Starting over - RV-Dreams Community Forum

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Starting over

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I don't know a whole lot about 5th wheels, but I would be willing to wager that there is something that can be done to remedy the problem. Possibly a different 5th wheel hitch, or a different pin box on the trailer? There has to be others who have run into the same problem and found a solution.

Try to find someone who installs a lot of hitches and see if they have any ideas. Don't give up on this. Where there's a will, there's a way. smile

Jim

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colleen, we owned a Outback TT at one time bought it new and loved it but it wasnt for fulltiming and so we decided on a fiver. Now if you go to outbackers.com you will find out anything and everything you want to know about the Sidney. They are a very friendly group and always ready to help and answer questions.
Good Luck
Southwestjudy

D and J · RV-Dreams Family Member

Judy wrote:

Colleen, we owned a Outback TT at one time bought it new and loved it but it wasnt for fulltiming and so we decided on a fiver. Now if you go to outbackers.com you will find out anything and everything you want to know about the Sidney. They are a very friendly group and always ready to help and answer questions.
Good Luck
Southwestjudy

We used to own an Outback 5th wheel, but I do not see how this will solve your hitch problem. (we got rid of ours when we decided to go fultiming)

why not just get rid of the bed of your truck, and install a hauler body?? this will take care of your clearance problem, and give you lockable storage space.

http://www.2lcustomtrucks.com/ this site will give you an idea about what I am talking about.

http://www.utilitybodywerks.com/ these guys built the rear bed for our truck.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think Doug has a very good idea to solve your problem. You could sell the pickup box to defray some of the cost of the tow bed.I have seen late model pickup boxes selling for as much as $ 1,500.00 to $ 2,000.00. Seems cheaper than new 5ver to me. Good luck whatever you decide.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colleen,

There are a lot of people towing fifthwheels with GMC Duramax trucks. We have one and use a Reese hitch which sets up over the rails on the truck bed. There are also different tow configurations that can be added to your fifthwheel pin to extend it for use with a six foot bed. Search the internet on the subject - I'm sure a less expensive solution can be found than rebuilding the truck bed although those towing beds are definately nice.

As far as purchasing a new rig - do your homework and take you time. Make sure the rig is suitable for fulltiming or else you will be disappointed. I doubt that an Outback would be suitable to fulltiming.

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everyone.

We spoke with the manager of the service dept of the local rv place and he feels that we can remedy the situation by raising(or lowering - can't remember) the pin box in addition to doing something else to it. I would be happy with just making whatever modifiications need to be done to get this to work. I think my hubby is itching to buy a new fiver.

Our unit is about 30 ft, it has an open feel, plenty of cabinet space (although a bigger wardrobe and storage unit would be nice). My hubby feels that we may need a bigger space, especially if I am able to continue to work on the road (not much space in the Durango for a work space). How big of a unit do most fulltimers have? Is under 30ft pushing the limits on comfort?
-Colleen

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Darrell and Judy,

How does a reese hitch work? Do you have to do anything special when making sharp turns? Are you happy with yours?

-Colleen

Strom · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi,
You might want to consider making a post in the www.escapees.com website. There are a lot of experienced folks there who can offer you suggestions.

I recall reading that if you have short bed truck, you can get a hitch with a glide to solve the problem you are having in addition lowering or raising the hitch as needed.

It doesn't seem logical to sell your truck or rig to fix this problem unless of course you want to! I would also think that any experienced place that sells hitches should also be able to offer alternative solutions.

We have a 30' Arctic Fox which is fine for us. We also know someone who is fulltiming in a 23' Komfort trailer so size of the rig has nothing to do with you being a fulltimer or extended timer ... it is what you can live with or without that is really the question.

Good Luck!

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

It works like most fifthwheel hitches, the plate just sits slightly higher than the rails on the bed of our truck. It has the sliding feature for sharp turns but our fifthwheel has an extented pin box which allows us to make over a 90 degree turn without utilizing the slide feature - that's a good thing. by the way, because that feature is a real pain to use.

Now, for my opinion on fulltiming in a 30 footer. We lived for 14 months in a Cedar Creek 30RLBS. It was doable but when we decided to go fulltime there were just some conviences that we wanted - like a computer desk, fireplace, washer/dryer, and some extra closet space. I think you'll find that most fulltimer's live in a 36 foot and up. It allows you the extras plus a little more breathing room to keep you from tripping over each other.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am with Darrell You need at least 36 ft to fulltime in. My DW and I had a 30 footer and she almost killed me before we got the 39 footer we have now. Life is much better with the extra room. The DW still wants to kill me sometimes but at least it is not over the room we have!!! She really loves me.

Speedy

Joe and Sherrri

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well we made some decisions today. We are going to keep the Durango and have the local rv shop modify the hitch. We just had the slider hitch installed earlier this week (that's when hubby noticed the problem with rv hitch and not being able to make more than a 40-45 degree turn). So hopefully once the modifications are made we will be good to go (literally:). I did see my hubby looking at modified truck beds today thanks to your suggestion D&J....it would be nice to have the extra storage and place for extra fuel tank.

Although we're not ready to trade in the Durango just yet, we are staying open minded about trading later on for a more spacious model....for now we'll try to get by.

Thank you all for your input - it is greatly appreciated!!!

Happy rving!
Colleen

blijil · RV-Dreams Family Member

You will have a far better idea of what works for you after fulltiming for a year or so. We think you have made a good decision.

Good travels,
Larry and Jacki

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colleen,

Was just out on my patio having a cup of coffee, and looked over at my neighbor's 5th wheel. On his pin box was an adapter that extended his hitch forward 10 inches and raised the 5th wheel about 3 inches.

I walked over and looked at it and on the tag there was a web address. It's made by Pop Up Industries and the web site is www.popuphitch.com . I went to the site and they have many different adapters. Hope this helps. smile

Jim

ahoweth · RV-Dreams Family Member

Be sure to check out whether the fiver you have has the structure to handle a pin extension. If the framing is insufficient to handle the stress it could destroy the integrity of the frame. Just like Davy Crocket, Be sure you are right then go ahead and so it!

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jim,

Thanks for the link. I will forward it on to my hubby.

I must say I'm very happy that we're going to keep our RV :)

-Colleen