View Full Version : Cabover Campers or 5th Wheel
dkooser
10-07-2002, 11:24 AM
Got the ok from the better-half to start the research on pros/cons of owning a cabover or a 5th wheel. Reason I post this on WC is because alot of you folks probably use yours like I plan on using mine. I will be pulling a boat behind whatever I decide to buy. I do have an F-250 Diesel that is capable of pulling a 5th and a boat. The only negative about the truck is that it is a short bed. Give me your experienced thoughts, 5th wheel or cabover and any advise you might have. I'm just tired of sleeping in the back of my pickup at tournaments and 9/10 of the battle is getting spousal approval (this one I have overcome). BTW - it will also be used occasionally by the entire family for camping, although if I get a cabover, I might have to sleep outside in a tent as we are a family of five.
Thanks!
JohnF
10-07-2002, 12:15 PM
I too have the Ford diesel and this is definately enough truck if you keep things reasonable.
I'll give you some of my class C -vs- 5ver arguments:
If you like to go places, set up, and be there awhile then you'll like the 5ver. If you move a lot then you'll like the C (er, cabover)
I like that I can run to town and don't have to take the house with me.
My wife likes that I can get up at tournament:30 and I don't have to get her up when I go launch the boat.
Here's one that plays both ways: I can grab the boat and run for an afternoon at a nearby lake and I don't (have/have to take) the portable home.
That's all I can think of for now.
John
Oh yeah, you can get a sliding hitch for the shortbed. I haven't used one but I understand that they work well...
BlackSilver
10-07-2002, 12:53 PM
Since you already have a capable tow vehicle, this is a no brainer. Get the 5th wheeler. You'll save a minimum of $30K right up front, and more down the road in lower costs.
The short bed is not a hindrance. I pull a 28-foot 5th wheel (and a boat) with a Chev extended cab short bed. I did invest about $200 in a sliding hitch base, but I have not yet got into a situation where I needed to extend the slide.
5th wheel floor plans are much roomier than equivalent length 'cabover' designs (my 28-footer sleeps 6), you don't have to break camp everytime you need to run an errand, depreciation curves are much less dramatic (no underlying truck chassis to depreciate).... I could go on and on.
Walk softly and carry a big fish.
Hans/MN
Hans is right on in this one.
Go with the 5th wheel all the way.
Not only will you like it; your family will love it.
If you get a 5th wheel with a slide out (highly recommended) you will have plenty of room for long camping periods, with a group of people even in some bad weather.
Your family will like the fact that you can stop, unhook setup - about 10 minutes, go off and do you and their thing - in the boat or truck and still have a place to hang out or take a nap.
You can find some 5th wheel rigs that are 2 or three years old, in perfect condition - at about 1/3 off the price of a new rig.
Good lukc and enjoy.
REW
JohnF
10-07-2002, 02:05 PM
Oops, I forgot to mention that I have the fifth wheel. My comments almost don't make sense unless I mention this...
John
Dave Kraft
10-08-2002, 04:30 PM
One thing Hans and the others forgot to mention is that a lot of states have restrictions on how much length you can pull through their state. For example, Minnesota only allows you to have a maximum length of 60 feet. You can't "legally" get through these states with a pickup, 19 foot boat and 29 foot 5th wheel.
I have both a 5th wheel and slide in camper. I can't figure out a way to do it without owning both.
Pitts
10-09-2002, 06:07 AM
Dave
I think the length restrictions only apply to residents.
If you read carefully and are not from MN you can take the shortest route off the interstate to your destination with an over length load as long as you are from a state that allows longer lengths.
The length issue is definately something to look into for your state before purchasing.
Pitts
JohnF
10-09-2002, 08:18 AM
That's interesting, I've sometimes wished I had a slide in camper for those quick trips I make by myself.
I still like the fifth wheel though.
Something that occured to me, you will want to take a good look at the frame construction of the fifth wheel you choose. Some are better than others for hanging a hitch on. Jayco uses box channel beams for their trailers and doubles it if they add a slideout. Some manufacurers use lighter C channel. I can't make a general statement about strength because the thickness and type of metal make a difference, just be on the lookout for a strong frame for pulling the boat.
As for getting the hitch (on back of 5ver for pulling boat) built, I have had great service from Nolan's RV and Marine. They put some thought into it and built it so that you can remove it in the event that you need to service whatever it covers. (freshwater tank in my case)
John
Marbli
10-09-2002, 08:21 AM
I have owned about every type of camper. I do quite a bit of fishing with my wife involved. If that is your plan, then only choice is a 5th Wheeler. Remember if Mama isn't happy nobody is happy! 5th Wheelers have the floor space and many comforts of home and are faily roomy. Cab overs or Motorhomes that have to be moved every time you dock your boat are just not user friendly.
bobco
10-09-2002, 08:46 AM
I have also been considering the 5th wheel setup but I'm concerned about pulling a 19' Alumacraft trophy 3200lb with out brakes and a tandam trailer. For you guys pulling a 5th wheel and boat what are you experiences with brakes? I would sure like to have a tandam axle boat trailer also for safty reasons.
Phil T.
10-09-2002, 09:21 AM
When we vacation or weekend getaway, my wife and I are pleased with our91/2' slide-in camper. Neither one of us wants the hassle of towing two trailers at the same time. We also tend to camp in State Parks and National Forest campgrounds. We're not KOA people. The campgrounds we use often have narrow roads, small campsites. Many of them have trees with low branches.
Now, about that short box pickup. You can't really carry a large slide-in camper. In my opinion, you aren't set up ideally for towing a 5th wheel trailer, either. If you do, definately get one of those expensive sliding hitches for the box.
The weight on a 5th wheel's kingpin is as much as 30% of the gross weight of the trailer. You want that weight a little in front of your rear axle for stability. Exactly above the rear axle is okay, but your front tires (steering) aren't loaded like they should be. If the kingpin is behind the rear axle, the front tires are getting unloaded (the effect increases with speed) and stability suffers a lot.
Another problem you may have is leveling the trailer. Both axles of the 5th wheel should be carrying their share of the load. I'll bet you will have to relocate the springs from below the axle to on top of the axle to level the hitched trailer. Your center of gravity just moved up, making the trailer less stable in cross winds.
When you shop for the trailer, know what your loaded boat/trailer combo weighs, and read the "Federal" weight of the trailer the salesman is pushing you into buying. Know what the Gross Combined Weight Rating of your truck is (it should be on a label in the driver's door frame. Do not exceed this weight! Remember that the bigger the trailer, the more stuff will be taken by yourself and family members.
Luxery looks nice on the showroom, but commissioned salesmen make their living by selling you what makes them the most money, not necessarily what you need or can haul. I work with a guy who recently was talked into buying a 10,000lb (empty) 5th wheel that he could "easily tow with his 5.4L V-8. Right. The trucks max tow rating is 7100lbs.
For a quick list of tow ratings, check out www.rvsafety.com.