5th Wheel with 4x4

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Sparky61

Could you tell me more Sourdough about the Keystone/Lippert warranty issue if you use a Anderson Hitch. Is it unsafe?

https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...anderson+hitch

First post has link to memo from Keystone.

[ChuckS]

This may be worth your time to read:

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Sparky61

Could you tell me more Sourdough about the Keystone/Lippert warranty issue if you use a Anderson Hitch. Is it unsafe?

No, it's not unsafe, I use one. Reese makes the Reese Goose box which adapts to the ball in the bed of the truck - so do others. Lippert acquired Reese and then established a clause in their frame warranty that excluded the Andersen and other "goose ball adapters". The basic intention, IMO and others, is that Lippert wanted to corner the market for their Reese product. The letter sent out by Keystone advised of the Lippert exclusion and it took effect on any trailer purchased after March of 2021 (memory). I'm attaching a link to a previous discussion about this. Look at post #44 for a copy of the letter;

https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...d.php?p=505856

[Thoremilly]

Originally Posted by Sparky61

Could you tell me more Sourdough about the Keystone/Lippert warranty issue if you use a Anderson Hitch. Is it unsafe?

I have 20” rims and a pill rite sliding hitch, no problems if set up right.

[notanlines]

Originally Posted by Thoremilly

I have 20” rims and a pill rite sliding hitch, no problems if set up right.

Completely different hitches and assemblies. Think more along the lines of gooseneck hitches and the supposed strain on the frame components.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Sparky61

Could you tell me more Sourdough about the Keystone/Lippert warranty issue if you use a Anderson Hitch. Is it unsafe?

Why don't you post the year, make and model of your camper Sparky61? Keystone/Lippert claimed they wouldn't honor the frame warranty if it broke if using what essentially amounted to the Anderson Ultimate hitch but didn't mention it by name but this only applied to campers manufactured after a specific date. I don't recall... 2020 comes to mind but i am not sure. I use an Anderson Ultimate hitch and don't care about what Keystone or Lippert support because my camper was manufactured long before their cut off date.

I suspect they put this in place, not because the Anderson Ultimate caused frame damage but because Lippert owns a company that sells a competing hitch or hitches.

Most Lippert frame damage comes from substandard manufacturing and quality control. Campers with east/west bedroom bed slides seem to suffer the majority of cracked frames and to my knowledge they have never really attempted to beef up the frames when this configuration is used.

[rlh1957]

My 2019 F350 SRW makes bed a little higher than the DRW. Not sure if there is a difference in height with the 4x4 but you can see in my signature mine is a 4x4.
No problems with 4x4 and towing. You only use 4x4 at slower speeds. If off pavement 4x4 would be used towing when road gets slippery from mud, snow etc.

You can still get stuck while towing even w/ 4x4

[rlh1957]

I believe the 29RKS are all in the “Half Ton” name class.

Ours is 2020 Cougar Half Ton 29RKS fifth wheel
GVWR 10400

Tires 80psi cold per tire sidewall and placard on side if rig.

[Nankipoo]

Tow mine with a 4x4 Ram. Haven't needed it yet with the 5'er but I also use it to haul 2 Jeeps on a trailer. Needed it a bunch for that. I figure there will come a time when I need it for the 5'er.

[DDuncan51]

I've been towing with 1994 GMC K2500HD 4x4, since it was new. It hardly goes anywhere without my 5th wheel. It pulls and handles splendidly.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by coffesnob

Hello All,

I've been a stalker on this forum for a little bit, but we are inching closer to a 2022 KEYSTONE COUGAR 29RKS

My concern is pulling a 5th wheel with a 4x4.

I have a 2002 F350, 4door, short bed, 7.3PSD.

All of the weight math works out and says I can pull this 5th wheel. I have read that I should upgrade the transmission cooler for a bigger one or the one for a 6.0. That is reasonable. Additionally, since it is a short bed, I suspect that a sliding hitch is in order to make the tighter turns.

We have pulled other travel trailers in the past but now it is time to look at remote office and move to Florida.

What pieces of wisdom and education can this body of knowledge bring?

Thanks.

Not sure what your concerns are? The biggest issue most run into is bed height! This can be worked out, and you should be able to estimate how high the nose of the 5er will tow.
We run about 5.5" of rail clearance, and have a 2" lift at the 5er axles, and tow as level as needed.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by rlh1957

I believe the 29RKS are all in the “Half Ton” name class.

Ours is 2020 Cougar Half Ton 29RKS fifth wheel
GVWR 10400

Tires 80psi cold per tire sidewall and placard on side if rig.

Which is a cutsey sales gimmick!
Same as any name referencing cold weather use, such as Polar or Artic!

[mgarst]

You will want to upgrade the transmission cooler. The factory cooler is way too small. I chose to go with the mishimoto 7.3 upgrade which was direct bolt in. You can use the 6.0 cooler but it does require some adapting of the transmission lines. My temps dropped 50 degrees! I have a 2002 F250 4wd short bed and highly recommend a slider. I don't use it much but it's great when I need it. I hit the cab one time and dented it, luckily not damage to the front cap. I tow a 327RES and no issues towing with a 4wd. I would also recommend a monitor, or guages for EGT and Trans temp. Those are the two killers for the engine and trans on the older 7.3's. Edge make a very nice unit. The picture is of the factory cooler sitting on the upgraded one.

[Rdman]

i have the same trailer and pull it with a 2019 f250 crew cab 4x4 and 6.2L engine. pulls good i also have the Demco auto slider hitch which works really well

[dadnjesse]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I’ve never owned not do I plan on purchasing a 4X4. To each their own, have never needed it and don’t anticipate the need in the future.

In the North East you will have a hard time finding a truck that is not 4x4