Hi Everyone,
I am considering buying a used toyhauler trailer and am thinking about going to a fifth wheel; because they tow better than a tag trailer. I recently sold my 2007 Weekend Warrior FSC3200 with a Hensley Arrow Hitch and really liked the way it towed. What is the best fifth wheel hitch to buy for a short-bed truck? Do I need a sliding hitch? If so, who has the best installed price on one? Also what is the largest Weekend Warrior trailer that I can safely tow? I have a 2003 Ford F250, Crew Cab 4X4 diesel truck. Could I safely tow a WW SLC3905 or should I try to stay with an Ultra Light, fifth wheel trailer? I want a trailer with at least 18 or 19 feet to the first cabinet; which fifth wheel trailer would be best for my purposes? Thanks so much for your input and advice!

I think you would be ok with a WW le up to 35 foot, le's are lighter because no slides. Same floorplan as the fsc. You will need a slider their are manual sliders and auto sliders (pricey)

If you can find a used hitch it would be the cheapest way, but when I was pricing them for one of my friends, Express Muffler in Santee was cheaper than anyone else. Even a local trailer repair place that I know the owner. Express Muffler just moved right by Fiber-tech in Santee if you know where that is, next to the 67, prospect exit.

I have what you need.....call me

An LE 3705 is the ticket... I don't know all the specs/weights/measures but you should look into this trailer as far as weight and room is concerned.

Auto slider hitch is the way to go...

My sig is what I pull. Short bed GMC 2500 DMAX. I have the Husky slider hitch which I bought new when i bought the trailer from Giant RV. Ive had my setup for just over 2 yrs now and have used the slider twice. The front caps on the WWs have angled ends that allow tight turns. My trailer is a 08 SLC3705 (Measures out to just over 40 feet box lenght) and has 16.5 ft of cargo space to the first cabinet....I could use the extra 2 feet the 3905 offers though.

I have a 2500 DMAX 4x4 shortbed diesel and I tow a Le3505. I probably wouldn't go any bigger, even if its just 2 feet. I'm in a comfort zone right now pulling and I don't want to push it and things end up bad. I have the Drawtite slider hitch (I believe Reese makes it). Never once used the slider, but its always nice to have. Kind of an "in case things happen" deal. Its the kind of hitch that has the 4 pods the hitch drops into. I use the bed of my truck quite a bit and didn't want the rails. When the hitch is out, you can put plugs in the holes and you can't even notice a hitch goes in the truck.


Andy

Thanks Andy and MQ for your thoughts. When you say that you have a slider hitch, do you mean that it slides automatically or do you have to manually go to the bed of your truck and slide it? I have to back up a slightly steep driveway and I want to make sure that the trailer does not hit the back window of my truck. How much roughly does a hitch cost that slides automatically? How much cargo space do you have on the Le3505 from the back of the trailer to the first cabinet and can I assume that the Le3705 would have anout 2 feet more feet than the Le3505? I hate to give up my truck bed, however I think the fifth wheels will tow better than a tag axle. Is that right?

I have a manual, the autos are stupid expensive plus, If you slide it...it wont go back to standard location if you dont want it to. i would say yes on the extra 2 feet on the LE but post 07s for sure. Not sure about the pre '06.

couple questions

6.0 or 7.3?
why just WW?
what do you need to fit in the trailer?


I have a 02 F250 (shortbed) and tow an Eclipse attitude 35' no problem. I have a manual slider and personally don't see the need to spend the extra on an auto. Just get out of the truck and unlock when you need to. Now if you can find a used auto for a good price, then go for it. Bought my trailer new and had the option of smooth siding or alum and went with the alum to save about 1000 lbs being as I knew a trailer this big was definitely pushing the "legal" limits of the truck. Just something to keep in mind. Express also did my hitch and I have no complaints about them. Went from a small tag to this 5th wheel and it definitely tows nicer.

I would agree with the LE series, 06 and earlier the 37 foot was a special order only, 2007 and newer it became part of the line. I have an 2006 LE 37, towed it with the same truck you have but long bed with no issues. I did upgrade the tires on the truck. I believe your tow rating for 5th wheel is 15,800lb.

I weighed my rig fully loaded with everything, including kids, two dogs, full fuel, full water, firewood, 1900lb buggy and two quads, total weight was 26,100 lbs....overweight for sure. I think the total weight can't exceed 25,000lbs?? for that truck?

I have the Superglide hitch made by pullrite. It was somewhat pricey, but well worth it in my opinion. I don't have to worry about the trailer hitting the cab of the truck when maneuvering the trailer in tight spots.Buy what you want the first time and cry once.

if you end up getting a smaller fiver, let me know. i have a reese manual 16k slider sitting in my garage that i want gone. these are 800 dollars brand new + an extra 125 for rails, and i will give it to you for 100 bucks, rails are included. all you would need to get is a hardware kit for it. hardware was welded to my old truck.

im in orange county, by the los alamitos race track.

^^^^ there's your deal right there. put the extra money towards any mods the truck might need. Unless you have a CDL, you don't want anything rated more than 15k anyway

The link will tell you what you can tow legally and the total GCWR.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trai...SD_F250_350.pdf

so someone please explain the purpose of the slider please?
can you give me a scenario when you need to "unlock" or move it?

I have a bumper pull car trailer, and don't understand the slider deal. I've seen it mentioned, but never seen an explanation.

thanks ahead of time.

It's for short bed trucks that pulls 5er's. Sometimes tight turns can cause the front of the trailer to hit the back window. The slider allows the hitch to slide back to wards the tail gate for a tighter turning radius.

Thanks Saychz, I appreciate your offer and will contact you about your hitch once I decide what trailer I am buying.

Hi RBJ,
I have a 7.3 liter F-250 and I like the functionality of the WW trailers, although I am open to other brands. What are some other nice Fifth wheel trailers that are reasonably priced; and have over 16 feet of cargo? If my wife ever finds a job, I would like to buy another Toyz for Big Boyz rail. I also have 2 quads and a Yerf Dog go kart for the kids.......Well, I actually ride in the Yerf Dog too; if no one is around! (big smile).

Eclipse Attitude and Stellar both have floorplans with 16' minimum. Had mine since 06 and no problems with it at all. Might be worth looking into. You could also get into one with less open cargo room if you consider the space in the kitchen (IE: kids bike or engine cage in kitchen)


Stellar




Attitude



Also, keep in mind that while the fiberglass sides may look nicer, they do add weight

http://www.eclipservmfg.com/index.php?opti...view&id=138


http://www.eclipservmfg.com/index.php?opti...25&Itemid=1

My 7.3 is rated for 20k lb total weight.

Stay under that weight and youll always be safe. Weigh your truck and toys to see what you have, and whats left over is what your trailer can weigh. Since everyones truck and set up is different, no one can TELL you what you can tow!! It's pretty easy to figure out on your own.

I'm scared to call you because I am still recovering after visiting your shop last month!!! I'm still depressed because you always have soooooo many cool toys and all I have is a Yerf Dog go kart! My wife brings up your name everyday and talks about how cool Ocotillo Boy is! I tell her that I have a Yerf Dog and am a State Worker and she says, "Well Bryan owns his own company, is rich, has two nice new sand cars, a phat motorhome, and a whole bunch of other cool toys!". Oh well, at least I still have my good looks!! On second thought, now I am really, really sad!
PS: I am still shouting "Ocotillo Boy for President, Ocotillo Boy for President!!".

I HAVE 06' LE3505 WW FOR SALE,WITH 24000# SUPER GLIDE HITCH CONTACT IF INTERESTED 760-2754993.LOCATED IN THERMAL CA.

The only 2 times I had to unlock the slider was when I was hooking up at a 90 degree angle to the trailer and when I was new to 5th wheels, backing up to be sure I didnt take out my window....other then that, I have taken some real sharp turns that had me questioning if I should unlock but with the front cap on WW's having round edges, it helped out. Did I have to buy it...No, but its there is I ever need it.

I had a superglide hitch, as it came installed in my truck. Nice hitch, very beefy. Seriously, too beefy. To get that hitch with the rails on out of the bed, was a two man job and I busted a shin and smashed a finger more than once doing it. Oh yeah, I tripped over it several times when it was sitting in my garage.

If you need to remove the hitch to keep your bed, consider the above. If the above is not an issue, I think the superglide is a top notch hitch for your application.

You will hate a sliding hitch! what a pain, and the super-glide is great if you own a crane. The only way to go is a 5th airborne swivel pin box.

it locks into any 5th wheel and swivels at the trailer, I have a short bed ford and can actually turn the truck past 90 degrees. they also have a air bag and shock built into the hitch, it feels like there is no trailer behind you.


the big box is the one with the air bag inside, there is a straight steel bar behind the pin to keep it from swiveling at the hitch, and there is a swivel point at the pin box on the trailer, I have had one for 2 years and have been on some mean wooped out roads at fast speed while towing due to the old truck being a 2wd and never a issue.

non air ride is $525.00 and the air ride is $1400.00

attached is the video on how it works the pic are a little confusing
http://www.fifthairborne.com/video/runvide...idewinder-3.flv

Thanks Jalper. If I buy a fifth wheel trailer I will buy one of these Fifth Airborne Sidewinders. The Fifth Airborne mechanism is just an extension that hooks between the trailer and the truck, in order to allow sharper turns? Is that right?

yes, you replace the original pin box with the 5th, i have a post in the 5th wheel section on how I installed it. it really works great. I love the fact that I can turn past 90 degrees, almost 120 if I need to. I keep mine at 80 psi, that give a great ride.

this is the link on how it is installed.

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index....howtopic=148849

To add to what was said.

It allows you to make a 90 degree turn without the front of the trailer hitting the truck.

I've been in tight/crowded parks where you need sharp turns to get in/out of your spot.

+2 on the manual. Auto sliders aren't worth the extra. It's easy to adjust/move a slider hitch.

I'd recommend a Valley Industries/Husky Hitch. Extremely well built and good pricing.