will be your ultimate hitch. Its really in a league by itself haha.
2017 Chevy HD 3500 Dually LTZ D/A combo crew cab / Bilstein 4600's / Ride Rite air bags w remote / 50 gal transfer flow Aux tank / Trailersaver BD5
2020 Arctic Fox 32-5m with most options + 17.5 wheel & tire combo

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
millesecond wrote:
WHAT is AUH???

Andersen Ultimate Hitch
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

packpe89
Explorer
Explorer
Nice! Thinking I will try the AUH when I move from a TT to a fiver. Use my gooseneck on occasion.

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
millesecond wrote:
WHAT is AUH???


Anderson Ultimate Hitch
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

millesecond
Explorer
Explorer
WHAT is AUH???
2011 GMC 3500
2004 HH Champagne 35sk

Curly2001
Explorer II
Explorer II
Looks very nice. Have fun!
Curly
2019 Chev. Double cab 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10 diffs, six speed auto
2013 Heartland Sundance XLT 265RK

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
Nice setup and good looking rig
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
bsbeedub wrote:
Unfortunately all spots are the same width but they have different lengths.


Well if ya can't dodge 'em,.....Ram 'em !!!!

Seriously tho, Congrats, enjoy, have fun and make room for the miles of smiles ahead!!!!
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

bsbeedub
Explorer
Explorer
Unfortunately all spots are the same width but they have different lengths.
Bob & Susan
Shelby the Beagle June 8, 2005 - Dec. 24, 2016
2018 Ram 3500 6.4 HEMI, long bed, 4.10โ€™s
2021 Coachman Chaparral Lite 25 RE
2011 Gulfstream Ameri-Lite 23BW - retired
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 - retired

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Looks real good...have a great first trip!
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad