Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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Good Morning,
We seem to have finally found a buyer for our DP ( crossing fingers and toes ) and hopefully soon will be without a RV. The wife and I would like to experiment with the fifth wheel route and seek the advice of all those here.
A friend has a 88 Chevy 2500 4x4 that I can steal for next to nothing and am I considering getting a small 5th wheel to see we enjoy this type of RV'ing. From what I have read I can pull about 6000-7000 lbs and not strain the 2500 to much since it is gas, and since it has the OD transmission.
Looks like I can attempt this trail for a minimal cost. Question is the 5th wheel weight I am looking at more than acceptable for the older truck?
What items are a must for the truck? Air hitch? Trans Cooler? Lock out converter switch? What about the 5'ver? Air hitch? electric jacks?
Brake upgrade?
We only go away about once a month, for a 500 mile round, trip three day weekend that we would be unhooking everytime we go.
I am not looking for the most comfortable truck I can buy, just something that will give me a learning experience to the world of 5th wheels.
As always, any and all opinions are welcome.
Richard and Cheryl
2002 Keystone
2001 Chevey 2500HD w/Duramax Diesel
SOLD IT ----2003 National Tradewinds 37LE DP
SOLD IT --- Dingy -2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dingy
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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I guess you could do this, but coming from a DP I'm not sure you will get a positive impression of fifthwheeling from such an old truck and small fiver. Does that truck have the 454? You'll need it.
A 7k# fiver will be the smallest, lowest amenity, and a world away from that DP.
Bill and Carol
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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the bear II
Torrance CA.
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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You might have better luck with a Travel Trailer and the friend's truck. You'll get a lot more useable living space than a similar sized 5th wheel.
I've towed both TTs and 5th wheels and find very little difference between the two types. The 5th wheel is a little more maneuverable in tight spots but how often do you really have to get into tight spots.
TT are now available with slides so they are equal in comfort to 5th wheels. The advantage a TT has over the 5th wheel no step up into the bath and bedroom area since the floor is flat from front to back.
To answer your original question the right weight trailer and the older truck should work, especially as a test setup. In the 80's and 90's you would see mostly 2500s or F250s pulling 30 to 35 foot 5th wheels. So it's a tried and true combination.
Hopefully the truck has the 7.4L (454) engine for the added torque.
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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We are not looking for a lateral comparison, only the basics. Setup, how is it in the wind, how does the Misses handle no restroom while driving. Snacks in the truck compared to frig, etc. If we like the extra room in the 5th wheel or trailer, then we might just go up to a M2 with a nice 5th wheel for retirement. I am about 3 years away and do not want to get "fixed" on a motorhome when a 5th wheel can be more cost effective.
As far as a trailer, that is a VERY valid point. But in my experience I am not comfortable with the tail waging the dog feeling. Is there devices that will make this less of a white knuckle experience?
Again, keep the input coming, I appreciate it.
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texas_train
Central Arkansas
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Nutinelse2do wrote:
As far as a trailer, that is a VERY valid point. But in my experience I am not comfortable with the tail waging the dog feeling. Is there devices that will make this less of a white knuckle experience?
Again, keep the input coming, I appreciate it.
All depends on the combination / what you have?!?! Our last rig was a TT 35ft+ BUT I was useing a crew cab long bed single rear wheel diesel
That truck had a 172 inch wheelbase Plus a load leveling hitch w dual anti sway friction bars. I NEVER got wagged!!! but that was a LONG rig for the amt of interior space we had (bunk house w/kids North Trail 32QBSS)and much less manuverable than our new 40 ft 5er?!?
2012 Cedar Creek 36 RE Touring ED, all avail options
2011 GMC 2500 HD Denali DMax 4wd Superglide firestone bags
95' Procraft V-180-C 120HP OB, 80# cust TM, side/down image sonar
Don and Rosie, Annie the wonder Dog
clicky to our photobook album
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trustymopars
Maryville, TN.
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If you go the TT route, look into a Reese strait-line hitch. Before we got our 5er, I towed a 32' Flagstaff with a 1500 Ram QC. That hitch was very stable.
2006 Dodge Ram 3500QC CTD 6-speed SRW
2011 Montana 3465SA Hickory Edition
Husky 16 K Slider
A rainy day camping is better than a sunny day at work.
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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We really need more info on the truck. Is it a crew cab or regular cab? What engine is in it? Is the rear end a 3:73 or 3:54 rear end or something else? Does it have a trailer package?
I owned a 1989 Chev 1T long bed crew cab with a 3:73 rear end and a 454 engine. It pulled great but passed everything on the road but a gas station. Before you can find out what to tow, we need to find out what you will be towing with.
Frank
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
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Bird Freak
Calhoun, Ga.
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I did the same thing you are thinking of. No regrets.
Eddie
03 Fleetwood Pride, 36-5L
04 Ford F-250 Superduty
15K Pullrite Superglide
Old coach 04 Pace Arrow 37C with brakes sometimes.
Owner- The Toy Shop-
Auto Restoration and Customs-24years
We love 56 T-Birds
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Jim&Sharon
Arnold MD
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It could work for you..My fifth wheel weighs a little over 7000 lbs, and I pull it with a 2006,2500hd,cc,lb,4x4, diesel/allison.
It's been out west twice, once through Denver (pretty tall mountains there),
and I couldn't ask for a better towing combo.
I know that I would not be as comfortable with the truck you are looking at though.
2006 Wildcat 27RL
2006 2500HD w/Allison/Duramax
KB3TXH
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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sirdrakejr wrote:We really need more info on the truck. Is it a crew cab or regular cab? What engine is in it? Is the rear end a 3:73 or 3:54 rear end or something else? Does it have a trailer package?
I owned a 1989 Chev 1T long bed crew cab with a 3:73 rear end and a 454 engine. It pulled great but passed everything on the road but a gas station. Before you can find out what to tow, we need to find out what you will be towing with.
Frank
That is the funniest thing I have heard in a LONG time. I will have to look into the truck, but the basic principal I have sounds doable. Just what I pull is the main question. Or maybe have to ask Mamma Bear for a 99 ish Dodge Ram with the V10 in it.
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