First fifth wheel tow

[moose074]

Originally Posted by justpassinthru

Look into Timbrens. Google them or YouTube them. Friends told me about them. They really do work. Hope this helps

If you decide to add rear support airbags are nice Timbrens , Sumos are great and work as advertised. I have Aircells on my ram work like Timbren it 1/3 the price

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by AndreTheGiant

Nice set up, long bed makes all the difference.


Your sag is fine. I wouldn't put airbags - it will make your 5ver ride even more nose-high than it is right now.



Is your BW hitch on its lowest setting?

That I do not know yet, I haven't even investigated do to time constraints. Have not looked at paper work to see how to adjust it. I believe there is about 2" of adjustment in it or something.

[TheWolfPaq82]

If the drive is solid and it tows great....don't bother with it. I probably see 15 to 20 5ver's every trip to our cabin and I'd say 70 to 80 percent...if not more have some Squat or the 5ver is nose high.

[Boomerweps]

Just curious, what is the length difference between your previous TT and the new 5er?

[AndreTheGiant]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

If the drive is solid and it tows great....don't bother with it. I probably see 15 to 20 5ver's every trip to our cabin and I'd say 70 to 80 percent...if not more have some Squat or the 5ver is nose high.

Haha, funny you'd mention that. I have never seen a leveled 5ver in real life.

I'm kinda jealous of his squat, I would be very close to level, if I had it.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by Boomerweps

Just curious, what is the length difference between your previous TT and the new 5er?

The 5 is a little over 40'.. I think my other was just shy of 38 with the hitch..Just workign off memory so I may be slightly off.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

If the drive is solid and it tows great....don't bother with it. I probably see 15 to 20 5ver's every trip to our cabin and I'd say 70 to 80 percent...if not more have some Squat or the 5ver is nose high.

Well I know my first tow felt good, I well see how it does with a little longer distance (about 1.5 hours) next week. I'll make any adjustments necessary for safety and feel if ultimately it need be done.

[PA-RV]

I am also new to a 5th wheel, Brookstone 310RL, and I noticed that backing up is a much different response than a TT. My sag is 3 inches. Is that good or bad and would you experienced "5th wheelers" recommend air bags to lift? I did not notice any looseness or play in the steering during our three hour drive home from the dealer.

[moose074]

I run the airless air bags regardless but for 3 inch squat if your happy don’t

[ronheater70]

Well never noticed but my fresh water tank is nearly full so thats about 600 poundish extra I normally do not take. Not sure why I didnt even check it when we were leaving the dealership. I recalled running the water and checking for leakes etc..ugh. I cant find out how to drain it either.

[SlowrideHD]

My truck only drops a bit less than two inches when I get under the fifth wheel but that does change the angle of my headlights at night. I have Firestone airbags under my truck with a frame mount compressor, mainly for when I'm pulling my gooseneck with a dozer but that allows me to level my truck at any loaded condition.
Practice makes perfect for backing skills. No doubt you will be expert in no time!

[colretired]

As others have noted it looks like the fifth wheel hitch is aft of the rear axle resulting in the rear sag. The other impact of this is it lifts the front of the truck reducing the weight on the front wheels which can increase the risk of hydroplaning. I bought a sliding hitch that allows me to shift the hitch rearwards for tight maneuvering. As a result I can get 90 degrees to the trailer if I need to. But the trailer hitch is in the forward position directly over the axle when towing. There have been times I had to make a u-turn when this was very helpful and always when parking at a campground.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by colretired

As others have noted it looks like the fifth wheel hitch is aft of the rear axle resulting in the rear sag. The other impact of this is it lifts the front of the truck reducing the weight on the front wheels which can increase the risk of hydroplaning. I bought a sliding hitch that allows me to shift the hitch rearwards for tight maneuvering. As a result I can get 90 degrees to the trailer if I need to. But the trailer hitch is in the forward position directly over the axle when towing. There have been times I had to make a u-turn when this was very helpful and always when parking at a campground.

The hitch is right over the Rear Axle. The Sag is really not that bad, the shadows are playing with the picture.

[colretired]

Perfect. Our trailer is just a bit heavier than yours at loaded 16,000 lbs but the truck handles it really well and our mileage is decent. Happy camping to you.

[MikeRP]

Here’s a picture of mine with my new flexair pin box and the B&W companion slider. I don’t think you are squating. Mine does not squat and I have full def, full fuel including 40 gal extra aux tank and around 2900lbs on the pin. Total weight is about 14500 lbs.

[MikeRP]

So if you look at that picture the truck appears to be squatting but it’s actually just a tad high in the rear.