I would like your advice on 5th Wheel guys

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mtofell

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I got them in today, I have one question do you have to take the tires off or can I just maybe let down my spare and go from their? Oh yeah also do you have one or two air fitting to fill them up? Thank you for your reply or whoever answer this.

I had my local shop install mine but watched a bit as they worked and am pretty sure they didn't remove the wheels. I seem to remember them jacking up the rear to let the wheels hang so they could get as much working space as possible.

I have two air fittings but can't really see why I'd ever need different pressure in either side. You'll love these bags. Other than the 5th I've never really maxed out my current ones on my Hemi. On my old Dmax I had the same Firestone's and loaded that truck with all kinds of crazy stuff - 3000# of sheetrock, a yard+ of gravel, etc. With enough air you can pretty much prevent your truck from sagging at all if you don't want it to.
 
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Bigdaddy

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Thank you guys for all of your comments, and believe me I do honor all comments here, I knew that if I come here to ask that I will get the answer I'm looking for.
 

Mega-Hemi

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I got them in today, I have one question do you have to take the tires off or can I just maybe let down my spare and go from their? Oh yeah also do you have one or two air fitting to fill them up? Thank you for your reply or whoever answer this.



I installed mine while laying on my back in the driveway. Took about 20min total. Didn't remove anything (other than the bump stops).

I installed separate valves for each bag. There's an argument out there that if you connect the bags together you could amplify the body roll. This is demonstrated by placing the bags side by side and placing a single line between them. Push one bag down and watch what happens to the other bag. Now some will claim that it's not an issue and it doesn't seem to bother on tractor trailers that use the same concept. As for me, I don't really care what other people's theories are. It's my truck and I'll set it up the way I want. As for you, do some reading around and come to your own conclusion. I think you'll be happy either way.
 

mowin

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Big Daddy, didn't you just buy a TT this summer?

Anyway.. onto the 5er. As mentioned, your gonna run out of payload really quick. Also, are those #'s you posted from the brochures, or actuall #'s from the sticker on the rig's? If there from the brochures, the pin WT will definitely be more than advertised.

Not going to be the weight police, but "if" something happens accident wise where someone in another vehicle gets hurt, weather it's your fault on not, you could be in hot water if it comes out you were over specs.

Just something to think about.
 
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Bigdaddy

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I installed mine while laying on my back in the driveway. Took about 20min total. Didn't remove anything (other than the bump stops).

I installed separate valves for each bag. There's an argument out there that if you connect the bags together you could amplify the body roll. This is demonstrated by placing the bags side by side and placing a single line between them. Push one bag down and watch what happens to the other bag. Now some will claim that it's not an issue and it doesn't seem to bother on tractor trailers that use the same concept. As for me, I don't really care what other people's theories are. It's my truck and I'll set it up the way I want. As for you, do some reading around and come to your own conclusion. I think you'll be happy either way.


Now this is very interesting, I've been hearing both also and the one that did the one fitting said that they don't have a problem. Now I did email Firestone tech and he told me that I could do it, because I have no plan on loading my load uneven. I have to decide on which way I want to do this, I just got my air bag in last Friday and are planning on installing them soon. Thank you for your comment.

Big Daddy, didn't you just buy a TT this summer?

Anyway.. onto the 5er. As mentioned, your gonna run out of payload really quick. Also, are those #'s you posted from the brochures, or actuall #'s from the sticker on the rig's? If there from the brochures, the pin WT will definitely be more than advertised.

Not going to be the weight police, but "if" something happens accident wise where someone in another vehicle gets hurt, weather it's your fault on not, you could be in hot water if it comes out you were over specs.

Just something to think about.


Yes I did just pick up our TT but I see that I might have to rethink this all together, we did went to look at the ones that we were thinking about and find out real quick that I will take a big hit.

I told the wife and she agree that we are going to just enjoy the one we have for a few years and maybe later try again. Talk to MADDOG and looking at his spread sheet I would be over all of those 5th Wheel so we are backing off those.

But now we was also the same day looking at some Cougar 5th Wheel that will fit my truck, but before I totally give up I'm planning on looking at the Jayco 5th Wheel, maybe start with the 29.5 RLT. Thank you sir for your input.
 
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mowin

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Also look for used 5er's. I found mine on a dealers lot for a whole lot less than new.

Funny thing is my neighbors niece and her husband bought it new the Yr before, but wanted a bigger triple axle 5er and traded in. When I went to look at it, I found a receipt in one of the cabinets. Recognized the name, so I got ahold of them and asked about any issues they had, which were minor.
 

BlkZrx

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Having bought 2 new TT's in the last 7 years, I'll never buy another new one. RV dealers suck worse then any auto dealer I've dealt with. And I've dealt with numerous quality and build issues with both TT'S. From now on it will be a 3 or 4 year old unit that's been debugged by the previous owners..
 

Mega-Hemi

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^^Great advice there. Warranty is nice but not when your trailer spends 2/3 of the camping season sitting on the service lot because they're waiting on parts or putting the high end class A's ahead of you.
 

GsRAM

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Now this is very interesting, I've been hearing both also and the one that did the one fitting said that they don't have a problem. Now I did email Firestone tech and he told me that I could do it, because I have no plan on loading my load uneven. I have to decide on which way I want to do this, I just got my air bag in last Friday and are planning on installing them soon. Thank you for your comment.




Yes I did just pick up our TT but I see that I might have to rethink this all together, we did went to look at the ones that we were thinking about and find out real quick that I will take a big hit.

I told the wife and she agree that we are going to just enjoy the one we have for a few years and maybe later try again. Talk to MADDOG and looking at his spread sheet I would be over all of those 5th Wheel so we are backing off those.

But now we was also the same day looking at some Cougar 5th Wheel that will fit my truck, but before I totally give up I'm planning on looking at the Jayco 5th Wheel, maybe start with the 29.5 RLT. Thank you sir for your input.

Good plan BD, slow down and think this through. You don't want to go too big on the trailer, then not have enough truck
 

zogg

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We just bought a new Keystone Hideout 30' 5th wheel and pull with a 6.4 2500 4x4. It pulls good, has enough power and is pretty stable. The RV only weighs 8.000 pounds. At the weights you are looking at, I would opt for a dually 3500 and a Cummins.

We took a 12,000 pound 5th wheel to Arizona from Illinois a few years ago....had an f250 powerstroke and it was pretty well all it could handle....the motor was ok, but I wished we had an F350 dually for stability....going through New Mexico and Arizona with those cross winds was brutal
 
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Bigdaddy

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Thanks guys for all of your comments, I'm now talking to the Jayco dealer to see if they have a leftover 2016 or 2015 5th Wheel, I am also looking at the ones that I can tow comfortable. I'm done for a long while buying a truck so I'm going to have to fit the 5th Wheel to match my truck specs and if all fail I just keep ours for a few years and try again.
 

15BlueStreak

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We are in the same boat as you right now Big Daddy. We are currently looking at a left over 2016 Grand Design Reflection 30BH. The dealer has it discounted very heavily to the tune of 42% below msrp. This will absorb our hit and then some if the numbers come through okay for us. It is a neat floor plan that Grand Design has discontinued. So yeah look for the left overs you might find a gem.
 

15BlueStreak

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The Cleveland ohio rv show is also a big one. It starts Jan 4th goes to the 8th for anyone that is in the area.
 
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Bigdaddy

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Oh yeah, I wish I was closer I will be on those in a minute, I'm not giving up I have sent some email and looking down in the Portland, OR area, I found some that I can tow with no problem. I did went to the Jayco dealer today and at least they was going to give my more for mines, so the quest is still on.
 

GsRAM

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Nice BD, good luck !
 

mowin

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This RV stuff is addictive, isn't it. Lol.

Wife and I had 3 campers in 5 yrs when we first started camping.
 
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Bigdaddy

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mowin

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Your definitely not the only one.

Our first was a great TT, it just had the wrong floor plan for us. Being newbies, we didn't have a clue how important thefloor plan was. That one lasted 1 season.

TT #2 was a bunk house. Loved it, but two yrs later daughter was in college and doing her own thing. Didn't need a bunkhouse.

3rd RV is our current 5er. This will be our 3rd season with it. that's 3 RV,s in 4 yrs. Guess I was off a yr when I said 3 in 5yrs. Lol..... So no you're not the only one, you're just trying to catch up to me. :roflsquared:
 
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