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12-14-2012, 06:50 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
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New to the site and new to fifth wheels
Went from tent camping to a pop-up to a 34-foot travel trailer and now to a 40-foot fifth wheel. Just purchased a Coachman Brookstone Diamond 385FL and the floor plan is so awesome. I have not driven a fifth wheel for almost twenty years when I was in the military. Is there any out of the ordinary precautions to take with fifth wheels? We did great with a 34-foot travel trailer, but just being cautious. Our first trip is to Okefenokee State Park Georgia next week for Christmas.
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12-14-2012, 07:01 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Walkertown, NC
Posts: 335
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Probably just like riding a bicycle, it will all come back to you quickly. Biggest thing for me was making right hand turns and how much shorter it turns than a bumper tow. Took a while to figure out if I made a wide "S" turn into a pull thru site it was easier to get lined up straight without backing up and pulling forward.
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12-14-2012, 07:08 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 167
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Don't forget about the tailgate!
__________________
Ed & Laureen
2005 F-250 4X4 SD 6.0 Powerstroke
2009 Cherokee Wolf Pack 285wp (the side door ramp toy hauler)
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12-14-2012, 09:40 PM
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#4
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Now a "Top Member"
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Roman Forest, TX
Posts: 4,353
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I'll say this...the first time you get behind the wheel and see that big huge wall out your rear view mirror, you will feel more than a little intimidated. It feels like it's right out the window compared to a TT. But once you get used to it, you will love the way it tows over the TT. What will you be towing it with?
__________________
Ed and Sharon
2010 Wildcat 28RKBS
2019 Ford F-250 XLT - AWESOME Truck!
Retired AF MSgt
I thought I was wrong once, but I was wrong!
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12-14-2012, 10:42 PM
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#5
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Camper Less Camping
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NW
Posts: 3,642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfones
Went from tent camping to a pop-up to a 34-foot travel trailer and now to a 40-foot fifth wheel. Just purchased a Coachman Brookstone Diamond 385FL and the floor plan is so awesome. I have not driven a fifth wheel for almost twenty years when I was in the military. Is there any out of the ordinary precautions to take with fifth wheels? We did great with a 34-foot travel trailer, but just being cautious. Our first trip is to Okefenokee State Park Georgia next week for Christmas.
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The biggest difference is turning radius and backing up...after that, piece of cake.
Have fun at Okefenokee...we reside about 1hr north of the swamp ( DW is Deputy Refuge Manager for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who manage the NWR)...tread lightly  !
__________________
2013 Sabre 32RCTS-6 (sold)
Family of 4 whose always on the GEAUX!
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12-15-2012, 08:48 AM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
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Pulling with a 2009 F250
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12-15-2012, 10:03 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South West PA
Posts: 3,012
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How much does the 5'vr and truck weigh fully loaded ready to travel, you wife, gear and the pooch, etc.
One other thing you will notice is stopping distance, allow your self plenty of distance between you and other vehicles until you get use to braking with the heavier 5'vr.
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12-16-2012, 06:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Big Spring, TX
Posts: 198
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Height, don't forget the height. Gas stations, trees and power lines at camp grounds. One cable at a camp ground we go to drags on the front AC unit.
__________________
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2010 Ford F250
2012 Sierra 366FL
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Nights camping:
(31) 2014, (18) 2013, (62) 2012, (57) 2011
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12-16-2012, 08:15 PM
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#9
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phat phrog stunt crew
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: bethalto il
Posts: 1,422
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i painted my latch chevy orange (had no safety orange lying around) so i can see easily if hitch is engaged or not.
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12-16-2012, 09:04 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,260
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I pick up our new 5th wheel on the 28th and it is the first time with a 5th wheel as well, we have two a/c units on the roof, a 13,500 for the bedroom and a 15,000 for the rest of the 5th wheel, I will be watching above as well.
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12-16-2012, 09:28 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wolfones
Pulling with a 2009 F250
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I really hate to sound like the weight police but that's a lot of camper for a F250. For the Brookstone 385FL, the listed dry pin weight is 2740, camper dry weight is 12640 and a GVWR of 15300 lbs. I'd expect that the loaded pin weight will be north of 3000 lbs which may be beyond the RAWR of the truck. A trip to the scales to weight the truck with full fuel, passengers and gear will tell how much capacity you have for that pin weight.
Dave
__________________
Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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12-16-2012, 10:22 PM
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#12
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South West PA
Posts: 3,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave_Monica
I really hate to sound like the weight police but that's a lot of camper for a F250. For the Brookstone 385FL, the listed dry pin weight is 2740, camper dry weight is 12640 and a GVWR of 15300 lbs. I'd expect that the loaded pin weight will be north of 3000 lbs which may be beyond the RAWR of the truck. A trip to the scales to weight the truck with full fuel, passengers and gear will tell how much capacity you have for that pin weight.
Dave
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X-2 Dave, It's gets back to my old SAFETY ISSUE AND WHITE KNUCKLE RIDE.
Always best to do your own research and math. Its always very enlightening.
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