Even though this is written in English, to me it reads like a foreign language. I'm ignorant on what you are describing. That is my fear going forward with getting a 5th wheel. You make a purchase, then you get educated. I'd rather get what I need the first time around.IF I had to do it all over again, I would have asked for the Reese Goose Box hitch on the RV to replace the 5th king pin, nothing but a ball in your bed instead of a large two piece 5th wheel hitch.
Even though this is written in English, to me it reads like a foreign language. I'm ignorant on what you are describing. That is my fear going forward with getting a 5th wheel. You make a purchase, then you get educated. I'd rather get what I need the first time around.
I think this is what has kept me on the sidelines for so long.
Just curious. You thinking of going 5th wheel and dumping the MH? If so what is driving the decision? No pun intended.If you have ever towed a 5th wheel, how did your tow vehicle perform? The more stats the better. Interested in trailer weight and tow vehicle specs. TIA
Bear with me here. I'm gonna freeform this.Just curious. You thinking of going 5th wheel and dumping the MH? If so what is driving the decision? No pun intended.
You make good points, especially the debt adverse! I will throw out a few of my opinions. For your type of traveling I do think diesel is the way to go. I wouldn't do diesel because our travels are mostly east and we travel light (28ft bumper pull with two slides) and my tow vehicle is also a daily driver. I decided I didn't want the added maintenance costs, fuel costs, and initial purchase cost of a diesel. Again, for your type of travel if a MH isn't right a 5vr is a nice way to go. The difference in handling of a 5vr and a bumper pull is night and day, my only caution would be with the toy hauler. All of that space looks good but you need to be careful how heavy you get back there. A tail heavy trailer is a white knuckle ride. If you do go diesel everybody you ask will tell you their brand is the best. I believe all of the big three make quality vehicles so it boils down to price, amenities, and comfort. As with the RV options each truck has it plusses and minuses. The DW wanted me to trade my 14K miles 2019 in because the 2021 Fords have the lay flat seat option! Told her to find some hot pants and a street corner to pay for it.Bear with me here. I'm gonna freeform this.
OK, in the campground, the places we go, not the state parks, the mix is somewhere say 40% class As, 40% 5th wheels, 15% travel trailers& class Cs and around 5% class B conversion vans. Talk to enough people and you will find a bunch that just love their rig. A few will point out what they don't like. Actually Vrai is much more content with our current set up. Her only beef is the bed is hard to make. I hate the carpet and I believe I would enjoy another slide out in the living area.
Plus I want diesel power. I've driven a gasoline, 34 foot motor home to places like Alaska, Yellowstone National Park and the greater Grand Canyon area. To be honest, when I see the mountains in the distance, knowing I have to drive over them, it makes for an unpleasant day's drive. Once I begin to climb, I lose speed. Doesn't matter how hard I smash the gas pedal. When I first got the RV, I put a Banks system on it for more power. I'd hate to see how slow I'd go without that aftermarket addition. But I've always managed to get to my final destination. I want to enjoy the ride more.
I think the solution for more power is to go diesel. Diesel RVs are big money. Even used. I'm at a point in my life where I will spend the money to get what I want. But there's always a max that I'm willing to spend. Right now it's good to roll down the road with no debts. The rig and tow vehicle have been paid off for a few years. I have assets that aren't easily liquidated, so most likely I'll have to finance part of any upgrade purchase. And on top of that, I'm debt adverse. So when the time comes, I'll do what I have to do.
Going the 5th wheel route, I can trade in my Jeep for a tow vehicle. Trade the RV in for a 5th wheel. I think this would end up costing me less in the long run. The important part is to get the correct truck to tow with. 5th wheels lack the under carriage storage that RVs have. We can go the toy hauler route and use that space for storage. Weights for 5th wheels are all over the place. I'd like to get a setup that I look forward to driving when I get in the mountains. But once I get to where I'm going, I will have to back up the 5th wheel at some point. I've backed up the RV, in some tight spots, by myself. But backing a 5th wheel in might be a challenge.
5th wheels live more like small apartments. I think we will enjoy the extra living space. We have seen a few with comfortable reclining chairs and inviting set ups. I also realize that no matter which route we go, we are trading our know issues for a complete set of different unknown issues. With an RV, it seems like there is always some sort of annoying issue going on. Some problems can be taken care of by the mobile repair people. Other fixes require going into the shop for a while. Once our rig goes in the shop, we have to find somewhere else to sleep for the duration. Getting an appointment for repairs can take weeks.
So in the mean time, I'll keep looking for that gotta have deal. The more research I do prior should pay dividends on the back end. Time will tell.
I was going to trade in my 2014 Sierra for a 2020 version with the 'invisible trailer' camera system, I hate not being able to see out the rear window when towing. Decided my 2014 was just fine after seeing the cost of the new trucks.The DW wanted me to trade my 14K miles 2019 in because the 2021 Fords have the lay flat seat option! Told her to find some hot pants and a street corner to pay for it.
What model 5th wheel do you have? I don't think I've ever noticed a 5th wheel with only 1 a/c. Most have 2. Recently I saw a rig with 3 a/cs.31' 5th wheel, 2016 2500 Ram/Cummins and it's the best towing setup I've used. Camper is 8k and 10k loaded, 1400 pin weight and we have a Sidewinder hitch on the camper which sets it back about 2' but I don't have to worry about engaging the slider on the hitch.. Love the versatility of being able to take off at any time while camping, no towing another vehicle, I get about 14 mpg hooked up and get 19mpg not towing. I've found the longer the camper the easier it is to back up. Our camper has a ton of room underneath as it has a pass-through and storage in the front as well. There's a couple things I would have paid extra for if I had to do it all over again... 2nd a/c unit for sure, ours has a 15k btu and does ok until it gets balls to the wall hot out, 93 degrees+. Get a good bed, we have had 3 and finally found one we like, got ride of the factory for a sleep number and it wasn't too long after that we bought a 10" mattress and we are both satisfied with it. Our 5th wheel is a '12 so I'm sure they offer better options today.
Not to answer your question, but just wanted to say congratulations on your new 381. We also have a Momentum (376), and absolutely love it. Great build quality and VERY comfortable. Enjoy, and hope to share a campsite with you.A bit old thread but I need a fifth-wheel hitch. I will tow a 381 Momentum that has a dry weight of 17,000 lbs. Does anyone have a personal experience with blue ox towing products particularly their Super Ride? I'm curious if it is worth the cost.