Notices
All Things Towing Conventional, 5th Wheel, Toy Hauler, Flatbed, Gooseneck, Electrical/Brakes/etc.

Lets see those 5th wheels

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 05:55 AM
  #1141  
Jigger2020's Avatar
Jigger2020
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 161,105
Likes: 8,089
From: North Bay Ont Canada
OOPS, cop on the scene
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 06:31 AM
  #1142  
dlibson's Avatar
dlibson
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 3
From: Hampstead, NC
Saw that on Facebook too, Gerry. People...
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 08:47 AM
  #1143  
kla94's Avatar
kla94
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 132
From: Centerville TN
Originally Posted by Gen 1 driver
If it fits your needs it's perfect.
I had a 94 IDI and loved it. Not the fasted beast but never ever failed me.
Looks like trailer has AC, bed and bathroom. What else do you need?g
Enjoy
It has a slide out too. It does what we need. I have done some modifications to the truck, not a 500 horse powerstroke, but it does just fine. And I can work on it!
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 08:48 AM
  #1144  
kla94's Avatar
kla94
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 132
From: Centerville TN
Originally Posted by GIGGER
OOPS, cop on the scene
That's normal here in Hickman county GIG!
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 09:28 AM
  #1145  
Gen 1 driver's Avatar
Gen 1 driver
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by kla94
It has a slide out too. It does what we need. I have done some modifications to the truck, not a 500 horse powerstroke, but it does just fine. And I can work on it!
I had a much straighter downpipe made and removed the mufflers to allow it to breath. It did everything I needed as well and the prepper in me liked the fact it was mechanically controlled. No concern of fried electronics.
As I moved up in towing needs I moved up to the Powerstroke. The good news is my oldest son is a Ford Tech so I don't wrench on it anymore.
I'll always have a soft spot for my IDI for it's abilities and simplicity.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 09:55 AM
  #1146  
kla94's Avatar
kla94
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 132
From: Centerville TN
Originally Posted by Gen 1 driver
I had a much straighter downpipe made and removed the mufflers to allow it to breath. It did everything I needed as well and the prepper in me liked the fact it was mechanically controlled. No concern of fried electronics.
As I moved up in towing needs I moved up to the Powerstroke. The good news is my oldest son is a Ford Tech so I don't wrench on it anymore.
I'll always have a soft spot for my IDI for it's abilities and simplicity.
That was my reason for getting one. I have nothing against a powerstroke, other than the electronics. I have a 3" downpipe, 4" straight exhaust, bigger injection pump, adjusted the governor and wastegate. It's got about 200hp at the rear wheels. Next project is an intercooler. I have the intercooler itself, just need to make my piping.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 10:14 AM
  #1147  
ct diesel's Avatar
ct diesel
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
We've got 4 weeks before the campground opens. Today going up into the 50's and that is a tease to get out there.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2017 | 10:16 AM
  #1148  
senix's Avatar
senix
Thread Starter
|
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,380
Likes: 1,864
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
lots of places are open year around in PA and south.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 26, 2017 | 09:07 AM
  #1149  
brandon_oma#692's Avatar
brandon_oma#692
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 31
From: Northern Illinois
Originally Posted by rockertom
Is there a fabrication shop near you? Take them the picture of what you are looking at and see how much to fab up new side rails with the bolt height in the correct place for you're application. The side rails only look like 3/16's thick steel at most. A couple of bends and holes. Shouldn't be much at all.

Decided to give it a go loosely following the Reese Goosebox design minus all the moving parts.
Ended up making a bushing to press over the fifth wheel pin.



Pressed on and welded.



The gooseneck tube was pressed on the bushing, welded around to the bushing and existing pinbox and then added some gussets.



Now need to clean up, paint and add chains. I will be Drilling another hole and adding 1 more bolt per side.



The old adapter that came with the camper was 12" from the fifth wheel plate to the top of the gooseneck ball. The new piece I made is 5-1/2" from the fifth wheel plate to the top of the gooseneck ball. Yes I still have a lever arm but it is less than half the length it was. Also it will be bolted to the camper in the middle set of holes so if you were to compare to the stock pinbox the ball is only 3-1/2" lower than the lowest stock pin location.


I poked around under the skin of the camper and all the framework looks good.


For future plans I am thinking about adding onto the entire front framework under the bedroom of the fifthwheel making the frame stronger and adding additional storage accessed from the outside. Not sure how tall I will be able to do, will need to verify clearances to the flatbed. As long as the compartment doors will be 6" tall it will be useable.


 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2017 | 09:30 AM
  #1150  
87crewdually's Avatar
87crewdually
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
Likes: 94
From: So. Jersey
Looks great. That should work nicely. And the tube being so short really decreases the leverage so it should hold up fine.
The area you want to watch for stress cracks is the main beam that runs side to side in the front of the pinbox mount plates. That's where mine sheared (see pic). It was only visible after removing the skin even with using a bore scope camera.
For the repair I straightened it back out and welded it. Then I backed all the surrounding frame work with 2x6x 3/16" rectangular tubing. No flex now.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2017 | 09:52 AM
  #1151  
brandon_oma#692's Avatar
brandon_oma#692
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 31
From: Northern Illinois
Originally Posted by 87crewdually
Looks great. That should work nicely. And the tube being so short really decreases the leverage so it should hold up fine.
The area you want to watch for stress cracks is the main beam that runs side to side in the front of the pinbox mount plates. That's where mine sheared (see pic). It was only visible after removing the skin even with using a bore scope camera.
For the repair I straightened it back out and welded it. Then I backed all the surrounding frame work with 2x6x 3/16" rectangular tubing. No flex now.
Thanks and thanks. I will take another look in that location. The skin is loose at the moment but not completely off. I almost ordered some 8" channel to replace the pinbox entirely and run it back and tie it in by the jacks. If I do that in the future I would use an adjustable square coupler with the crank so I can set the height perfect.


When I ordered this coupler I almost ordered 2 so I had one for the equipment trailer. They oopsed and sent me two anyway so now I can just put that one in and it will be level also.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2017 | 07:00 PM
  #1152  
Fentonjoe's Avatar
Fentonjoe
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Our fiver with our previous truck. First pick on our way to clear lake state park in Atlanta, Michigan, 2nd at clear lake(water is crystal clear to about 20ft, and last at Walden woods Rv park Halloween.





 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2017 | 10:12 PM
  #1153  
amdriven2liv's Avatar
amdriven2liv
I'm hitting easy street
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

Stopped at Arrowhead Mall in Phoenix to get my wife's iPhone screen repaired. Took those folks 3.5 hours to replace the screen. Guy at a kiosk in the mall I walked by on our way out said it takes him 25 minutes. That made for a very long travel day!


 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2017 | 05:24 PM
  #1154  
amdriven2liv's Avatar
amdriven2liv
I'm hitting easy street
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

Palm Desert


 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2017 | 09:43 PM
  #1155  
Sailor Roy's Avatar
Sailor Roy
FTE Chapter Leader
Veteran: Navy
Shutterbug
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 63,193
Likes: 6,649
From: Great Falls, Montana
Club FTE Silver Member

Very nice Sean.........
Thanks for the photo.....
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:22 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE