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Outdoor topics => Travel Guide => Topic started by: Magicman on May 27, 2015, 02:26:46 PM

Title: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 27, 2015, 02:26:46 PM
Pat and I have not been without a camper of some sort since I built our first homemade popup camper in 1966.  Most of the time there have been two.  We have used the popup truck camper since 2004 and will keep it for special uses.  A Grandson took possession of the 1990 motorhome a couple of months ago, so we were looking. 

We settled on getting a small 5th wheel, but none of the large manufacturers offer them anymore.  Some searching found Allen Camper Mfg. Co. (http://www.allencampermfgcoinc.com/) in Allen, Oklahoma.  We drove to their facility a month ago and took a look at their operation and their products.  We ordered a 219 RKS, which is a 23' unit, rear kitchen, with a slide.  We drove out on the 18th to pick it up.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0078.JPG)
Here we are at the factory when it was brand new.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0083.JPG)


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0081.JPG)
At our first stop.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0111.JPG)
It has a Forestry Forum sticker on the back, partly because the sawmill is what paid for it. ;D   :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: beenthere on May 27, 2015, 02:36:06 PM
That looks great MM. Room for your mill in there?  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Shotgun on May 27, 2015, 03:46:07 PM
Looks like a really neat rig, MM.  Bet you'll get a lot of use and enjoyment out of that addition.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Ron Scott on May 27, 2015, 06:00:19 PM
Very Nice!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: gspren on May 27, 2015, 07:43:39 PM
   Sweet! Is it going to Michigan this summer?
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 27, 2015, 08:28:12 PM
Those are our plans.  :)

This one is 11'8" tall, so I was able to get through (under) the Cabin gate without help.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: sandsawmill14 on May 27, 2015, 09:34:51 PM
did you get the hitch installed on the camper yet so you can pull mill?  ;D :D :D :D

nice looking rig! :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 27, 2015, 10:10:29 PM
I thought about it, but decided to leave it as a thought.   ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: sandsawmill14 on May 27, 2015, 10:47:16 PM
 :D :D :D i know you 2 will really enjoy it!!! :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: fishpharmer on May 27, 2015, 11:20:42 PM
Nice rig!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: sandhills on May 28, 2015, 12:55:07 AM
Very nice Magic!  I am a bit concerned that Pat is letting you get a bit spoiled though  :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Bruno of NH on May 28, 2015, 07:06:46 AM
Mr MM
That's a nice looking camper you will enjoy it much  8) 8)
Jim/Bruno
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 28, 2015, 07:38:31 AM
Quote from: sandhills on May 28, 2015, 12:55:07 AMI am a bit concerned that Pat is letting you get a bit spoiled though  :)
Actually she is the one that is spoiled.  This was her idea.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: thecfarm on May 28, 2015, 07:50:24 AM
Looks good. I know you both will enjoy it. Small fifth wheels going the way small skidders are?? Only a few makes small ones.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 28, 2015, 02:01:17 PM
The manufacturer's profit margin disappears with the small units, and with the large manufacturers, it's all about the money.  This is a relatively small family owned business that will still build to the customer's specifications and their quality is superb.  If there is no supply delay, it takes 3 weeks for them to build a unit.  I didn't actually count, but it looked like about 8 in various stages of completion.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: 21incher on May 28, 2015, 09:03:18 PM
Congratulations on your new camper. Knowing the height is a good thing, to bad gps systems don't supply height restrictions on the roads they choose. You meet the nicest people when camping. :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: samandothers on May 28, 2015, 09:32:52 PM
Great looking rig!  THe slide is very nice.  It makes the living area seem so much larger.  Happy for you guys!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on May 28, 2015, 11:00:20 PM
Quote from: 21incher on May 28, 2015, 09:03:18 PMKnowing the height is a good thing, to bad gps systems don't supply height restrictions on the roads they choose.
Mine doesn't, but I understand that the truckers have a unit that does.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Holmes on May 31, 2015, 12:25:58 PM
 It certainly is a nice looking rig.  It's nice to know units like that are available.  Nows the time to enjoy Pats new toy.  Does it come with Purple Drank?   8) 8)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: coxy on June 01, 2015, 02:23:38 PM
MM nice looking rig  ;D  how is it towing I have a small 5th wheel to and found that when the wind is blowing hard its a bear to hold it in the road thinking its because its short I have a friend that has a small one also and he set the 5th wheel plates back a bout a foot in the truck bed he said it made a big change in how it handles im not going to try it mine is set forever its welded to the frame and the camper is in a camp ground forever 8) good luck and happy travels  8) 8) :)   coxy
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: mometal77 on June 02, 2015, 02:32:11 AM
Nice looking trailer.  Surprised not to see a bumper sticker saying my other vehicle/toy is a sawmill. :D Now all you need is a pole building with a steel roof. If i ever do it again gonna get an airstream all aluminum.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 02, 2015, 07:43:34 AM
Quote from: coxy on June 01, 2015, 02:23:38 PMhow is it towing
Thanks, I have only towed this one for about 550 miles, but so far, so good.  I was pleased.  We will get a real trip under our belts the end of July and first part of August.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 04, 2015, 10:31:08 PM
One thing always lead to another (or two).  I have two "S" turns to back through to park the new RV under the shed.  Yes, it can be done but not without running a wheel off of the pavement, first on one side and then on the other.  After 20 years those old landscape timbers have rotted anyway, so it looks like a pavenent expansion is in my future.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: sawguy21 on June 04, 2015, 11:35:30 PM
Congratulations, you should have a lot of fun with it. I am surprised to see a short unit with a slide, sure wish ours had one. Just make sure the first one into bed doesn't have to get up in the middle of the night. ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 05, 2015, 07:35:34 AM
We had that situation with both the motorhome and the truck camper.  This one has a "North/South" queen bed so there is no crawling over.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: gspren on June 06, 2015, 09:16:35 PM
  I recently looked at some slide in truck campers and many of them now have slides and have the bed oriented front to back so that you enter from the foot end of bed without climbing over each other, although I remember when that was fun  ;).
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 06, 2015, 10:16:54 PM
Yup, and some of those Lance's, etc, are heavy and expensive.   :o
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: gspren on June 08, 2015, 08:12:21 AM
Quote from: Magicman on June 06, 2015, 10:16:54 PM
Yup, and some of those Lance's, etc, are heavy and expensive.   :o

  My truck, F450, don't mind heavy and you can't take the money with you. Look at the Lance 1172, nothing like the slide ins I had in the 80s.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 08, 2015, 08:44:19 AM
There is no question that a Truck Camper is one of the easiest and most maneuverable camper styles available.  That is why we kept the Outfitter.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: nmericle53 on June 25, 2015, 10:33:54 PM
Nice ride...both of them. I know you had them match the colors to your truck. Maybe we will get to see it in Michigan 2015.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: DR_Buck on June 25, 2015, 11:16:29 PM
Nice looking rig MM.   5th wheels are great towing compared to bumper pull.   We thought about bringing ours to the Pig Roast, but haven't had it out yet this year and don't want to go that far on the 1st trip of the season.   
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: gspren on June 26, 2015, 08:16:42 AM
Quote from: DR_Buck on June 25, 2015, 11:16:29 PM
Nice looking rig MM.   5th wheels are great towing compared to bumper pull.   We thought about bringing ours to the Pig Roast, but haven't had it out yet this year and don't want to go that far on the 1st trip of the season.   

   That's what we are doing for our first trip of the year, the truck has been used regularly.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 27, 2015, 09:42:16 AM
Quote from: nmericle53 on June 25, 2015, 10:33:54 PMNice ride...both of them. I know you had them match the colors to your truck.
Thanks.  Actually there was no effort to match truck/trailer colors.  When we visited the factory a month earlier and spec'ed ours out, we as well as the manufacturer noticed how well the colors matched and commented on it.

We are getting anxious to GO.   :)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: SawyerBrown on June 28, 2015, 08:01:23 AM
Nice looking outfit, sir!  Assume it has all the amenities (toilet, shower, kitchen, etc) ...

Just curious if the truck is your "business truck"?  Mine gets loaded with "stuff", including sawdust in every nook and cranny!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on June 28, 2015, 08:33:03 AM
QuoteAssume it has all the amenities (toilet, shower, kitchen, etc) ...
Thanks.  Yup, everything.

Yes, that is my work truck.  Well, it is my only truck.  I had to replace the "bed" tool box with one that is flush with the top of the truck bed.  The 5th wheel hitch (all or part) is easily removed leaving only the rails, so the area inside of the bed is not compromised.

The problem with the "Truck Camper" was that everything including the tool box and tail gate had to be removed to use it.  That wound up being a half day dreaded job.  Then when I put it all back, nothing was ever in the right place or fit properly.  I kept the Truck Camper, but it will only be used on Colorado hunting trips.

Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: blackfoot griz on July 06, 2015, 11:54:05 PM
I sure hope  to see that here in Montana!
Your last visit was a whirlwind tour.  I will have to get hardtail John to influence your travel choices.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 07, 2015, 03:01:16 PM
He used that old horse trick once, so something different will have to be tried.   ;D  :D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 11, 2015, 05:09:45 PM
I installed the "backup" camera on the camper today. 


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0185.JPG)
The screen/monitor covers the CD slot which is something the we have never used anyway.  It is attached with "industrial" Velcro, so it can be easily removed when not needed.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0186.JPG)
I attached the camera and transmitter to the refrigerator louver and routed the wiring through the louver where I had easy access to 12vdc.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0187.JPG)
I can now see if ah Goat is following me.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: coxy on July 11, 2015, 05:59:44 PM
 :D :D :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: beenthere on July 11, 2015, 09:32:08 PM
I'm thinking that will come in very handy quite often. smiley_thumbsup

Which brand did you get?
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 11, 2015, 11:08:11 PM
TadiBrothers.  I was not keen on the way it is wired up, because of the exposed wiring and connectors, but as I installed it, it worked OK.  The reviews show it to have the strongest signal of any.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: WmFritz on July 11, 2015, 11:33:54 PM
Wouldn't it be handy to have a quick connect on your camera/transmitter? When your not using the camper, you could slap them on the back of your pickup and make backing under the mill much easier.

Having a b/u camera on my pickup has spoiled me something terrible.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 12, 2015, 07:38:42 AM
Yup, the truck has a b/u camera built into the tailgate.  The monitor for it is in the rear view mirror.  I looked into expanding that, but opted to go this way.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: SawyerBrown on July 12, 2015, 09:51:50 AM
Quote from: Magicman on July 11, 2015, 05:09:45 PM
I can now see if ah Goat is following me.
Don't you just hate tail-goaters!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: WmFritz on July 12, 2015, 01:08:38 PM
Quote from: Magicman on July 12, 2015, 07:38:42 AM
Yup, the truck has a b/u camera built into the tailgate.  The monitor for it is in the rear view mirror.  I looked into expanding that, but opted to go this way.

Your already ahead of the game. Now you see that goat sneaking up from all angles.  ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 08:59:50 AM
This Pig Roast trip will take us through; Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.  move_it

We will be retracing some previous steps and making new tracks in others.   
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: DR_Buck on July 22, 2015, 08:00:05 PM
Quote from: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 08:59:50 AM
This Pig Roast trip will take us through; Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.  move_it

We will be retracing some previous steps and making new tracks in others.

Where are you going in or through VA?      Also my 5th wheel has factory installed backup camera.  It's up on top where it can't be reached from the ground.   I think it is less likely to disappear from up there.   Also, I haven't done it yet, but several guys on the RV forum I follow use a 'hanger' for the backup monitor and hang it over the rear view mirror.  This is a good idea since the mirror is useless while the trailer is hitched.   They also keep it live while moving so they are aware of tailgators.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 08:06:20 PM
QuoteWhere are you going in or through VA?
The far Western tip.  Hwy 23 through Big Stone Gap.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: DR_Buck on July 22, 2015, 08:48:30 PM
Quote from: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 08:06:20 PM
QuoteWhere are you going in or through VA?
The far Western tip.  Hwy 23 through Big Stone Gap.

That's where the wife is from.   Back up in the 'holler'.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 09:46:54 PM
We have a hankering to travel the Blue Ridge again, but that will be another time and another trip.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: 4x4American on July 22, 2015, 10:29:48 PM
Quote from: sandsawmill14 on May 27, 2015, 09:34:51 PM
did you get the hitch installed on the camper yet so you can pull mill?  ;D :D :D :D

nice looking rig! :)


Beat me to it!
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on July 22, 2015, 10:53:50 PM
Actually I have thought about it, but for now, no.  When I need to "overnight" on a sawing job, the customer provides or pays for lodging.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: 4x4American on August 04, 2015, 09:58:17 PM
What do you get more of, the customer putting you up for the night, or them sending you off to a motel?
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on August 06, 2015, 09:18:47 PM
I'd say about 50-50.  I have stayed in motel rooms, spare bedrooms, camper in the yard, & deer camp.  All have been satisfactory.  Almost always they provide meals.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: 4x4American on August 06, 2015, 09:54:42 PM
Cool.  The past two portable jobs I've had, well one was last week and one is coming up this week are 2-1/2 hrs north of me, and they both offered to put me up for the night.  I finished the first one in a day, about 15 cherry logs, and some hard maple too.  This next one this week he's figured it at about 4000 feet in his logs and wants 4/4 boards and 2x6s for some farm projects.  He offered me a trailer he has I can stay in.  I'm fine sleeping in the bed of my truck, plus I don't have to make it so that's pretty much got me soled 8)
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on August 13, 2015, 10:18:51 PM
The 5th Wheel performed flawlessly on our 3K mile PR trip.  I am not saying that I am totally in my comfort zone backing it yet.  Sure, backing is easy, but also very different with the hitch point 2" in front of the rear axle. 

The ~5K lb weight did not affect my fuel mileage as much as I expected and I accepted the 11.7 MPG as being very satisfactory.  Actually it was about equal to the mileage with the truck camper.  It seems that wind resistance has more affect than weight.

I just have to do some more sawing to make some more gas/traveling $$$.   ;D
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Magicman on September 11, 2015, 10:37:20 PM
I finished my "modified hitch hauler" project.  I can now run the generator/air conditioner to cool the camper while we are traveling.  That way it will already be cool when we stop for the evening.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0277.JPG)
Since the rear camper lights are compromised by the generator and spare tire, I added LED tail/signal/stop lights to the generator platform.


 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN0278.JPG)
This shows the bracing from the platform to the existing rear bumper.  I also added an additional sewer hose carrier.
Title: Re: New Fifth Wheel
Post by: Carson-saws on June 01, 2016, 09:37:40 AM
Saaaaaaweet!!!!!  Very nice!