Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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Bird Freak wrote:I did the same thing you are thinking of. No regrets.
Could you please tell me about your experience? What did you learn from it? What did you select? How long did you keep it?
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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Bird Freak
Calhoun, Ga.
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Joined: 03/26/2004
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Nutinelse2do wrote:Bird Freak wrote:I did the same thing you are thinking of. No regrets.
Could you please tell me about your experience? What did you learn from it? What did you select? How long did you keep it?
I got a chance to get rid of the 04 Pace Arrow so I sold it while I could. I found a 03 Fleetwood Pride at a steal so I bought it. The wife threatened the D word if we stopped camping.
Both the A and the 5er were 37ft, 3 slide units so we were not going from big to small so the comparisons would be equal. I missed the DW being able to use the BR going down the road but its not that big of a deal. We now keep a cooler in the back seat of the truck so we have our snacks. I have more inside room and storage with the 5er than the mh, towing is no problem with better fuel milage and just one running gear to service. To me the 5er has a more homey feel. It takes me a few more minutes to set up because of the leveling but not a big deal either. I am going to add the leveling system so this point will be mute as well. I tow with a F250 crew cab and love the extra room over the toads I have had. Upkeep and expenses or next to nothing compared to the MH.
MH tag and taxes $1100.00 yr. 5er $35.00
MH Insurance $1200.00 yr 5er $300.00
I don't count the truck because I had it for my business and it is a wash with the toad.
We had the MH for 6 years. We have had the 5er for 2 years now. I don't see going back to a mh. The biggest thing I miss about the mh is being able to tow one of our classic cars on a trailer behind it.
If you have any other questions feel free to pm me or just ask here.
Hope I have helped.
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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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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I had a '90 model 2500 chevy 2wd 5.7 4.10 gears. I double towed with a 7200 GVWR 5er (6500-6800 lb actual weight) and a 3500 lb 18' fishin' boat for eight years with the truck. I added a large aux tranny oil cooler with a yearly fluid/filter change. Never towed in OD. I added a TC clutch lockout switch for around town slow city type driving but always ran the clutch switch "on" when towing.
In the late '80s and early '90s GM had a 2500 HD C6P 8600 GVWR chassis and a LD 7200 GVWR chassis. I had the 7200 LD version. I had no complaints other than a 650 bucks tranny overhaul at 155k miles. I gave the old truck to my grandson with 232k miles and the engine was never opened.
Great truck for a old beater towing the size 5er you mentioned. Just be aware its almost 25 years old old and will need fixin' every little bit.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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All,
Thank you all very very much all the advice it is awesome.
Of course there is a situation change, nothing ever goes according to plan. Talked to my friend about the truck and it just will not do for what I want, and besides, when it came down to price, the deal was no were near a deal. ( falls under all talk no action ) Also, not thinking a 350 engine will do anything more than dampen the experience.
I am now looking at a 2000 Dodge ram Magnum V10. I would presume from everything I am seeing this will tow considerable more.
Now the question comes to mind, should I just go with the trailer with the proper hitch ( $500 ) or go all the way and spend the extra money for the hitch for the 5th wheel.
Personally I am thinking if I want the true experience that I should go all the way and get a 5th wheel.
More input and thoughts welcome.
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gpigate
Irmo, SC
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We came from a TT to a 5th and I do not think I would go back. Now, our TT did not have a power jack on it which I know is a big drawback. Here in the south with the heat and hooking u8p that tt, no fun. With the 5th I just lift up the stabilizers and lower into place, back under it and go. No more lugging around anti sway hitches and weight distribution bars etc.
If it were me, I would go with a 5th. I would also get a diesel even if you were staying with a smaller 5er. Chances are you will want a bigger unit and if you stick with the gas you will also have to buy another truck. Might as well just do that 1 time IMO.
2006 Ram 2500 CTD Mega 4x4
2011 Sabre 32bhok
Me the wife, 2 crumb snatchers and 2 cockers
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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gpigate wrote:We came from a TT to a 5th and I do not think I would go back. Now, our TT did not have a power jack on it which I know is a big drawback. Here in the south with the heat and hooking u8p that tt, no fun. With the 5th I just lift up the stabilizers and lower into place, back under it and go. No more lugging around anti sway hitches and weight distribution bars etc.
If it were me, I would go with a 5th. I would also get a diesel even if you were staying with a smaller 5er. Chances are you will want a bigger unit and if you stick with the gas you will also have to buy another truck. Might as well just do that 1 time IMO.
Thanks for the input, if we like the pulling route we are gonna go for a M2, finding them for 30k, with only slight modes needed.
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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Here are the specs on the 5th wheel I am looking at:
The weight specs are GVWR = 9420# and UVW = 6620#.
Would think a 1999 Dodge V10 gas would have no problems with this am I correct?
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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Joined: 12/12/2010
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Nutinelse2do wrote:Here are the specs on the 5th wheel I am looking at:
The weight specs are GVWR = 9420# and UVW = 6620#.
Would think a 1999 Dodge V10 gas would have no problems with this am I correct?
That should be a good fit. It wouldn't have been pretty on that '88.
Bill and Carol
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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Double check the truck specs but it should be fine (the 88 would probably have been fine if it was well maintained).
We did a 1992 F250 diesel (a whopping 180hp when new) with the trailer below.
Our biggest issue: The truck was supposed to be only for 6 months till we saved up for a newer truck. 4 years later it looks like heck but just keeps chugging along, so we can't bring outselves to replace it.
Tammy Mike & the Bilge Rat (AKA: Diego)
Ford F250 7.3L
1997 Sunnybrook 27' 5er
1995 Gemini Sail Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and 5er
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Nutinelse2do
Phoenix, Az
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bpounds wrote:Nutinelse2do wrote:Here are the specs on the 5th wheel I am looking at:
The weight specs are GVWR = 9420# and UVW = 6620#.
Would think a 1999 Dodge V10 gas would have no problems with this am I correct?
That should be a good fit. It wouldn't have been pretty on that '88.
Thank you so very much, I appreciate the input.
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