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RE: About to give up
I love this. It's a 20ft trailer!! Why do they need a 3/4T truck??? Towing with a 1/2T truck is not the problem.
The problem is it's a 15 yr old truck. Need to check if it had the tow options, aux trans cooler and possibly engine oil cooler, lower rear end gears. Many of the 4WD setups in those days came loaded with that stuff. If not you can add the coolers and change the gears.
The question is whether it is less costly to buy a newer used truck. These days truck prices are low.
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portablevcb
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11/14/09 09:35pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Newbie with a question
The problem you'll have is when it breaks you'll be out on the road anyway ;)
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portablevcb
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11/14/09 09:10pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheels in windy conditions
You're in for a treat.
My very first trip with our fiver was in 35 gusting to 50. Almost 6mpg.
But, could barely see the trailer move in the rear view mirrors. Truck seemed more stable with the trailer, but, probably cause we were only going 50mph instead of 70 :)
When in the same kind of wind in our old Class A we'd pull off the road and wait it out. Too much sway and wander.
This is with our little truck. I'd imagine a DRW would not notice it at all.
charlie
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portablevcb
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10/27/09 08:41pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Firestone or Pacbrake air bags????
Wow, didn't think this subject would create any controversy. Reference to Rvndave's questions: Ford F250 Diesel, GVWR 8800, Max Towing 14300, Payload 2440, Tires range E (10 ply). My 5th wheel: Total weight (base + cargo) 10400.
The truck does just fine when pulling the RV with no more than a 2" drop when hitched. The reason for airbags, I also pull stock trailers loaded with livestock which sometimes get's real close to that max 14K. I often drive in pastures that get a little bumpy and I think the airbags would help greatly in that situation. Logic tells me that if you keep the truck from bouncing in a rough environment, it's better for the truck as well as my back. That's why I'm interested in air bags, not that I really need them, it' more of a comfort and safety thing. The truck and RV get along just fine.
I did order a pair of Pacbrake bags today and will post how they make or if they make a difference.
I will guess your hitch weight at 2,080 or 20% of the 5er's weight. This subtracted from your payload of 2.440 leaves 360 pounds more you can add to your truck. Add yourself and the weight of the 5er hitch and you now have zero available payload left. Fuel, cargo in the bed, extra passengers, and anything else is going to be overloading your truck. This is assuming only 20% hitch weight, this can be as high as 25%. I won't even bother to guess how much your over your trucks GVWR while towing 14k. I stand by my origial statement. Save your money, toward the purchase price of the right truck for the job.
You're still assuming a weight condition that may not be correct. Many fivers are well under 20% on pin weight. Mine is only 17%.
My truck is more than 10% under gross payload with the fiver hitched up and truck loaded for travel.
The airbags do two things. They help the truck ride level which means I don't have headlight aiming issues and the suspension geometry is correct when loaded. They also keep the truck from hitting bump stops on the big 'whoops' bumps on the highway.
charlie
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portablevcb
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10/23/09 09:46pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Firestone or Pacbrake air bags????
I'll be another vote for the Firestone. I like them but haven't tried any other airbags either.
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portablevcb
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10/20/09 09:21pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Educate Me
We found that the ceramic version that is upright like the oil filled works better than the oil filled simply because it heats up faster. Also seems to radiate better. Neither have fans (fans are noisy).
Be careful in below freezing weather. The space heater won't keep the pipes as warm as the furnace. In higher quality rigs the furnace will be ducted to heat the basement areas where water stuff is located as well.
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portablevcb
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10/16/09 10:13pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Dumping waste tanks
If black tank is full. I will dump it before leaving. But I will refill with about 5 to 7 gallons of water before leaving. I like to have the water sloshing in the tank while driving. Tends to clean the tank better. And helps sensors to keep clean. I also add a couple of capfuls of Calgon water softener, and Tide laundry detergent too. If we have left over ice cubes, I dump those down the commode just before leaving, too.
I also do the same (except for the ice cubes) for gray tanks.
Once I get to the new site, I dump all tanks immediately. Then flush again, until clean water comes out. The add a couple of gallons of water to black tank before using commode.
I generally follow this method when staying for a few days.
When traveling (staying only overnight) I don't even hook up the sewer connection. Just water and power.
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portablevcb
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10/07/09 10:29am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Locking up valuables while camping
I chain up my generator but little else. I don't leave anything out that I care about either. My bamboo fly rod goes inside :)
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portablevcb
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10/07/09 09:56am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: generator
You can use the house batteries. That was the way mine was wired in my old MH.
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portablevcb
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09/24/09 10:18pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: how to control sway/after axle flip
Ours is flipped and have not noticed any sway at all.
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portablevcb
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09/11/09 09:44pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Where are the small fivers?
They did used to have smaller ones. Since most do not these days can only surmise that either profit margin wasn't high enough or they didn't sell well.
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portablevcb
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09/11/09 09:42pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Toyota Tundra
You have no problem if you stay within the truck weight limits.
I did have to sign a waiver at the RV dealer since Toyota does not recommend a fifth wheel hitch due to clearance issues.
We are currently on our third 3000mile trip with our fiver. Traveling weight around 6500lb, my gross allows a 7000lb trailer. We happen to have a higher truck capacity than most, 1860lb, so the 1150lb pin weight is not as much of an issue. We are also careful how we load the truck and trailer. Only the wife, me and the dog in the truck.
It is the pin weight that will limit you. I looked at buying a newer Tundra but they can't handle much weight in the bed.
Several people do tow more with their trucks. The power and transmission is well up to the task, I'd just be concerned with the rear axle and all that weight on it.
charlie
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portablevcb
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09/10/09 10:27pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Do I really need a compressor for air bags??
I have an on board compressor and like it for the convenience.
But, it is a luxury. I have probably only adjusted air pressure a couple of times per trip (three day trips). Could easily be done with just about any kind of air pump, electric or hand.
charlie
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portablevcb
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08/08/09 09:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: I hate to see it rust away.
ditto on the rust converter stuff. It is a phosphate type treatment.
Can probably apply it with Qtips.
charlie
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portablevcb
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08/08/09 09:48pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Honda vs Yamaha generator?
We have the Yam 2400 and like it. It is a bit on the heavy side.
If weight is an issue dual Hondas make sense.
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portablevcb
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07/30/09 10:50pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Shorter fifth wheels
Ours is 24' and we love it. Also bought a smaller one to fit the truck.
Single slide for the couch.
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portablevcb
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07/30/09 10:39pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 1500 (1/2 Ton) and 5th Wheel
As long as you keep within weight capacities you'll be fine. DO NOT TRUST THE DEALER TO GET YOU THE RIGHT TRAILER!!! Check the data plates. Pin weight should be 15-25% of total weight.
I like our rig and it towed just fine completely stock. On big 'swoopy' bumps we would hit the bump stops, but, never enough to affect control. I did slow down on less smooth roads because of it (down to 65).
I decided to get some airbags and now it's even better. No issues at all. We tend to tow only a couple of times a year, but, we go 5000mi per trip. 70-75 on the flats out here. 65 mostly cause we like the back roads.
charlie
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portablevcb
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07/29/09 08:49pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Laptop in TV
Unless set up carefully and with enough thought, it will be in the way and not very handy.
I have tried computers with GPS, PDA with GPS, and dedicated GPS. I still use something like Street Atlas for planning trips (along with Google maps and several RV Park sites). But, when in the truck I use my dedicated GPS. Much more handy and can easily find info.
I wil use my laptop (HP mini) in the truck as a passenger, but, mostly for games and such.
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portablevcb
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07/27/09 10:35pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Thinking of change from a TT to a fifth-wheel BH
At first glance it looks like you'd be fine. I would certainly not go over the rated loads.
As far as the engine I'd be comfortable with it. Used to run a MH with a 454 towing a Ford Ranger. 15000lb. A 6L should do just fine with a little over half that.
And yeah, I think you're looking in the right weight range.
charlie
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portablevcb
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07/22/09 09:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 19'Scamp 5th wheel
Ditto.
Everyone I have ever talked to who owned one loved it.
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portablevcb
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07/22/09 09:15pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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