*Truck and Towing thread........ask your questions here.*

[jbrostek]

Best of luck on your searching/decisions. Never easy to jump into a new or bigger payment. For my in the RV world my payment went down going from a diesel pusher to the 5er. The truck goes up, but given repair expenses on the old one this should take good care of me for some time.

The 5th wheel gives such an open feeling with the higher ceilings and good mix of use and storage. Plus they really do tow well. My trailer is officially 39'11" pin to rear bumper, 12640 dry with a pin of 2335. I want to say she is rolling probably around 14500-14750, pin I estimate is just shy of 3k. I really want to roll some cat scales with the new setup and get real weights loaded for Florida.

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

I like the way teamubr put the onus on me when he rationalized the cost of a new trailer versus the cost of four new tires.

Just wait til my Oil Change light comes on next... hahaha

Teamubr, congratulations on the 5er! Look forward to seeing it at GSP,

And Tiggerdad, yall might as well start cleaning out your Jayco and get ready to trade it in, remember to tell Ms. Stacey, it's a Sandpiper 376BHOK she's looking for, and you can go ahead and upgrade to a F-350, it's a win win for both of yall!

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

jbrostek, my 5er is close to 13k dry, I rolled across the Cat scale and with both fuel tanks full on my F-450, freshwater tank full, the 3 of us and loaded with everything I grossed out north of 26,000 lbs.

 

[Teamubr]

Tiggerdad,

You must have gotten the bad one. That's a lot of "moisture" issues for a relatively new trailer. I always thought Jayco made a good product, but were over priced (at least at our local dealers). Water issues are a chronic problem with trailers. When I was talking to people about a trade on my 5er, that was one of their first questions. "Any water damage"?

Just wait til my Oil Change light comes on next... hahaha

Oil changes are easy. I hate buying tires. But you know, 13 qts of synthetic Rotella does almost equal what I paid for my Mini Cooper.

Teamubr, congratulations on the 5er! Look forward to seeing it at GSP,

And Tiggerdad, yall might as well start cleaning out your Jayco and get ready to trade it in, remember to tell Ms. Stacey, it's a Sandpiper 376BHOK she's looking for, and you can go ahead and upgrade to a F-350, it's a win win for both of yall!

Thanks Randy and everyone on the congrats,
I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at GSP, new trailer or not. And I think if we gang up on Ms Tiggerdad (mom?), a new 5er AND dually might be in their future. I think Ed can be pretty persuasive, but size eventually matters... Or so I'm told.

I rolled across the Cat scale and with both fuel tanks full on my F-450, freshwater tank full, the 3 of us and loaded with everything I grossed out north of 26,000 lbs.

If I wasn't towing home 100 miles from the dealer and getting in close to midnight, I'd probably stop at the truck stop and take it across the scales before I put anything in it. That can wait until day light and warmer weather.

j

 

[Teamubr]

Brought the bunk house home for the last time to clean it out. They said I could keep the generator, so I pulled it out to use at the house.

The poor baby must know it's leaving for good and wanted me to spend a little more time working on her. When I pulled into my drive way, I noticed a broken shackle on the rear axle. Got to spend an extra hour, in the dark, in 20 degrees replacing it. I figured I should. It's 110 miles to the dealer and having an axle leave at 70 mph might impact the trade in value a little.

Leaving work early tomorrow to get to the dealer before it gets dark so I can do a proper PDI. I told them I may take a while and they said they would stay as late as I would.

j

 

[dmaxphil]

This GSP trip was the biggest motivator. I was a little worried taking my 13 year old trailer with mismatched 4-5 year old tires that far. Somehow I rationalized a new trailer was better than replacing 4 tires. And don't worry about the sun. This is a mid-profile to cut down on wind resistance and shadow casting.


j

I suppose it's fair to say that so far you are spending more $$ than anyone else for the GSP trip!? Good luck and hope delivery goes smoothly. I know it's not your first rodeo, but make sure they give you a deep cycle and not a cranking battery. And that they have water hooked up and test all the faucets, toilet for leaks, etc. Attach a water hose to sewer flush to insure they didn't install valve backwards. Check tire date codes.

If it has a leveling system, read up ahead of time on how to operate and recalibrate if necessary. If it has any Shwintek slides be sure to run them in and out a few times to make sure they are aligned properly - they have a tendency to get out of sync.

 

[jbrostek]

jbrostek, my 5er is close to 13k dry, I rolled across the Cat scale and with both fuel tanks full on my F-450, freshwater tank full, the 3 of us and loaded with everything I grossed out north of 26,000 lbs.

Randy, I expect that to easily be the case for me as well. But I would be curious what the axle weights turn out to be as well with her fully packed for the 2 week trip and both the truck tank and aux tank full. I generally run with less then 1/3rd a tank of water for use on the road and the FL trip being in the winter I usually leave the area winterized and dewinterize at the first overnight stop.

 

[peg110]

I de-winterize before we leave (to Florida) from Pennsylvania. (fill water tank within hours of departure) We usually get down to where it's warm enough to not cause an issue. Even if we don't it takes a LONG time to freeze the large tank of water particularly when it's sloshing around while driving. Also my DW relies on the TT's Bathroom for the pit stops more than the Gas Station's facilities as many of them are just not up to snuff.

 

[Teamubr]

I suppose it's fair to say that so far you are spending more $$ than anyone else for the GSP trip!?

I don't know Phil. There are several others that are making noise about uping me. I may be coming the farthest, but Tiggerdad has a really damp, leaky trailer.

And according to the Coachmen site, all my slides are rack and pinion. The "Lite" models use the Schwintech for the kitchen slides. This trailer doesn't qualify as "lite".

This is my 4th (6th if you count the race team stuff) trailer. I'll check the battery. If it isn't a deep cycle, I'll pull the one out of my bunk house. I bought it last spring. Didn't think of the tire dates. We do that on race tires, but didn't even consider it on the trailer. I figured I'd be putting Maxxis tires on it soon enough anyway.

j

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Yeah definitely check the tires, after I'll the crap I with through with my 5er, I know I sound like a broken record but, it's sad to know you pay so much for a camper and they put the cheapest junk they can't find on them for tires. I've seen some of the heavier coaches (17k and up) with Goodyear G614's or something similar. When ever I trade up, that will be the make it or break it part of the deal.

(Note the brand, MasterTrack) junk!!
I had 4 tires to this to me, luckily I cought them before they went. The dealer made the first one good, replaced it with the same brand tire, it was within the first 6 months of purchase, but the other 3 was outside warranty. Forrest River didn't do nothing either. I ended up replacing them with Goodyear G614's over kill for my camper but better piece of mind at 80mph. I'm sorry this is just a sore subject with me, and I don't wanna see anyone go through it.

 

[bama_ed]

My wife has seized the opportunity and brought up the fact that she would like a bigger shower as the small one we currently have now is too tight for bathing the kids and for us (She only uses the bath houses at Disney, nowhere else). Add on top of that SouthAlabama5er (Roll Tide), and his wife allowed her to tour their rig and now she is pushing for a 5er. With all the leaks I have been dealing with, I am becoming more convinced. We have looked online and a Jayco 325BHQS has caught our attention. The local dealer just sold the one he had on the lot and won't have another one for about a month or so, but when he does he is going to call us so we can take a walkthrough and see what we think.

Time will tell, we may also be bringing a new rig to GSP this summer. Nothing for sure yet.

tiggerdad, I know you work in the medical field but...

I know a guy....

Who knows a guy...

Who knows a guy...

Who will pay cash on the barrel for one of your kidneys. A small incision, a brief tug, some silk thread, and you're good as new. (have you ever stitched up yourself?) You can use that as a down payment along with your trade-in value of the old camper on a huge honking new 5er.

But I'm not gonna make fun of you too bad - I noticed that Jayco you want has an outdoor kitchen again!

Bama Ed

 

[bjschil]

This is our haul as we leave today from a wonderful three week vacation. Back to the frozen tundra fo tundra for us. We will return next year. Our trip home will be slow and wise weather watching.

 

[dmaxphil]

Nice Sanibel!

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Yeah, good looking rig, safe travels!

 

[bjschil]

Thank you dmaxphil. It is a 2016 3701?? It has the back kitchen/pantry, living room with theater seating, sofa, dining table, fireplace, tv, and the open staircase that leads to the kind bed/bath. We had numerous issues with our last Sanibel, but Forest River stood by all the issues, at no expense, so we decided to give it one more try! I can say that I absolutely love, LOVE the walk in pantry, corner stove and oven, and the counter bar with stools facing the kitchen sink for those grandkids that sometimes tag along! This by far, is one that works for us, unless mama gets her way, and we sell the farm and buy a motorhome! Or, if I win the lottery tonight!!!

 

[PaHunter]

Thank you dmaxphil. It is a 2016 3701?? It has the back kitchen/pantry, living room with theater seating, sofa, dining table, fireplace, tv, and the open staircase that leads to the kind bed/bath. We had numerous issues with our last Sanibel, but Forest River stood by all the issues, at no expense, so we decided to give it one more try! I can say that I absolutely love, LOVE the walk in pantry, corner stove and oven, and the counter bar with stools facing the kitchen sink for those grandkids that sometimes tag along! This by far, is one that works for us, unless mama gets her way, and we sell the farm and buy a motorhome! Or, if I win the lottery tonight!!!

I like the layout of the trailer, but can you access the bathroom with the upper slide pulled in while traveling ??

 

[Flametamr]

Congrats on the new camper Teamubr. Glad everyone's upgrading before our big bash at the Gulf. We love our new 5th wheel. The room is so nice.

 

[tiggerdad]

tiggerdad, I know you work in the medical field but...

I know a guy....

Who knows a guy...

Who knows a guy...

Who will pay cash on the barrel for one of your kidneys. A small incision, a brief tug, some silk thread, and you're good as new. (have you ever stitched up yourself?) You can use that as a down payment along with your trade-in value of the old camper on a huge honking new 5er.

But I'm not gonna make fun of you too bad - I noticed that Jayco you want has an outdoor kitchen again!

Bama Ed

I know that guy, but his price is just too low. I'm waiting to see if he'll raise his offer.

I'm not going to anything that doesn't have the outdoor kitchen. It is just too convient and keeps my camper from smelling like what we cooked 24 hours ago. I have already verified that the door manufacture of that newer Jayco is a different one from my current trailer.

I am not one bit happy about what I have been dealing with on this unit. I like the layout, I like the weight, and the options. If I can get a handle on the moisture I'll stick with it. I have already solved the outdoor kitchen moisture problems finally, but I have to see just how much damage this front leak has caused. The local salesman has been working with me on the repairs and parts and has even helped with discussing my problems with Jayco. I didn't buy from him due to a bad experience with one of his salesmen and since then he has been trying to earn me back. He has already assured me that he will wave any reductions on trade in due to water damage and he'll just eat the repair costs because he has seen first hand what I have put up with. I will be purchasing a metal building this year to house it, or the next one if I do decide to trade. That much is fact.

We are not set on trading just yet, so at this point, expect to see the 32BHDS at GSP this summer.

Randy's Sandpiper is nice, but a heavy girl. Enough so that I would have to move up to a duel wheel to feel more comfortable, and that is not happening. The other model of Jayco we are looking at keeps all the options that my current trailer has, plus the bigger restroom and master bedroom which is what the BOSS is looking for. Plus, it sits around 10,500# dry which makes me feel comfortable sticking with F-250 but I would for sure install some airbag suspension to make things smoother.

For now we wait and see.

P.S.
I have not had a chance to suture myself. I have sutured family members though here at the house. I make it a point to maintain a sterile disposable suture kit in my first aid kit along with an array of sutures and lidocaine.

 

[Teamubr]

Congrats on the new camper Teamubr.

Thanks! Flametamr. I'll be happy to show this off when we all get together.

@bjschil, Good looking Sandpiper. That's what I saw at the show last year that got me excited about these mid-bunks, but this Chapparal checked nearly all the boxes.

Tiggerdad- Don't feel bad hanging in there with the current rig. Once you get it right, you probably will never have another problem. It's also nice having a local dealer that is working with you. That makes a huge difference.

Ok, the new rig is home. Towed the 100+ miles in a cross and head wind without any drama. I checked the tires. Standard Forest River "tyre" from who knows where. Constancy LY188. A quick Google search only showed 1 big negative with a blowout, aside from no one knowing what they are. Build date codes showed July 2015. Kind of surprised they were that new. I'll probably start shopping for some Maxxis tires after the camping season.

So here's the before and after.

Old 2004 Cruiser 28BH this afternoon

And a few hours later with the 2016 Chaparral 390QSMB.

Stopped in Springfield on the way home to grap something to eat. I knew they had a big parking lot.

j

 

[dmaxphil]

Thanks! Flametamr. I'll be happy to show this off when we all get together.

@bjschil, Good looking Sandpiper. That's what I saw at the show last year that got me excited about these mid-bunks, but this Chapparal checked nearly all the boxes.

Tiggerdad- Don't feel bad hanging in there with the current rig. Once you get it right, you probably will never have another problem. It's also nice having a local dealer that is working with you. That makes a huge difference.

Ok, the new rig is home. Towed the 100+ miles in a cross and head wind without any drama. I checked the tires. Standard Forest River "tyre" from who knows where. Constancy LY188. A quick Google search only showed 1 big negative with a blowout, aside from no one knowing what they are. Build date codes showed July 2015. Kind of surprised they were that new. I'll probably start shopping for some Maxxis tires after the camping season.

So here's the before and after.

Old 2004 Cruiser 28BH this afternoon

And a few hours later with the 2016 Chaparral 390QSMB.

Stopped in Springfield on the way home to grap something to eat. I knew they had a big parking lot.

j

Nice upgrade. Let me know how you like those JT Strongarms. Are they mounted on the back stabilizers as well?