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RE: Use of Cinder Blocks
I was just reading another post where the use of cinder blocks under the front legs is discouraged. My 5ths front legs are currently resting on 3/4" plywood over cinder blocks (one course high) resting on crushed stone.
What are folks thoughts on the use of cinder blocks in the front leg load train?
This weekend will be our second seasonal weekend where I usally re-adjust the front by adding two more sets of cinder blocks and a 4" x 4" spanning across the frame. I try to spread the front load across the 4 columns of block. This has always provided a very stable set-up.
Thanks!
I still can't figure out why people still block the front legs on their FW at all. Isn't that what the drop-extension is for? Personally, I use 1-2 "lego" blocks if I have any left over from leveling the axles and/or rear stabilizers, just to increase the footprint; a couple 2x4's side x side if necessary. Been wanting to screw a couple 12x12 1" pieces of plywood together to make feet, but have never got 'roundtuit.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/21/13 01:40pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: UPDATE ANOTHER PROBLEM I thought things could not get worst
There is an RV store very near the KOA in Fancy Gap. Close to I77. I stayed in that Koa a month or so ago and stopped in the RV store. Very friendly people in there. They will at least have wheel chocks.
Hope you feel better. I am only an hour from that KOA in Fancy Gap if you need anything.
Thanks for the offer of help I am going to rest another hour then head out and buy some plastic chocks and other odds and ends. I am starting to feel better, I am sure on more days rest is all I need.
Feel better, man. My dad's had 2 back surgeries in the past 2 years and he's still miserable. Of course he has to play the "tough old bastard" and avoids taking any pain meds until he can hardly stand. I keep telling him that he should take one an hour before he tries to even get out of bed, but will he listen? Yeah, right... :-(
Lyle
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laknox
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05/21/13 01:26pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: UPDATE ANOTHER PROBLEM I thought things could not get worst
Give him some credit, I don't think he'll mix alcohol with pain killers.
Hell, my ex didn't think drugs worked right without a shot to wash 'em down. Key word here is "ex". :-/
Lyle
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laknox
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05/21/13 01:22pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Two "controversial" questions...
My head is spinning trying to understand two potentially debatable questions after my research. I pretty much gave up on getting a fifth wheel due to my truck height until I had to tow an old one this weekend and remembered how nice they tow. My truck is ~2-3" taller than a 'normal' 2500/3500 keep in mind...
1) How nose high is acceptable? My understanding is equalizer axles are designed to accommodate this...
2) Do any manufacturers allow/warranty GN adapters? Trailer I towed had one...
Constructive thought would be appreciated! :)
Options:
1) Lower the truck
2) "Flip" the axles, if not already done
3) Add a sub-frame spacer to raise the FW to the desired height. Don't forget that you also need to maintain at least 6" bed clearance besides the attitude of the FW.
Towing "slightly" nose high (like 2-4") shouldn't be much of an issue unless you tow near, or at, GVW a lot. I tow about 2-3" nose high because I want max clearance on my bed. I'm betting that, if I go to a newer truck, I'd be higher and would have to go the frame spacer route to raise my FW a couple inches.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/20/13 05:52pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Awning question
In AZ a wet awning only stays wet for about 30 seconds in the summer. Rolled, about 2 minutes. :-)
Lyle
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laknox
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05/17/13 01:11pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sorry for another tire post, but this has different twist.
No! You have 3042 times four weight rating on them. The lower rating is based on four tires on one axle. As in a dually truck. Not dual axles.
I am assuming your talking about trailer tires and not dually truck tires?
x2. The single/dual rating is for single tire per hub or dual tires per hub.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/17/13 01:06pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Think he got a ticket?
Nobody's even mentioned the fact that, in most jurisdictions, it's not legal to follow a ball or pintle hitch with another hitch. FW has to be first hitch in a double/triple; ball or pintle on 2nd (or 3rd) trailer).
Lyle
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laknox
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05/15/13 12:06pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th Wheel Travel with Large Dogs
We have a rot/chow mix and a ****ese. 75 and 17 lbs respectively. They ride in the super cab with a large blanket covering the entire area. We have the spill proof water bowl and they love to travel. We have travelled so much with them they let us know when they need to stretch. Generally as I have become more mature I need to stop more than than they do. As others have posted make sure they are trained both to behave while riding and especially at campgrounds.
Curious have you ever been denied to a park for the Chow /rot dog. Have seen pretty hard nosed park managers about either dog ? We get looked at twice because of Mt Dog! It fortunately is not on any lists.
I had an issue at the Flagstaff KOA on our 2nd trip with the FW. Fortunately, we have a nephew who lives up there and allowed us to leave our 11 y.o. Rottie at his place for the weekend so we wouldn't be forced to leave. At that time, 2004, there were no rules posted about dog breeds. FWIW, I've been around a whole lot more vicious 10 lb dogs than 110 lb dogs. Biggest danger that boy posed was hyper-extending your knees when he leaned against you while being scratched. :-)
Lyle
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laknox
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05/14/13 01:38pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: 5er Newbie
We just upgraded from a motorhome to a 37' Mobile Suites. I have only pulled this RV several miles. I'm looking for the gotchas associated with 5th wheel traveling. In particular, any suggestions for getting in and out of gas stations? Refueling was always a hassle with the motorhome and towed car. Thanks
x2 on checking height. Also, make sure you swing wide on turns. Coming from a farm background, I have no issues with taking half the lane next to me to make a tight turn; just be sure nobody's cut inside you. Find a parking lot, get some cones and practice driving and backing. You'll learn the basics in no time.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/14/13 01:26pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Towing with new pickup
I have a 2006 Keystone Laredo, 29RK, that I towed since new with a 2005 F250, PS, 6.0. That truck had 17" tires. I recently bought a new 2012 F250, with 20" tires, and it sits much higher. I think I need to adjust the king pin hitch on the 5er, raise it up so my 5er rides level.
My question is this. I now will not have much clearance between my truck bed and the bottom of the 5er and worry about them touching.
I have hooked up the 5er and I seemed to have more than the minimum 6" but that is before I adjust the king pin hitch. I think the only option I have is to put some sort of lift kit on my 5er, which I don't want to do, as it will make the 5er less stable. Does anyone out there pull a similar 5er, with an F250 with 20" tires. Any other suggestions.
This has got me worried.
saronabound
Double check your FW and see if you have any adjustment in the spring hangars and drop the springs if you do. Also, check if the springs are above or below the axle; you can pick up more height with the springs on top. Only other way to raise your FW any significant amount is to have a spacer welded between the spring hangars and the main frame. Most people will build a box sub-frame, with cross-bracing, when they do this and also replace the hangars with heavier-gauge metal.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/14/13 01:15pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5th wheel hitch that attaches to gooseneck ball?
I recently got a killer deal on an F250 to pull the 5er that I'm buying soon but I've run into a snag and could use some advice. The truck has a gooseneck hitch in the bed. Not a Companion turnover ball; rather, a little plate that the hitch ball rotates down into. It looks a lot like this:
http://www.site5363-1.websiteforge.com/core/getthumb?user=3727&site=5363&w=400&h=400&file=uploaded%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Ffifth-wheel%2FC-52.jpg
Am I correct that this will prevent the use of a Companion 5th wheel hitch because it's not a Companion turnover ball? Or will that hitch work with any gooseneck ball?
If not, are there any other gooseneck-ball-to-5th-wheel hitches? For many reasons, I'd like to avoid hooking the RV itself up to the gooseneck ball with an adapter on the kingpin. Am I going to be stuck removing the gooseneck hitch and its frame mount so I can install conventional 5th wheel rails?
Thanks for your advice.
I had a similar folding GN ball in an old '80's vintage 3/4 ton truck I drove on the farm. Worked great until the first load of sand. After that, I had to crawl underneath the bed and beat the ball back upright. The little arm that flipped the ball up, was also so light that it would bend. If you want to get a FW/GN adapter, check with your trailer's manufacturer and see if it will void the warranty to use one; most will.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/14/13 01:02pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 3/4 ton Duramax capacity
As you can see by my sig. this is not me but for a friend.
He has a 2002 GMC Duramax 3/4 ton 4 door long bed truck and is looking at upgrading his 5th wheel.
Pin weight for the new 5ver (2005 Montana 3295RK)is 2300 pounds. I know it is border line but is it beyond the recommended capacity for that truck.
He does have plans to upgrade the truck within the next year or two and would consider a 1 ton at the time but not ready to jump there yet.
Any of you pulling this trailer with 3/4 ton?
My Komfort has a relatively light pin ratio and, though I've never weighed it when loaded, the calculated pin wt. at my 11.3k GVW is right at 1,800 lbs. My truck is an 02 D'max 4x4 short bed, so I know I'd be over were I to load that heavy. I don't think I've ever been close, however, so don't worry all that much about it.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/10/13 04:23pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Opinions wanted.
To the OP,
Ask your friend to have the dealer sign a statement that it's safe and legal to tow the new trailer with his existing truck. I'll bet $10 the dealer won't sign it.
Bill
Exactly my first thought, too, Bill.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/10/13 11:11am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Follow up to blow out (there is a tire question at the end)
FWIW, there are some here that suggest that Aerospace 303 Protectant can help with tire life. It supposedly replaces some of the volatiles that evaporate/break down over time. "Tire shine" products seem to leach these out of the rubber to make the tires look nice, but do so at the expense of the longevity of the tire.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/10/13 10:55am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Newbies looking for the right fit
we currently have a dodge 1500 were looking to upgrade it to a dodge ram 3500 would that be enough??? or do we need to go desil or duly???
To avoid a future situation where you say to yourself "I wish I would have bought a bigger truck, or duallys or different engine" I would recommend the Diesel and the dually based on what your future RV needs will be. IMHO:) I tow a Heartland Big Horn 5th. wheel and am very satisfied. Customer service and warranty policy has been very supportive.
x2 on the dually and diesel. The dually will give you more load capacity and towing stability. The diesel will give you a much easier tow than a gasser would for road warriors like you. Gassers work for weekenders who also need a daily driver, but for long-haul, diesel's the way to go.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/10/13 10:45am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: another delay
When we ordered a previous trailer they said 8 weeks...it took 10. The delay was that they were having trouble finding drivers to make the deliveries..
It sat finished at the factory for 3 weeks waiting.
Overall it was worth it. We got just what we wanted.
I think I'd tell the dealer to take off the delivery charges and go get it myself. :-)
Lyle
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laknox
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05/09/13 01:58pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Electrical hook up
I thought about this on my Komfort so I could run a genny from the truck bed while traveling. I have no gen-prep =or= compartment, so the alternative is to run the main cord from the extreme a$$-end either under or over the FW to the bed. Should I ever get a genny, I'll spend the $$ and have a cargo rack added to the back of the FW and mount there.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/09/13 01:51pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Dumping half bath black tank every other trip or so?
I dump each time before I hit the road, why carry all the extra weight, water is 8 pounds per gallon. I leave some in fresh water tank so toilet can be used while traveling.
I agree. I only carry what I have to for that particular trip. If boondocking, I run nearly empty on fresh until I get to the last possible fill-up point, then water down. That includes my 2 7 gal jerry cans that I carry for extra fresh water, outside hand-washing and fire control. I'd dump each trip.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/09/13 01:39pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Sewer Flush ??
Just bought first fifth wheel, Just above the purge valves there's an inlet valve for a hose(threaded) that says "sewer flush". Am I correct in assuming that I should hook a hose there when dumping black/grey water? I'm guessing that running water thru there will clean out the holding tanks. THANKS
If I know my black tank is only partially full (takes a lot more than a weekend for just the 2 of us), I will turn on the flush hose for about 30 seconds before pulling the dump handle, otherwise, I pull the handle =first=, then turn on the flush water while it drains. When the flow slows to the hose only, I'll close the dump valve for about 3-4 minutes, shut the hose off, and dump again. Shut the black handle and pull the grey to flush out the hose. If you're really concerned about the black tank, take a bucket and "top load" it with more water before dumping. Water is, usually, your friend in the black tank. I'll also run about 20-30 seconds of water into the black tank to keep it "wet" while in storage.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/09/13 01:30pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Cab to trailer clearance
I have a CC 6 1/2' box Silverado 2500HD. The pin box on a fifth wheel I am looking at is 12 inches in front of the trailer front cap. Is there a formula to see if I need a slider hitch.
I have the same truck, '02 4x4. I can =not= hit the cab with my FW going forward and at full lock right or left. ALL FW's will hit the cab when backing up; some sooner than others. A slider would make it a little "less" sooner, but I learned my lesson once, and have no need for one. YMMV.
Lyle
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laknox
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05/09/13 01:17pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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