Suggestions for 5th wheel size for Alaska trip

[jfro]

Selling our class C Jayco Greyhawk as next couple years we will be traveling in Yukon, Rockies, and Alaska during fall/summer/spring time as well as Western U.S. mountains from upstate NY. Purchasing a f250 or f350. Hoping to keep 5th wheel under 12,000 lbs when loaded but wondering if that is too big for these trips. We will not be staying in any one spot more than 3-4 days and will probably stay in campgrounds as well as dry camp. Our current Jayco Greyhawk 29me is big enough for our needs most of the time. Not against buying a used smaller rig and then in a few years buying a larger used one when we won't be traveling so many miles. Estimate 20-25,000 miles during next 2 years.



Curious as to what people who travel in the mountains and Alaska would recommend as a good size for 2 and sometimes 3 peeps traveling in Alaska and the mountains. We are retired but young at heart.

[CecilD]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like some fun traveling. Trailer lengths are subjective as our comfort levels are all different. Personally, if always on the move, I would prefer a shorter rather than longer rig. I would consider trailers with high cargo carrying capacity as you will be taking a bunch of stuff.

I would also invest a little more into a nice air hitch to smooth out your tow. Long days of bumpy towing can remove a lot of pleasure from a trip.

I presume diesel, so you are going to want an auxiliary fuel tank. I would look past the 3/4 ton trucks and go to a 1 ton for additional payload capacity. Long bed 4WD for sure.

[rarebear.nm]

We just returned from Alaska after four months of driving. We used our 32ft 5th and a RAM 3500, turbo diesel, LB,CC 4WD. In summary we did ok with the rig, but we are buying a second Class C at 25ft (Winnebago View) for some trips keeping the 5th for other trips. There were times we would liked to have stayed but the 32ft (50ft overall) was too big. We went up past the Aritic Circle and into the Northwest Terr and all over Alaska. Great adventure and loved it all.

As pointed out get a good air ride hitch and good gas shocks on the trailer. You'll be glad IMO. We used 235/85/R16 Goodyear tires and Michelin Defenders on the truck and had no tire tire troubles. Did need to replace tires in route due to wear milage. Only rock damage in 12,000 miles was a fog light lens.

[Palmeris]

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

... There were times we would liked to have stayed but the 32ft (50ft overall) was too big....

Please explain...too big for?

[tuffr2]

With all the travel trailers not 100% why anyone would want to lug a 5th out west.

I would want something much smaller that could be towed with a 3/4 ton truck with a cap on the back. A travel trailer with the right weight distribution would be an easy tow.

Lol - in my mind a perfect rig to travel 1000's of miles would be a Lance Trailer behind a 3/4 ton truck. An easy tow would be my focus. A trailer easy to fit where ever it needs to.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

With all the travel trailers not 100% why anyone would want to lug a 5th out west.

I would want something much smaller that could be towed with a 3/4 ton truck with a cap on the back. A travel trailer with the right weight distribution would be an easy tow.

Lol - in my mind a perfect rig to travel 1000's of miles would be a Lance Trailer behind a 3/4 ton truck. An easy tow would be my focus. A trailer easy to fit where ever it needs to.

LOL, you need to get out more often. 5th wheels are all over the place out here in the west. We even have paved roads out here.
To the OP, we have a 28' 5er and would consider it ideal for AK. I've watched many videos of people traveling to AK and found that there's no reason to not take what you have. It really depends on where you plan on traveling to when you get up there more than anything else.

[mrgrayaz]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

With all the travel trailers not 100% why anyone would want to lug a 5th out west.

LOL - 5th wheels tow vastly better then travel trailers, and there is way more room out west then there is out east.

Originally Posted by jfro

Purchasing a f250 or f350.

So i don't have to do this later. If you are even THINKING about a 5th wheel. F-350, F-350, F-350, F-350. Don't buy the wrong truck - F-250.

[jfro]

I am leaning towards a F350 (crew cab w/ short bed 160") diesel. Part of our issue is other than short trips, our Yamaha WR250 (street/enduro bike) that we have on the back of our Jayco is not good for trips longer than 10-20 miles when my wife is with me. I'm perfectly happy with our Class C Jayco, but not really wanting to tow a car behind it. Also, going up long inclines in the mountains, I would probably hold up traffic a bit. I don't know how big an issue that is as I only have done some smaller mountains / hills in the east. Nothing out west.


The fifth wheel idea is to have transportation around the areas we camp when we stay longer than 1 night We know the diesels are better in the mountains and we've been told 5th wheels tow better. We want small for traveling but also big enough to keep us both happy the couple months when we get out of the snow belt. I'd love to have two, but barely can afford 1 rig in retirement.



Thanks for the advice and I hope to hear from more people as I haven't put the class C up for sale I'm not committed on any new equipment yet.



What are some suggestions for shorter 5th wheels that a couple could be comfortable in for a few months at a time. Our 29me Jayco is OK for size as far as I'm concerned.



Haven't decided on the 5th wheel hitch yet but did find the Reese Goose Box to be of interest as I would like to have an open bed in the back of the F350 when not towing. It does have air ride on the hitch that people claims is very smooth riding.

[aknavy]

I did a trip to Alaska last year with our current 40 foot trailer. At the time I had an Andersen hitch and TrailAir pinbox, and it rode pretty good. Now I have the Goosebox and it rides better.


As far as the size, we were too big for many of the parks in Canada, and some in Alaska. Some places took some time to maneuver into, cause they were tight. But - there are so many places on the side of road to boondock, it was never really an issue.



Our biggest challenge finding a place to stay was in Banf and Jasper in Canada - other than that, we were fine.



All that to say - take whatever size fits you. You'll be fine.

[jfro]

aknavy "Our biggest challenge finding a place to stay was in Banf and Jasper in Canada - other than that, we were fine."



We like to go without reservations so we can stay or go as we go.



But, Since Banf and Jasper will be the start of our adventure to Alaska, and we hope to spend 10-20 days between the two, it seems it would be wise to maybe have reservations there.



I looked at smaller 5th wheel yesterday, and although small, it's big enough for a few months on the road.



The dealer I went to yesterday, who I believe is knowledgeable, warned me against using the Reese goose box. Seems there are some disagreements on it. Still researching that.



I'm also rethinking (mainly because of my budget) f350. Since I'm going to be in the 10k to 11k range (or less) in gross weight on the fw, going with the f250. Still looking at equipment so nothing is set. Seems everyday, I learn more. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a good deal on an F350...

[chunker]

Originally Posted by jfro

aknavy "Our biggest challenge finding a place to stay was in Banf and Jasper in Canada - other than that, we were fine."


I'm also rethinking (mainly because of my budget) f350. Since I'm going to be in the 10k to 11k range (or less) in gross weight on the fw, going with the f250. Still looking at equipment so nothing is set. Seems everyday, I learn more. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a good deal on an F350...

A 350/3500 isn't that much more than a 250/2500 and better towing capacity. I would look at the Ram numbers before settling on a Ford. I got a 17 Ram 3500 SRW, Laramie CC with a cargo capacity of 4207# which is about 5-700# more than an equivalent Ford. Options will decrease your capacity dramatically and quickly.

[tuffr2]

My friend has an old NuWa, I forget the model. It was short but had 3 slides which gave the trailer aot of room inside.

I would try to buy the shortest 5th wheel with 3 slides.

Trucks - For every seven 3/4 ton trucks available there will be one 1 ton available. So selection will be far less.

Trucks are super nice and are really improving every few years. I liked my 2012 but really like my 2017.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

My friend has an old NuWa, I forget the model. It was short but had 3 slides which gave the trailer aot of room inside.

I would try to buy the shortest 5th wheel with 3 slides.

Trucks - For every seven 3/4 ton trucks available there will be one 1 ton available. So selection will be far less.

Trucks are super nice and are really improving every few years. I liked my 2012 but really like my 2017.

Yes and because so many mistakingly think the 3/4 is highly capable and can tow a 18K GVWR trailer, "hey the salesman said I could", demand for them is much higher than 1T. I found plenty of 1T, Ford/Chevy/Ram on sites like car guru etc. and got a new left over 2017 Ram Laramie for a great price recently. Traded in a used 250 Lariat for what I paid 6 months prior.

[wingnut60]

Twice to AK with 36' Suites--'12 & '16--will maybe go again in '19 with the longer Suites. Did not find it a problem with the places we went.