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RE: Back Up Camera
Following is a reply and follow up I made to a similar question on this forum. Cost was in the $175 range.
I installed this one from Amazon during the off season for my 31 ft. trailer. It works great sitting underneath the carport. Looking forward to the first tow next week. It is wireless and was an easy install. The field of view looks sufficient to cover some blind spots. Maybe I'll check back in a week. AMTIFO FHD 1080P Digital Wireless Backup Camera,Hitch Camera with 7'' DVR Monitor Support Split/Quard Screen for Pickups,Trucks,Trailers,RV,5th Wheels High-Speed Observation System
I promised a follow up, here it is. I built an adapter so the monitor mounts to my rear view mirror. The resolution of the monitor is very good however the brightness could be better especially when wearing sunglasses. I had a full signal all the time and there was no pixelation or frame freezing with the unit (up to 70 mph). Everything seemed reduced in size, a magnification feature would have been helpful. I could tell a vehicle was behind me and they would be in the camera view well into the point where my mirrors picked it up. I towed in the rain; the camera lens did not clear well and was pretty much useless. Once the rain stopped, the lens quickly cleared. Our site was a pull through so I did not use the camera for backing.
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Durb
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07/28/20 09:03pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: What type of hitch do I need?
I hope you optioned your trailer with the Trailair pin box. Otherwise, I would have recommended an air hitch to protect your new truck and trailer from fifth wheel forces which can be considerable. Plus, with a soft joint at the pin, the comfort of your tow would be greatly improved. The Patriot is a good hitch and I hope you are happy with the quality of your tow. The good news is, if not happy, you can upgrade later and the air hitch will attached directly to your rails. The Patriot will be easy to sell. This is the path I took.
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Durb
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07/17/20 08:25am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Pet Peeves long road trip
I covered Oregon and Washington for my sales job and did a lot of driving. At the outset, I would speed and confront other drivers. My mood was usually sour when I arrived at my destination. I changed. I drove the speed limit so I didn't have to look over my shoulder and was overly courteous to every other driver. When something happened I shined it on and didn't let it bother me. I found that I arrived at the same time and was more productive when I got there.
I do the same with my trailer in tow, relax and be courteous. Can't imagine driving 5,000 miles in a foul mood. After all, I'm on vacation.
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Durb
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07/16/20 10:18am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Fifth Wheel hitch question
That looks like a pretty rudimentary hitch to me. It has a slide bar latch mechanism and I can't see any side to side articulation. Those lower rails may just be attachment brackets to universal rails that are mounted in your truck. Depending on your year truck and mounting options, I would consider upgrading the hitch.
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Durb
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07/16/20 09:55am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Oregon Highway 138 and 38
Very nice road especially in the fall. Plenty of passing lanes and scenic.
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Durb
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07/15/20 06:26pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: Nissan Titan Cummins 5.0L
There was a post on this forum, maybe a couple of years ago, which included a rather long video of a man documenting his tow of a trailer longer than yours over mountains and such. Bottom line: The tow was effortless and he was happy with the truck.
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Durb
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07/09/20 07:32am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: How much squat can I expect?
Can't say regarding the new truck. My truck is pretty much the same as your old truck and it squats 1 1/2" - 2" with a 2,000# pin attached. I hope that reference point helps. It sits empty with a little rake so the truck rides pretty much level when towing. I couldn't "upgrade" my truck as my trailer overhang is only 57". Nor, could I sell the trailer to someone with a newer truck. Probably will have to go as a combo when the time comes. It could be worse the, 4WD Ford F350 sits at 60 1/2".
It sounds like you haven't purchased the truck yet. When I was measuring bed rail height on trucks, I found the duallies sat about 2" lower. The Ram was at 57" but that was a few years ago.
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Durb
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07/08/20 08:20am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Thoughts on slider awnings
I had a thin sheet of ice roll off mine when I brought my slide in at Yellowstone. The water from the ice would have ended up inside the trailer had I not had the toppers. If the $350 includes the cost of the topper, then not so bad. If it is an installation fee per slide then it is outrageous. Two men and two ladders could install all four in less than two hours especially since the upper extrusion is already installed. There would be a learning period on the first topper then the others will go up real quick.
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Durb
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07/04/20 03:08pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: Electric Awning Locks?
I had an electric awning fail. The motor/gears output shaft has a flat where it is it is secured to the plastic roller cap. The plastic cap hogged out and gravity wanted the awning to stay in the open position. I rolled it up by hand an was able to tie it in place with some steel wire on the uprights to get me home. I also used some gorilla tape to hold it in place but feel it was overkill. This fail was the result of a poor design on a 2008 trailer. I'm hoping they have a solution installed by now.
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Durb
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07/04/20 08:43am |
Tech Issues
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RE: light film on cabinets
I doubt that it is mold in Meridian, Idaho. Pretty low humidity. I doubt that mold would grow on glass as there is nothing to feed on. If it were mold it would be concentrated at the seams and not an even film. I'm guessing there is something in the trailer's or garage's atmosphere that is settling out.
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Durb
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07/04/20 08:32am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: 2020 GMC 2500 and Pullrite Superglide hitch for puck mount
I think you will find that your bed is longer plus GM placed their pucks so that the hitch point is 2-3" behind the axle centerline. I doubt that many will use an auto slider for that truck. You may want to measure from the gooseneck ball to your cab and see if you are going to have clearance issues. I have a friend who set up a B&W companion on his 2020 and the trailer's kingpin was positioned right over the gooseneck socket. He has had no issues not using a sliding hitch.
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Durb
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07/01/20 05:27pm |
Towing
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RE: Towing a 4500lb TT with an SUV
Look at the Canyon/Colorado pickups from General Motors with the 4 cylinder Duramax diesel. As I recall, Trailer Life magazine tested one with a Lance trailer behind it and reported results similar to what you are looking for. Mid size and available canopies may fill your other needs as well.
I did some research for you. Go to trailerlife.com, select 2020 towing guide then "over achievers" The truck with the small Duraxmax turned in 16.3 towing MPG with a 5,047# trailer. Not bad.
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Durb
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06/29/20 08:01pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: The better 5th wheeler?
So many nice comments regarding Arctic Fox fifth wheels. They don't make a toy hauler. Northwood, who builds Arctic Fox, makes the Desert Fox toy hauler. All their models are minumalists with no slides.
I hear some good things regarding the Grand Design Momentum toy haulers.
DRV makes the Full House toy haulers. All their models are 44 feet plus long and weigh nearly 20,000 pounds dry. In fifth wheel lingo, "That is a long, heavy trailer". I'm sure their quality is commensurate to their weight and their price.
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Durb
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06/29/20 07:14pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Towing a 4500lb TT with an SUV
Look at the Canyon/Colorado pickups from General Motors with the 4 cylinder Duramax diesel. As I recall, Trailer Life magazine tested one with a Lance trailer behind it and reported results similar to what you are looking for. Mid size and available canopies may fill your other needs as well.
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Durb
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06/29/20 07:24am |
Travel Trailers
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RE: 5.9 Cummins Diesel Towing capacity
Poor ol Durb. So we haul a little extra weight. My truck is a 15 year old DRW and I don't know what weight is where but it runs level and has about 165,000 mi on it towing. Total weight is right at 23,000lbs. This thing tows sweet at 70 or up the grades. 4.10 gears and automatic.
Hey Billy Davis, there is your answer, "So we haul a little extra weight." Just disregard vehicle ratings and engineered manufacturer specifications. They did it so you should be fine.
By the way, just tow that trailer at 70 MPH even though your tires will probably be rated for 65 MPH maximum. Ferndaleflyer does it so you should be fine.
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Durb
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06/27/20 07:47am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: First tow with new 2019 Ram 3500 and ...disappointed.
Due to the high hitch design, fifth wheel trailers generate chucking forces (fore/aft) that are transmitted to the truck. All solid joint hitches, of which the Andersen is one, will effectively transmit those forces to the frame of your truck. All trailers differ as other factors such as length, axle design and weight distribution come into play. This is why you will read many anecdotal threads regarding fifth wheels not chucking with various hitches..
There are many pin box aids such as MorRyde that would help with your chucking problem. I had a similar problem except my wife lasted only a half an hour because the chucking was so severe. I fixed my problem with a Trailer Saver TS3 air hitch.
If you have a short bed Ram, I wouldn't reverse the pin adapter on your Andersen hitch. You will tow fine for many miles but there will be a time when you are backing tight on uneven terrain and could take out your rear window.
Here are some suggestions: Sell the Andersen while it is still new and get yourself an air hitch. You have nice new gear; why not protect both your truck and trailer with a soft joint hitch? The Reese Goosebox will help with chucking due to its low hook up point and reduced hitch angle. Tow with the trailer level and load your trailer at the ends instead of over the axles, more pin weight is better.. This will reduce the tendency of the trailer to rotate and create chucking forces.
If your setup has the ability to use the TS3 and you are willing to drop the money, you will be thanking me everytime you tow. As your trailer goes over a bump, the pin pushes down and forward at the same time. Due to the high hinge design, the TS3 compresses and retracts at the same time, dissipating both bouncing and chucking forces.
Good luck and welcome to the forum.
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Durb
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06/27/20 07:36am |
Towing
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RE: Do small 5th wheel toy haulers tow well?
I agree with trying a Propride or Hensley Arrow hitch. Their projection point engineering virtually eliminates sway. I know Hensley offers a money back satisfaction guarantee on their fifth wheel hitches. If they offer the same on the Arrow, it would make sense to give it a try, you might have to eat some freight charges with a return. Hensley has some good videos explaining the engineering and demonstrating how the trailer can't impact the vehicle with sway forces. People swear by them.
I'm assuming you don't have air bags on the truck.
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Durb
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06/20/20 09:26pm |
Toy Haulers
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RE: 5 NP road trip - SoCal to Yellowstone to crater lake
Highway 38 and 138 from Reedsport to Crater lake are stunners, meaning beautiful. Don't know your timing but Crater Lake may be a little white as we have had plenty of rain lately. I agree, it sounds like a great trip. I hope you are taking your time.
Oceanside waterfront sites at Winchester Bay RV resort can get real windy. Felt like we were going to blow over. There is a pub along the marina that has wonderful lasagne.
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Durb
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06/20/20 09:08pm |
Roads and Routes
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RE: 5.9 Cummins Diesel Towing capacity
We know nothing about the OP's truck except it is chipped and the transmission is rebuilt. What if it is heavily optioned which adds weight? What if it has an aftermarket front bumper with winch or heavy running boards? What if he has an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed or he has a penchant for taking firewood. Worse yet, what if he is hauling precious cargo; namely 3 children in the back seat?
I don't think it is prudent to recommend someone to overload their truck by possibly up to 3,000 pounds because they have done so in the past. I won't do it. The OP should consider a lighter trailer.
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Durb
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06/19/20 10:38am |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: 5.9 Cummins Diesel Towing capacity
Let's see.....
We'll comply with the rear axle rating. The axle manufacturer knows what they are doing.
We'll comply with the tire loading specs, those guys have their act together.
We'll comply with the GVWR, Dodge knows what they are doing.
The gross combined vehicle rating is idiocy and we will just ignore that one.
Who decides which ratings to ignore and which to follow? Does chipping an engine improve the cooling capacity, shock damping, frame strength or any of a number of other factors Dodge considered when designing the truck and assigning capacity numbers? I choose to stay within the factory specs.
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Durb
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06/18/20 09:49pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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