New to 5th Wheels

[Haoleboy]

Aloha from Hawaii.
Getting closer to retirement, wife's kids live in California so we are thinking a 5th wheel might be the ticket. My parents spent several years full timing in a 27' Class C, I'm definitely leaning towards the flexibility of a Ram Quadcab longbed for the TV (2500 or 3500 depending on the choice of fiver). What I am trying to figure out is the smallest quality unit with a bunkhouse with second 1/2 bath, preferably in 36' overall or less. In researching all this I see that some brands get bad reviews, but the higher end brands like Excel or Hitchhiker don't seem to have the smaller bunkhouse model we are looking for. Used is OK as long as in decent condition. Any insights from people out there with real life experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your feedback. Mahalo Nui Loa (Thanks Very Much)- Jack Arnest

[Skip426]

Jack; Welcome to iRV2

I haven't been in the market for a fifth wheel in years so I can't help with your search, but maybe running your post through the system again ( by me adding to it here ) will generate some answers for you.

[ResidentEvil]

Sorry, I can't help with your choice of RV either. But I did want to recommend going with the 3500 over the 2500 if you have the choice. The price difference was not too bad (~$1000) when I bought mine last October, and the piece of mind as far as extra payload capacity is completely worth it.

[Haoleboy]

Thanks to all for inputs, leaning towards the 3500 Ram over the 3/4 ton for the payload. What does anybody know about Holiday Rambler Alumascape 5th wheel TT's? There's a bunkhouse model with 1/2 bath at 36' overall that has my eye, don't see too many bad raps out there.

[Cummins12V98]

Start off right get the RAM 3500 Cummins/Aisin with factory rear air ride and long bed. Also get the puck system for the B&W RVK3600. Then you can safely tow a 14K + 5er.

[Timay]

Originally Posted by Haoleboy

What does anybody know about Holiday Rambler Alumascape 5th wheel TT's?

Hi, Howly boy! It is either a TT (travel trailer) or a 5th wheel...not both. LOL!

I have a 2002 Holiday Rambler 5th wheel that is not a bunkhouse but I bought it used a few years ago and the only problem with it was the linoleum on the floor split, so I installed a wood look floor. It has been a great trailer! Don't know about the new ones...

Tim

[Parks]

I wish I could recommend at 5er but just don't have the experience withy them. You may want to give others what type of budget you are looking at as they can range from $40K- $150K+.

On the truck, along with the other recommendations so far, is that the Ram is the is a great choice. However, look at getting either the crew cab or the mega cab. The quad cab is next to useless for carrying people and if you have grandchildren they will have to be fairly small to be comfortable back there. IMO, the Mega Cab is the way to go if you will be spending a lot of time in the truck. There is still more leg room in the MC than the CC by about three inches.

[Larry Mac01]

Originally Posted by Parks

I wish I could recommend at 5er but just don't have the experience withy them. You may want to give others what type of budget you are looking at as they can range from $40K- $150K+.

On the truck, along with the other recommendations so far, is that the Ram is the is a great choice. However, look at getting either the crew cab or the mega cab. The quad cab is next to useless for carrying people and if you have grandchildren they will have to be fairly small to be comfortable back there. IMO, the Mega Cab is the way to go if you will be spending a lot of time in the truck. There is still more leg room in the MC than the CC by about three inches.

Do you know if you still get an 8' bed with the mega cab?

[Bamaman]

If you want to limit yourself to 36', you're going to have a hard time finding a bunkroom trailer with the second or half bath. And the big bunkroom trailers will get heavy requiring dual rear wheels.

I purchased a 2015 Grand Design 323BHS bunkhouse fifth wheel. It's 11k lbs. dry weight and a 2K kingpin weight--about the max for a 3/4 ton diesel. It has everything we need, and it has a fantastic floorplan. We really didn't want the second bath to have to keep clean and deal with.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Parks

I wish I could recommend at 5er but just don't have the experience withy them. You may want to give others what type of budget you are looking at as they can range from $40K- $150K+.

On the truck, along with the other recommendations so far, is that the Ram is the is a great choice. However, look at getting either the crew cab or the mega cab. The quad cab is next to useless for carrying people and if you have grandchildren they will have to be fairly small to be comfortable back there. IMO, the Mega Cab is the way to go if you will be spending a lot of time in the truck. There is still more leg room in the MC than the CC by about three inches.

Anyone "THINKING" they need a MegaCab really needs to sit in the back of a CrewCab. I have had tall adults in the back of my Crew and never needed to move my seat forward and I am tall.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Larry Mac01

Do you know if you still get an 8' bed with the mega cab?

Never have been able to. You can get the frame stretched and have a Long bed installed.

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Start off right get the RAM 3500 Cummins/Aisin with factory rear air ride and long bed. Also get the puck system for the B&W RVK3600. Then you can safely tow a 14K + 5er.

A diesel 3500 without the Aisin, fully loaded, megacab, short bed, can tow a 14k+ 5er worst case.

Completely agree on the 3500 - the pin weight on the 2500 would be too much of a limitation otherwise.

In tow trim a diesel 3500 Dodge can tow 30K+. Just be aware that a short bed may necessitate a sliding hitch.

My bet would be a 3500, Asian, and 3.73+ gears in whatever trim and cab fits your needs. Should be good for 20k+. Dodge publishes a great towing guide.

[cb1000rider]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Anyone "THINKING" they need a MegaCab really needs to sit in the back of a CrewCab. I have had tall adults in the back of my Crew and never needed to move my seat forward and I am tall.

Agree with this too. A CrewCab is great for tall adults. A MegaCab is just over the top. I'm over 6'. Even in back with a 6' driver, crewcab is great.

Taking a MegaCab and going to long bed (aftermarket) - $6-$7k.

[ResidentEvil]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

Agree with this too. A CrewCab is great for tall adults. A MegaCab is just over the top. I'm over 6'. Even in back with a 6' driver, crewcab is great.

Taking a MegaCab and going to long bed (aftermarket) - $6-$7k.

The benefit of the mega can isn't in the legroom for the back seat. It's having a good amount of storage space behind the back seat for those times when you are fully loaded with people.

The second benefit, and more important consideration, is that the back seats fold forward and down, providing a completely flat surface back there that is quite large. I think that the flat surface space in the back with the seats folded down exceeds 57" in both directions.

On the other cab configurations the bottom part of the seat folds up, which gives you a taller space but is much much narrower front to back. If I recall correctly from when i was truck shopping, the difference is around two feet.

That large fold flat area isn't going to be a big deal for everyone, but it was the deal maker for me. Ford and Chevy were rules out from the get go because neither could come close to offering that much rear seat space.

When we travel, we do so with two Dobermans, a vizla and a min pin. The mega can read space ensures they all have sufficient room to spread out for the car ride.