Five ers: What am I missing?

[tuffr2]

Caissiel - how is your 5er set-up? I have seen 5er's with this really nifty remote that controls alot of features. I think I saw where it controls the hydraulic leveling system. Is this what you have? My 5er does not have a remote. Do you know if this is something I can add?

[caissiel]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Caissiel - how is your 5er set-up? I have seen 5er's with this really nifty remote that controls alot of features. I think I saw where it controls the hydraulic leveling system. Is this what you have? My 5er does not have a remote. Do you know if this is something I can add?

My unit is all standard and so is the truck.
We can unset and reset in 21 minutes.
Wife drives the truck when leveling. I drop the front legs and lift off hitch. She drives away. She goes in and open 4 slides while I select the valves at the hydraulic pump. I set the hoses and power cord which takrs the longest. Then drop the rear stabilisers. Then set up the satellite that is leveled because its attached the trailer pin frame.

Leveling with auto to me is a waste of money and additional maintenance due to one system used for jacks and slides. Hydtaulic jacks work on MH because there is still wheels to support if jacks fails and drop the trailer on the box. And I only need to extend the front landing gear by 1.5 in compare to about 10 in with hydraulics.

[Lambert]

Originally Posted by caissiel

My unit is all standard and so is the truck.
We can unset and reset in 21 minutes.
Wife drives the truck when leveling. I drop the front legs and lift off hitch. She drives away. She goes in and open 4 slides while I select the valves at the hydraulic pump. I set the hoses and power cord which takrs the longest. Then drop the rear stabilisers. Then set up the satellite that is leveled because its attached the trailer pin frame.

Leveling with auto to me is a waste of money and additional maintenance due to one system used for jacks and slides. Hydtaulic jacks work on MH because there is still wheels to support if jacks fails and drop the trailer on the box. And I only need to extend the front landing gear by 1.5 in compare to about 10 in with hydraulics.

Interesting thought, I might get a couple of frame stands just to be safe. I really like the auto level on mine. The instructions to operate it from the dealer was minimal but after watching a utube video a few times I figured out how to get it back on truck if you park it on a sloped drive. That's the only problem I've had with it. Had a good chuckle to see someone else mounted there sat tv ant on bike rack at back I thought I was so original.

[ChiefStan]

We too battled between the MH and 5er. We decided on the 5er due to we already had the DMAX truck and you get much more room at a cheaper price with the 5er than the MH. Also, for us we just stepped up from a 28' travel trailer to a 40' 5er...big jump. There are definately benefits in both...as I am sure once you arrive at your destination it would be nice to jump in a small car to get around....I am sure once you decide which way to go you won't be disappointed either way....we are extreamly happy with our 5er...and at the end of the day that is all that really matters

[tncruiser]

remember when you walk in to a dlr no matter what you have they have somthing better ,when i was young with a new family i had a station wagon, when trading it in none want s/wagons any more boutght a full size ford crown vic want to trade it in on a new town car ,no one wants a used full size car had the same results from a converatble had a HR "c" dealer told me every body wants an "a" at least he treated me well on trade big thing for me is i dont buy anythind as an investment i buy it for enjoyment if i like iie and can afford the depreciation i buy it for me that includes everything even my homes
now quit worrying about it buy what your heart desires and pocket book dictates
and hurry up its time to go traveling
Merry Christmas
brianj

[Lambert]

Originally Posted by Lambert

Interesting thought, I might get a couple of frame stands just to be safe. I really like the auto level on mine. The instructions to operate it from the dealer was minimal but after watching a utube video a few times I figured out how to get it back on truck if you park it on a sloped drive. That's the only problem I've had with it. Had a good chuckle to see someone else mounted there sat tv ant on bike rack at back I thought I was so original.

I stumbled through the snowbanks to check that thought out. I dont think it can go all the way down onto the box, it would have to be a catastrophic failure and even then I think you,d be ok. Except for a big puddle of oil.

[simsy56]

Just to add my pennyworth, I had a Winnebago class A, and have now changed to a 5er, and it was the best thing for us.
We have more living space, better fuel economy, transport when camping, and easier, cheaper maintenance.
As we live on an Island, we are always on the ferry to England when we want to go away a while. Now I can leave the trailer in England, and just back and forth with the truck. One third of the the ferry cost, compared to the class A.
Similar thing in Europe, leave it there, and just come and go with the truck, or even fly home with 'queasy jet' for a few pounds.
We could have used a toad with the class A, but many european countries will not allow wheels down towing. Especially Spain, which is where snowbirds go for the winter.
I have a lovely Dodge Ram to runaround in, and a spacious condo wherever I leave it.

Happy Days!

Craig (Isle of Man) UK

[oldbeek]

Had I bought a MH when I bought my 1994 5r the engine in the MH would be obsolete by now. I used the tow vehicle in my business when not towing. The 5r was also used in my business as a place to stay when away from home. Now on my second tow vehicle in fact it is 11 yrs old and just getting broke in at 150k miles. I do my own mechanic work and MHs are a bear to work on. 13 mpg towing 18,000 lb combo.