Community Forums

Wayne Brock · 06-13-2012, 02:15 PM

I received great answers yesterday re: 5th wheel hitch vs gooseneck. I am not making great progress with the custom built 18' (with gooseneck) project that I mentioned yesterday. Cost is getting out of hand. The smallest 5th wheel trailers that I have located are 24', and I need to go smaller, prefer a "low profile". I live in the northern NM mountains, and have about 4 miles of tight turns on a dirt road. Need to get the trailer to my home.

25 yr RV traveler, but hoping to purchase my first trailer, (5th wheel) Thanks for any suggestions. irv2 is a great group. Wayne

EnolaEagle · 06-13-2012, 03:11 PM

I don't think you'll find anything decent under 24 feet. I don't know if Shadow Cruiser is still around but they used to make some 22' lightweight fifthwheels with no slides, however, I used to own one of their 18' TT's and I wouldn't wish that CRAP product on anyone...

Check for used Shasta's or even Jayco has some lightweight 5ers.

TXiceman · 06-13-2012, 04:46 PM

Scamp made a 19' 5er.

Ken

EnolaEagle · 06-13-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

Scamp made a 19' 5er.

Ken

I would've recomended that with proper hip, waist and weight measurements

those pups are tiny...

EMD_Driver · 06-13-2012, 05:25 PM

Sunline used to make what they called "Fifth wheels" but were actually gooseneck. They were in the 18-25 foot range. If you could find one of them, you'd be set!

EnolaEagle · 06-13-2012, 05:32 PM

Sunline made some great RV's. It was sad to see them go out of business.

EMD_Driver · 06-13-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnolaEagle

Sunline made some great RV's. It was sad to see them go out of business.

There are still plenty of Sunlines out there though. We had a Sunline get together last weekend and had 24 of them there!

To stay on topic... I do see a few of the above Sunlines come up for sale at times... You could probably get one of them, for a great price.

JohnBoyToo · 06-14-2012, 06:13 AM

I guess I have to ask why the self imposed rigid limitation of a 'small 5th wheel' ?

You are probably the only person I've heard of that wants to go smaller

If you want small, get a small TT or popup or hybrid (or trim the trees along your winding driveway

so you can get a livable 5th wheel)

re your tight driveway - a 5er will 'cut the corners' more than a TT and will be taller than a comparable TT...

Sounds like you may need a popup http://www.campingearth.com/popups/
or A frame type trailer... http://www.aliner.com/

or a storage area for your rv that doesn't need to come to the house

good luck.

EnolaEagle · 06-14-2012, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Brock

I received great answers yesterday re: 5th wheel hitch vs gooseneck. I am not making great progress with the custom built 18' (with gooseneck) project that I mentioned yesterday. Cost is getting out of hand. The smallest 5th wheel trailers that I have located are 24', and I need to go smaller, prefer a "low profile". I live in the northern NM mountains, and have about 4 miles of tight turns on a dirt road. Need to get the trailer to my home.

25 yr RV traveler, but hoping to purchase my first trailer, (5th wheel) Thanks for any suggestions. irv2 is a great group. Wayne

I read your other thread and one thing that I took notice to is that your truck is an 07 Duramax...based on that, you are heavily narrowing your search down in a mini 5er. Anything 18-23' is low profile and more designed for smaller trucks like Rangers or F150's. If you can't go with a more standard size fiver 24-25', you're mostlikely better off with a TT.
Since the mini 5er's are so constrictive with interior space you should also consider a Truck Bed camper...(same thing/no wheels...)
With a truck camper, you could tow your popup at the same time

KJcachers · 06-14-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnolaEagle

I don't think you'll find anything decent under 24 feet. I don't know if Shadow Cruiser is still around but they used to make some 22' lightweight fifthwheels with no slides, however, I used to own one of their 18' TT's and I wouldn't wish that CRAP product on anyone...

.

Shadow Cruiser TTs are still around. Why do you think they are crap? PM me so we don't hijack this thread. Thx

SmokeyWren · 06-15-2012, 10:24 AM

"Low profile" 5er means about 48" from floor to ceiling in the bedroom. Which means you must crawl around on the bed to make the bed. Unless you are very young and agile, then you want at least a medium profile 5er. I had a low-profile 5er way back when, and Darling Wife insisted I trade up to a medium profile.

We used our 2001 Keystone Sprinter mid-profile with one slide for over 11 years and 100,000 miles. Very comfortable for two old folks. Now Darling Daughter is living in it. It has a GVWR of 7,900 pounds and was 25' long. I doubt you'll be happy in a smaller 5er.

The current equivalent in size to our 5er is the Keystone Springdale model 242FWRLSSR, which stands for fifth wheel rear living room with a big slide.
http://www.keystone-springdale.com/m...242FWRLSSR.gif

I suggest you look at that one if you want an inexpensive and relatively light weight 5er. It's a less-expensive 5er than our Sprinter, but the smallest current Sprinter is 29' long with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds.