We purchased a 2019 F-450 back in 2019 and had plans to purchase a 5th wheel in the the Spring of 2020. Then Covid happened, and that put our plans on hold until we saw what happened with the economy. Then last September we came across a deal on a 2020 Riverstone 39FKTH with the Mor-Ryde independent suspension with disc brakes, and 4 BattleBorn lithium batteries, at a price that we couldn’t turn down.

We completed the purchase in Charleston, SC in mid-January, and paid the seller rent to keep on their lot (with full hookups) until Spring so we didn’t have to haul it home to CT during winter.

So we just got home with it yesterday, and had no real troubles on the trip home other than getting used to the chucking and bouncing around on some of the worse interstates. Planning to add air bags to the 2022 F-450 when it is delivered to us. Recommendations on airbags would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the knowledge and insights here we didn’t have any real problems.





Leaving Charleston, SC

First time fueling up at a truck stop using the TSD Logistics Card

Home, safe and sound.

 

If yoy want a “:real” improvement, ditch the 5th wheel hitch and install a Goosebox. GB has a built in airbag and shock absorber that will take that crap out of the ride. There may be other brands of hitch do something similar, IDK. But the GB is the best I have found. And when not towing, you only have a 5 lb ball to lift out of the bed of the truck, not a 150 lb 5th wheel hitch.

 

The Reese Goosebox is only rated to 20K, whereas GVWR of the 5er is 21K. Gen-Y makes a 25K rated goosebox hitch, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of reviews so I’m on the fence.

 

Very nice looking combo, good luck with them and safe travels!

 

Well, everyone that runs a Gen-Y seems to like them, from what I have read on the forums. Since I have no experience with them I can’t comment one way or another.
However, I did put airbags under a 350 dually and was unimpressed as far as taking out the chucking. Yes, they leveled out the truck, but that was it.

 

Congratulations on the new rig . Your story sounds similar to ours . We ordered our 2020 F450 and our New Horizons 5thwheel fall of 19 . Lost my job December of 19 and then Covid hit in 2020 . So needless to say we had some decisions to make . We decided to stick to our plan . Picked up the 450 in January 2020 was supposed to pickup the 5thwheel in March but that got delayed , We picked it up in July mostly due to COVID related delays. Didn’t really get to use it until last year due to wife and I getting Covid in November of 2020 . Anyway we love it truck pulls it great . We went with the GenY gooseneck hitch and love it . We didn’t have anything to compare it to since this is our first 5thwheel. Our 5thwheel weighs around 23 k the way we pull it . It’s max weight is over 26k but we will never be there . If you go with a GenY make sure you get the correct weight rating . They have standard weight rating or can go custom if needed . That’s what we did and I love not having a heavy hitch in the bed of my truck. I added airbags after several trips . Not really to help smooth out the ride but more to level front of truck some . I think it did help the ride a little but it wasn’t bad before adding them . I did Firestone 7500 airbags and aAirlift compressor.

 

Forgot to mention we also have 4 Battle Born batteries, MorRyde 8k axles with Kodiak disc brakes. The batteries and Victron inverter do a good job with the Kitchen Aid refrigerator we have during travel .

 

Nice setup. A couple of the reasons we bought this particular used model was that it already had 4 BB LiFePO4 batteries, and the Mor-Ryde independent suspension with disc brakes. I currently have 2000 watts of solar to put on the roof, 2 Victron 3000 MultiPlus 2 inverters, a Victron DC-DC charger to charge from the truck alternators, 2 new solar charge controllers, a 6500 watt Onan Commercial RV generator, and a host of other electrical upgrades to get done. Also adding another 4 BB batteries.

 

we are prepped for solar but probably won’t do it . We also have the Onan generator, it’s mounted behind the third axle with the exhaust run to the backend . Makes it quiet and takes some of the weight off the pin . We won’t do much boondocking so not that interested in solar .

 

Beautiful rig! As far as chucking goes, airbags won't solve that.
We just returned from Port A TX from our 4 month migration to Flathead Lake MT. We always look forward to Texas in the winter and always look forward to going home in the spring!
My truck Grey Goose got detailed today. Tomorrow our rig "Sweet Caroline" will get some TLC.

 

Mine does real well, not much helps on the expansion joints. I do think the airbags helped smooth them out more than without them . You have a great looking rig . I’m getting ready to do some maintenance on mine so it will be restored upcoming trips . We live in Fort Worth area and was going to coast but my wife fractured he ankle . Maybe next year . We try to go to cooler areas when we travel. It’s 90 today and it only March . Hope to see you on the road sometime.

 

I use a Trailair pin box, keeping the air bag at about 50 - 60 psi. Suspension is Centrepoint, with the bags at about 60 psi. Have driven about 50,000 miles with this arrangement and except for the worst expansion joints, the ride is good. No need for air bags on the old F-350 DRW and don't plan to install them on the new F-450.

41' Redwood with GVW of 16,500 lbs and pin weight up to 4,500 lbs.

 

DANG!!!!!! With a full tank of gas, you ought to be able to boondock for a couple years!!!

 

I sooooo love that view Mac..... We are planning to hit Glacier this year. Never been there. Any ideas where to tour?

 

My wife has severe asthma that is triggered by heat, humidity, cold, dust, pollen, etc. For peace of mind I need multiple sources of power in case a RV park loses power, we run out of propane, etc.