Camper shopping time

[dkoerner27]

We've been in our tent site at FW for 6 days with 3 to go and my wife has decided she doesn't want to tent it anymore so we've begun the search for a camper. We have a silverado half ton crew cab with the heavy trailering package from the factory (trans cooler, oversized intercooler, 3.42 rear) and are looking at travel trailers. My parents have a 37' Dutchman Denali 5th wheel they pull with a one ton ford pick up. My dad wants us to look at a lite weight 5th wheel but that would require a sliding 5th wheel hitch due to the extra short bed we have. Anyone have experience with this? I've driven big trucks before so the driving itself isn't an issue, just the hitch.

 

[rajak73]

See avatar. We pull a 35' Fifth wheel, 3/4 ton pickup shortbox. With a 1/2 ton pickup, I also would look for anything that's "lite" A "lite" usually doesn't have a bedroom slide. Have fun shopping.

 

[Barney Fife]

Although I understand the reasoning for recommending a fifth wheel, I don't think its that necessary in your case.

You're coming from a tent. This is going to be a HUGE improvement. A good 30' light TT with a nice WD hitch pulls just as good as anything out there. I've had three TTs and two 5ers. Unless you're wanting something close to 40' long, I just don't see the huge advantage of getting a fifth wheel versus a TT these days. This is especially true with a half ton truck. Your choices will be far broader with a TT versus what you can find in a fifth wheel.

 

[dkoerner27]

We have camped our entire lives, almost always in a camper. In this case it's not a "what we need" situation. It's what we want and we have the ability to purchase a fifth wheel. The sliding hitch is what I am asking about, not which style camper I need.

 

[Teamubr]

I've known a number of people that had sliders. They do the job. You just have to remember to slide them when you need it. I remember some interesting, adjective filled, stories from people that forgot. My first 2 trucks were short beds. Or at least Ford's version of a shortbed, 6 3/4 ft. Right after I bought them, I hitched up the trailer and went to a parking lot to see how tight I could turn. My 02 would hit if I had the wheel cranked and drove in a tight circle. My 08 had such a crappy turning radius, I couldn't make it hit going forward. I'd also back up into a jack knife to see how much angle I could go, just so I had a reference point before trying to get into a camping spot. I never felt I needed a slider with my 5ers. My current truck is a long bed. I'm way past 90 degrees before I have to worry about hitting.

If I had a GM short bed, I'd probably spring for the slider. It's comfort/peace of mind, even if you rarely need it.

Sounds like you are already aware of your weight limits. The newer half tons have as much tow rating and carrying capacity as my old 02 3/4 ton. Personally, I prefer a 5er over a TT too. My 5ers have had much more basement storage than either of my TTs and they just feel more roomy.

Have fun shopping.

j

 

[rajak73]

Personally, I prefer a 5er over a TT too

That was my personal opinion too, I've pulled both and would never go back to a TT. To OP, If you have a reputable camper dealer, ask for their thoughts on the slider hitch, my salesman and dealer, would not try to sell me something that wasn't needed. They might make a suggestion but wouldn't push me just for a sale!

 

[peg110]

I don't have a 5er but I'd love one. While I agree that we can probably get everything we want/need in a TT, I just think (from what I have read and heard) that a 5er tows much better. I have a shortbed (6 and 3/4 feet) F250. Even when looking I always had concerns about how much space between the pin point and the front of the 5er (for the swing). Didn't even know about a "Sliding Hitch". Something else to investigate.

I think though by the time I do get a 5er (if ever) I will have upgraded my truck again to a 350/3500 model and likely diesel dually with a longbed. Sadly though, it and the 5er our currently out of the price range.