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10-04-2024, 06:11 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: El Dorado Springs
Posts: 2
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Which model 5th will work for me?
I’m looking at purchasing a 5th wheel that will be our second home mainly on short trips. Wife retiring from teaching and wants to visit places after school starts that we couldn’t in the past. ( less kids)
We won’t be camping much at all in state parks mainly RV parks at different towns with full hook ups. Want an easier tow RV but not a small one. 36 ft under but love the front living trailers the most might need to move up in size.
So looking for advice on this dream RV 😬😎
Single axle tow vehicle 1 ton
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10-04-2024, 06:42 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 21,157
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Welcome to the forum
First thing to do is forget about the “tow rating” it is made up by the big three. Open your drivers door and look for the sticker that has the ccc( cargo carrying capacity). Take your truck to a scale with everything you intend on having IN/ON the truck and subtract that from the ccc. That will tell you how much weight you can put on the bed/rear axle.
When you look at potential trailers, look for the GVWR of the trailer, and use 23% of that weight. Is the figure more or less than the number after weighing your truck?
Don’t forget to factor in the weight of the hitch, depending on which one you get.
This information will get you started.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-04-2024, 07:01 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,395
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Well to add to what Chuck stated, in glancing at the Keystone line the front line living are long and high GVWR and pin heavy.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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10-05-2024, 06:36 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 21,157
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Ok, I see by your profile that your looking at a 2025 Alpine 3303ck
https://www.keystonerv.com/product/a...orplans/3303CK
Specs say 13,133 dry
hitch 2560
move up in size? truck or trailer? for sure the truck if your serious about that Alpine.
2560 is before adding the 60 gallons of propane, battery(s) and the hitch in the bed to tow it and the stuff/junk your going to put in the front compartment.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-05-2024, 07:10 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 3,236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
2560 is before adding the 60 gallons of propane, battery(s) and the hitch in the bed
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60 gallons of propane? Sounds like fuzzy math right there LOL.
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10-05-2024, 07:16 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 21,157
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog
60 gallons of propane? Sounds like fuzzy math right there LOL.
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Thats what happens when you dont drink your coffee
a pair of 30 LB tanks is 60 LBS NOT GALLONS. A 30 pound cylinder filled with propane is roughly 55 POUNDS.
So I will correct myself and say 60 pounds of cylinder and about 110 POUNDS of propane....Please forgive my old mind.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-05-2024, 09:36 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 18,509
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Welcome to the forum! Some clarification might be in order -
You say you are looking for a front living 5th wheel but your profile lists the 25 Alpine 3303ck?? That's a new trailer but not a front living. Do you own that trailer, trading in or ??
Also a front living unit is pretty pin heavy. With the 3303ck listed as an example; it is 16,500 gvwr. At 23% of gvwr the pin would be 3795lbs. - you are in diesel dually territory. Nearly any front living unit is going to require that drw diesel, I believe you noted you had a srw truck.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 57 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-05-2024, 05:45 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,395
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Well Sourdough beat me to the punch. That 16,500# GVWR 5th wheel will place you in DRW territory. That said we full time with our TV it is our only vehicle. We don’t have issues with driving or parking drive it daily and you get use to the size and know where it will and won’t go.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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10-06-2024, 09:35 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: El Dorado Springs
Posts: 2
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The 3303ck was at my local RV dealer we liked it but saw front living we loved but we won’t use the trailer more than 5 to 6 times a year. Mainly for 4 day trips.
Can get get a DRW but the single axle much better for daily driver.
Main trips will be Missouri to Florida, Texas and Wyoming trip.
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10-06-2024, 09:44 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 18,509
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You will need to get a 5th wheel with a gvwr that fits within the weight parameters of your existing truck then. What does the payload/carrying capacity say on the placard inside the driver door?
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 57 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-08-2024, 12:40 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2023
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 7
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And now.....
....you have got all the info in regard to towing capabilities and requirements, you will have every expectation of knowing just what to choose for your dream RV....
No one can really answer that for you but in my humble and absolute novice knowledge you and your wife will know when you step into it...'over thinking' stuff becomes very complicating and if things, well, 'fit'....(size, price,make,model maybe service backup) ....rely on your hearts to choose...learn how it works as things will break and go wrong when you least expect it.....and enjoy the hell out of it.....
Now....back to the tekky stuff.....
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10-08-2024, 05:04 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 3,056
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Alpine, Montana, and Montana High Country all have front living room models. But all of them are 40 foot (plus).
We have a Montana High Country 375FL. It has the front living room and the second door on the opposite side of the trailer. This is truly a "couples" trailer, but the two opposing couches in the front living room (in the opposing slide outs) both pull out and make 2 beds across the living room, which could easily sleep 4 adults or half-a-dozen kids!
The door on the opposite side is heaven sent! It's marvelous having the doors on both sides of the camper. It doesn't matter which way we park (forward or backward), we always have a front door. At home, the back door is the front door. At most campgrounds, the front door is the front door. But, no matter where we are parked, we seem to use the back door on the opposite side more. It just works out that way.
Unfortunately the Montana High Country 375FL is no longer made. But now they make the MHC 376FL and 377FL which is the identical floor plan, but now has a loft above the rear master bedroom with a stair way taking a bit of space in the bathroom. It's quite a remarkable camper.... big! but remarkable. If we ever traded ours, this is the next model we'll get.
However, it is a heavy camper, will require a hefty truck to tow, but if you are looking for a lot of trailer in limited space, with LOTS of storage (in the upper loft), front living room that is fabulous, and kitchen in the middle ... this is the one for you.
Don't eliminate toy haulers either. We debated over toy haulers and they still come up on our wish list ever now and then. The added open space in the garage (rear), trimmed out with bunk beds that move up and down, can be converted to a dinette, laundry space, work room, play room, family room, open that rear end, drop the mosquito netting, and party-harty! It's just something to think about if you are looking for good functionality for full timing.
Good luck. These are my suggestions. I highly recommend the MHC 377FL.
The difference in numbers: for example, 374FL and 375FL. Then later 376FL and 377FL is: The lower number has an RV refrigerator / gas-electric and comes standard with 1 battery. The higher number has a residential refrigerator and comes standard with 2 batteries and an inverter to run the refrigerator and often has other 120v outlets wired into the inverter path.
Good times ahead! Happy Camping!
__________________
About the time everything starts going well, something else breaks!
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
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10-08-2024, 05:09 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,395
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Welcome to the forum
First thing to do is forget about the “tow rating” it is made up by the big three. Open your drivers door and look for the sticker that has the ccc( cargo carrying capacity). Take your truck to a scale with everything you intend on having IN/ON the truck and subtract that from the ccc. That will tell you how much weight you can put on the bed/rear axle.
When you look at potential trailers, look for the GVWR of the trailer, and use 23% of that weight. Is the figure more or less than the number after weighing your truck?
Don’t forget to factor in the weight of the hitch, depending on which one you get.
This information will get you started.
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Chuckster, are you out of coffee??
I think you were looking for the GVWR and subtract the current trucks weight to come up current available payload(CCC).
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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10-08-2024, 05:12 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 21,157
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Been a rough couple of weeks, HOT and real early start times.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-08-2024, 06:22 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,395
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5Th wheel to be
The 3303ck was at my local RV dealer we liked it but saw front living we loved but we won’t use the trailer more than 5 to 6 times a year. Mainly for 4 day trips.
Can get get a DRW but the single axle much better for daily driver.
Main trips will be Missouri to Florida, Texas and Wyoming trip.
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So a lot of freeway/ highway driving trying to make time, NOT the place to push the TV capability.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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