zonanavystar
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Re: 5th wheel suggestions
Thanks for the breakdown. I would like to boondock more, but more so in the national forests, and less so in urban areas, so I feel like we could still get to regular campgrounds and occasional national forest primitive areas. As for weights, I see the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation of %15-25 of the trailer should be on the pin. How does this work out in real life experience? Also, how close do folks get to the actual GVWR of their trailers? Thanks again!820Views0likes0CommentsRe: 5th wheel suggestions
My apologies. Per the 2016 towing guide, the 5th wheel towing capacity is 15,700 lbs (F-350 CC, Diesel, 4x4, SRW, 3.55). I still have the torklift upper and lower stable loads and 19.5 commercial tires and wheels, so I'm assuming I'll keep those items for this conversion, but I'd be curious on other folks' experiences as well. Thanks for the information. This is a helpful start. I assumed I would be looking at a wide search area, so no problem there. Great info on the hitch too, thank you!821Views0likes0Comments5th wheel suggestions
Hello, I am in the process of moving from a truck camper to a 5th wheel. I've had 3 truck campers over the last decade or so and the family has outgrown them. Two of the truck campers were Lance (825 and 915), and there weren't that many brands and/or options on a truck camper. 5th wheel seems to be a different story. I'm looking for some advice on directions/brands to look into. I generally look for used units in the 10 year old range. The truck is a 2016 F350 CC LB SRW diesel with 5th wheel prep package (puts max 5th wheel towing at 12,500 lbs I believe). For the trailer, we like the bedroom above the hitch with the shower/bath. We would also look for a rear bunk room option with a second bathroom potentially. I was hoping to stay under 33 ft, but it might be hard with the bunk room. I generally am fond of the looks and functionality of Montana 5th wheels, or any of the other Keystone brands, but there seem to be a lot of options. Does anyone here have suggestions, tips, advice, brands to look for, brands to look out for if they are willing to share? Thank you in advance!2.9KViews0likes10CommentsRe: Considering a used Lance, questions...
Thank you guys for the responses. Wayne, Since you installed a 9,200 BTU unit, you seem more than happy with it. The previous camper I had (2000 Lance Lite 825) had a 13,500 Brisk Air and it was definitely good enough. Is a 9,200 BTU AC enough for this larger camper? Also, I did some research, and the propane generator offered was a 2500W. Can a 2500W generator power (or a 2KW Honda as mentioned earlier) handle a 13,500 BTU AC? Thanks again!1.2KViews0likes0CommentsConsidering a used Lance, questions...
I'm considering purchasing a 2004 Lance Lite 915, but I had some questions that I got the typical "I'm trying to sell you this camper" answers, but I was hoping to get some outside perspective from you folks. 1.) There is no AC in the unit. AC is required for me and it appeared that the camper was already wired for a roof mounted AC (it had the junction box in the ceiling with the label about 120 VAC, 60 hz etc...). They offered to install a unit for around $1,000. How easy/hard is it to install a roof mounted AC? Does it have a dedicated circuit breaker already standing by for this, or will it share an AC circuit breaker? I'm fine with the roof mounted controls, it does not need to tie into the thermostat. 2.) The camper has 4 speakers already installed in the ceiling, however there is no head unit for the stereo. Does this just mean it is pre-wired for a stereo? If so, where do those speaker wires meet? 3.) The camper does not come with the propane generator, but there seems to be a bundle of three thick gauge (6-8) wires leading into the compartment, and three smaller gauge wires as well. Does this mean its pre-wired for a generator? I did not see a propane connection. Anyone have any experience with the Lance Lite series of these years? 4.) Roof appeared in good shape with a seal job required sometime in the near future. No signs of any water intrusion though. Any opinions/thoughts on the Lance aluminum roofs? Any insight is appreciated. Thank you! Brian4.7KViews0likes14Commentswinter camping trip
Hey all, I'm in the initial planning stages of a first time winter camping trip. Here is what I'm planning: Early Jan ish, 5-7 nights in Flagstaff, AZ. Camping at a mix of established campgrounds (water/electric/sewer available) and "boondocking" remote camping. The remote camping will depend on the weather (no 4' snow storms, etc). However, I'm also thinking at least 2 nights in a hotel room at a local place in Flagstaff. I know I can keep the plumbing from freezing by keeping the camper warm (2000 Lance 825 by the way), with either the furnace or an electric space heater when shore power is available, but how does one keep the camper from freezing and damaging plumbing those nights when its just sitting in the hotel parking lot overnight? Or for that matter during the day when we're skiing? Any help and advice appreciated. Thank you!1.8KViews0likes5CommentsRe: F350 SRW weight limitations
You're right, I didn't account for any weight of passengers, which again adds to my problem. Like others have said, I also agree that the curb weight of the truck is low based on the options i would most likely put into it. Sorry to drag this discussion about the axle rating out, but just so I understand, a Ford Sterling axle found under an F-350 SRW has a 9,750 lbs rating, meaning I would not expect overload related failure up to that number. Ford only rates it up to 7,250 for whatever reason they choose? It seems like a few guys out there have more than the 7,250 on their F-350 SRW axles and with appropriate suspension and tire/wheel upgrades seems to be handling it okay.1.5KViews0likes0CommentsRe: F350 SRW weight limitations
anybody out there tow with a SRW long bed diesel with a 915? How does it do overall? I've seen lots of pictures of DRW trucks with the giant campers and towing larger trailers with the super truss hitches. I was hoping to go the smaller route with a 915 size camper and very short extension for towing all with a SRW truck. Any similar set-ups out there?1.5KViews0likes0CommentsRe: F350 SRW weight limitations
A little more research on Ford's spec sheet and I got some more numbers for specs. Rear wheels: 3590 each Tires: 3640 each Rear springs: 7000 Rear axle: 7280 (Ford Sterling) So I see where the 7000 lbs rating is based on that spring pack rating, however the axle rating on the Ford Sterling doesn't seem that much higher. Does that seem right, or is the Ford Sterling much higher? Again, I'm more concerned about the manufacturers capacity for components, as in I have no problem upgrading tires and wheels and adding airbags or more leaves to the springs, but I want to make sure I'm not exceeding the axle rating as I have no way to upgrade that other than a new axle. And for all that cost, yes a DRW makes more sense. I prefer a SRW truck for the big reasons, parking, 4 tires vice 6... etc. However if the modification cost for the SRW truck is the same or more of the premium for a DRW truck, then getting the DRW makes more sense. I'm just trying to understand what I'm looking at. ...of course I could also just go Lance 815 and fit the whole thing in the long bed without needing an extension for towing...1.5KViews0likes0Comments
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