Lost my home in the Camp Fire. Looking for trailer advice.

rtbninja · Nov 19, 2018

Hi all. We lost our home in the Camp Fire in Paradise and were looking into getting a trailer to live in temporarily until we can buy another house (hopefully under 6 months or so). I was hoping that you guys can give me some recommendations on length and weight. I have a 2014 5.7 hemi 1500 4X4 with a Crew cab and 3.55 gears. It also has the factory hitch and brake controller, but no airbags. There's me , my wife and 3 kids under 6 years old. I know it'll be cramped, so I am looking for ideas about what larger trailers and 5th wheels you guys are towing. Multiple slide outside would be great, but obviously heavier. We wont be doing alot of towing with it, but we obviously need to be safe. Any advice is appreciated.
Thank you

markusaf81 · Nov 19, 2018

I know a guy that has a 5th wheel camper and the place he buys them from (uually upgrades every 3-4 years) delivers and picks them up from his property. Didn't know if that would be an option for you that way you aren't limited in the size of camper.

Sorry about your house...I had friends from there that also lost everything.

MADDOG · Nov 19, 2018

Jayco makes several fifth wheel models that can be towed with a V8 powered 1/2 ton.

They are good units and there may be some used ones available.

holtff1074 · Nov 19, 2018

i cant offer any advice about what you are searching. But if i may i just want to express my prayers and thoughts for you and your family and for the many others who have been affected from this tragedy. May i say God Bless for All.

BlkZrx · Nov 19, 2018

Sorry for your loss.. I'd recommend getting a bumper pull TT. You're really limited by the pin weight of a fifth wheel with a half ton truck.

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Firebird · Nov 19, 2018

So sorry for the loss of your home, but thankful you guys are safe.

I second a bumper pull travel trailer, better for the half ton, and lots of space.

OC455 · Nov 19, 2018

I would look at a bumper pull, look at ones in the 26 to 28ft range. Should be enough for.you and the little ones. Sorry to hear about your loss sir.

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McBroom · Nov 19, 2018

Bumper pull all the way and I’d say stay under 8K and no more than 26/28’. 2 slide outs max.
I’m really sorry to hear that you lost your house and belongings. I’m glad you and your family are safe. I’ll keep y’all in my prayers.

I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

OC455 · Nov 19, 2018

Keystone Hideouts have some really nice features in the 26 to 28 ft range of bumper pull travel trailers. And under 8k GVWR.

https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/hideout/floorplans/274lhs-travel-trailer/

You can find nice used ones with similar features for almost half sometimes.

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McBroom · Nov 19, 2018

OC455 said:
Keystone Hideouts have some really nice features in the 26 to 28 ft range of bumper pull travel trailers. And under 8k GVWR.

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That’s a great idea to get one of those. That’s what I would do. Unless fema comes through with some like they did with Katrina. I hope fema steps in with some for y’all and everyone else affected by the Camp Fires.
Prayers and Best Wishes for y’all.

I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

Fitz-0518 · Nov 19, 2018

^^^Strong agreement. Jayco and Keystone are travel trailers that I know and have rented. It will still be a trailer for the 5 of you, but layout and convenience features are good. I would think any dealer would try to help in any way they can. Might want to find out what others up there have done.
Got to believe that FEMA has been activated to provide temp housing. Your HO insurance may help. Horrible tragedy, but glad to see you are leading your family through a tragic time. Have a couple friends that have relocated with family until they can sort out what they are going to do. Best thoughts for your family.

DarthMegaHD · Nov 19, 2018

OP not to come off insensitive but do you have pics of your home? I'm curious

csuder99 · Nov 19, 2018

Here's the kink: Almost all RV manufacturers do not warranty their products for permanent occupation. Read the fine print. Grand Design is one of the few that doesn't have this limitation (AFAIK), and I'd venture a number of other higher end manufacturers too. Make sure you get a true 4 season trailer with better insulation, heated underbelly, tank heaters etc. unless you plan to move way South.

rtbninja · Nov 19, 2018

All excellent ideas. I knew you guys would come through. Here's a pic of what's left . Looks like my kids play structure is standing, but not likely in good shape. If you look to the right you can see part of my wife's Traverse which had leather heated seats and all the options. To the left you can see a tiny part of our Ford escape Not in the picture is my 94 lifted Ford Ranger project. Only reason my Ram survived was because the kids car seats were in it. I was glad because it was safer down the hill in a big truck.

GsRAM · Nov 20, 2018

Man I'm so sorry for your loss. Thats horrible and I'll pray for you and your family.

If your not going to tow much you can push your limits, but I'd try to stay under 8,000 gvwr for the trailer and 30 feet and under. Get a good wdh and sway control and a good electric brake control unless you have the factory itbc.

You will be over payload with the trailer wife kids and gear but most important before you buy a trailer is staying under your rear axle weight rating (grawr). Also you need to find out what your receiver weight rating is and stay under that max as well.

Dont know what tires your running but if they are the factory P rated, you should consider upgrading to a LT tire at minimum. Stiffer sidewall, better for towing heavy with a half ton. Take the rig to a cat scale and weigh it hitched with and without wdh engaged and ensure your transferring weight back into the front axle with the wdh to take weight off of the rear axle and ensure you don't have light steering, proper front brake performance and don't have headlights pointed up at the sky. When towing remember, most trailer tires are speed rated the 60 miles per hour. So, you don't want to exceed that. Plus, you want to make sure you leave yourself plenty of following distance and take your time. Be aware of the weight you have behind you. A lot of people don't, and that's when trouble happens.

I would stick with a tt and not a 5th wheel. Too much pin weight for most half tons

Good luck hope all works out for you and your family.

huntergreen · Nov 20, 2018

Wow, sorry to hear that you and your family lost your home. Can't help with the camper but I am glad you are all safe.

OC455 · Nov 20, 2018

I feel for all you guys out West. Glad you and your family made it out.

BWL · Nov 20, 2018

If you have a space to park it already and its acting as temporary housing I'd just go as big as possible and have whomever you buy it from deliver it as part of the deal. If it was me I'd look for something decent used and sell it once the house was rebuilt.

gofishn · Nov 21, 2018

give us your trucks specs, rear end tranny vrew long short bed etc so we can look up its towing specs.

IF possible, get as big a camper as you can, have it broight in and dropped, if camping spot is semi permenant til house is built.
28 ft gets tight after couple of weeks, let alone months.

Joshwaa · Nov 21, 2018

I second Grand Design. I have one and it has been great. They have travel trailers and 5th wheels that can go on half ton trucks. If I lived closer I would sell you mine at a good price to help you out. I have the 2017 Reflection 308BHTS. Look it up it would be great for a family like yours for a temporary residence. I am sure a dealer near you would have one.

Prayers to you and your family and I am glad you made it out ok.

Lost my home in the Camp Fire. Looking for trailer advice.

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