familyfive
Explorer
Joined 9 years ago
User Profile
User Widgets
All Activity
Re: Cargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
Jim-Linda wrote: familyfive wrote: Jim-Linda wrote: Look for the GVWR on the trailer, should be on left front of trailer or in a cabinet in the kitchen. Next take the empty trailer to a scale a weigh it. The difference is your CCC. Jim Yea, I know how to calculate it and many websites give you the CCC under the specs. I'm more concerned with making sure we choose a rig with adequate CCC. I've read two entries just today about families who bought rigs with inadequate CCC. We are a family of 5 and when you add a fully stocked kitchen, W/D, generator, 5 mountain bikes, everyone's gear and any additional modifications you plan to make, the numbers can add up quickly! Was just wondering what others have experienced. To start... what length trailer are you considering? With that number of people I would be looking at 35 to 40'. We have been FTing for 20 years with two on board in a 38' NuWa. Even that gets crowded with only 2. Reason for question, you might look at TH's, with the garage converted for kids and supplies. Good Luck Jim We are looking at 6 that range in size from 34'-37'. Haven't narrowed it down any more than that just yet. I'm trying to actually locate all of them so we can walk them and get a real feel for each. Of course, finding one of each requires visits to neighboring cities and different dealerships. Wish it were a little more simple! I've considered a toy hauler but they are very heavy and really require a 1 ton with dual rear wheels. We only have a single rear wheel so it knocks a lot of them out of the market for us. They are also quite long and sterile feeling in the family room area. I think it's because of the rubber garage. Thanks for your comments! This is fun yet exhausting. I look forward to the day one is finally sitting in my driveway for a bit!472Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
agesilaus wrote: Most people carry the generator in the bed of the truck, it would be a PITA to get it in and out of most basements. Unless it had a sliding shelf. We are actually looking at a few models that have it prewired so it will fit in the front compartment on the 5er and be permanent. Otherwise, yea, it would have to go in the back of the truck.472Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
Jim-Linda wrote: Look for the GVWR on the trailer, should be on left front of trailer or in a cabinet in the kitchen. Next take the empty trailer to a scale a weigh it. The difference is your CCC. Jim Yea, I know how to calculate it and many websites give you the CCC under the specs. I'm more concerned with making sure we choose a rig with adequate CCC. I've read two entries just today about families who bought rigs with inadequate CCC. We are a family of 5 and when you add a fully stocked kitchen, W/D, generator, 5 mountain bikes, everyone's gear and any additional modifications you plan to make, the numbers can add up quickly! Was just wondering what others have experienced.472Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
MFL wrote: A 3K CCC will work for most, unless full timing. A 2,250 CCC is do able, but I'd not want anything less! Always keep in mind, a full fresh water tank, plus full WH, batteries, propane, it adds up fast. While no one tries to, at some point you may be hauling full tanks. It is easy to put another 1,500 lbs of STUFF in as well. Jerry Thanks so much! We are not full-timing so these numbers are what I was thinking too! It never hurts to have more than you need so this will help me narrow down my short list.472Views0likes0CommentsRe: Cargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
agesilaus wrote: Are you talking about Tow Vehicles or the 5ver? Any one ton p/u from the big three American manufacturers should have a payload capacity over 3000 lb. Mine is 3400 for example. 4WD, Crew cabs and other accessories reduce the ultimate payload. If you are pulling a 5ver it makes no sense to get anything other than a one ton truck. I'm sorry. I don't think I was very clear. We are looking at fifth wheels and I'm specifically talking about the cargo carrying capacity of those. We do own a Ford 350 so I'm not worried about it's numbers right now. It can handle what we are considering. More specifically, the fifth wheels have cargo carrying capacities that differ greatly. I just want to be sure we are realistic in what we need and do not find ourselves over our numbers and only carryover by necessities! I want to have some wiggle room And options! Thanks!473Views0likes0CommentsCargo Carrying Capacity (Realistic #'s)
We are new to purchasing a 5er. We have rented TT and RV's before but now that we are committing, the numbers are very important to me! Looking for suggestions on minimum "realistic" CCC numbers. Seems like most of what I'm looking it is around the 3000 mark but one is as low as 2250 and one even 1350! That's crazy! Thoughts?3.6KViews0likes15CommentsRe: 5er brands/models
Great insight!~ Thanks for your candor. I do think my kids need a dedicated space to sleep and watch tv or play their xbox on rainy days. I just struggle with the maintaining the family space that disappears with the traditional bunkhouses. I'm not a fan of the 2 person couch and dinette lining one wall with no other seating. I've seen a few models will do a party couch and that might be an option. I had not given much consideration to the mid bunkhouse options and I'm glad you brought that up Lantley. My kids are too tall to be able to use the loft space (dear sweet daughter got herself stuck up in one this past weekend at the RV show). I fear that type of mid bunk would be a disaster. I did take a look at two that have slideouts and true bunk beds, however, and I'm liking those. With the turn of the beds, they seem to keep the overall length of the rig to 37' or so and that is definitely doable! Jayco Eagle HT 30.5MBOK looks pretty nice although I'll miss my King bed and w/d hookups. The fridge is pretty small as well but I know I'll have to make sacrifices to keep the length down. Coachmen Chaparral 360IBL is another mid bunkhouse that looks pretty nice. It's a little longer at 39' but the kitchen seems a bit larger and has the option of a 12 cu fu fridge (something I think we would need). Anyone out there have either one of these or know of another mid bunk rig (sans the overhead loft). Thanks so much everyone! Your challenging me to think and consider how we would really live and I appreciate the feedback.498Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5er brands/models
Thanks Aridon and camp-n-family for your replies. My fam isn't much on tent camping and I'm hoping we have some good glam camping years ahead still. Our little one is only 11. We tend to do longer trips 10+ days when we go. OUr price range is flexible but I figure if we can stay in the range of 50-55K that would be preferable. I've looked at toy haulers. They are just too heavy and tend to be on the longer side, as well. We have a 2016 F350 crew cab and many of those toy haulers need double rear wheels to pull, safely. Our older two kids are on the tall side (6' and 5'7') and still growing. Anything with a loft is just too tight for them now. I'm discouraged. Hubby really wants to stay under 40' and there just doesn't seem to be anything that has jumped out at me with his requirement. If we could go 42', the world would open up a bit! I'm restarting from scratch and now looking at anything that can sleep 3, comfortably, in a main living area. Maybe something in the 35'-39' range will jump out at me. I have to admit I like a little more luxury in the interior and am willing to pay for it. We plan to keep this unit for a good while!498Views0likes0CommentsRe: North vs South Rim Grand Canyon?
I say go "IN". We did a week long river rafting trip from one end to the other 278 miles this summer. Absolutely fantastic experience for my three teenagers (I did it as a teenager myself in '88). You can even do 2 or 3 day experiences. By far the best view you will ever have of the Grand Canyon!240Views0likes0Comments5er brands/models
I have been researching fifth wheels for about 18 months now and as our family has walked various models, attended RV shows and taken a few camping trips in rented units, our needs/desires seem to have changed. I'm looking for some opinions on a few manufacturers and models as what I "thought" we were set on has now completely changed. My top manufacturers are Highland Ridge Open Range 3X, Heartland Elkridge, Keystone Montana I'm having a real struggle with deciding what exactly our family's needs truly are. WE have three kids 11, 14, 16 and I don't know if a separate room (bunkhouse type) is a necessity or if that space is better used in a family room that has couches that turn into beds. We loved the front/rear family room models found in the Durango Gold, Open Range 3X and Montana as they really allowed for some good family time/gathering during inclement weather. The bunkhouse style seems to be nice for the kids but the reality is they will be grown and gone before we are ready to trade-in for a new fiver. Does anyone have any experience camping in either of these circumstances with nearly 3 teenagers? My must have is a kitchen with a good amount of countertop to include an island if possible. I cook. Oh, and a W/D hookup. Currently, I'm looking at the Heartland Elkridge ER 33RBR (new model) as it is the smallest of my selection and will accommodate my three kids 11, 14, 16, without having a huge bunk room that will be wasted after they leave the nest, but a room, none-the-less. Hubby is really wanting to stay 39' or smaller. My other current best choices are the front or rear family room options that turn into beds large enough to sleep all three kids. I can't find any other models that might be an option for us. I am open to options, suggestions, opinions......I'm exhausted with my searching and hope by asking others there might be something I haven't considered. Your responses are truly appreciated! Thanks!4.1KViews0likes11Comments
Groups
Fifth Wheel Group
Interested in fifth wheels? You've come to the right spot.Feb 18, 202519,006 Posts
