Community Forums

Alaska Jon · 09-24-2009, 05:30 PM

My wife and I bought a used Jayco (small) fifth a couple years ago, and towed it with our F150 just fine. We have decided to upgrade to a newer fifth. We're thinking about 27 to 30 feet. We just bought a Dodge 3500 diesel 4X4 with 8 foot bed and dual rear wheels. Any suggestions on brands and models for fifth wheels? It seems like so many have gone out of business, and we just don't know anything about the brands out there. We'd really appreciate your advice.

jperry29 · 09-24-2009, 07:02 PM

Jon,

There are still quite a few 5th Wheel Manufacturers out there.

For a one ton truck you'll need to stay in the medium to light weight range.

Dutchmen makes: Colorado; Denali; Dutchmen; Four Winds; Grand Junction; Monte Vista; North Shore; Victory Lane (toy hauler); Wild Thing (toy hauler); Winners Circle (toy hauler).

Forest River makes: Cardinal; Cedar Creek; Cherokee; Day Dreamer; Flagstaff; Rockwood; Salem; Salem Sport (toy hauler); Sandpiper; Sierra; Surveyor; V-Cross; Wildcat; Wildwood; Wildwood Sport (toy hauler); Wolf Pack (toy hauler); Work and Play (toy hauler/cargo carrier); XLR (toy hauler).

Now, not all these models are light weight but you get the idea about how just a couple of manufacturers can have a large array of products.

Keystone is another manufacturer that has a lot of products.

I think if you take two or three manufacturers and start looking at their array of products you'll find several fivers to your liking.

Paul R. Haller · 09-25-2009, 10:03 AM

I see you had a Jayco before, Why not another Jayco? They are great 5ers and Jayco sets the gold standard for customer service. Look at their Designer series 5ers.
-Paul R. Haller-

rek · 09-25-2009, 10:25 AM

We had a 35' fifth wheel Montana by Keystone before recently buying a Motorhome. We were very happy with it and had it for over 6 years. Check out their MOC forum that has over a thousand members to get lots of good info.

TEX-CTD · 09-25-2009, 12:04 PM

what r u looking for? rear living, toy hauler, bunkhouse? maybe tell us a bit about how the trailer will be used and what ur wants are.

i have a dodge 3500 DRW and just got a Keystone copper canyon 298 bunkhouse loaded up w full tank of diesel, and full cab tipped the scale at 18,900

Wayne M · 09-25-2009, 05:06 PM

We had a Montana 3400RL prior to our present MH. My reason for going to a MH was physical limitations, otherwise we would still have the Montanan.

You will find a wealth of information on the Montana Owners Club forum for Montana's by Keystone.

RustyJC · 09-25-2009, 05:54 PM

I'm with Paul - we owned three Jaycos (two of them Designer 5th wheels) and would certainly look at one again if we were shopping at that price point.

Rusty

FastEagle · 09-28-2009, 10:47 PM

Check out the Arctic Fox. Here - http://www.northwoodmfg.com/arcticfo...p?id=584501703 - is a 33' special edition. They are heavy. This one is 14K GVWR.

FastEagle

Alaska Jon · 09-29-2009, 01:38 PM

Thank you all for your good advice. This gives me a great starting point in my search. We want a 26-30 foot long rig, due to the campgrounds here in Alaska...some of the CGs are a bit older and have some tight turns. We don't want a toy hauler, just a nice quality 5th that we can haul behind the 03 Dodge 3500 H/O diesel with 4.10 axle. Alaska Jon

TEX-CTD · 09-29-2009, 06:46 PM

first yr of the 3rd gen dodges i am guessing that the 3500 is a DRW?

Ok no toyhauler, so prob a nice rear living......30ft max length......what kind of budget do you have in mind?

FiverBob · 10-01-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaska Jon

Thank you all for your good advice. This gives me a great starting point in my search. We want a 26-30 foot long rig, due to the campgrounds here in Alaska...some of the CGs are a bit older and have some tight turns. We don't want a toy hauler, just a nice quality 5th that we can haul behind the 03 Dodge 3500 H/O diesel with 4.10 axle. Alaska Jon

Jon,

Just so you don't cramp your style, an 03 Dodge 3500 dually with a 4.10 can handle a 16,000 pound fiver. You can easily pull a 34 to 36 foot unit in most brands. Check out the Carriage line of Cameos - - considered a high end unit, but look for a good used one. Really good quality construction. Go to a good show with lots of brands available for comparison - - take your time - - I was two years before I jumped. Sure glad I waited and learned and asked a bunch of questions before making my decision.

Bob

rek · 10-02-2009, 05:15 AM

Jon,
Also look at Keystone Montana's, they have nice units in the medium price range with really great layouts. Just remember that at a Dealer the sticker price on a 5er will be about 25% higher than what you should pay.

azloafer · 11-14-2009, 07:01 PM

I won the first prize in the Camping World Sweepstakes. The prize is a 2009 Colorado 5th Wheel valued at $40,000.00 . I haven't seen the trailer because I was just recently notified and the trailer is about three hours from where I live. I own a motorhome so I will be selling the trailer. I don't know anything regarding the length, model, etc., Just the name and the sticker MSRP. The specs on the trailer will be learned after I sign the paperwork. Camping World Senior VP said that everything can be handled by email and fax if I do not want to travel to look at it. They realize that I purchased a MH about three weeks before this win!

Is this a decent trailer and any idea what it would really be worth considering that it is a 2009?

CD · 11-14-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiverBob

Jon,

Just so you don't cramp your style, an 03 Dodge 3500 dually with a 4.10 can handle a 16,000 pound fiver. You can easily pull a 34 to 36 foot unit in most brands. Check out the Carriage line of Cameos - - considered a high end unit, but look for a good used one. Really good quality construction. Go to a good show with lots of brands available for comparison - - take your time - - I was two years before I jumped. Sure glad I waited and learned and asked a bunch of questions before making my decision.

Bob

Bob
As you can see I have a 3500 W/410 and have pulled 16K and it is no fun. Power was no issue but it was more of a handling issue. Hard braking was marginal. I have towed many different combinations over the last 50yrs from a car & small utility trailer to a 9000 Ford w/42' trailer so I think I can recognise poor handling.