Accessories for Fifth Wheel

[Sowbug]

New Solitude 310 GK ordered and will be delivered in February or March. We sold a travel trailer and have all the basics accessories.

What accessories will we need that we didn’t need with a travel trailer for a fifth wheel? Already picked out a hitch (goosebox).


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[FT4NOW]

50A Progressive Industries EMS (hardwired or portable, either is better than none, both have their pros and cons), not really 5th wheel specific though.

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[chemist308]

A hitch stabilizer is nice to have. If you’re going full time a vinyl skirt system is nice too.

[boyscout]

New Solitude 310 GK ordered and will be delivered in February or March. We sold a travel trailer and have all the basics accessories. What accessories will we need that we didn’t need with a travel trailer for a fifth wheel? Already picked out a hitch (goosebox).

Probably a better air pump for your tires... they're 110 psi. Possibly a better jack to handle the weight.

Some people buy stabilizer stands to park under the pin when they're camping... I haven't.

On our Reflection the dealer made a point of telling us that he was adding a MaxxFan cover for the bathroom vent. We got one on the Solitude too but I don't know if it was a dealer-provided thing or if it comes standard.

The factory-provided sound and DVD player are on the far side of awful. Consider getting a sound bar (Visio at Costco for under $200) and a Blu-ray player.

That's just the start. You'll be back asking about battery systems, solar charging systems, inverter/chargers, monitors, generators, bike racks... Everyone here will encourage you because it's comforting when others join you in your folly... makes you seem a little less crazy to yourself.

[Sowbug]

Probably a better air pump for your tires... they're 110 psi. Possibly a better jack to handle the weight.

Some people buy stabilizer stands to park under the pin when they're camping... I haven't.

On our Reflection the dealer made a point of telling us that he was adding a MaxxFan cover for the bathroom vent. We got one on the Solitude too but I don't know if it was a dealer-provided thing or if it comes standard.

The factory-provided sound and DVD player are on the far side of awful. Consider getting a sound bar (Visio at Costco for under $200) and a Blu-ray player.

That's just the start. You'll be back asking about battery systems, solar charging systems, inverter/chargers, monitors, generators, bike racks... Everyone here will encourage you because it's comforting when others join you in your folly... makes you seem a little less crazy to yourself.

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What air compressor would you Recommend?

[geotex1]

Seconding the Progressive Industries EMS as accessory #1 !

For the compressor, only reliable units IME are VIAIR. TechnoRV has a great Black Friday-Cyber Monday on them. I've had VIAIRs since the 80s. In fact, the second one I ever bought is still in my arsenal - each of our vehicles has one.

Get yourself a set of SnapPads IMO.

Up-size the fire extinguisher and put one in the bedroom!

Oxygenics shower head.

You'll probably find most of your different needs center around storage.

Good luck!

[Johnww]

I also recommend the Progressive EMS unit. In addition I would suggest the Mopeka propane monitors for each tank. Pretty accurate once you have them set up and they Bluetooth through your cell phone.

[boyscout]

What air compressor would you Recommend?

For a portable, the one below. I have it, works well.

https://www.viaircorp.com/portables/450p-rv-auto

If you want to build it into your truck I'm not sure which one to recommend. I had one (don't remember which model but it was a VIAIR) built into the truck when we bought our Reflection with 80psi tires, still have it there but it was a 100psi pump. Having that system upgraded to one that could manage the 110psi tires was going to cost hundreds of dollars more than buying a portable, so I bought the portable above. Kinda sorry I did that... hauling out the portable and hooking up to battery and putting it all away are little annoyances after being able to just plug a hose under the bumper of the truck. But... I'm almost retired, I shouldn't grumble.

[boyscout]

I also recommend the Progressive EMS unit. In addition I would suggest the Mopeka propane monitors for each tank. Pretty accurate once you have them set up and they Bluetooth through your cell phone.

@Sowbug I got these monitors when we had our Reflection and I really liked them.

When we traded up I put them on the tanks in the Solitude but both soon failed. The propane tank bays in the Solitude are open to the road below (the Reflection's had full floors). I taped the monitors to the tanks, not only to ensure that they didn't bounce off onto the road but also to try to protect them from moisture. Nevertheless moisture got in (or condensation formed inside the Gorilla tape) and both sensor units failed within a couple of months. Dried them out - they were damp, not soaked - and put in new batteries, no joy.

[Skiddy]

Agree with @boyscout regarding the VIAIR if you want a 12V unit, however if you have a generator, consider a 120V plug in small compressor. I have a DeWalt that provides up to 135psi and used it for nail gun, tire inflation etc. It is very quiet, weighs under 30# and plugs into trailer outside plugs when in a campsite with hookups, or the generator sitting in the bed of the truck if on the road or boon-docking.