 |
03-12-2013, 11:49 AM
|
#1
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
|
Coachmen Chaparral towing?
Hello to everyone,
My wife and I are purchasing a 2012 Coachman Chaparral 286RKS and I really need some help with a fifth wheel hitch decision. After hours of research on here and other forums, about half of the people say that I will need a slider hitch with a 6.5' bed on a 2010 F250 Super Duty with the crew cab....the other half say I won't? How can I get a straight answer and be safe so that I'm not hitting my truck on sharp turns?
Thanks in advance!
|
|
|
|
03-12-2013, 11:53 AM
|
#2
|
|
Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
|
It's really hard to say - each truck and fifth wheel combination are going to be different.
The safest is to break down and get the slider. Think of it as expensive insurance. It takes all of the guess work out of "maybe I do, maybe I don't".
I'm curious if there are any measurements that you could take of the truck and fifth wheel to know if you'd need it or not (but, even that sounds problematic - as it doesn't seem like you have the FW yet).
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
|
|
|
|
|
03-12-2013, 02:24 PM
|
#3
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 15
|
Although I don't have your truck, my wife and I own a 2013 coachmen chaparral 279bhs. We have a B&W in our 2008 chevy duramax with the standard box. I can turn 90 degrees with my setup. But if you have the money buy the slider for peace of mind. Only reason I didn't was i already had B&W ball for my flatbed. I also took a few measurements of truck and campers and my wife being a design engineer was able to draft our truck and camper and was able to see what our turning radius was on her cadpro software.
|
|
|
|
|
03-13-2013, 10:36 AM
|
#4
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 848
|
I would say that 99% of the time I will not need my slider with my Chaparral, but I have it for the 1% where I might need it. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500HD
2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ
|
|
|
|
|
03-13-2013, 06:47 PM
|
#5
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Helmsey
I would say that 99% of the time I will not need my slider with my Chaparral, but I have it for the 1% where I might need it. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
|
Do you have something automatic like the pullrite superglide or do you have a manual slide?
|
|
|
|
|
03-14-2013, 09:12 AM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 848
|
I have a manual Reese 16k slider.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500HD
2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ
|
|
|
|
|
03-14-2013, 07:50 PM
|
#7
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 3
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Helmsey
I have a manual Reese 16k slider.
|
I see you are towing with a short bed Chevy. Are you abke to turn close to 90 degree without hitting your cab or camper?
|
|
|
|
|
03-15-2013, 01:05 PM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 848
|
I can do 90 degrees without needing to use the slide on flat ground. If I get into anything that is not exactly level I think I would have to use the slide, especially if baking up.
FWIW - We have been towing this for just shy of a year now and have yet to use the slider in the several trips we have been out.
__________________
2015 Chevy 3500HD
2013 Sandpiper 365SAQ
|
|
|
|
|
03-16-2013, 02:52 PM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 266
|
I also have the 279bhs. I tested my 6.5 box at the coachmen dealer and couldn't get close to 90 degrees comfortably. I'm sure the sculpted corners only account for a 7.5 box (screw). Remember you will be backing and pulling your rig in uneven areas of campgrounds and the rig may lean into the inside of the turn radius. In other words, if it comes within a couple of inches of your cab on flat ground, when you turn it sharp and the inside wheels of the rig go in a small ditch, the sculpted corner that Coachmen up front will be on your cab. I bought the Superglide 12k and feel good never having to worry about body damage on the cab or front of the rig.
|
|
|
|
|
05-01-2013, 05:44 PM
|
#10
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
|
I have a 2011 f350 with a 6.5 ft bed with a 20k curt hitch none slider 2012 chaparral 325 mks you don't need a slider hitch
|
|
|
|
|
05-01-2013, 05:47 PM
|
#11
|
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tanker19
I have a 2011 f350 with a 6.5 ft bed with a 20k curt hitch none slider 2012 chaparral 325 mks you don't need a slider hitch
|
Don't need it or don't need it right now?
Can you turn 90 degrees on ALL terrains with out hitting cab ? ?
|
|
|
|
|
05-01-2013, 05:54 PM
|
#12
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
|
I can turn until the hitch cover hits the rails for my tonneau cover if u think you might need get one but I have even towed 5 th wheel for a friend that had a flat front and had no problems this is just my 2 cents get a 20k curt hitch get the no drill frame brackets it only take an hour to install it in your truck I didn't even have to take my rear tires off
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer:
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:50 AM.
