I plan on buying a travel trailer in the next couple months. I plan on at LEAST a 27' Since I have a 4" suspension-lift on my 2000 F250 XLT 4x4 7.3 , so I'm pretty much going to rule out a fifth-wheel camper.

The advice I would like is on what type of hitch I will be needing for the 27-footer. However, if I can get a really good deal on a larger camper (up to 34') I just might take it. I know there are several types of hitches availiable, but since my truck is lifted, I have a 6" drop on my hitch. I never had to haul anything larger than my boat or pop-up camper, so that wasn't an issue.

Does anyone know brands? types? prices? ease of self-install? Any info is greatly appreciated ! Also, does anyone know the best brand of camper is for the $ ? I'll probably be looking at a 2000-2005 with at least one good slide-out.

Thanks !

Scott

 

I have an '02 Mallard 30e. It was about 12K new, and one of the less expensive units I could find. I only use it a few weeks a year and didn't want to spend a lot of money. You do get what you pay for the overall quality / feel seems less then other units. Over the winter 2 years ago the door developed a leak. I had to replace a portion of the floor, by the time I got back into the unit in the spring the floor was rotted. if I had waited a couple of more weeks I think the unit would have been trashed as the rott was moving closer to the walls.

The slide has developed a leak and I need to have the seals replaced, it's currently sitting in a barn but the barn owner wants it out so I'll have to get it fixes shortly.

I spoke to a local dealer that sells Jayco and some other brands (not mallard). I was told eventually all slides will need the gaskets replaced. My suggestion when looking at a used trailer is to check the carpeting around the slide for discoloration or odor. If possible lift some of the carpet and see what the floor looks under neath.

 

If I am reading correctly you already have a reciever on your truck. All trailers vary in ride height and can be modified somewhat to fit your vehicle. You are going to want to go with a good weight distributing hitch. I have a reese dual cam set up, which was around $800 but it works real well and it distributes weight and controls sway. The hitch itself is adustable up and down at least 4 inches. The thing to look for is a trailer with an adjustable tongue which can give you up to another 3 or 4 inches. Both of these should allow you to tow level with your 4" lift. You definately need to have the trailer set up level. If that doesnt get you there, you always have the option of blocking the trailer axles to raise the trailer up a bit. Basically there are several variables, but if you are buying from a reputable RV dealer they should be able to set you up with some thing that works. If your going private, you need to check all these things out yourself. Good Luck. Oh and if you dont already have a brake controller, I would recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy, they work awsome and in my opinion are the next best thing to the factory integrated controller on the newer trucks.

 

I also recommend the Reese Dual Cam equalizing hitch. It is not difficult to install yourself. Don't buy it until you know which trailer you will pull, since you will need to specify the weight of the spring bars you will need (depends on tongue weight of the trailer). Another popular hitch is the Equalizer.

As far as trailer manufacturers, pick a floorplan you like and then go with that manufacturer. I'm partial to Keystone and Jayco products. Each manufacturer makes regular TTs and Ultralites. Stay away from the ultralites, as they are always built low to the ground and you will have problems towing them level with your lifted truck.

Ken

 

The absolute best hitch on the market is the Hensley Arrow. It uses a trapezoidal cam system to make it impossible for the trailer to sway, but leaves the tow vehicle completely in control with no friction.

Yes, it's expensive, but worth every penny.

If you're in the market, try to hit some of the spring RV shows. You can get a good deal since last year was slow. I'll be at the Tampa show next month. That's about the biggest in the country.

There's definately a quality difference in manufacturers. I like Sunnybrook and the new Glacier Bay is a good choice, too. Of course, Airstream is the top of the line if you've got the cash. LOOK UNDER THE TRAILERS. Pretty couches are easy. A decent suspension is not.

Happy Hunting. See you at the campground (when it's warmer).

 

A great and deserved reputation. But not really needed on a Superduty with any reasonable size trailer. More suitable for a Ridgeline IMO.

Bill

 

Thanks Bill. Just remember that the weight of the truck has no influence on trailer sway. You just might not feel it as much. Scott also mentioned that he's loook at AT LEAST a 27'. You know what that means. He'll add 6 feet to that by the time he's done drooling over all those nice looking trailers (I speak from personal experience).

 

Scott -

First, it's good that you are asking lots of questions before you buy -- and don't rely on what RV sales people tell you because too often they'll tell you what you want to hear or what they think will make a sale, not necessarily the truth.

I also have the same truck as you, except mine hasn't been raised. I've owned a 31' Airstream for the past several years which we just sold (and towed 2 other 27' trailers with my truck before the Airstream.

First of all, know how much weight your truck will haul; and what the gross weight of the trailer, your truck (both fully loaded), the trailer's tongue weight and it's height, and your truck's receiver height above the ground. There are other questions as well, but you need to keep within your total allowable weight limits, as well as your truck's individual axle limits, and this will also help you determine the trailer size and weight you cn safely tow. -- I was right at the max weight for my F250 with my Airsteam.

You'll get half a million opinions on what's a good trailer (personally, I'd say that Airstreams are a pile of crap, but that's just based on my personal experience), and I'd suggest that after you start thinking about several that are within your price range you might want to go to Woodall's Open Road Forum, and ask these same questions.

I had a Reese Dual Cam High Performance hitch and 1200# weight distribution bars for my Airstream, and this prooved perfectly satisfactory at as I recall, $600-$800 or so. Hensley Arrow's are even better in controlling sway, but they cost $3,000 or so.

I had to get a hitch bar (whank) with a LONG drop (they come in different sizes) in order to get my trailer(s) level with my truck. It sounds like your truck rides even higher than mine. That might be a problem getting a hitch bar with enough drop -- that's something you'll want to check before you buy any trailer. Also, I don't know if the fact that your truck rides so high effects trailer sway or not, even if you get everyting leveled.

Good luck!

John

p.s. I'm about to order a 2008 F450 and a 40' Newmar Kountry Aire 5th wheel (about 20,000# trailer gross loaded weight.)

 

Well as for receivers in the truck it self I just got a Eckhart hitch and it is awesome.

But I tow a Weekend Warrior FSW 3200 and it is 13,000 loaded. I have the Equalizer hitch but I have not tried it on the road yet. The day before a trip with the new hitch we got into a car accident and could not go but I will know after christmas.
Nick

 

Hey GT -

a 4" lift would in no way rule out a 5th Wheel, I have a 6" lift with 35s on my 2003 4D 4x4 Crewcab LB and can pull both my 30ft toy hauler and my 36ft 4 horse LQ horse trailer. All I have done is build a slight lift 3" into both trailers and they pull just fine. The sit nice and level the horse trailer has slightly less clearance ( about 4" over the bed ) then I would like but as long as I am not pulling through REALLY bad conditions I clear the bed pretty well. I would advise one of those cheap plastic 5er tail gates just in case you catch the gate. I also have to say I would get the gooseneck adapter for any 5er. I would pull then you can get the B&W turnover ball in the bed and not even know you have a hitch installed.

Enjoy

 

Thanks for the tips....Although when you got to the last 3 sentences you might as well been speaking German...LoL I'm afraid my 5th wheel vocabulary is pretty thin. As for pulling a 5th wheel trailer, what will I be looking at price-wise for the hitch and whatnot ? Can this be done with the short bed ?(my truck is a XLT Supercab with the short bed) What kinda work am I gonna have to do to the trailer to have it sit level ? What kinda price would I be looking at there ? My goal is to get everything I need including the hitch, trailer, and possible trailer conversions (for height) for no more than $10,000 ...

Thanks !

Scott

 

When I looked into a 5th wheel for my shortbed I was told I need a special kind of hitch that would slide. The cost was approximately $1200.

 

Try to pick out the trailer before you buy a hitch. Issues like tongue weight and hitch height are critical and picking out a trailer first may save havingto buy somthing twice.
I have a Equalizer brand hitch and I am quite pleased with it, but it was a PITA to set up and hook up the first few times. After a little practice it's fairly easy to hook up.
Might want to post this to the Towing forum and get thier input on this too.

 

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by rmilchman

When I looked into a 5th wheel for my shortbed I was told I need a special kind of hitch that would slide. The cost was approximately $1200.

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You can get a pretty good slider 5th wheel hitch for about $500.00.
http://www.etrailer.com/c-5WS.htm





Lots of lifted trucks tow 5th wheels.

You've got a pretty steep learning curve ahead of you; this is the voice of experience speaking. Just don't buy the 1st or 10th tt or 5th wheel you look at trust me there are some really nice $10000 trailers out there you just have to find them.

check in the towing forum, lots of good info.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum68/

1 more thing, you probably have big wheels/tires on your lifted truck, they may be the weak link in you towing ability.

 

My tires are 315-75-R16's or pretty close to 35"s ...not TOO steep a tire, I hope !

Scott