Dreamsend
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2016
- Posts
- 614
Hi All
Okay so I been looking at travel trailers at dealers, online, and the big RV expo a couple of weeks ago. And honestly, they are all uuuuuuugly. There are only about 6 actual floor plans, if one compares trailers of same length and I really think I want a bunkhouse model 30-33" so I can remove the bunks and have the space for storage, including inside protection for lithium bat., charge controller, inverter etc. There is really no variation in floor plan if you choose a bunk house. And whoever has come up with the idea of using all that dark gray and brown wall paper and even darker than dark wood with brown and black leather and materials in a small space should go back to design school and study harder! And no, I don't want to pay $40,000 for something to have to turn around and prep all that wallpaper and prime and paint right off the bat! Ditto for the wood.
So I started looking at options in fifth wheels with a HD truck. Don't want anything over 33" cause the longer truck bed (6.75') (even with the FW overhang in bed) still puts me at the max length I think I want to deal with. Still have not found anything online that gets me around the poor layout and bad interiors if I go with the bunk idea in a FW. But, there are more options for used in FW than in trailers from what I've seen so far as at least older models used lighter woods. Used still scares me however.
Anyway, a FW brings up new towing questions. So, will you'all chime in on the following cause I'm confused about all the terminology which is unfamiliar to me so even reading manufacturer's stuff has me lost.
1. Which is recommended for better towing a FW under ~13-14,000 lbs. loaded-- pin hitch or gooseneck?
2. Can anyone offer a primer on the variations I'm running into for pin hitches as there are many types out there? Sliding? Hidden ball? Puck-mounted, rail-mounted the B&W says its an attachment to their Turnover Ball system-whaaaaaat??? I've watched YouTube and seen goosenecks used with 5.5' truck beds making 90 degree angle turns. Is that really true?
3. Can most models be removed from the truck bed when not in use? How much does the removable portion weigh? What descriptive language or installation guidelines do I look for that let's me know a certain model is removable?
4. Which is easier to get the FW hooked up too? What brand model is easier for a geezera (female for geezer) to hook/un-hook? in your experience.
Anyway, you get the picture of how unfamiliar I am with the whole world of pin hitches and goosenecks. I do understand I need something rated to handle the weight of the loaded trailer and a truck to handle the pin weight etc. But any additional unambiguous, well-defined guidance is most appreciated.
Linda
Okay so I been looking at travel trailers at dealers, online, and the big RV expo a couple of weeks ago. And honestly, they are all uuuuuuugly. There are only about 6 actual floor plans, if one compares trailers of same length and I really think I want a bunkhouse model 30-33" so I can remove the bunks and have the space for storage, including inside protection for lithium bat., charge controller, inverter etc. There is really no variation in floor plan if you choose a bunk house. And whoever has come up with the idea of using all that dark gray and brown wall paper and even darker than dark wood with brown and black leather and materials in a small space should go back to design school and study harder! And no, I don't want to pay $40,000 for something to have to turn around and prep all that wallpaper and prime and paint right off the bat! Ditto for the wood.
So I started looking at options in fifth wheels with a HD truck. Don't want anything over 33" cause the longer truck bed (6.75') (even with the FW overhang in bed) still puts me at the max length I think I want to deal with. Still have not found anything online that gets me around the poor layout and bad interiors if I go with the bunk idea in a FW. But, there are more options for used in FW than in trailers from what I've seen so far as at least older models used lighter woods. Used still scares me however.
Anyway, a FW brings up new towing questions. So, will you'all chime in on the following cause I'm confused about all the terminology which is unfamiliar to me so even reading manufacturer's stuff has me lost.
1. Which is recommended for better towing a FW under ~13-14,000 lbs. loaded-- pin hitch or gooseneck?
2. Can anyone offer a primer on the variations I'm running into for pin hitches as there are many types out there? Sliding? Hidden ball? Puck-mounted, rail-mounted the B&W says its an attachment to their Turnover Ball system-whaaaaaat??? I've watched YouTube and seen goosenecks used with 5.5' truck beds making 90 degree angle turns. Is that really true?
3. Can most models be removed from the truck bed when not in use? How much does the removable portion weigh? What descriptive language or installation guidelines do I look for that let's me know a certain model is removable?
4. Which is easier to get the FW hooked up too? What brand model is easier for a geezera (female for geezer) to hook/un-hook? in your experience.
Anyway, you get the picture of how unfamiliar I am with the whole world of pin hitches and goosenecks. I do understand I need something rated to handle the weight of the loaded trailer and a truck to handle the pin weight etc. But any additional unambiguous, well-defined guidance is most appreciated.
Linda