Haven't been on here in a while but looking to see who owns a 5th wheel. I'm interested in purchasing one in the near future. I have never owned one so I have nothing for it. What do I need to do to prep my truck besides the trailer brake and hitch (tires, stock suspension etc.). The trailer I'm looking at is 10k dry weight. Also if anyone in the so cal region knows good camping spots that's a plus.

Thank you

 

Couple of suggestions.
1. Make sure you have E rated tires.

2. My dad had an 03 without a steering stabilizer. Had one put on recently and he said it made a world of difference when pulling his 5th wheel. He also said something about a rear stabilizer bar??? I think that's what it is called. Also helped him out.

3. Get the kit to put a 7 pin connector in the box of your truck so it isn't streamed over the tailgate.

4. If shocks are old and tired, may consider replacing them. Air bags are optional depending on pin weight. If you are squatting with the trailer hooked up, it will help to level out the truck and camper. You want to ride level to slightly nose high on the trailer.

5. When setting up the hitch and pin box, again looking to be level but you also need to have about 6 inches of clearance all around the bed and bottom of the camper.

6. Hitches.... I currently have a B&W Patriot 18k hitch, non-slider. Love it. There is a hundred ways to go with a hitch.
If you have a long bed you do not need a sliding hitch.
With a short bed, consider an auto sliding hitch like Pullrite. It just takes one time of making contact with the cab to make it pay for itself. Only advice for slider is DO NOT get a Reese 16k manual sliding hitch. It had a lot of play in the head and every time I went to use the slide it stuck in place unless I took the weight off the pin (drop jacks), slide it to the new position, and retract jacks, and continue.

I'm sure there is more.

John

 

Thank you for the info it's extremely helpful! I have a long bed the guy I'm buying the trailer from is including his superglued is that going to be a problem since I do not necessarily need a gliding hitch? My rear suspension is fine but my front is a different story I hit a bump and the truck is still bouncing down the road for some time.
How much do the 7pin connectors cost? I'm assuming there is drilling to be done for those?

 

I have a 2006 f250 6.0 2wd extended cab, long bed and I tow a 10,000lb 5th wheel. With 600lbs of sand bags (during winter for extra traction) and the 5th wheel hooked up, My truck sits perfectly level. with just the 5th wheel, it is still slightly nose-down. If I remember correctly, my 5th wheel puts about 1,700lbs over the rear axle.

I have stock suspension and slightly larger than stock tires. I have no issues pulling my apartment on wheels. It is a better experience than pulling my old little 4,000lb conventional tow trailer. I don't fight the wind as much and everything just seems more stable.

Unless you have a significant lift and/or huge tires, You should be fine to just hook up and go.

I think camping world charged my about $80 to install the 7-pin in the bed. that being said, they also charged me about $400 to install the 5th wheel hitch

 

Ya I'm going to do the hitch myself doesn't look too hard. I'll have to do more research on the pin though.

 

The 7 pin was about $100 plus install.

The superglide should be fine. Most people will not spend the extra cash on one if they don't need it.

Where I ran into problems with the camper riding high is the height of the truck box. Again, compared to my dad's truck, I sit higher with the fx-4 and 4x4. Doing research, the fx-4's have a 2 inch block on the rear axle which adds height over the 4x4 and 4x2.

John

 

There are so many great camping spots in California that you cannot count them all. Unfortunately they are always full or pricey. I personally like the Nationally Parks. They are cheap ($20.00 a night) and are amazing. Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon are my favorites. Water Falls, Lakes, and lots of wildlife. But you have to bid for your campsite 5-6 months ahead. They can fill up within and hour or so after the bid starts. The state campsites are more money but easier to bid a spot. We have stayed in many state campsites overlooking the ocean.

 

Another 5th wheel owner here. Tell us a little more about your truck. Year, mileage, trans, modifications etc ?