Community Forums

Tdave · 04-19-2017, 08:44 PM

Looking to upgrade from a hybrid tow behind. I have an 04 GMC diesel dually TV. Have lots of experience towing 40' enclosed gooseneck race trailer.

Been looking at Forest River products, but have noticed that among different brands there seems to be two standard heights: 12'4" and 13'2". Besides the obvious interior headroom differences, is there any other consideration between these two specs, like chassis strength?

Reese makes a Lippert approved gooseneck conversion. Assuming the chassis I look at is Lippert, any reasons not to convert (besides cost)? I use the bed of my pickup often, and would prefer to use my hide-a-ball.

We have a 9yo kid, so we've been looking at mid-bunk layouts so she can have her own room, while also maintaining spacious living space. Sierra 372LOK and Coachmen Chaparral 392MBL. Any other brands and models to check out (seen the Jayco models)?

On models with bumper mounted grills, the grills are easily removable for storage, right? All the photos I see have them on the bumper with their covers on, which seems like a recipe for theft and damage.

Looking at residential reefers, self leveling systems, king bed upgrades, and 15k AC plus bedroom AC. Any other must have options?

Thanks in advance for the help,

Todd

**TonyDi** · 04-19-2017, 09:04 PM

Sorry I can't answer your questions, but I just wanted to say.

Happy Trails!!

artman1913 · 04-19-2017, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tdave

Reese makes a Lippert approved gooseneck conversion. Assuming the chassis I look at is Lippert, any reasons not to convert (besides cost)? I use the bed of my pickup often, and would prefer to use my hide-a-ball.

Todd

Have you looked at the andersen hitch ?
https://www.andersenhitches.com/Cata...onnection.aspx

Dave-R · 04-20-2017, 12:11 AM

I have the Reese goosebox on my 5th. wheel and it has been great. Very smooth towing as the goosebox has both shocks and a rubber air bag to reduce chucking. The goose neck hitch does not kink or bind when we get off the pavement, and for me I really like the empty bed when un-hitched. I also like the safety chains, as that adds another backup to the hitch. My Arctic Fox is about 13' 5" high. As the new trucks have tall bed rails, and people like a lot of headroom in the front, and also a lot of ground clearance the rigs tend to be tall. They do make shorter 5th. wheels but making the bed and getting in and out of them is a draw back. My rig length is about 29' 4" and for the off road camping we do I would not want anything longer, as I also pull an 18' Four Winns boat, or a trailer with our RZR on it. Good luck Dave-R

Tdave · 04-20-2017, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artman1913

Have you looked at the andersen hitch ?
https://www.andersenhitches.com/Cata...onnection.aspx

Confused how this works. I'd still need a gooseneck coupler conversion on the trailer itself. Why not just get a full length coupler that can reach to my existing bed height ball?

Tdave · 04-20-2017, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-R

I have the Reese goosebox on my 5th. wheel and it has been great. Very smooth towing as the goosebox has both shocks and a rubber air bag to reduce chucking. The goose neck hitch does not kink or bind when we get off the pavement, and for me I really like the empty bed when un-hitched. I also like the safety chains, as that adds another backup to the hitch. My Arctic Fox is about 13' 5" high. As the new trucks have tall bed rails, and people like a lot of headroom in the front, and also a lot of ground clearance the rigs tend to be tall. They do make shorter 5th. wheels but making the bed and getting in and out of them is a draw back. My rig length is about 29' 4" and for the off road camping we do I would not want anything longer, as I also pull an 18' Four Winns boat, or a trailer with our RZR on it. Good luck Dave-R

Wow, that's quite the rig. Tandem trailering is illegal in my neck of the woods or I'd have to give it a shot. Backing up must take some concentration.

tbiesenbach · 04-21-2017, 06:59 AM

Welcome Todd. I have the Reese goosebox on my 40' 2016 Raptor and put 2500 miles on last year. Tows beautifully and gives me tons of storage in the bed of my truck. Have fun with your new FW.
Todd

Tdave · 04-21-2017, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbiesenbach

Welcome Todd. I have the Reese goosebox on my 40' 2016 Raptor and put 2500 miles on last year. Tows beautifully and gives me tons of storage in the bed of my truck. Have fun with your new FW.
Todd

Does the Reese reach all the way down to a bed height ball, or does the ball need to be elevated like with the Andersen unit?

Since Reese is Lippert approved, have you had any warranty warnings from your dealer?

Thanks.

tbiesenbach · 04-21-2017, 07:21 AM

The goosebox reaches the ball. I have a F450 8' box and have around 8"clearance between bedrails and camper. I've been through some tough areas and never had any clearance issues.

SkiSmuggs · 04-21-2017, 07:27 AM

The 12'4" height is called mid-profile and the 13'2" height is full profile. Mid-profiles tend to be lighter and are generally considered to be short-term fifth wheels while full profile are more for extended stay. Yet, there are plenty of folks full timing in mid-profile units (the LoveYourRV blogger is one of those). I have lived for a month or two at a time in my mid-profile Cougar. One of the main things you get from full profile is a larger basement for storage.

tbiesenbach · 04-21-2017, 07:30 AM

Todd, sorry I forgot to answer your second question. I called the manufacturer of my FW and specifically asked before making my purchase and they told me then (1 yr ago) that the Reese Goosebox was the only gooseneck hitch that wouldn't void Lipperts warranty. I did not call Lippert directly.

Tdave · 04-21-2017, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiSmuggs

The 12'4" height is called mid-profile and the 13'2" height is full profile. Mid-profiles tend to be lighter and are generally considered to be short-term fifth wheels while full profile are more for extended stay. Yet, there are plenty of folks full timing in mid-profile units (the LoveYourRV blogger is one of those). I have lived for a month or two at a time in my mid-profile Cougar. One of the main things you get from full profile is a larger basement for storage.

Ahah! I knew it wasn't just a coincidence that the FWs seemed to fall into these two height categories. Thanks for finally clarifying that for me.

So, safe to say that a full profile will tend to be built to a higher standard because of its intended long term use?

Tdave · 04-21-2017, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbiesenbach

Todd, sorry I forgot to answer your second question. I called the manufacturer of my FW and specifically asked before making my purchase and they told me then (1 yr ago) that the Reese Goosebox was the only gooseneck hitch that wouldn't void Lipperts warranty. I did not call Lippert directly.

Excellent, thanks for that response.

I've never towed with a fifth wheel hitch, but I love the articulation a gooseneck interface gives.

What are the upsides to a kingpin type hitch vs gooseneck (besides the load reduction on the camper chassis, and even then I don't quite understand the physics why a gooseneck is more stressful on the frame)?

tbiesenbach · 04-21-2017, 08:00 AM

The 1 advantage of a fifth wheel that I recognize, is the people I camp with that have a traditional FW book up much quicker. It sounds like you have experience with goosenecks, so you know you have to be perfectly centered to hook up. The FW is much more forgiving. With your experience and a couple hook ups worth the new unit you will probably find this to be an acceptable trade off for bed space.