Upgrading fifth wheel concerns

brireey · 03-03-2016, 06:20 PM

We are currently full timing in a 32 ft Crusader. We are looking to upgrade to a 36 ft fifth wheel. I am concerned of towing the extra weight and getting into different campgrounds as we are touring the country. Any feedback would be helpful

Kenny kustom · 03-03-2016, 06:24 PM

What do you tow with??

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

SeaDog · 03-03-2016, 06:50 PM

I think if you measure your overall length (tow vehicle and rig bumper to bumper) you may find that a 32 bumper pull which I'm assuming the crusader is as long or very close to the overall length of a 36 fifth wheel. My 26' TT has an actual length of 29'

brireey · 03-03-2016, 06:58 PM

Thanks for replying Kenny KustomThe Crusader is a fifth wheel do I will be increasing my length by 4 ft and weight by about 4000 lbs

B and B · 03-03-2016, 06:59 PM

Truck you use to tow with? Specs etc..

brireey · 03-03-2016, 07:10 PM

The truck should be ok for the weights it is an F350 6.7 Diesel but not a dually.

donniedu · 03-03-2016, 07:19 PM

With a 350/3500series SRW keep your fiver GVWR under about 14,000 pounds and you should be OK. As for the added OAL length, remember that fiver will actually be shorter length behind the truck. So no problems there.
To just be positive on weights, take the proposed trailers GVWR, 20% of which is generally agreed is pin weight. Add thst number to your trucks scaled ready to travel weight. As long as that total is under your trucks GVWR as listed on the drivers door post, you should be fine.

Rupkin2 · 03-03-2016, 08:24 PM

We have the Crusader 320 RLT. Overal length from pin to bumber is 36.5'
The dry weight is 10245 lbs, 1753 pin weight.
Remember, compared to a pull trailer of same length you will be approx. 4' shorter overall due to the overhang over the box.
With a 36-37' 5th wheel your over length will be fairly close to what u are pulling now.
Weight will not be a problem for your 350.
Final thought, my Chevy 2500 pulls the trailer no problem and these trailers are balanced very well, I don't get any sloppy truck bouncing when going over bumps, rail tracks.

John

lckeehne · 03-04-2016, 12:56 PM

I have a 34' 5th wheel. This is the max for most California state and national parks that I know.
Yosemite. There are only 6 sites to handle 34 trailer.

zs325RES · 03-04-2016, 01:22 PM

We have the Crusader 325RES (+37') and have to think twice about where I plan to camp.
There are MANY state parks here in Michigan that I simply do not consider because of my length. Instead, we have happily been frequenting RV parks which accommodate our size with no issues.
I visited a well known county park in St. Petersburg, FL last week (Ft. DeSoto) just to see what it was like. I saw a new 32' Crusader there and I questioned how they got it into their spot. Barely room for the slide-outs.

My setup (see sig) works great for us. The Crusader pulls like a dream and my truck performs very well.

Harkerr · 03-04-2016, 01:43 PM

We have a 36RLTS. Have had it for 10 years. If I had to do it over I would go a bit shorter and lighter which is where you are.

AquaMan · 03-04-2016, 01:55 PM

Having had a 42' fifth wheel, things I have noticed is that a lot of state parks and such seem to limit camping units at 35', some as short as 30'. I would think that a 35' 5er is in about the same range as a 30' TT as far as campsites are concerned. It's over 35' that tends to limit your choices when making reservations and finding a site.

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