Legendsk

I'm going to down size from a 3 BR house to a 5th wheel travel trailer. There is just me and the dog. I love my '12 Platy SCREW 4x4 EB and would sure rather keep it than trade for an F-250. It has Tow, but not Max Tow. I absolutely don't want to go to laundromats - stackable washer and dryer is mandatory.

Beyond that, I believe I have a little preference for a booth style dinette that will make into a 2nd bed in case any of the kids stay over. The idea of table and chairs that move around doesn't make sense to me in a trailer.

I don't want to worry about cold / pipes freezing, although I don't really plan to spend much time where winter happens.

I have searched on the trailer / towing / rv / etc. forums, but while some of them are ok, they lack the level of knowledge I generally see on this forum.

I would really like suggestions / tips from you veterans who live full time in fifth wheel trailers. Brands, models, slides, benefits and drawbacks of specific floor plans, options that are really necessary, sliding 5th wheel hitches, practicality of towing with an F-150, a trailer that you would be willing to live in the rest of your life.

TIA

Cover Dog

unfortunately you're needing a fifth wheel will make it necessary for you to get out of the current truck. you just don't have enough payload capacity in the platinum for any pin weight of a fifth wheel.

Forest River is the largest manufacturer of RVs in the nation they have a forum and it is www.forestriverforums.com

murf

Completely possible. There are many with 5th wheels on here, including myself. If you have a 5.5ft box you will need a sidewinder or adjustable hitch to get the back window clearance you need.

Like Cover Dog said, your limiting factor will be your payload.


Many newer campers that have built in washer and dryers are on the high end on weight. They do sell washer/dryer combos. It's all one unit and pretty small, but the cycle from start to finish is pretty long. That and your grey water will fill up quickly.

I would venture to say that if you are going to live our of it you will want a bigger camper than than your current F150 will tow. Front bedroom with double slides in the rear to accommodate a habitable living space. That will also come with a slide for the front living room. This will put the weight well over anything we can tow.

Here is a link to one that I have been looking at for a permanent campsite.


http://greenbay.craigslist.org/rvs/4587319697.html

This one can be done with my truck. I do have 1820 payload and its hitch weight is 1525 dry, but that doesn't include anything else like me, family, and anything else I decide to put in the truck or front of the camper. I would be fine to pull this one like I do mine. It's only 2,000 more lbs and 300lbs more hitch weight, but I'm ok with pushing the limits a little bit. Upgraded suspension and E rated tires help, but my pulling days are over. My camper sits year round at the same place and I'm ok with that.

Also any "winter package" is only as good as the LP and electric heating it. The tanks will have heating blankets that will keep them from freezing. Where you will have problems is the lines that run closest to the walls and the receptacles themselves. These will have to be heat taped. Also, the hose running to the camper will have to be heat taped. That is if you find yourself in a cold climate.

Legendsk

To come to closure on this....
I looked at a few hundred trailers. Admired several within my budget. Found THE one and fell in love. Owner REALLY wanted to sell and bought it. Will pick it up next week. It's 15,000 pounds so went looking for an F-250. Researched the value of my Platy 150 and the 250 I would want. Looks like around $12k - $13k for a '15. If I could find a used one with reasonable mileage for much less. Found one that has everything but NAV and the dealer wants $12.5k difference for a new '15. I hate Ford's NAV and would have preferred to install an aftermarket one anyhow. So I'll go with it today and get a few miles on it before I go pick up the trailer.

Thanks folks for the great help you have been over the years while I owned F-150's. The 250 is so similar, I believe I'll stick around, even though I no longer will have an F-150.

murf

Excellent! When you get the whole setup you'll have to post pics! I'm really interested in the trailer you picked up. 15,000 sounds like a beast! Does it have your washer dryer?

king nothing

15k pound 5th might be too much trailer for the 250. Might be in f350 territory with that one. What's the max payload on the 250? Your pin weight is gonna be in the 2500-3500 pound range with a 15k trailer

Legendsk

I wound up with a 2003 Nu-Wa Premier FKTG 15,600 / 2,200. Here is a link to their archive brochure.
http://www.nuwa.com/archives/2003/hi...loorplans.html

I took some pics with my phone, meh. But here is a link to them. After I get moved in I will take a real camera and try to get some decent pics of mine. There are a couple of good pictures on the nuwa website.

http://s905.photobucket.com/user/Leg...ibrary/Trailer

Mine does have a Washer/Dryer combo. I would have preferred stackable separates, but my trailer has a deep freeze stacked on the W/D. It will take longer to do the wash, but I can cool the brews quickly while I'm waiting.

SteveLord

Took a quick look at Ford's site.

The F250 looks to do up to 16,800lbs depending on config.

Payload wise...looks like 3000 to 4200lbs

king nothing

More payload than I expected