1st time 5er tow.

chop249 · 11-09-2015, 01:03 AM

Hey guys, we just bought a 5er and I need some advice. I'll be picking her up on Tuesday but I have never towed a 5er/gooseneck before. I've got TONS of miles with a bumper pull trailer of many sorts under my belt TONS!!! I hear that the 5er/GNs are way easier to tow but any advice or suggestions would be welcomed. I know that there isn't a whole lot of difference in the weight I'll be pulling as I've pulled ~9-10k #s by bumper but I'm still a bit worried about the 13.5k dry weight. TV is a 11 F350 CC SRW 4x4 w/6.7 diesel and she's rated at 15.8k so I know it'll handle it but I just wonder how the driving characteristics will be different.
THANKS!

chop249 · 11-09-2015, 01:05 AM

BTW the 5er is a Sandpiper 381RBOK. Can't wait!

h20ski · 11-09-2015, 05:10 AM

First off WELCOME

and congrats on the new 5th wheel.

Sounds like you have plenty of towing experience, the only thing I'll add is to "look up".

You probably went from a 10.5 ft height to a 12.5 to 13 ft height.

Just enjoy

Dinostop · 11-09-2015, 06:14 AM

Do you have a long box or short box. If a short box just be aware of your turns if you do not have a slider hitch. People say you can make the turns. I have a F-350 with a 6.75 bed but put a auto slider hitch in so I would have to worry about my turn radius.

Eastlake, Ohio
2013 F-350 Turbo Diesel
2016 Heritage Glen 368rlbh

Oaklevel · 11-09-2015, 06:29 AM

Congrats & Welcome........

The biggest difference I have noted is they do track a little different in turns but my biggest learning curve was backing into a tight space.

Other than that after having a fiver you'll never want to go back to a bumper pull....

even traded my flat trailer for a fifth wheel flat trailer..

Enjoy !!!!!!

chop249 · 11-09-2015, 07:32 AM

Yes went from 10 to 13'2".

Long bed

I assume with the tracking you need to make wider turns?

Thanks for the input! Keep it coming

mikel68 · 11-09-2015, 07:53 AM

I've done both bumpers and 5th wheels. 5th wheels tow, for me anyway was more stable. Almost like your towing nothing. Turning takes a little more attention but no big deal.

Backing into tight spaces can be an experience, practice.

have fun.

chop249 · 11-09-2015, 08:20 AM

How does the ride compare and how about wind?

Is one of the air ride pin boxes worth the $800?

clr · 11-09-2015, 08:32 AM

With a 5th wheel the pivot point is more in the center of the truck, so you do have to make a somewhat wider turn because the 5er will cut the corner (track inside more) on turns. Not a big deal just look into your inside mirror while making the turn and you will be able to see how the 5er tracks on turns. Backing is also somewhat different the 5er will need you to back off the turn earlier than a bumper pull so you tend to over turn a 5th wheel. But a little practice and it is very easy. A 5th wheel does pull so much better than a bumper pull you will love it.

Fred H. · 11-09-2015, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinostop

Do you have a long box or short box. If a short box just be aware of your turns if you do not have a slider hitch. People say you can make the turns. I have a F-350 with a 6.75 bed but put a auto slider hitch in so I would have to worry about my turn radius.

Eastlake, Ohio
2013 F-350 Turbo Diesel
2016 Heritage Glen 368rlbh

With the 6.75 bed you won't have to have a slider UNLESS you buy an older 5th. wheel that has the square corners. Most all 5th. wheels produced in the last few years have beveled front corners, which keeps them from hitting the truck rear window on sharp turns. Just don't go further than an 88 degree turn, if you do then you might still hit the window with the corner of the 5th. wheel.
I have a 6.5 bed and have had no problems what so ever.
Welcome to the forum, you will find here many tips n tricks and answers to all your questions.

SKnight · 11-09-2015, 09:30 AM

The biggest difference I noticed is that the 5er tracks inside further during turns, meaning you have to swing a bit wider to avoid curbs, they also react quicker while backing which means that once you're used to it getting into a tight spot is much easier.

The down the road is much nicer, much more stable. I'm using an Anderson Ultimate hitch and I can 90* my 6.5' bed Ram without issue.

donniedu · 11-09-2015, 10:02 AM

Towing will be easier, but your likely going to be overloaded once you fill the trailer with stuff. Good luck loading and going across the scales

SKnight · 11-09-2015, 12:47 PM

Who carries 2,300 pounds of stuff?

donniedu · 11-09-2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKnight

Who carries 2,300 pounds of stuff?

you might be surprised once you tow across a set of scales.

oldtool2 · 11-09-2015, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chop249

How does the ride compare and how about wind?

Is one of the air ride pin boxes worth the $800?

I don't think you need one. If you put anything different then get a slider. Was told I didn't need one but guess what, got a dent in the cab because I didn't use it one day on a tight turn. You will find the turning much tighter than a ball. I have towed both.

Just watch your mirrors! That said, I love a 5er and will never go back to a ball. Wind does not cause much of a problem. Get passed by tractor trailers and hardly know they are going by. Very little sway on the highway.

Jim

robsshots · 11-09-2015, 01:11 PM

Well, its a very different towing experience in a positive way. Much much easier. With that kind of weight and power-truck, you won't get blown around by 18 wheelers either. Your weight is close to the edge, so be careful how you load up your fiver with your "stuff." We aimed at keeping our full-weight (fiver loaded with all of our stuff) 10% below tow max on the truck. You should be fine, and that gooseneck should prove easy for you with your trailer tow experience. Keep your speed down (we seldom go above 62) and take your time. Always.

oldtool2 · 11-09-2015, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robsshots

Well, its a very different towing experience in a positive way. Much much easier. With that kind of weight and power-truck, you won't get blown around by 18 wheelers either. Your weight is close to the edge, so be careful how you load up your fiver with your "stuff." We aimed at keeping our full-weight (fiver loaded with all of our stuff) 10% below tow max on the truck. You should be fine, and that gooseneck should prove easy for you with your trailer tow experience. Keep your speed down (we seldom go above 62) and take your time. Always.

You want 60 to 65% of the weight forward of your axels. That is why you have so much open storage up front. If weight becomes a problem don't use your fw tank unless you have no choice.

Jim

burse · 11-09-2015, 01:31 PM

Don't forget to drop tail gate before disconnecting. Wedge gates have saved a lot of grief

Crusadernoob · 11-09-2015, 01:41 PM

All great advice, but no one warned you about losing MPG slightly, you're pulling a bigger billboard now.
Enjoy your new toy!

DKRITTER · 11-09-2015, 01:56 PM

Just bought our first 5r a few months ago and we love it.

First off it's much quieter and more stable when parked than our TT.

Down the road is also much better and vehicles going by aren't a bother anymore and ride is much better. I do think it turns a little bit tighter and it's taller so it won't fit into a lot of gas stations.

Backing up is a whole new game. Find a huge empty lot and completely relearn how to back a trailer. Almost every aspect is different. You might be a whis bang super duper pooper at backing up a tongue pull but you'll really suck at a 5r I did.

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