Hey all...

Just went RV'ing with a friend's 33' travel trailer.

Wife and I are thinking maybe we'd like a 5th wheel over a TT.

Does anyone pull a fiver with a MegaCab? If so - can you post pics?

Especially concerned about the type of hitch you're using... Assume I've got to use a sliding hitch. Which one's the best?

Lastly - I've got the Bakflip F1 tri-fold tonneau cover. Will that work with a 5th wheel or would it have to be removed when trailering?

(PS - we're thinking of a Keystone 292FWBHS model)... http://www.rvt.com/findrv/make-Keyst...er%20292FWBHS/

Thanks!

 

For the F1 cover, i'd remove it while trailering. You can leave the rails installed and remove the cover itself with two quick release bolts at the front, 2 people should be able to easily lift it off

 

Hi Herkbubba,

Nice truck, I know because I have one! With 3 daughters I think I’m in about the same situation as you, we’re looking for a 5th wheel bunk house as well.
Actually, the biggest issue you’ll face is the pin weight of the 5th wheel’s your considering. Check your door jamb for the maximum payload before exceeding your poultry 9,600# of GVWR.

The 292FWBHS you’re interested in has a dry pin weight of 1,620# when you add the hitch (~300# for a SuperGlide with rails), people (~500# insert your number here) and cargo, you’ll likely exceed the ~2,000# payload rating on the truck.
We’re looking at the Cougar 322QBS which does have a lower pin weight (1,460#) so that gets us closer. http://www.keystone-cougar.com/index...t&model=322QBS We like the idea of 3 full-time bunks (i.e. no trundle) but it does NOT have a second bathroom (major drawback).

The 2500 MegaCab SHOULD have a GVWR of 10,100# like its 3500 counterpart, but it has a different rear spring pack. Personally, I’m looking at some ways to beef up the springs (helper springs, replacing the spring pack, etc) to help with that. People on the rv.net forum will throw-up all over that idea (legalities, yada, yada, yada), so we can PM amongst ourselves if you want to compare notes.

-John

 

John -

I've been doing some research on the matter and it seems our truck will have no problem towing a 5th wheel like the 292. Also - now sure if you've seen this one: the Copper Canyon 298FWBHS.

Check here for the brochure:

http://images.rvs.com/Brand%20Pages/...8_Brochure.pdf

The pin hitch is 1600#, and I reviewed your math, but after speaking with several dealers I think we're good to go with the pin hitch.

The 2000# payload rating is for the CAB only... Ie - if you could squeeze in five 400# people in the cab, you'd max out the 2000# payload of the cab... It all has to do with the # of axles...

The real math is to take the MGVRW of the truck and add the MGVWR of the trailer... if they add up to more than the max towing weight, then there is an issue.

I don't have the numbers with me now as I am travelling, but I believe the truck MGVWR is 9060#, and the 298FWBHS is 12000 for a total of 21060#. I think the max towing of our truck is 20500#.

If you look at the brochure (link I provided to you) the dry weight is 8770... Figure add 800 lbs for camping supplies / firewood / food stuff / etc - and you're only at 9570#. Add 9060 + 9570 and you get 18630# - well within the 20500# towing capacity.

The key is to know your weights - and that means getting on a scale empty / then full - and ensuring you've got good comparisons...

Well - that's the way it wa explained to me anyway - I'd be surprised if any reputable dealer would knowingly sell a fiver and install it to a truck without knowing the limitations. I'm sure some liability issues would result...???

Additionally, with the 298FWBHS, the dealer said I would most likely NOT need a slider hitch. A hitch costs about $300 / a slider costs about $800 / an AUTO-slider costs $1200+...

Anyway - just wanted to follow up...

Herk...

Oh yeah - where did you get the PowerSteps - and did you get a good deal? http://www.electricstep.com/ is having a promotion until the end of the year... buy the running boards and get a free bed extender or tailgate step. What do you think? It's $1100 shipped...