So I have had a 24 foot travel trailer in the past. I am thinking of my first fifth wheel. I was looking at travel trailers because they leave my bed open for other toys but I keep going back to the fifth wheels for floor plan and open space. I am probably looking at an older used fifth wheel like early 2000's. My philosophy is I want to see how much I like this before investing in something new. So, I have a tone of questions:1) What type of hitch do I need? My truck is a 2017 Ford F-250 Platinum diesel with the 5th wheel hitch prep that has the wiring and puck holes in the bed. Its a short bed so I guess it needs a slider. 2) Besides a hitch, what do I need to budget for?3) I have been looking at older 27-30 foot trailers. Are there certain brands to run away from? Fiberglass siding or Aluminum. I get so confused looking at these.4) Besides the better floor plans, what am I gaining with the fifth wheel over the travel trailer. I know they pull better by the hitch over the axels. anything else?5) convenient features: around what time did auto leveling jacks come into play? I like the idea from the new ones I've seen but the older ones don't seem to have it.I plan on mainly using this as weekend warrior type camping with an occasional 1-2 week trip. For starting its mostly going to be full hookup campgrounds around here in California but the girlfriend likes the idea of boondocking.

Point 3 your right on. With a 250/2500 series you will be really surprised how little real cargo carrying capacity you have.Northwood makes good but heavy fivers. I think if I were you I would start looking at shorter, lighter models from Forest River and Keystone. Models like Cougar are quite popular.Point 2. Basicslly the exact same things you would need for a TT.Point 1. Slider would be best, but depending on trailer choice you may or may not actually need one. Many newer fivers are cut specifically for short bed trucks. But dont hold your breath. Just get a slider hitch.Point 4, shorter overall down the road length is the biggie.Point 5, tou probsbly wont find auto leveling on any short fivers that will fit your size requirements. Besides, its no big deal as long as your reasonavly healthy to lower the stabilizers using a cordless drill.

I think the 27-30 foot trailers are on the smaller side for fifth wheels from what I have seen? Why go with a lite model? I think my truck is rated to tow pretty descent weights. I tend to find the "lite" models to be lower quality than a lot of the regular weight models.Looking through complaints, it seemed like Keystone was a maker that many people say to stay away from. Although I do like the cougars. My reference to cargo was comparing a travel trailer to fifth wheel. It seems any fifth wheel takes up nearly the entire bed of the truck

On that truck the payload tag is meaningless. Use your tire and axle ratings to determine what fifth wheels you can tow/haul. You don't necessarily need a slider. I use an Andersen flipped back and it gives me plenty of clearance. Of course your comfort level needs to come into play in that decision.

“For starting its mostly going to be full hookup campgrounds around here in California but the girlfriend likes the idea of boondocking.“Good for GF who doesn’t want to vacation in a horizontal apartment...with full hookups.

4x4crazy wrote:I think the 27-30 foot trailers are on the smaller side for fifth wheels from what I have seen? Why go with a lite model? I think my truck is rated to tow pretty descent weights. I tend to find the "lite" models to be lower quality than a lot of the regular weight models.Looking through complaints, it seemed like Keystone was a maker that many people say to stay away from. Although I do like the cougars. My reference to cargo was comparing a travel trailer to fifth wheel. It seems any fifth wheel takes up nearly the entire bed of the truckGenerally speaking 5th wheels have tons more storage than a TT. You obviously give up some bed space but gain more than that in the multiple storage areas on the 5er that is locked and dry. Also more cabinet/closet area on the inside. It's one of the major gains moving from a TT to a 5er.

Possible First Fifth Wheel | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2018
Point 3 your right on. With a 250/2500 series you will be really surprised how little real cargo carrying capacity you have.
Northwood makes good but heavy fivers. I think if I were you I would start looking at shorter, lighter models from Forest River and Keystone. Models like Cougar are quite popular.
Point 2. Basicslly the exact same things you would need for a TT.
Point 1. Slider would be best, but depending on trailer choice you may or may not actually need one. Many newer fivers are cut specifically for short bed trucks. But dont hold your breath. Just get a slider hitch.
Point 4, shorter overall down the road length is the biggie.
Point 5, tou probsbly wont find auto leveling on any short fivers that will fit your size requirements. Besides, its no big deal as long as your reasonavly healthy to lower the stabilizers using a cordless drill.
4x4crazy
Explorer
Feb 24, 2018
I think the 27-30 foot trailers are on the smaller side for fifth wheels from what I have seen? Why go with a lite model? I think my truck is rated to tow pretty descent weights. I tend to find the "lite" models to be lower quality than a lot of the regular weight models.

Looking through complaints, it seemed like Keystone was a maker that many people say to stay away from. Although I do like the cougars.

My reference to cargo was comparing a travel trailer to fifth wheel. It seems any fifth wheel takes up nearly the entire bed of the truck
IdaD
Explorer
Feb 24, 2018
On that truck the payload tag is meaningless. Use your tire and axle ratings to determine what fifth wheels you can tow/haul. You don't necessarily need a slider. I use an Andersen flipped back and it gives me plenty of clearance. Of course your comfort level needs to come into play in that decision.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2018
“For starting its mostly going to be full hookup campgrounds around here in California but the girlfriend likes the idea of boondocking.“

Good for GF who doesn’t want to vacation in a horizontal apartment...with full hookups.
4bearhug
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
4x4crazy wrote:
I think the 27-30 foot trailers are on the smaller side for fifth wheels from what I have seen? Why go with a lite model? I think my truck is rated to tow pretty descent weights. I tend to find the "lite" models to be lower quality than a lot of the regular weight models.

Looking through complaints, it seemed like Keystone was a maker that many people say to stay away from. Although I do like the cougars.

My reference to cargo was comparing a travel trailer to fifth wheel. It seems any fifth wheel takes up nearly the entire bed of the truck

Generally speaking 5th wheels have tons more storage than a TT. You obviously give up some bed space but gain more than that in the multiple storage areas on the 5er that is locked and dry. Also more cabinet/closet area on the inside. It's one of the major gains moving from a TT to a 5er.
DSteiner51
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
4x4crazy wrote:

Looking through complaints, it seemed like Keystone was a maker that many people say to stay away from. Although I do like the cougars.

Keystone sells more then other brands and there are tens of thousands of us happy with our purchase, just not as vocal as those who have a problem. Others brands have problems too. Find what fits your fancy and don’t let nay sayers rob you of your joy.
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 25, 2018
A FW is also easier to hook up/disconnect, than a TT. I don't know if your boondocking includes trees, but that can be a disadvantage, due to the height of many FWs.

Your truck is very capable of carrying a FW. Like mentioned, you need to go by your RAWR/tire max rating.

IMO, the best hitch for the Ford OEM pucks is the B&W. You can get the heavy slider, not really needed, or the much lighter 3300 non-slider (my choice). It is adjustable up/down, ahead/back.

I would stay away from the Lite models, if buying used. Keep asking questions, there are lots of helpful people here. You will get varying advice though, that you will have to sort on your own.

Jerry
Durb
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
I made the move from a 25 ft. TT to a 31 ft. fifth wheel for camping scenarios similar to yours. We are overall happy but realize there are tradeoffs. The fiver tows shorter and is more comfortable on the road. Storage on the fiver is ample and more easily accessible than the back of a truck. Backing takes a while to learn, something I have not completely mastered.

A word of caution. Your truck has tailgate height of 60" or more. Early 2,000s trailers were built to fit the trucks of the day which were lower. Take a tape measure and measure the overhang of your prospective trailer and make sure it will fit your truck with sufficient bed rail clearance. Many won't. There is no way my 2008 trailer will fit your new truck. Click my profile and cross that model off your list.

Good luck and have fun with your search.
azdryheat
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
When the winds get out of hand, I'll take a 5th wheel every time, very stable. Bumper-pulls can get out of hand. I'll even take a 5th wheel in windy conditions over those huge diesel pushers. I've driven both in bad winds and the 5th wheel wins every time.
2naEagle
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
I have been using a B&W for over 10 years without a problem. Watch the height of your truck. Hook up the trailer and check it out you may have to do some things to the trailer to level it up.
Here is some pictures of my old 2008 Jayco Eagle 291RLTS on my 2017 F350 it worked out pretty good.

Might as well show off the new one also :)

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