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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper gr8daggett's Avatar
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    Moving up to a Fifth Wheel?

    Hi Everyone
    We are thinking of moving up from a Travel Trailer to a Fifth Wheel and looking for advice from your experiences.

    What should we look for in a Fifth Wheel hitch?? Looking to pull a 337RLS with a 2005 Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison?.
    Any other extra expenses to look for when moving to a Fifth Wheel?

    Thanks, Mike

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor thompsons 369rl's Avatar
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    Your hitch may depend on truck bed length. If it's a short bed, you may want a slider hitch. Lots of good hitches out there and as many opinions as to which is best so I won't even try to recommend which one to buy. You can do the research and decide for yourself based on your particular needs. No other major expenses switching from a TT to a fifth wheel as long as we're talking similar weights. You WILL find that a fifth wheel tows way nicer than a TT IMO.
    Andy & Julie
    Gig Harbor, Wa
    2014 Solitude 369RL S/N 104
    2012 F350 SWR 4x4 CC 6.7 Diesel

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    You won't have a problem with how much your truck can pull, but be sure of what pin weight (payload) you are comfortable carrying.
    Read through another thread on this forum at Reflection/Tow Vehicle/Tow Vehicle for 303RLS & 337RLS . . .
    In particular, note the observation "I scaled our 337 at 2820# pin and 12880# total...much more than I expected"
    And remember that the hitch, the passenger(s) and anything else in the truck are all part of payload.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  4. #4
    Big Traveler
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    We also upgraded to a 337rls from a TT. Love it! 5w does tow alot better.
    One other expense that I can think of is if you carry any toys with you (ie. bicycles or kayaks) they can't go in the bed of truck anymore. You would need rack to carry them on back of trailer or on front of truck.
    Other than that - good to go. Good luck.
    Scott and Jan Platt Ocala, FL
    Cameron(Son) & Chica(chihuahua)
    2014 Reflection 337RLS
    2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD 4X4, Crew Cab, Dually, Diesel
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  5. #5
    Aeromech
    Guest
    Another expense is a new surge protector. Most TT's are 30 amp so you'll need a 50 amp along with new adapters etc for 50 amp. Also 50 amp extension cords are more expensive than 30's

  6. #6
    Long Hauler
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    Many of the items in your old trailer can be moved to a fifth wheel.

    My biggest expenses were the under bed frame mounts and the above bed rails to mount the B&W Patriot fifth wheel hitch. I also had to get the wiring harness to move the 7 pin electrical connector into the bed and a new electric brake controller.

    My SuperDuty bed is slightly longer than the other brands, but the design of the front cap on the Grand Designs minimizes the need for a mucho expensive slider hitch.

  7. #7
    Seasoned Camper
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    I think the Reflection line works fine without a slider for a 6.5' bed, but the Solitude line looks like it doesn't have an extended pin and may require a slider hitch.
    2015 Ford F350 SRW CrewCab SB 6.7 PSD, Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel hitch
    2012 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde pin box, 300w of solar
    1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps, RVN

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    Oops, another look at both lines and they both look like they have the cutaway nose corners and extended pins, so they should both work with a 6.5' bed.
    2015 Ford F350 SRW CrewCab SB 6.7 PSD, Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel hitch
    2012 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde pin box, 300w of solar
    1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps, RVN

  9. #9
    agoutdoors
    Guest
    for what its worth, consider an air ride 5th wheel hitch (comes with air bags) that reduces the vibration between the truck and the trailer. they are more expensive that standard 5th hitches, but when you are spending the kind of money for a truck and new 5th wheel I think its worth the extra $$.

  10. #10
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    Marcy and I also have the air hitch. We got ours from air safe and have been very happy with the ride that we get from it. It has 4 air bags and two shocks. We got the 20k omni-directional. Not getting all the chucking and banging from the 5th wheel is a lot easier on the truck and trailer. Not to mention bad backs.
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


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