terrymck
Vermillion, MN
Full Member
Joined: 08/14/2004
View Profile
|
We're looking at a 36-foot Denali and a 31-foot Wildcat. We like the smaller, side-entry garage for our Harley. The Denali dry weight is 10,043 and the Wildcat 8,520. We'll be loading them with the Harley Road King and normal fluids. Denali's hitch weight (dry) is 2,220 and the Wildcat 1,600. We'd be pulling it with a diesel 7.3 F-350 with SRW.
I'm interested in any comments suggestions, and particularly about the affect of cross winds on the lighter, but smaller 5th wheel. We're used to a low-profile truck camper and have followed you big guys and watched the big campers leaning over in strong western cross winds. We can live with that, but are wondering if it's particularly difficult in a lighter rig. Would very much appreciate your thoughts, also, on the adequacy of the SRW truck for the larger Denali.
Thanks.....Terry
|
donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
Senior Member
Joined: 04/21/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
Personally I think any fifth wheel is more stable than any TT. Again, please forget the advertised (dry) weight as it means nothing in the world of towing.
Donn
|
Money2Burn
Colorado
New Member
Joined: 04/08/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
Donno is right, 5th wheel is much more stable. The cross wind will cause you more fuel economy problems than stability problems with a 5th wheel.
Regards, Money2Burn
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax
2004 Keystone Challenger
I share my wisdom with those who seek it !
|
TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
Senior Member
Joined: 11/17/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
Our 36.5' 5er was more stable than the current travel trailer, even with the Dual Cam HP. basically, the 5er never wiggled and cross winds were never a problem.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
|
CactusJohn
Scottsdale, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 03/23/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
I have a relatively small 5er, and I’ve driven in some fairly strong winds without any problem. 5ers are remarkably stable.
2007 Ameri-Camp Summit Ridge SF27RK 5er
2008 F250 Lariat SuperCab, 6.4L PSD
Reese 16K Kwik-Slide with BedSaver
|
|
|
randy&shereen
Jackson, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2005
View Profile
|
I have had 4 different 5th's from a 24' @6000# to the current rig with a few steps in between. All the different weights and sizes felt about the same. Hard to really judge as every one of them very stable and I can't say wind effected the lighter smaller any different than larger heavier. More rounded nose on the current trailer is getting the best pulling mileage of any under comparable conditions.
SUMMARY:
Buy what works best for your use. Floorplan and features that you want should be most important. Possible handling in crosswinds should not be a factor. Randy
2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT CREW CAB LONG BOX (7380#)
8.1 Big block Gas/Allison 4:10 4x4
2004 Newmar Kountry Star 34 BLWB 3 Slides (15620#)
Pin Wt 2560# (16.3%) Total combination Wt=23,000#
|
terrymck
Vermillion, MN
Full Member
Joined: 08/14/2004
View Profile
|
Randy....thanks....very helpful. For others who may respond, I should have been clearer that both of the units we're looking at are 5th wheels.
Terry
Terry & Carol
1989 8' Alaskan cabover
2002 F350, 7.3 Turbo PSD SRW 4x4, Rhino, Happi-Jacks
2002 HD Road King in H&H 5x10 enclosed trailer
|
newk
Gillette, WY
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I haven't pulled any heavy 5ers, but I've had three lighter ones, all of which pulled fine in cross winds -- and I've been in some really strong cross winds! They all handle much easier than my old 10.5' TC.
|
portablevcb
Tijeras, NM
Senior Member
Joined: 05/04/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
More important is the side area of the trailer behind the hitch pin. Weight is secondary, but, heavier is marginally better.
We have a very light one and the only thing I notice in a side wind is the angle of the trailer behind me. FWIW, the only time I noticed it was with a 40mph crosswind and it was only a half a foot of sway. If I had not looked in the side mirror I would not have noticed.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
|
Texas Two Steppers
Beaumont, TX
New Member
Joined: 03/30/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
My fiver weighs around 14K and the most noticable cross wind effects occur when a rig passes and changes the wind pattern while it is passing. My thoughts are the lighter the better. The heavier the rig the more impact it has on the pulling vehicle if things get really squirrelly. Lighter next time for me.
|
|
|
