Fifth Wheel

[MAXGroup]

Looking for a lightweight quality fifth wheel trailer to sleep 5 and have reasonable amenities.
If any one has first hand experience with a good brand please share.
Anything that can be ordered blacked out is a plus : )

I'm figuring that up to 10,000 lb should be doable as I'm using the payload and towing capabilities, but I may be wrong, and the TRX can only pull the 8500 stated towing as a fifth wheel, feel free to comment on this topics as well!

 

[tkdr6]

As far as campers go for both fifth wheels and travel trailers, Grand Design is one of the best brands with the best quality.

Not sure what you are looking for, but you are going to be significantly limited if you plan on pulling a 5th wheel with the TRX.

Depending on your options that you got on the TRX, you’re going to be lucky to have 1100 pound payload, which includes the weight of the fifth wheel pin box and every passenger inside the truck. You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a fifth wheel camper with less than 900 pound pin box weight, which means with a single driver and the fifth wheel you will be at or over the TRX rated payload.

I will be pulling a camper travel trailer with the my TRX. Our camper is 7000 pounds fully loaded with water and food, with a weight distribution hitch that puts about 600 pounds of weight on the trucks hitch that goes against the available payload. Then I have about 500 pounds of family members. The camper travel trailer tongue weight and the weight of my family will put the TRX at its max payload.

Sorry if I’m not answering your questions, or if I’m adding any confusion.

Are you asking how to calculate payload for the TRX pulling a 5th wheel? or are you asking something else specifically?

 

[MAXGroup]

As far as campers go for both fifth wheels and travel trailers, Grand Design is one of the best brands with the best quality.

Not sure what you are looking for, but you are going to be significantly limited if you plan on pulling a 5th wheel with the TRX.

Depending on your options that you got on the TRX, you’re going to be lucky to have 1100 pound payload, which includes the weight of the fifth wheel pin box and every passenger inside the truck. You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a fifth wheel camper with less than 900 pound pin box weight, which means with a single driver and the fifth wheel you will be at or over the TRX rated payload.

I will be pulling a camper travel trailer with the my TRX. Our camper is 7000 pounds fully loaded with water and food, with a weight distribution hitch that puts about 600 pounds of weight on the trucks hitch that goes against the available payload. Then I have about 500 pounds of family members. The camper travel trailer tongue weight and the weight of my family will put the TRX at its max payload.

Sorry if I’m not answering your questions, or if I’m adding any confusion.

Are you asking how to calculate payload for the TRX pulling a 5th wheel? or are you asking something else specifically?

I was actually looking for recommendations for Fifth wheels with low tongue weight. The only ones I saw were 19' and looked horrible.
I may opt for a regular trailer similar to your setup if I find nothing decent.

 

[tkdr6]

Have been towing fifth wheels for over 10 years. I personally don’t have experience with fifth wheel campers that have less than 1000 pound hitch weight. Not saying that they don’t exist, I’m just not aware of them. Most common fifth wheel campers have a hitch weight from 2000 to 3500 pounds.

As I mentioned before Grand Design is one of the best brands for campers, and here is their lineup that is advertised to be half ton truck towable. Even the lightest fifth wheel camper in this lineup still has a hitch weight of 1200 pounds dry weight, which wouldn’t even give you any room for passengers in the TRX regarding the payload. Just click on the floorplan link and it will show you sizes and weights for each model.

Explore and learn more about Grand Design Reflection 150 Series

Fifth Wheel luxury and comfort at an affordable price. Explore the Reflection 150 Series, the perfect choice for those seeking a half-ton towable RV.

www.granddesignrv.com

For reference, here is the grand design travel trailer that we have and plan to pull with the TRX.

Not sure how you plan to use your camper with your TRX, but for us we are a family of four with two younger children. This set up is very family friendly and allows us some extra available payload to throw bicycles on top of the bed of the TRX while we are towing the camper as well. For us, with a camper full of food and water, truck full of family, and bikes and bike rack on the top of the truck bed, we will likely be 100 to 200 pounds over the rated payload.

Imagine | 2800BH

www.granddesignrv.com

Good luck on your search, and if you find a fifth wheel camper with less than 900 pounds of hitch weight, please be sure to share.

 

[MAXGroup]

Here are a couple, we are a family of 5 and my oldest is in college so we have to figure 6 which is why the two I found and have around 600lb tongue weight will not work, but for a couple with maybe a young kid this looks OK.

Scamp Lite Fifth Wheel RV Travel Trailers - 5th Wheel Campers - Deluxe Layout A - Scamp Trailers

Escape 5.0 - (escapetrailer.com)

There are quite a few nice and specious "half ton" fifth wheelers but just as you stated they are at around 1100 to 1200 tongue weight.

Chaparral Lite 274BH Fifth Wheels by Coachmen RV
Durango Half-Ton Lightweight Luxury Fifth Wheels | KZ RV (kz-rv.com)

I had a Stealth trailer that I used to haul toys and for work, and a 24ft catamaran that I tow on a Float On so I'm used to towing large wide normal hitch trailers, it just seems that for this truck if I could find a fifth wheel it would be nicer to tow long range.

 

[tkdr6]

Here are a couple, we are a family of 5 and my oldest is in college so we have to figure 6 which is why the two I found and have around 600lb tongue weight will not work, but for a couple with maybe a young kid this looks OK.

Scamp Lite Fifth Wheel RV Travel Trailers - 5th Wheel Campers - Deluxe Layout A - Scamp Trailers

Escape 5.0 - (escapetrailer.com)

There are quite a few nice and specious "half ton" fifth wheelers but just as you stated they are at around 1100 to 1200 tongue weight.

Chaparral Lite 274BH Fifth Wheels by Coachmen RV
Durango Half-Ton Lightweight Luxury Fifth Wheels | KZ RV (kz-rv.com)

I had a Stealth trailer that I used to haul toys and for work, and a 24ft catamaran that I tow on a Float On so I'm used to towing large wide normal hitch trailers, it just seems that for this truck if I could find a fifth wheel it would be nicer to tow long range.

The Scamp and the Escape look pretty cool. Very simplistic but to your point would probably work for the TRX and a small family. Not sure I want to give up my current travel trailer and all of its amenities and extra space for these two smaller fifth wheels, but very cool and something I’ve never seen before.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Havasu Bill]

Isn't the truck too tall for a fifth wheel to be level? I haven't checked the dimensions against my 2500 but my Cardinal 3250 was at a slight rake. If I was in up and down rough terrain it actually scraped the tonneau cover rails a few times.

 

[MAXGroup]

Isn't the truck too tall for a fifth wheel to be level? I haven't checked the dimensions against my 2500 but my Cardinal 3250 was at a slight rake. If I was in up and down rough terrain it actually scraped the tonneau cover rails a few times.

Depends on the fifth wheel, some actually offer a "trailer lift" for tall trucks

 

[Rockman]

Looking for a lightweight quality fifth wheel trailer to sleep 5 and have reasonable amenities.
If any one has first hand experience with a good brand please share.
Anything that can be ordered blacked out is a plus : )

I'm figuring that up to 10,000 lb should be doable as I'm using the payload and towing capabilities, but I may be wrong, and the TRX can only pull the 8500 stated towing as a fifth wheel, feel free to comment on this topics as well!

View attachment 1952

That payload is base package.. if you add sunroof and options I’m guessing the you will be under 1000 pounds. If you had a 7000 pound trailer with 700 pound hitch weight on a tongue pull you will only have 300 pounds left for peeps and cargo..

 

[Nitro]

@MAXGroup - Have you seen the Black series campers? The tongue weight on some of the larger models might be pushing up against the limits of the TRX. I was able to check these out earlier in the year at the Salt Lake City RV show. They look awesome and the quality of the interior seems to be really high end.

HQ19 Travel Trailer | Black Series Campers

The flagship travel trailer HQ19 adopts the most luxurious design in the whole series, allowing you to embark on any trip at any time.

www.blackseriescamper.com

 

[tkdr6]

@MAXGroup - Have you seen the Black series campers? The tongue weight on some of the larger models might be pushing up against the limits of the TRX. I was able to check these out earlier in the year at the Salt Lake City RV show. They look awesome and the quality of the interior seems to be really high end.

HQ19 Travel Trailer | Black Series Campers

The flagship travel trailer HQ19 adopts the most luxurious design in the whole series, allowing you to embark on any trip at any time.

www.blackseriescamper.com

That’s a pretty sick camper. Not sure it’s gonna work for a family with four or five including kids, still pretty cool though.

A lot of people that have two or more kids are looking for bunk rooms and almost want to have at least one slide out for space. The challenge is always the balance of amenities and weight, just have to figure out what’s best for your own family.

Thanks for sharing

 

[tkdr6]

That payload is base package.. if you add sunroof and options I’m guessing the you will be under 1000 pounds. If you had a 7000 pound trailer with 700 pound hitch weight on a tongue pull you will only have 300 pounds left for peeps and cargo..

Actually got to see a fully loaded TRX in person and looked at the rated payload. This truck had all options including bead locks, extra spare in bed, sun roof, and sidesteps, just didn’t have the ram bar. The manufacture rated payload was 966 pounds.

Here is a pic of the ratings sticker inside the driver door.

Here is the link for the build sheet if you want to see all the options this truck has included.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=1C6SRFU92MN500171

 

[MAXGroup]

@MAXGroup - Have you seen the Black series campers? The tongue weight on some of the larger models might be pushing up against the limits of the TRX. I was able to check these out earlier in the year at the Salt Lake City RV show. They look awesome and the quality of the interior seems to be really high end.

HQ19 Travel Trailer | Black Series Campers

The flagship travel trailer HQ19 adopts the most luxurious design in the whole series, allowing you to embark on any trip at any time.

www.blackseriescamper.com

Yeah, they look awesome! The suspension looks like it can handle some serious off road. But as tkdr6 said they may be on the small size for a family, and I'm not sure we need all that off road capabilities in a trailer.

 

[tkdr6]

Isn't the truck too tall for a fifth wheel to be level? I haven't checked the dimensions against my 2500 but my Cardinal 3250 was at a slight rake. If I was in up and down rough terrain it actually scraped the tonneau cover rails a few times.

My ram 3500 is lifted 2 inches with 35 inch tires and I pulled a 40 foot fifth wheel behind it just fine. The bed of my ram 3500 sits higher than the bed of the TRX, so as long as you could stay within the payload limits I think the TRX bed height shouldn’t be an issue for a fifth wheel, just depends which fifth wheel you choose.

This is a picture of my current ram 3500 facing the TRX that I was able to look at in person. You can see my ram 3500 back end is taller buy a couple of inches.

 

[Nitro]

That’s a pretty sick camper. Not sure it’s gonna work for a family with four or five including kids, still pretty cool though.

A lot of people that have two or more kids are looking for bunk rooms and almost want to have at least one slide out for space. The challenge is always the balance of amenities and weight, just have to figure out what’s best for your own family.

Thanks for sharing

Yeah, that's my problem. I have need something with bunks and the black series are just a little too small inside. Mainly the table area. I've been looking at some of the Lance Campers as well. They have one with a triple bunk that seems nice. I haven't seen it in person though.

Lance 2185 Travel Trailer - Bringing the family along? Just looking for extra storage? Get a 2185.

Bringing the family along? Just looking for extra storage? Get a 2185. Lance 2185 Travel Trailer

www.lancecamper.com

Lance 2445 Travel Trailer - Family Time Doubled!

Family Time Doubled! Lance 2445 Travel Trailer

www.lancecamper.com

 

[tkdr6]

Yeah, that's my problem. I have need something with bunks and the black series are just a little too small inside. Mainly the table area. I've been looking at some of the Lance Campers as well. They have one with a triple bunk that seems nice. I haven't seen it in person though.

Lance 2185 Travel Trailer - Bringing the family along? Just looking for extra storage? Get a 2185.

Bringing the family along? Just looking for extra storage? Get a 2185. Lance 2185 Travel Trailer

www.lancecamper.com

Lance 2445 Travel Trailer - Family Time Doubled!

Family Time Doubled! Lance 2445 Travel Trailer

www.lancecamper.com

Like the Lance 2445 better than the 2185.

Look at the hitch wait proportions and either it’s a typo or it’s just strange. The smaller 2185 model had a much heavier hitch weight then the larger 2445 model.

Perhaps the 2445 model just bears more weight on it’s axles and better balanced than the smaller 2185 model.

First time I’ve ever seen the triple bunk set up, that’s pretty cool on the 2185 model.

 

[Futant]

Damn that Grand Design MOMENTUM21G looks perfect.

 

[tkdr6]

Damn that Grand Design MOMENTUM21G looks perfect.

Yeah, it’s a really nice rig for a smaller compact size toy hauler. Still think the dry hitch weight (920 lbs) might be a little too heavy for the TRX limited payload, you would be lucky to have enough payload left over for a single driver.

Seen one of these in person and really slick how they integrated camper amenities and toy hauler capabilities.

 

[tripleB]

Yeah, it’s a really nice rig for a smaller compact size toy hauler. Still think the dry hitch weight (920 lbs) might be a little too heavy for the TRX limited payload, you would be lucky to have enough payload left over for a single driver.

Seen one of these in person and really slick how they integrated camper amenities and toy hauler capabilities.

This is a very similar floor layout to my current toyhauler, mine is 31' vs 26' long, no slide outs, bedroom at the front but rotated, stacked queens at the rear over the garage. I can't imagine pulling this trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. I currently tow it with a 2500 Mega Cab. The problem I found was that, tongue weight can be effected substantially based on what's in the garage. When I put my RZR in, backing it in vs pulling it in forward (RZR engine more over the trailer axles vs 5-6 feet behind them) can make a couple hundred lb difference in tongue weight. The dirt bikes and quads are very easy to move around and are never a problem. The heaviest thing I put in the garage is the jetskis, trailer and all, tongue of the trailer runs right up the fridge at the front of the kitchen but they fit great and once strapped down have never had a problem hauling the entire combination in the garage. That being said, the heavier the toy in the garage (since the majority of the garage space is behind the axles) the lighter the tongue weight gets, to the point that I would move more of my gear from the truck bed to the bedroom of the trailer just to load it back down.

I love the conversation though, keep it up. I am hoping to find a good fit that the TRX can tow comfortably to trade my current RV off on.

 

[MAXGroup]

I'm glad I started this thread, while I did not find the holly grail of fifth wheels, I did learn a lot from everyone, and discovered great new tow behind options.
While a big fan of toy haulers, I kind of feel that with the TRX being both the tow vehicle and a toy, the sacrifice in living space vs. weight for me make me want to look at just living quarters