Hello, we are looking to purchase a fifthwheel trailer for the first time. I have had two previous TT's that were 30' in length.
The floorplans we like put the trailers in the 34' to 41' range. At what length would it be advisable to go to a dually?? My TV is a 2003 2500HD 4x4 D/A CCSB. The towing specs are:
GVWR 9200lbs
GAWRF 4670lbs
GAWRR 6084lbs
Max TW 14,700lbs
GCWR 22,000lbs.
We have looked at trailers with GVW of 11,000lbs to 15,000lbs but when I see a 40' trailer I am thinking HOLY COW this thing is huge!!! What effect will the length have on the TV?
Thanks for your input.
2003 CC D/A 4x4. Autometer guages,Banks 4" exhaust, EFI live 100hp tune. 388Hp/640lbft
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boernegang wrote: Hello, we are looking to purchase a fifthwheel trailer for the first time. I have had two previous TT's that were 30' in length.
The floorplans we like put the trailers in the 34' to 41' range. At what length would it be advisable to go to a dually?? My TV is a 2003 2500HD 4x4 D/A CCSB. The towing specs are:
GVWR 9200lbs
GAWRF 4670lbs
GAWRR 6084lbs
Max TW 14,700lbs
GCWR 22,000lbs.
We have looked at trailers with GVW of 11,000lbs to 15,000lbs but when I see a 40' trailer I am thinking HOLY COW this thing is huge!!! What effect will the length have on the TV?
Thanks for your input.
Even the 2012 3/4 ton trucks won't have enough payload capacity for FWs much > 30-32'. "Lite" or "ultra-lite" are different, in that most of them are only single-slides or a wardrobe slide, so they are lighter. If you stay with a GVW of 11k or less, you'll probably be OK. The Cougar High Country would fit the bill. I've been looking at it, myself.
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
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2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
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More length (and slides) equals more weight. A 5er does not track as well as a TT when turning as it cuts the corner. The longer the 5er, the more it does this and the easier it is to hit the side of the 5er. Unfortunately I've seen this when a TT hauler moves up to a 5er.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
We wanted to keep the length to the shortest we could for ease of parking as well as to not limit what sites we could park on. A lot of sites in the National and State Park systems will accomodate a 38-40 foot fiver. We purchased a 2011 Carriage Cameo 31ksls with 3 slides that is only 32 feet long. It may not have the square footage of a 40 footer. However, we carefully shopped and scrutinized a 39 foot Bighorn and Montana. Both were beautifu, however, our 32 foot Cameo acutally has more storage and closet space and the same amount of seating/dining as the 39 footers. We jog out doors not inside so no need for such a long coach! LOL. Our Cameo has a full closet across the nose and a seperate closet for a side by side waher and dryer! We Have the same amount of kitchen cabinets, too. I think if you really take each area of the coach and compare the kitchen cabinet space, counter space, bath area, closets and drawers, washer/dryer closet, etc., you might be surprised that you don't really need a 40 footer. I think for these reasons, we are statring to see some of the manufacutrers of "higher end" fivers making some shorter units. Good luck, Phillip
2112 wrote: "Does length matter?" >> My wife says no but I think she is trying to spare my feelings
I wondered how many posts we would get before someone went there. You need a dually for all these varieties of trailers. Anything that big will have a hard time finding a home to visit. Anything over the 34' is a waste. I guess it's all in how you use it. Take care.
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