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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

jdc1
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you're paying for storage, why not ask the manager for a wider spot?

That's awesome Bob, good looking combo !

Welcome to the 5'er club..
Happy Trails, Happy Camping, Good Luck with the Chaparral
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet