Crusader 335BHS owners

[EXGMTech]

We just signed the paperwork for our new Crusader...not picking it up until later this wk....I walked out to it for a look....was sitting level and it looks to me that I may have a clearance problem between my bed rails & the bottom of the trailer/pin area. Does anyone here have a similar setup (2005 GMC 3500 DRW)? The trailer was blocked by another 5er so I couldn't back up to it.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

We just signed the paperwork for our new Crusader...not picking it up until later this wk....I walked out to it for a look....was sitting level and it looks to me that I may have a clearance problem between my bed rails & the bottom of the trailer/pin area. Does anyone here have a similar setup (2005 GMC 3500 DRW)? The trailer was blocked by another 5er so I couldn't back up to it.

Congrats.
You'll be fine

Turbs

[charliebob]

We have a 2007 -2500 GMC and there are about 6-7 inches clearance on ours, not to worry. charliebob

[SD10]

EXGMTech,
Our 335BHS (champaigne, just like yours) is scheduled to come off the line any day now. I'm even hoping we can go get it this weekend - keeping my fingers crossed. How does it pull? Anything you wish it had that it doesn't? Just curious. I think there are several 335BHS owners on this forum. Bring on spring!

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Congrats.
You'll be fine

Turbs

X2 - new fifth wheels already account for higher 4x4 3500 trucks.

[hockey dad]

How does it pull? Anything you wish it had that it doesn't? Just curious. I think there are several 335BHS owners on this forum.

For the 10 miles I've pulled ours from the dealer to the storage lot (in the snow), it pulled great! Not going to say I didn't know 10,000 pounds was back there, but it was an easy tow. Couple of things I wish it had: connected/equalizing gray tanks - it would be better to have 70g combined instead of 2 separate 35g tanks; a backer plate for a flat-screen tv mount in the bunk room 'entertainment center' area, and a more easily accessible way to get to the water heater bypass/winterizing valves. Also, double check your bar stools at delivery - I've had to re-torque the screws, no one wants a wobbly bar stool after a few ! Love the layout, can't wait for warm weather!!!

[EXGMTech]

Originally Posted by SD10

EXGMTech,
Our 335BHS (champaigne, just like yours) is scheduled to come off the line any day now. I'm even hoping we can go get it this weekend - keeping my fingers crossed. How does it pull? Anything you wish it had that it doesn't? Just curious. I think there are several 335BHS owners on this forum. Bring on spring!

In the 1 hr of towing I will say it was flawless..having never towed a 5er before I don't have anything to compare it to...but it did tow alot better than the 31' TT I traded on it.

The only thing I miss that our TT had was a wall mounted switch for the master bdrm overhead light. I am also wondering how well the a/c will work in the master bdrm with only one outlet....we'll see...don't really want to put a second unit in. I also found a drain pipe leak that I will fix myself...where the sewer line exits the body and makes a 90 degree turn to the back of the trailer...leaking from the TOP of the 90.

Good luck & enjoy...it's an awesome unit!

[SD10]

Well, this is my first 5er as well, so I'm with ya there. EXGM, the unit sure looks sharp, can't wait to get mine hooked up also. Hey Hockey Dad, long time no talk, hope all's well man. We'll have to all hook up for a 335 party sometime/somewhere this summer.

[hockey dad]

Hey SD - yeah, all's good! Just waiting for some warm weather and loving the never, ever, EVER ending hockey season! We'll be at Brighton Rec in June, Hartwick Pines & Tahq. Falls in July, and Platte River in August - let me know if you'll be close to any of those (or any other Prime Timer's). Plus, gonna take my son for a just-dudes weekend on the AuSable when school's out --- in a TENT!!!! What am I going to do without an inside and outside kitchen, shower, multiple TV's, heat, air conditioning, and a (sort of) real bed???

Cheers!

[SD10]

Well boys, the 335BHS has landed. Picking it up Tuesday. Woo Hoo!

[hockey dad]

Congrats SD!!!! You're gonna love your new rig, these things are awesome! Now, if the weather would EVER change, we'll actually get to use ours... I've been going to the storage lot at least once a week just to ogle over it!

Cheers!

[RattVader]

Well its about time you guys came to the light! Having a fiver is like power windows,once you have them you always wonder what took you so long to get them. The Crusader has been great to us,and hopefully you guys will feel the same as well.Congrats!!!

[SD10]

Lookie what we picked up yesterday. Wow, it pulls nicer than my previous 28 foot TT. What an amazing unit. 24 degrees here this morning...sat in it drinking my coffee watching TV and my breath. Who cares...absolutely love it! Oh, by the way, to our pleasant surprise, it was one of (if not the) first 2014 Crusader 335BHS's to cross the dealer's showroom this year. I'm like a kid at Christmas.

[Lynkage]

Congrats SD!! Looks really nice!

[EXGMTech]

Congrats to the newest 335BHS club member!!!!

Let the mods begin!

[dgiturbo]

SD10 that looks nice. Congrats.
Your Ford SD looks like a short bed. Any issues with 90 degree turns or backing? If not what type of bed hitch did you go with? Also did you (or EXGM) go with the outside kitchen option?
Curious as I am currently researching the Crusader and short bed diesel to pull it with.

[SD10]

dgiturbo, I'm not an expert, but these are my two cents. You're absolutely right, it's a short bed. I went with a 16K Reese slider, but to be honest, I don't see myself really utilizing the slider much because a majority of the places we camp are pretty well open and easy to get into. I was told - and observed - that the Crusader has a somewhat forward positioned hitch pin (some manufacturers' hitch pins are positioned a little further back) so very sharp turns are no problem at all and I have plenty of clearance - even while the hitch is in towing position. The hitch is positioned slightly forward of my rear axle and therefore the unit is very stable while towing. With the "camper package" on my F-250, the rear of the truck only sat down maybe 2 inches.

As far as the outdoor kitchen goes, that's one of my favorite parts of the camper. Can't wait until the weather gets nicer so I can actually use it.

Hope this info helps. Good luck!

[EXGMTech]

Originally Posted by dgiturbo

SD10 that looks nice. Congrats.
Your Ford SD looks like a short bed. Any issues with 90 degree turns or backing? If not what type of bed hitch did you go with? Also did you (or EXGM) go with the outside kitchen option?
Curious as I am currently researching the Crusader and short bed diesel to pull it with.

I don't think the outside kitchen is an option on this model...standard.

Can't wait to use it!

[hockey dad]

Hey SD -- Congrats!!! Looks awesome! Any differences from the 2013 to 2014 models?

dgiturbo - I too have a 335BHS and a 2011 F350 short bed diesel. I installed a Pullrite Superglide, one less thing to think about! Installation was pretty simple and I'm glad I spent the extra money for the hitch. Also installed an RDS 51 gallon aux. diesel tank/toolbox combo - the short bed diesel trucks have STUPIDLY small fuel tanks on them (26g or so). This is my second Prime Time with an outside kitchen - they are great! Perfect to have the beer, err beverage, fridge outside -- don't need a cooler or having to keep go inside for a refill. The extra storage and having a gas grill and stove is really nice.

And a word of caution - stopped at the storage lot this morning, found the pull handle for the rear gray tank (the one under the main slide) laying on the ground! It just threads onto the rod from the valve - needs some loc-tite or something so it doesn't fall off going down the road. RV Guy - might want to add that to your assembly procedure.

Cheers!

[bjesparza1988]

Congrats man! Yeah, the 2014s are arriving. We just got the bunkhouse model on our lot and the thing is pretty awesome.