Let's talk fifth wheels

Never owned a 5th wheel myself but we've transported 20+ in the last 3 years with my son's 06 Silverado short bed on 35's, my 2014 Silverado SRW long bed (three different 45' trailers for 6k miles through 10 states). Both trucks shared a Curt Q24 slider. Never needed the slider on my son's short bed. 2021 dually has the puck system and I picked up a B&W Companion that driops right in. Really happy with that hitch, one man operation. The Curt needs two dudes if its fully assembled to. 

I have half of a Companion if you can use it. Need to cut a hole in the bed or something, then there's a latch that is operated from the wheel well. Neighbor gave it to me but I'll never use it.

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How's the trans in that ford?  John Woods is the guy... the motor will last forever... the  trans not so much... Airbags....a top of the line brake controller and you should be fine. Old 5ers are HEAVY...the newer stuff is much lighter. 

 
I had the Trans Built in my 7.3 when I had my big 46ft trailer and it still works great never an issue. My stock one never broke however I just pushed the seal out trying to back up with the trailer fully loaded in soft dirt out of a Hole. When they pulled the Trans they said might as well build it while its out. Never an issue since

 
L.R.S. said:
Never owned a 5th wheel myself but we've transported 20+ in the last 3 years with my son's 06 Silverado short bed on 35's, my 2014 Silverado SRW long bed (three different 45' trailers for 6k miles through 10 states). Both trucks shared a Curt Q24 slider. Never needed the slider on my son's short bed. 2021 dually has the puck system and I picked up a B&W Companion that driops right in. Really happy with that hitch, one man operation. The Curt needs two dudes if its fully assembled to. 

I have half of a Companion if you can use it. Need to cut a hole in the bed or something, then there's a latch that is operated from the wheel well. Neighbor gave it to me but I'll never use it.

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Thanks Jeff, I still think I'm going to go with the andersen because it's 4 pins to pull it out and it only weighs 40lbs. But I appreciate the offer

Realbadlarry said:
How's the trans in that ford?  John Woods is the guy... the motor will last forever... the  trans not so much... Airbags....a top of the line brake controller and you should be fine. Old 5ers are HEAVY...the newer stuff is much lighter. 
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PO didn't know when it was rebuilt but it has a Reman tag on it without a date. So it's been rebuilt at some point. If it ever goes i'll replace it with one from CNC Fab. But it shift quick and solid and pulls my boat like nothing is behind it so I'm happy with it. Already has airbags, add a leaf, top dollar brake controller, and more. So the truck is ready to rock

 
acefuture said:
Thanks Jeff, I still think I'm going to go with the andersen because it's 4 pins to pull it out and it only weighs 40lbs. But I appreciate the offer

PO didn't know when it was rebuilt but it has a Reman tag on it without a date. So it's been rebuilt at some point. If it ever goes i'll replace it with one from CNC Fab. But it shift quick and solid and pulls my boat like nothing is behind it so I'm happy with it. Already has airbags, add a leaf, top dollar brake controller, and more. So the truck is ready to rock
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I went down the Andersen rabbit hole.  I've towed everything with everything and I wouldn't ever go back to the Andersen.  Steel or aluminum for that matter.  Fifth wheel hitch and much less work on the 5er's landing gear. 

Take the load off and pull out. Back in and set the load. When you use the Andersen you will be unloading the weight from your truck then continue to run those legs down until you clear the ball. Then when it's time to hitch up, it's another chore to get lined up to the ball. Unlike a fifth wheel where you just back into it and stop. 

Food for thought. 

 
I have a 2006 LE3505 that I had 3’ added from the factory when ordered. The axles were also flipped. I pulled it for many years with an 01 F250 7.3 SRW 4x4. I had a couple different lifts on the truck while I had it. The last lift was 9” with 38” Toyos on 20’s. You will see that the truck will pull all day long but the 3 speed trans will really hinder going faster. So don’t expect anything over 40mph up grades. Basically downshift from drive to 2nd and back out a little. It will hold there all day long but as soon as you shift back to drive it will fall on its face. As for towing, I used a B&W hitch. My super duty was a long bed so I had a non sliding hitch. My next truck I towed it with was an 01 Duramax 2500 short bed. It came with a sliding hitch but I never slid it. The front cap on these year trailers are way shorter so they won’t hit the cab when turning sharp. Lastly, my trailer fully loaded for a week trip to the desert was roughly 18k pounds. Truck pulled it just fine and stopping wasn’t bad either. Another thing to think of is the weight of a bedroom slide. I know your not looking for one to keep it cheaper but the added 1500lbs kept me from wanting one. Your building a good solid desert set up. Congrats!

 
Big_Daddy_Jp said:
I have a 2006 LE3505 that I had 3’ added from the factory when ordered. The axles were also flipped. I pulled it for many years with an 01 F250 7.3 SRW 4x4. I had a couple different lifts on the truck while I had it. The last lift was 9” with 38” Toyos on 20’s. You will see that the truck will pull all day long but the 3 speed trans will really hinder going faster. So don’t expect anything over 40mph up grades. Basically downshift from drive to 2nd and back out a little. It will hold there all day long but as soon as you shift back to drive it will fall on its face. As for towing, I used a B&W hitch. My super duty was a long bed so I had a non sliding hitch. My next truck I towed it with was an 01 Duramax 2500 short bed. It came with a sliding hitch but I never slid it. The front cap on these year trailers are way shorter so they won’t hit the cab when turning sharp. Lastly, my trailer fully loaded for a week trip to the desert was roughly 18k pounds. Truck pulled it just fine and stopping wasn’t bad either. Another thing to think of is the weight of a bedroom slide. I know your not looking for one to keep it cheaper but the added 1500lbs kept me from wanting one. Your building a good solid desert set up. Congrats!
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Thanks for the real world input! I really like the truck so far. I can tell the Achilles heal of it is the 4 speed 4r100 though. It’ll pull my 6k boat up any grade at 65mph at 1400 revs. But it’s a dog for sure. Would love to have a 6 speed in it, but I know it’ll tow what I need it to where I need it to 

 
I've owned 3 different Fords and all were CCSB. I use the B&W Companion non slide. Only once did I have an issue when I made a U turn and busted out my window. 99% of the time you'll be fine. I was in a hurry and should have known better.

It was mentioned earlier but I would avoid the Gear Box. Mine was a heavy SOB and had the front cap delam as well as a side window that leaked and started delaminating. Go with the 3505 vs 3305. You never hear anyone say I wish my trailer was 2 feet shorter. Better to have the space and not need it than the other way around. 

Lastly you are going to want to flip the axles to fit the ride height of your truck. Good luck and let us see what you end up getting.

 
acefuture said:
Mines chipped with a tow/fuel mileage tune on it currently. The SLCs are a nice rig, but I'm looking for an LE with no slides. In rough shape is fine, because we are planning on making tons of updates to it anyways. What did you load in the WW? At 10k unloaded, with my car at ~3300lbs, and all the other junk, i'll easily be at 15k quick
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Chances are the rig will be overweight from what the tag says, our SLC was 16,500 dry... we had anywhere from 4-6 quads, water, fuel, tools etc. We came in at just over 21K loaded

 
the one with graphics is the day I brought it home behind our 7.3, the other one was behind my 6.0 the day I sold it to @TSTUCKY here on the board. She's a beautiful big girl for sure

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i bought a 2009 WW 3505 at the beginning of last season. it needs a little work but so far nothing major. i really didnt want that big of a trailer but it was hard to find a smaller one that the 4 seat turbo S would fit in.  i have an 09 crew cab duramax standard bed. i got the BW patriot hitch with a slider but i have yet to need the slider. i live at the top of a cul de sac and can just make the turn without needing the slider. one little side note on the BW parriot slider, its a little too much slide, it will just hit the tailgate when it slides back. if i raise the head of the hitch to the highest position its ok but i like to have it in the middle position out of the 3 options it levels out the trailer just a little more. i do plan on adding tow bags to help eliminate the sag on the truck. im pretty much maxed out on what my truck should tow when the rzr is in it and its full of water. but i live near palm springs and pretty much only go to glamis so its a nice straight drive. the trailer does not have all the nice fancy stuff the new trailers do, this one does not even have a TV in it, i also dont have a fueling station. the previous owner took it all out, no idea why. i just replaced the tank for the generator. still have some more work to do it but for its age is not a bad trailer. its also just me and my daughter so i dont have alot of stuff packed in it and nice to have the extra room. 

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I would stay away from the Anderson hitch too many failures go Pullrite Super Glide and never look back! As far as trailers go I’ll be going back to fifth wheel for used WW le3505 will be ideal. 

 
i have the pullrite and its pretty cool. slides when it needs to, still not sure how it works lol, but it works

 
even better is to have a Lippert frame approved goose box with internal airbag to cushion the load.  I used these on my last two toyhaulers and they are worth their money.  

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After every 5th wheel i have owned,  for the age the Warrior was the best feeling trailer inside and out,

I loved my Warrior, 

Mine was a CR model,  I really like the side bath room,  

 
I had a 2006 LE 3505 +2.  In 2006 the largest LE model was a 35", had to custom order for the extra length.  Also 2006 and older only came with 15" rims.  I upgraded to 16" and blowouts disappeared.  Had the wall sag fixed by Jim, the trailer was in perfect condition when I sold it............my wife and I also tell each other how much we missed that trailer.  That trailer did everything good, not fancy but worked well for our family of 5.

 
Biggest problem with weekend warriors is the rear bed height, 72” I believe unless you modify the bed somehow. 

 
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