Hello fellers!<br>I'm starting to look around for used RV's. Since my truck already is set up for towing a trailer, I'm wondering if I should go with that or look for a 5th wheel and have the hitch installed??<br><br>A quick ballpark estimate from one RV joint estimated about a $1000.00 bill to get the job done...that's a Husky slider, installed, etc.<br><br>What's you thoughts on trailer towing vs. 5th wheel? For my particular use, I could go either way. However, I can see the advantage to not having a 5th wheel hitch in a short bed...more storage space. Thanks! ;D

 

Buzz,

Go to this thread and read it first. It is on this same screen but down about 12 lines. You could ask more specific questions if you read that first. You may find all you need there.

http://www.dodge-diesel.org/yabbse/i...d=8776;start=0

Bob

 

I drove big truck on the road most of my life. My opinion on this subject is too negative to be useful. I have seen so many accidents and waited so long to get a hill where I could get around a tag along camper. My opinion is that there should be a federal law against any tag along heavier than the towing vehicle. They arent just uncomfortable to drive, they are unsafe. Every time a big truck passes one on a suburban or some such thing he passes scared. Think of it this way, you never see a commercial vehicle set up that way. And double big trailers are pulled by a rig heavier than the pulled trailer and they are still called &quot;wiggle wagons&quot; on the cb. So if you do get a tag along, enjoy it and be safe. I would recommend a fifth wheel for safety and comfort of your family. Even the fifth wheel rv's are not set up to the standards that is minimal for commercial trucking. 25% of the weight is supposed to be on the pulling vehicle. On a 14,000 pound trailer that would be 3500 pounds. I pull a 21,000 pound rated trailer and have 5500 on the hitch. Handles great. The only time it handles poor is if I happen to have the nose too light.

 

I always make it a habit of getting out of the way as safely as possible if a tractor-trailer rig is coming up behind me. My theory is, I am on vacation, hence no time schedule. Whereas the driver of the big rig is doing his job and therefore is probably on a schedule and I don't want to be the one who slows him down. It is a shame that there are a few out there who don't give a rip about the other guy on the road. A few careless and thoughtless people who don't care about the schedules of commercial drivers have given the majority of us rv drivers a bad name. :-[<br><br><br>

 

I would go with a 5th wheel. As mentioned earlier, for safety and comfort! $1000 for the hitch and installation isn't bad! The only way I would tow a travel trailer is with a Hensley Hitch on it, and that's about $3000. Of course the choice is ultimately yours! ;D<br><br>Tony

 

Buzz, <br><br>$1,000 for a 5er slider hitch isn't way out of reason. If you are not in a hurry outfits like Camping World have sales where they have coupons for an extra 10%off one item which would bring the Reese 16k slider hitch with rails for About $600 at their store. They state their installation fee is $193 for the hitch. Your installed price would be about $800.<br><br>It is possible to save by shopping. A premium brake controller<br>Prodigy or Jordan is something you can install yourself on the Ram. Anyone can if received a passing grade &quot;Colors&quot; way back in first grade.<br><br><br>

 

As always; thanks for the good info! ;D

 

I tow a 35ft 5er, but did not want the 5er hitch in my truck or in the garage.You can buy an atachment to turn your 5er trailer into a gooseneck trailer. works like a champ. 8)

 

Here are a couple of great places for your Questions on Travel Trailers or Fifth Wheels. You will find a more varied point of view.

http://www.irv2.com/

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/cfo...x.cfm?site=MHM

 

Bad Habit,<br>Just where do you find these conversion kits? I've seen them before but have yet to find them.<br><br>Thanks<br>Grampaw Bill<br><br>[quote author=BAD HABIT link=board=11;threadid=9193;start=0#88772 date=1041826666]<br>I tow a 35ft 5er, but did not want the 5er hitch in my truck or in the garage.You can buy an atachment to turn your 5er trailer into a gooseneck trailer. works like a champ. 8)<br>[/quote]

 

Grampaw, I found mine in Channleview TX. Channelview supply company 15450 EAST FRWY 281-452-7760 for around $450... Do not remember the brand name.

 

We've been RVing 40 yrs. Had several Truck Campers,Tent trailers,CamperVans,conventional trailers, and 5th. wheels.<br>Our 30 ft. Corsair 5th. is by far the best yet,had it 5 yrs.<br><br>One very important comment I'd like to state here, make sure<br>the braking is adeqate on both truck and trailer to &quot;Get you stopped&quot; The older trucks did'nt have very good braking to<br>haul some of these bigger trailers. This is why Ford,GM, and <br>Dodge all have Vented 4 wheel large disk brakes on the newer<br>trucks now, because of the loads they either carry or tow.<br><br>Bob

 

Hi Buzz,<br> It all depends on what you need the trailer to do. There is a difference in &quot;vacation&quot; and &quot;long term use&quot; trailers. The first is usually an entry level unit with exptra sleeping space, folding dinette, etc. and is quite suitable for warm weather short term trips. For extended trips, you should consider a higher level unit which generally has more amenities but really suited for only a couple of people.<br> We've gone through all the units from the old Apache popups to slide ins to trailers to fifths moving up to our current unit (the kids are grown and out of the house). The Newmar Kountry Star is set up for 2, is much more comfortable in cool weather, and suits our current needs. I don't think for over the road pulling, I would consider going back to a trailer from the fifth. <br> A suggestion would be to go to an RV show and look at all the models and see what suits your needs. Don't be in a hurry to buy and shop around.<br><br> Grampaw and Badhabit - be very cautious of the gooseneck adaptor. They can and have destroyed the pin box and frame extensions of fifths due to exxcessive stress.<br><br>Bill<br>