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02-27-2017, 07:55 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Piedmont SD
Posts: 95
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new and first fifth wheel
After years of towing a TT toy hauler, we made the mistake of going to a sports show in Feb! Ended up buying our first FW toy hauler. After transferring everything from the old TT to the new FW, we finally got it home and into our storage spot. It's a 2017 FR Cherokee 255RR. It's Cherokee's first toy hauler FW. Length is 29.5', empty WT is 6800#s, and the rest of the weight specs, according to FR, are TBD! So, no pin weight yet. Once the snow goes away here in South Dakota, mid May, I'll be at the scales often. What I hope you will help me with is leveling. I think it is a little nose high. Right now I'm at six inches clearance between FW nose bottom and truck bed rails. Based on the pic I'm going to try to attach, do you think I should be concerned? My tv is an 06 F250 King Ranch 6.0 diesel. I value all your opinions. Thanks.
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02-27-2017, 07:58 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Posts: 3,225
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Welcome to the forum from Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Congrats on your new rig.
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2017 Salem Villa Estate 395RET-
2011 Coachmen Freedom Express 295RLDS- Sold
2015 F-250 FX4
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02-27-2017, 08:03 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Farmer
Posts: 4,988
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Welcome to the forum,
Congratulations on your new Cherokee. Have fun with family and friends building lots of memory's. Stay safe and Happy RVing from Farmer NC
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2016 Coachmen Apex 250RLS Ultra Light 2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn Sport 3.73
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02-27-2017, 08:10 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 691
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Congrats on the new rig.
I'm pulling just about the same nose high you are.I haven't noticed a problem yet. I have about 7500 miles on our Chaparral.Others will chime in,but I think I'm going to not do anything to ours.Yet
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2011 Ram Mega Cab 3500 Larimie dually
2016 Chaparral 370FL
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02-27-2017, 10:18 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,505
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Of course level is optimum. I currently pull about an inch high which I consider 'level' . Looks like you are at least 2+" high. Might consider taller tires when you need 'em. Still, I think higher in front is better than lower.
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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02-27-2017, 10:23 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugman1952
After years of towing a TT toy hauler, we made the mistake of going to a sports show in Feb! Ended up buying our first FW toy hauler. After transferring everything from the old TT to the new FW, we finally got it home and into our storage spot. It's a 2017 FR Cherokee 255RR. It's Cherokee's first toy hauler FW. Length is 29.5', empty WT is 6800#s, and the rest of the weight specs, according to FR, are TBD! So, no pin weight yet. Once the snow goes away here in South Dakota, mid May, I'll be at the scales often. What I hope you will help me with is leveling. I think it is a little nose high. Right now I'm at six inches clearance between FW nose bottom and truck bed rails. Based on the pic I'm going to try to attach, do you think I should be concerned? My tv is an 06 F250 King Ranch 6.0 diesel. I value all your opinions. Thanks.
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Before you take off, you might want to put the steps up and roll up that cable that's between the truck and the trailer. LOL
Seriously, congrats and Happy Camping!!!
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"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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02-27-2017, 10:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 522
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Congrats!
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2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L CTD
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS
Retired Army MSG.
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02-28-2017, 12:17 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 12
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Sweet new RV, congratulations!
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02-28-2017, 03:14 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,126
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Welcome from Western Maryland
Congrats on the new 5er. looks like a nice unit.
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02-28-2017, 01:46 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Rocky Mount, VA
Posts: 19
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Rugman, will chime in as no one has mentioned the difference in axle weight especially with a toy hauler and the additional weight you might have on that rear axle with the front high. The manufacturer of these camper spec's them with axles that for the most part JUST meet the units weight requirements. Might well be carrying a lot more weight on that rear axle. Glad to see you are thinking about it.
Safe travels,
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2015 Columbus 320RS
2012 Ram 2500 cummins 6.7L
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02-28-2017, 01:47 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 145
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Not really related but since you've done what I intend to do... but I have a RW 2608 TT. Moving to a 5th wheel after this summers Alaska trip but just wondering if i should expect a better towing experience and will it be easier to back up? Thanks
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02-28-2017, 01:54 PM
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#12
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Congrats!!!! Very nice!
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Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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02-28-2017, 01:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 126
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You want to have between 5"&6" between bed rails , and bottom of the trailer to allow for the movement between truck and trailer on uneven ground. You don't want to crunch your bed rails.
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02-28-2017, 01:57 PM
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#14
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
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Everyone needs to consider even loading on the axles / tires. If your coach is nose up, you are not evenly distributing the weight load between the axles, and the rear axle sees a lot more weight. Ask me how I know this? I ended up bending my rear axle, over three or four years, resulting in tires wearing badly on the inner edge, and causing blowouts. This really applies with a toy hauler, considering all of the added weight from carrying four wheelers and / or motorcycles. Hope this helps.
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02-28-2017, 02:00 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 55
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I haul a 30' fw and tow a little high on the front. As NMwildcat stated, it's better to be high at the front than low. You look a bit higher than normal but I don't think it will affect your towing ability. I'd be more concerned about the weight (toys) you are going to put in the back if you continue to haul the way it is.
Happy trails and congrats on the new rig.
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02-28-2017, 02:15 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Van Alstyne, TX
Posts: 150
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Can you measure from the ground up to the rear and front of the 5W and see how much it is off?
Just by looking at the picture, I would either raise the pinbox one notch or lower the hitch one notch if you can.
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Mike and Susan
Cavalier King Charles - Jack (4) and Sadie (3)
2015 Columbus 320 RS
2017 Ram 3500 6.7 Diesel
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02-28-2017, 03:34 PM
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#17
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,051
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bowhnter
Can you measure from the ground up to the rear and front of the 5W and see how much it is off?
Just by looking at the picture, I would either raise the pinbox one notch or lower the hitch one notch if you can.
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The OP indicated he currently has 6" clearance between the bed rails and the bottom of the 5th wheel as set up. I would be cautious doing what Bowhnter suggested as this will decrease that clearance and could cause issues.
I've have got by on 5" but it was close in certain situations to touching.
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=64
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02-28-2017, 10:07 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 267
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Congratulations on the new rig! Looks like a lot of fun days ahead! Enjoy!
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2017 Wildcat 311RKS
Former - Flagstaff MicroLite 23FBKS
Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7L 4x4
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03-02-2017, 10:00 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 361
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For about $150 get a Sherline Scale, check your pin weight anytime.
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DJsFolly
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03-03-2017, 12:41 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Somewhere in the Ozarks...
Posts: 1,133
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Quote:
Originally Posted by conductor1943
Everyone needs to consider even loading on the axles / tires. If your coach is nose up, you are not evenly distributing the weight load between the axles, and the rear axle sees a lot more weight. Ask me how I know this? I ended up bending my rear axle, over three or four years, resulting in tires wearing badly on the inner edge, and causing blowouts. This really applies with a toy hauler, considering all of the added weight from carrying four wheelers and / or motorcycles. Hope this helps.
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You need to pay attention to this guy. Doesn't matter how it tows, how it looks, how it rides, etc. The issues are what he's pointing out. I don't have any answers for you on how to do it; luckily mine was level and I didn't have to do anything, but get it leveled out!
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2015 Forest River Rockwood Signature Series Ultra Lite 8289WS w/Diamond pkg.
2014 RAM CTD 6.7 Tradesman 4WD Auto Crew Cab Long Bed
Honda eu2200i generators
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