Forum Discussion

Jhendrick1043's avatar
Jhendrick1043
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014

Upgrading from Travel Trailer to fifth wheel RV

I have a 2007 Arctic Fox 29V Travel Trailer with a Hensley Arrow hitch that holds the camper in line during towing, but am thinking about upgrading to a slightly larger Arctic Fox fifth wheel sometime in the next few years for more options and greater livability during long stays. I just bought a RAM 3500 long bed crew cab with the 6.7L Cummins high output + Aisin heavy duty transmission, so pulling a larger trailer will not be an issue. Currently, I carry a quiet Honda 3000 watt generator & 50 gallon spare fresh water tank in the pickup bed to power the trailer (if necessary while staying in rest areas enroute the campsite) or remotely refill the 67 gallon 29V fresh water tank while staying in electric only sites, but was wondering how people with a fifth wheel RV refill their fresh water tanks if not connected to a water supply? From what I can tell, the fifth wheel hitch takes up room over the rear axle preventing being able to carry an extra remote tank, and the fifth wheel hitch pin glides into the receiver preventing hauling a tank behind the truck mounted fifth wheel hitch. Right now, the only way that I can see how to do this would be to tow an additional small trailer behind the fifth wheel that could be disconnected and towed by the truck for use in making fresh water runs. But, in doing so, creates another problem of what to do with the trailer when parked at a campsite. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
  • Jhendrick1043's avatar
    Jhendrick1043
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2014
    Excellent idea! I went onto the website and downloaded the Adobe .pdf brochure for the tank, - Many thanks, Jeff
  • Jhendrick1043's avatar
    Jhendrick1043
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2014
    The following is an email I sent to B & W about their hitch:
    "I am looking at the RVK3600 for my 2014 RAM 3500 Big Horn 3500 8 ft. bed, but I have a question. Being in the steel business, I have both a 3/4" thick poly truck bed liner & 1/4" thick bed mat = 1" deck rise. I used a 5" dia. hole saw on location to expose the factory gooseneck and fifth wheel pucks. Is exposing the OEM pucks enough to use the hitch, or would I have to cut out under the 5th wheel hitch as well? From the photos, it looks like the hitch only sets on the 4 pucks & rises up from the bed about 1 - 1/2"- Thanks, Jeff"
    Below is the response from B & W:
    "Good morning Jeff. Sorry we missed you! There should be no problems installing our RVK 3600 on your truck. With the diameter you have cut to expose the pucks that should help with any latching issue that can occur. If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance please let me know. Thank you.

    When I make the switch from travel trailer to 5th wheel, the above B & W information assures me that I will have no issues installing the hitch in my truck with the liners installed.
  • Jhendrick1043's avatar
    Jhendrick1043
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2014
    Great suggestion on using the B & W hitch #3600. I took a look at it on B & W's website, and it looks like the hitch mounts right to the OEM factory hitch pucks and rises up about 1-1/4" off the deck. I have already used a 5" dia. hole to expose all 5 of the pucks for gooseneck (and future 5th wheel) towing. I emailed B & W so we'll see what they say. Many thanks, Jeff
  • retispcsi's avatar
    retispcsi
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2014
    If you have the Ram factory mounts the hitch mounting equipment is already installed under the bed and attached to the frame. First as said before the goose neck may not be the best way to go with a fiver. Now all you have to do is order a B & W hitch #3600 or I believe Curt has one also for your factory mounts. You will need to cut out the mats and cover so your hitch base plate will sit the way it was designed to. B & W is my favorite.
  • handsome51's avatar
    handsome51
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2014
    Jhendrick1043 wrote:
    Thanks to everyone for their input and experience. I can see that I have allot to research before making the switch from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel RV. Since I have a number of years until retirement, my additional thought on moving up to a 5th wheel was to take it to out of the area jobsite campgrounds / state parks vs., staying in a hotel. One additional question was with respect to mounting a 5th wheel bed receiver. Does the hitch mounting hardware / rails need to lay directly on the truck bed? I have a 2014 RAM 3500 Big Horn 8ft. bed, but have a 3/4" thick corrugated bed liner + 1/4" thick bed mat for protection against heavy steel parts or gear boxes that might get thrown back there. I have the factory RAM gooseneck / 5th wheel hitch installed, and have measured & cutout the holes in the bed liner & mat for the center gooseneck ball & 4 - 5th wheel mounts. Currently, the liners have the deck elevated 1". Also, is there any merit to looking into gooseneck adapters for 5th wheel RV's that would have the RV ride on the gooseneck ball as it does when hauling the gooseneck trailer? I also have Timbren rear rubber suspension boosters that add additional stability and weight handling during towing, and a 24" wide X 48" long job box by the rear window. Thanks once again to all.- Regards, Jeff

    The goose next adapter would be a easy way out for you . But in my opinion you would be putting your trailer and truck in a bind.Some trailers don't like that set up. Screws pop loose, welds crack. Plus the ride inside the trailer. You need to think on long term in my opinion. What will make the trailer last a long time without you paying to have something repaired that you could have avoided to start with. If you are a unlucky person like I am and end up with a trailer that gets the welds cracked and screw heads popping. I sure do like when I get to my destination at the end of the day. And open up my 5th wheel and nothing has moved. And that includes behind the axles. That is the rough riding part of the trailer. Now, if you have to slam on the brakes for some reason . Yes, things will move in the trailer . But the way I have mine set up , under normal driving . I have no problem with things moving in the 5th wheel.
  • Jhendrick1043's avatar
    Jhendrick1043
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2014
    Thanks to everyone for their input and experience. I can see that I have allot to research before making the switch from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel RV. Since I have a number of years until retirement, my additional thought on moving up to a 5th wheel was to take it to out of the area jobsite campgrounds / state parks vs., staying in a hotel. One additional question was with respect to mounting a 5th wheel bed receiver. Does the hitch mounting hardware / rails need to lay directly on the truck bed? I have a 2014 RAM 3500 Big Horn 8ft. bed, but have a 3/4" thick corrugated bed liner + 1/4" thick bed mat for protection against heavy steel parts or gear boxes that might get thrown back there. I have the factory RAM gooseneck / 5th wheel hitch installed, and have measured & cutout the holes in the bed liner & mat for the center gooseneck ball & 4 - 5th wheel mounts. Currently, the liners have the deck elevated 1". Also, is there any merit to looking into gooseneck adapters for 5th wheel RV's that would have the RV ride on the gooseneck ball as it does when hauling the gooseneck trailer? I also have Timbren rear rubber suspension boosters that add additional stability and weight handling during towing, and a 24" wide X 48" long job box by the rear window. Thanks once again to all.- Regards, Jeff
  • retispcsi's avatar
    retispcsi
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2014
    I have a 2014 Long bed Ram Longhorn 3500 6.7 Aisin 4:10 and I pull a fiver. I have a 60 gallon aux. Fuel tank mounted with a B & W hitch in the Ram factory mounts. Between the fuel tank and the hitch base I have 15 inches of clearance. If I remember right it is 20 or 21 inches from floor to top of bed rails. There is more space between the hitch and the tailgate. The fiver I have on order has a 100 gallon fresh water tank and a 12 gallon water heater hence 112 gallons of water on board. Most fivers have a decent size fresh water tank. As far as the generator I have a 6500 Onan, inverter and 4 6volts on the next unit. Look over the specs on the unit you want to buy and you may be surprised. There is a lot of difference between a TT and a Fiver.
  • Dayle1's avatar
    Dayle1
    Explorer II
    Sep 29, 2014
    There is plenty of space behind the hitch for a water tank, just needs to be under about 14 inches tall. Look at all the V-notch tail-gates that are used, the king pin clears them. Then there is plenty of space in front of the hitch for an aux. fuel tank and a decent fresh water tank as well, it least in a long bed. I've also seen some owners use a flexible bladder tank that they lay on the truck roof, fill it from a faucet and then gravity feed into the fiver tank (not sure I'd put that much weight on the roof). As indicated, the fresh water tank will likely be bigger than you are accustomed to.
  • handsome51's avatar
    handsome51
    Explorer
    Sep 29, 2014
    First, start saving your money and buy a air hitch to pull the 5th wheel.You will love not feeling the 5th wheel behind you going down the road, compared to the cheaper normal hitch most people buy. They like putting the trailer and truck in a bind. Plus have things move around a lot in the 5th wheel as you go down the road. Second I have a 37 gallon aux. fuel tank between the hitch and the tail gate. So you could have a water tank their instead. Just have to find the right size to fit without being in the way. Since you are buying new. You could get a generator from the factory installed in the 5th wheel . If they offer it in the brand 5th wheel you buy. If not, I have what they call a tool box generator between the air safe hitch and the cab mounted. It is in a diamond plated tool box. So their are ways to get what you want . You just have to give it some thought. Like the old saying saids. You can always skin the cat. You just have to be smart enough to know how to skin it.

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