Community Forums

oldbeek · 05-10-2022, 12:19 AM

I will let these other guys argue about how much truck you need but with all the junk for trailers being built today I would find an old (around 2000 year) Alpenlite and rebuild it. There is an Alpenlite travel club on FB. I have over 80,000 road miles on mine, Over 3,500 dirt. Lived in for 3 years and been to almost every state in the us. Still love it.

TXiceman · 05-10-2022, 10:45 AM

If you want to go used and find better quality, look at HitchHiker by NuWa, Carriage Cameo, Excel and a few other of the trailers no longer produced.

A big plus for NuWa is that they still have a service shop in Chanute, KS that was the service department when they were building trailers. Kansas RV Center in Chanute, KS. NuWa had a reputation for a quality trailer compared to the others. We have one of the last trailers they built and it has been on the road in full time use for 9 years and it still looks great and very few problems.

Excel also has a service shop owned and run by an Ex employee in Smith Center, KS.

One thing you will see with these older better built trailers is that they a HEAVY.

Ken

oldbeek · 05-11-2022, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

If you want to go used and find better quality, look at HitchHiker by NuWa, Carriage Cameo, Excel and a few other of the trailers no longer produced.

A big plus for NuWa is that they still have a service shop in Chanute, KS that was the service department when they were building trailers. Kansas RV Center in Chanute, KS. NuWa had a reputation for a quality trailer compared to the others. We have one of the last trailers they built and it has been on the road in full time use for 9 years and it still looks great and very few problems.

Excel also has a service shop owned and run by an Ex employee in Smith Center, KS.

One thing you will see with these older better built trailers is that they a HEAVY.

Ken

For sure heavy. Nothing lite about an Alpenlite. Built solid. They are cheap because they are out of business. Everything rebuildable. On Alpenlite travel club which is a face book page there is a big one for sale. Real cherry. I think the truck is still there. He even pulled a Jeep behind the 5r. Old owner moved up to a class A

Edd505 · 05-12-2022, 05:59 PM

Here's a good video on what to look for in a 5er.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6nlnInrxgg

xc-mark · 05-13-2022, 04:28 PM

A NEW 3/4 ton with a gas motor has the payload for about a 12,000 LB GVW trailer. A new 1 ton single wheel truck with a diesel motor has the payload compasity for about 15,000lb trailer any anything above 15,000lbs your going to beed DRW truck . I tried it with a single wheel truck with a 17,000 trailer and I was over weight on the rear axle. The trailer would pull the back of the truck around enough that I had to constanly correct the steering , fast forward new truck with DRW . Drives like a dream strait and worry free.

Figure 22 ~25 % of the GVW is your loaded pin weight for your payload number.

oldbeek · 05-13-2022, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyHarris

We are selling our Class A and looking at fifth wheels. We are especially interested in the Alliance Paradigm 310RL. How should I decide what pickup I need, and how do you equip it for towing a fifth wheel? Does the truck dealer do that, or what are the options? I was hoping for a Ford F-150, but I think I would need to jump up to an F-250. Any thoughts on any of this would be appreciated!

I should have read your post closer before answering. You want brand new with lots of glitz. 13ft 4 tall is going to encounter huge wind resistance. 350 or 450 dual rear wheel is what you need to tow that. Maybe a freight liner.

Bill Nourse · 05-14-2022, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbeek

I should have read your post closer before answering. You want brand new with lots of glitz. 13ft 4 tall is going to encounter huge wind resistance. 350 or 450 dual rear wheel is what you need to tow that. Maybe a freight liner.

While a DRW might be your choice for the trailer he is looking at, it is certainly not necessary, and a Freightliner??? The trailer is 15,000 GVW and 33 ft. long. That translates to a pin weight of about 3,000 fully loaded. Any later 3500/350 SRW will have a useful load of around 4,000 and all are rated to tow 5th wheels around 20,000.

oldbeek · 05-15-2022, 12:09 AM

Then after loaded??? what does it weigh. My total rig weighs 19,500 truck and trailer, ready to roll. trailer is rated at 12,000. truck max load is 17,000. Srw and does the job nicely. But fig he is looking at is 13.4 tall.

Zulu Kono · 05-15-2022, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyHarris

We are selling our Class A and looking at fifth wheels. We are especially interested in the Alliance Paradigm 310RL. How should I decide what pickup I need, and how do you equip it for towing a fifth wheel? Does the truck dealer do that, or what are the options? I was hoping for a Ford F-150, but I think I would need to jump up to an F-250. Any thoughts on any of this would be appreciated!

Seriously?
An F-150?
You need a 1-ton.

Bill Nourse · 05-15-2022, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbeek

Then after loaded??? what does it weigh.

GVWR of the trailer he is looking at is 15,000. That is the loaded max weight. Dry weight is 12,200.

JIMNLIN · 05-15-2022, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by TommyHarris View Post
We are selling our Class A and looking at fifth wheels. We are especially interested in the Alliance Paradigm 310RL. How should I decide what pickup I need, and how do you equip it for towing a fifth wheel? Does the truck dealer do that, or what are the options?
If your thinking the GM twins then this ordering guide has lots of info on standard/optional equipment. https://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/
The dealer can help in areas like some standard equipment can come OEM with that option from the factory.
You won't need a Freightliner class 8 tractor with that size trailer.

Edd505 · 05-16-2022, 05:47 PM

specs are close to what your looking at as I said before, SRW F350.

JDT · 05-17-2022, 07:38 AM

The Paradigm is similar in size and weight to our Pinnacle which has a total weight of 14,700, fully loaded. It has a pin weight of 3120 which includes a Splendide washer/dryer sitting up front which added 200 plus pounds. Our F350 long bed has a load capacity of 4054 pounds. The short beds will be several hundred pounds less depending on how they are equipped. We've had a number of rigs thru the years, including a couple of heavier fifth wheels with dually trucks, and this one rides and tows better than anything we've ever had.

An 150 is out the question for the Paradigm obviously. I would not consider a 250/2500 at all since you would probably exceed it's load capacity. Besides, a 350/3500 doesn't cost much more. You might get by with a short bed if it is equipped right but I think the long bed gives a smoother ride, solo or towing. A little more difficult to park is the downside but you get used to it.

RAM2500HD · 05-17-2022, 07:31 PM

We have a 2015 6.4 Hemi Ram 2500. Payload capacity 3130 / Tow capacity 12,850 . No issues towing our newly purchased 2021 Montana High Country 295RL with an empty weight of 11,300 & a pin weight of 2300. Loaded up I'm probably at the top of our numbers but doable for how & where we 1camp . In my opinion due to the height of 5th wheels there is no such thing as a 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel