We started out about 4-5 years ago with a used
2007 Winnebago VIEW (Mercedes diesel chassis) which we sold last Nov 2017. Never had a problem: the thing ran great, excellent gas mileage BUT the sub-model we had (VIEW came in 3) didn't have a bed... we started hating having to make the bed on the pull-out couch every night (we eventually "graduated" to sleeping bags - NOT BAD actually!). So, we sold it hoping to get something else. Within 1 hour of the new owners driving away, the transmission failed! Of course we couldn't let them eat the cost - a total of $6080
http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/facepalm.gif! We were invited to their cruise wedding a few months laterhttp://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/flowers.gif! ...
Back to the RV story ... Planning ahead, we bought a Ford F150 capable of towing a trailer. Not much to think about wrt the truck as it came with a 3.5 liter EcoBoost Engine (375 hp, 480 ft-lbs torque, proven 18-22 mpg, 11700 lbs towing capacity) with a 10-speed transmission. The trailer we decided on is smallish (27.5 feet or so), but perfect for us 2 and our dog "Chip", the
Winnebago Minnie Plus 25RKS 5th wheel in cherry redhttp://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/dance.gif! I opted to install by myself a
B&W underbed Gooseneck hitch, made specifically for the f150, bolted to the truck frame mid-bed, roughly over the rear wheels (and yes, I had the local mechanic shop check out my work!) To make this setup work, I added
a removable 35 lb (!!) Andersen 5th wheel to gooseneck converter top-side hitch framework.
Great setup as the top-side setup is easily removed and I get my truck bed back as flat as can be for my other uses. (Thanks to a kind, knowledgeable Jayco salesperson who clued me in on this amazing setup. I recommend it to anyone... and, this set-up is rated for 22,000 lb towing.) We haven't gone a long trip yet - but I have to report that as was told to me many times by 5th wheel campers, the setup is very stable and it was nearly a "breeze" during the 2+ hour drive when I brought the trailer home. Will report after our first outing.
Linear Mode
