New to 5th wheeling

[Jeff_Swearingen]

Good day. I am new to 5th wheel ownership and I am picking up my 2015 327RES Keystone Cougar this weekend after I switch the king pin with a Reese Goosebox. I am going to tow it with a 2020 Dodge 3500 Megacab. Our first trip will be to Brookings Oregon. Any suggestions for a route that is easiest for a first timer from the Sacramento area to Brookings? Thanks in advance.

[ramyankee]

From where were in NorCal our route would have been over to I-5 and then over to 299. Not my favorite but probably a shorter trip.

Really liked Brookings...

[j3ff9ack]

If you want to avoid most of I-5, take CA 16 from I-5 at Woodland up to CA 20, then west over to US 101.

Agree with checking bed clearance with Megacab regardless of hitch - watch the cab to 5th front clearance when backing up.

[Durb]

Welcome to the forum. My feeling is you can go most anywhere on public highways with your setup; certainly wherever the big rigs go. If you are concerned with overhangs and hairpin turns, I believe there is a GPS system that allows you to enter your rig's length and height and it will offer alerts as to your route.

I can't say regarding your route as I am always coming from the north. I will say I have traveled 101 throughout Oregon and have never felt uncomfortable. pulling a fifth wheel on the highway. There have been comments on these forums regarding hwy 299. I've pulled a boat on that road from Redding to Weaverville and found it to be fine.

Enjoy your fifth wheel.

[garyp4951]

I would check the clearances before towing, and you might need an offset ball for the Mega Cab, or get the auto slider mentioned above.

[southernsky]

I've had a couple of MegaCabs and I would suggest an auto slider hitch like a Pullrite. You never have to worry about hitting the back of your cab in sharp turns. Also be very aware of tail swing.

[TXiceman]

I agree that you need to practice turns and backing in a large parking lot before you hit the road. The road is never a good place to learn. I had my wife driving out 19,000#, 40' 5er in a church parking lot on several Saturdays until she felt comfortable to get on a street with it. She passed her Texas class A exempt license with no problems.

I also do not see the purpose of changing to a GooseBox. If you are after a clean bed get the B&W companion slider. Truckers do not use a ball hitch for their rigs. They use a 5th wheel hitch.

Ken

[stripit]

If you have never towed a 5th wheel trailer before, you might consider doing some basic practice in a large parking lot. Pick up some cone/cans or buckets as something to gage the way that new to you trailer will cut the corners. Lay the cones/buckets out as curbs and try to see if you can turn the corner without hitting them. When we first got a 5th wheel I hired a driving instructor to help teach us how to drive it safely. Don't know about the route your asking about but I think others will answer about that. Safe travels.

[Cptnvideo]

Why do you want to change to the Goosebox?
And you will probably get more responses if you post under "Roads and Routes".