3/5th Wheel

This thread has been really educational for me. I called & upgraded to a premium site - I made sure to tell the Cast Member that we have a dog. I think I mentioned it several times... So, if you are there in May & you see a beautiful golden retriever in a non-pet loop...I tried my best :)

My wife actually picked out this model. It's a 360IBL It doesn't have 2 bathrooms, but it does have a separate bedroom with a large bunk. Our 11 year old daughter said if felt a little more private than the other models we went through. We travel a lot - so that is important. It also comes plumbed & wired for a washer/dryer in the "master" bedroom. It can be ordered with only 1 A.C. unit - making it a little easier to find camping sites (30AMP rather than 50AMP). We opted for 2 because I'm the only one who likes heat. One thing I don't like - no outdoor kitchen. That was a must have for me

The Chaparral we bought has individual controls for each slide. That may help eliminate some attention at certain stops...if only one is out & not all 4!

I adjusted your words a little to make them specifically fit all married men...

We want to explore the camp grounds around Lake Michigan in Western Michigan this summer. And take a trip to Colorado in the fall. And, of course, at least 1 trip to Fort Wilderness in addition to the currently planned May trip!

I think they make videos & ask for money...for a living...so the masses can live vicariously through their adventures.

I have never stopped for an over-night at a Wal-Mart. However, this spring we do have a couple of over-nights planned at Cracker Barrel. I did see something that surprised me at a rest area along I-80 the other day. A large class A was stopped in the large vehicle/truck parking & had a couple slides out. I watched an Iowa state trooper go over & ask them to pull the slides in (at least that is what I assumed - because they pulled the slides in while he was standing there). Anyone else ever seen this? Just curious about where we can or cannot put out the slides - this is the first RV we

I watched this yesterday & immediately thought of this thread...haha! The comments were pretty harsh - they took a lot of abuse for staying at The Wal-Marts for so long.

This really has become an educational thread. This is our fourth RV. We started with a 38ft Georgie Boy Swinger - it only lasted a few years because my wife violently objected to the name... Then we upgraded to a pop-up, figured it wouldn't be quite so traumatic when the children destroyed it. Then a hybrid - has been my favorite so far, and now the 5th wheel. However, this is the first new RV, so I'm sure we will have a steep, and possibly expensive, learning curve...

I am absolutely beside myself...I can't wait until May to use the new trailer. BUT...a perfect storm of life...bought a new house, in a different state, that needs work...so my time is officially my wife's at this point. No fun until the work is DONE! I did suggest we park the new rig in a Wal-Mart parking lot & just live out of it while renovating. That was met with a cold-icy stare that could only mean baaaad things for me. And, it's in Holland, Michigan - so the average winter temp is "hell just froze." We have a 2 year warranty. I did purchase the upgrade bumper to hitch 7 year wa

Well, I purchased the Anderson Ultimate today. The dealer did a complete 180 on the B&W automatic sliding hitch! When I took my truck in, he saw the existing goose neck set-up & said, "Oh, you have a goose neck hitch. I have something that will work better for you." I asked about the frame warranty & he said the Anderson was fine - wouldn't void it. He measured the bed & how all would be set-up and said that it would be a perfect fit. Considering that the Anderson was several hundred dollars less than the B&W I really couldn't see the disadvantage - plus I get the complete

We are bringing our Golden Retriever in May...but he is 4 years old. Hope you have a great time!

Yes - I purchased new. The dealer did not mention that the adapter would void the warranty - if it does, that would eliminate that option. I am really leaning toward the automatic sliding hitches. I made the mistake of going on YouTube & looking at videos of folks who have wrecked their tow vehicles & trailers by crashing the trailer into the cab! I do NOT want to be that guy! The Chapparral 360IBL does have the cut-outs in front. The dealer told me that helps greatly with clearance.

Thank you all for the welcome & for sharing your experiences! My truck has a goose neck already installed & I was considering using the adapter for the 5th wheel - however the dealer told me that I would not be happy with it - too unstable. I just don't know enough, so this feedback is great. I have looked at the Pullright & the B&W hitches. I am convinced I need one that slides - automatically. Now, to just convince the wife that I need to spend the extra. ha! Although my truck is a 2500, the previous owner had an extra leaf put in & it has the weigh capacity of

Thanks. The dealership from which we purchased our 5th wheel sells B&W - but he is willing to install any hitch. I asked him for a recommendation and he told me any new hitch would be fine. I guess I'm just a little skeptical because with our bumper pull camper the hitch made a huge difference in how stable the trailer was on the highway - how much we felt it in the truck, etc. Being new to this type of travel trailer I just don't want to make the wrong choice right out of the gate! haha.