new used truck and new used 5th wheel

[skyking]

I had posted earlier about getting a 4x4 manual transmission 2007 Dodge. I picked up our new used 5th wheel over in eastern Idaho and brought it home over the last few days.
I had towed our alpenlite 5th wheel with it, mostly in the mountains and it got 12 MPG with what was a decidedly poor aerodynamic trailer. The new trailer has the right curve on it so I see some potential. I was not able to check it out by driving slowly, driving on dry roads, warmer conditions, etc.
It was 850 miles, 3 mountain passes, with temperatures ranging from -3 to a balmy 32. I was in a hurry and solo driving, trying to fit between storms. Average speed was 62 and MPG was a solid 12.
I had lowered the rear by 1.25" and then the whole truck by another 1.25" with a tire change, but that got the RPM's up by 6%.
I will be looking into changing the gear ratio from 3.73 to 3.42, or about 10% to compensate for that.
trailer aero plan is mostly aft fairings behind the A/C unit and any roof vents, and very possibly a folding or detachable 3 sided boat tail a la the commercial trucks.
I was not in the market for a different truck, and I never thought I'd get a short bed. I worried about how stable it would be for towing. I always felt the extra wheelbase was a big difference.

Now that I have a pullrite automatic slider hitch, It's all good. The trailer is relatively short at ~28' and the truck is very maneuverable. There were high winds on I-90 coming home last night and I had no problem at all holding course, and had to sit back and wait it out while the semi trucks took a lane and a half several times. It just did not blow around like I feared. Here it is sitting comfortably on 5 small spaces at a burger joint.

[skyking]

One more nice feature, the trailer is a 2004 and the first year they enclosed the whole belly with a coroplast pan from the factory. I can do a little touch up under there but it is already mostly done.

[rumdog]

Nice cougar. I like the idea of fairings behind the vents. Thats great she has a belly pan already. Good luck

[skyking]

I did a lot of research before buying it. I looked at several of the 276's here, which are identical except for a center kitchen. So i was down to the 278.
In 2006 they put in a corner shower and put the toilet in the "closet of shame". I really don't like excessive doors and partitions. So it had to be a 2005 or earlier.
The full belly started sometime in 2004. Now we are talking only 2 model years.
I will remove all the bathroom walls and take out a 16" deep entertainment center in the main room, which was a design throwback to the old days of tube TV's.
I will give that space to the bathroom, turn the shower and re-locate the toilet.
There is a slider at the top of the stairs for privacy from the rest of the house so no need for all those walls and doors.
All this is leading to removal of a couple of smallish drawers on each side of the bed shown here.
Then with that wall mostly removed at the end of the bed, I can fit in a full king sized mattress. Currently it has an "RV" queen that is 74" long.
Skyking is 75" long. It is not a good fit

[oil pan 4]

Is this dodge another diesel too?

[skyking]

You bet. After years of towing I won't get a gasser. My truck is not used for commuting unless one of the cars needs repair, so I have no need to compromise on my tow rig.

[oil pan 4]

Oh then you should know the drill.
Saws all out all the pollution control garbage, big exhaust, egr delete and put a mild power tune on it.
Then you wont even notice the 3.73 to 3.42 gear change.

In my diesel I am going from 3.42 to 3.21 and from 31 to 32 inch tires.
After I rework the cross over pipe, go from 1.75 to 2.5 inch. Replace a few feet of 3 inch pipe with 4 inch exhaust pipe. Replace the stock torque converter with an after market one with slightly higher stall. Then turn up the injector pump I wont notice the change.

[skyking]

That's the thing, this truck has none of what you mention in it. Never had an EGR or a DPF.
What it is going to get is a free spin hub kit to eliminate all the 4x4 drivetrain drag and give me 2wd Low for backing up hills, etc.
I may replace the front suspension with airbags to get it about 2.5" lower. Front airdam.

[vskid3]

I'm typing this from the inside of my 2003 Cougar 278! My wife and I have been living in it full time since March. I don't think you can get much better for the age and size. The rear kitchen is huge compared to similar trailers of the time.



Here's a video of the inside of mine if anyone wants a better idea of the layout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ9PwYkfahY

Your plan for the bathroom sounds interesting, can't wait to see how it turns out. Any chance you could post a couple pics of the belly pan? Mine doesn't have one and it would be nice to see how it was implemented from the factory. Is that an outside shower just ahead of the slide? Mine doesn't have one but there are signs that something could be put there.

[skyking]

wow, they are not common out west so it is funny you'd have one and be on the forum too
Thanks for the link to the vid.
Yes, that is the outside shower. Mine has the dinette that I will be removing shortly. I will remove the sofa too and put a full length futon in there and a custom table with the chairs the other way. it is just my wife and I, and we can sit on the end of the table and then pull it out, fold out the leaf and set up for as many as 6.