Hi! First time post - have read a lot recently so thanks for sharing your wisdom as I've learned quite a bit. So I'd love to hear your wisdom on if there are any brands, model years, or advice on getting a lower, lighter, used 5th wheel.
Most of the corporate websites list only the latest fivers which seem long, tall, and heavy. I'd love to find something shorter, even at the cost of low ceilings.
I and my wife and child are young, so we're able to crawl into beds etc. . . but wonder if what I am looking for just doesn't exist?
I've already decided on a 5th wheel for the towing stability and ease of single-handed setup and operation, I already have a 2000 F250 V10 SRW with manual 5-spd and 4x4, and have figured that since I want to be able to tour in the west and mountains that I will need something that weighs about 7500-8000 dry, with no more than 2500 on the pin. Since I have 3.73 gears, this means that my 5th wheel weight capacity is rated at 9600lbs or so, but since they rate the exact same vehicle at 13k+ with the 4.1 gears, I am guessing that driven with attention to power band etc I will have some headroom on the weight. That said, for liability reasons I will stick to manufacturer rating.
So I am guessing that I can have probably a 29ft max (or so) depending on make, features, etc.
I won't be fulltiming - just vacationing, and possibly camping every other weekend.
In looking around, I see older Alfas, Alpenlites, newmars, hitchikers, and like those, but would love to get some advice from those who've been there and done that!!!
Thanks,
Naisan
Most of the corporate websites list only the latest fivers which seem long, tall, and heavy. I'd love to find something shorter, even at the cost of low ceilings.
I and my wife and child are young, so we're able to crawl into beds etc. . . but wonder if what I am looking for just doesn't exist?
I've already decided on a 5th wheel for the towing stability and ease of single-handed setup and operation, I already have a 2000 F250 V10 SRW with manual 5-spd and 4x4, and have figured that since I want to be able to tour in the west and mountains that I will need something that weighs about 7500-8000 dry, with no more than 2500 on the pin. Since I have 3.73 gears, this means that my 5th wheel weight capacity is rated at 9600lbs or so, but since they rate the exact same vehicle at 13k+ with the 4.1 gears, I am guessing that driven with attention to power band etc I will have some headroom on the weight. That said, for liability reasons I will stick to manufacturer rating.
So I am guessing that I can have probably a 29ft max (or so) depending on make, features, etc.
I won't be fulltiming - just vacationing, and possibly camping every other weekend.
In looking around, I see older Alfas, Alpenlites, newmars, hitchikers, and like those, but would love to get some advice from those who've been there and done that!!!
Thanks,
Naisan