Showing posts with label fifth wheel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fifth wheel. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Hub City RV Has Left That Building
It's been a crazy few months for all of us at Hub City RV. About six months ago, we had the bright idea that it was time for a change, so we started exploring new properties for our dealership. We found a great location, only a few minutes south of our existing spot, and close to Nanaimo, where many of our customers reside. So we took the plunge. It seemed like a good idea at the time.. After three months (it was supposed to be one) of major renovations at the new location, we're finally moved. Well, mostly. All our units are in, the offices are sparkling and new, and the coffee's on. We're still a work in progress (especially the Parts Department), but we're here and we're excited for the future. To all our loyal customers- we're looking forward to showing off our new digs. And of course we can't wait to meet our new friends. So stop by- we're open for business!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Toquart Bay
Hidden away on the West Coast of Vancouver Island is the rustic beauty of Toquart Bay. Well off the beaten path, this forestry campsite provides only the basics of camping. What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in raw, West Coast scenery. With camping right on the beach, and a well-maintained marina for the fishing enthusiasts, outdoor lovers have it all here. The Broken Islands group are a favourite with kayakers, who will camp throughout the Islands as they explore by sea. Because the campground is accessed by a rough road, off the highway to Tofino, it is still relatively undiscovered. Bears, eagles and an abundance of wildlife make this a great outdoor adventure. Whether you fish by day, kayak, or just sit back and enjoy the view, this beauty of a campground is a must-see on your Island adventures. 
Friday, February 4, 2011
I Love my Wildcat Fifth Wheel
It's no secret why Wildcat continues to be one of the Nations Top Selling Fifth Wheels. The side walls are constructed of welded tubular aluminium studs, then
insulated with foam and Vacuum-Bonded. The floor is made of 2" X 3"'s on 12" centers and has a R-14 insulation factor. The chassis is a 10" steel I-Beam that provides greater strength and rigitity than tubular frames. Have you ever seen the one touch electric awning with no levers or knobs? It's sure to save a few marriages. Inside the coach you can enjoy floor track lighting which gives indirect lighting to help you see at night. The drawers are constructed from real plywood and have ball bearing glides to give you years of trouble free operation. Can you believe a CD/DVD Surround Sound System that runs on 12 Volts? How about Corian solid surface countertops, residential style metal kitchen faucet and nickle finish door handles and hinges? Now I could go on and on but the fact remains if you're in the market for a fifth wheel you should have a look at a Wildcat. To view our in stock Wildcats click here.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Why we sell Puma Towables
2011 Puma by Palomino
People often ask us why we sell Puma by Palomino owned by Forest River Inc. Aside from their stunning good looks, stylish decor options and pricing these Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels are really well built. For example all exterior corners, all cabinet backing points and where furniture screws to the walls are not just one but two 2 X 2's giving you extra strength where its needed. The floor joists are 2 X 2 and spaced on 12'' centers. The sidewalls are 2 X 2 with 16'' centers, can you believe some manufacturers still use 1 X 2's? In order to walk on the roof we have a 4 1/2'' crowned truss roof system with 3/8'' roof decking. In order to build a top quality coach you need to start with a good foundation our rugged, powder coated steel I-beam frame is second to none. Top that off with 5/8 one piece floor decking glued and screwed with a 25 year warranty. These are only a hand full of the features that Puma trailers and fifth wheels have to offer. We encourage you to view the 2011 lineup and to see why point to point you can't beat the Puma towable. To view our in stock Puma's click here.
People often ask us why we sell Puma by Palomino owned by Forest River Inc. Aside from their stunning good looks, stylish decor options and pricing these Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels are really well built. For example all exterior corners, all cabinet backing points and where furniture screws to the walls are not just one but two 2 X 2's giving you extra strength where its needed. The floor joists are 2 X 2 and spaced on 12'' centers. The sidewalls are 2 X 2 with 16'' centers, can you believe some manufacturers still use 1 X 2's? In order to walk on the roof we have a 4 1/2'' crowned truss roof system with 3/8'' roof decking. In order to build a top quality coach you need to start with a good foundation our rugged, powder coated steel I-beam frame is second to none. Top that off with 5/8 one piece floor decking glued and screwed with a 25 year warranty. These are only a hand full of the features that Puma trailers and fifth wheels have to offer. We encourage you to view the 2011 lineup and to see why point to point you can't beat the Puma towable. To view our in stock Puma's click here.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Travel Trailer VS. Fifth Wheel
A lot of first time RVers come in with the question of "Which is better? A travel trailer or a fifth wheel?" As with most questions in this industry, it is a personal preference based on each individual customers wants and needs, more than it is a standard in the industry. Let's start with the difference between the two:
Travel Trailers
Most people remember these trailers as the rv's the older generation grew up with. Travel trailers are designed to be towed by a frame mounted reciever, that is the metal piece that goes under the tow vehicle and sticks out just under the rear bumper. Some of the larger tow vehicles like pickup trucks and some vans also have ball mounts on their rear bumpers, however these are generally not strong enough to tow even most small travel trailers.
Travel trailers can be anywhere from 13' to almost 40' long and can weigh from under 1000 lbs to over 10,000 lbs and come with no slides or multiple slide outs. When considering the length of a travel trailer keep in mind that there is usually 3 and 1/2 to 4 feet worth of A-frame at the front of the trailer that most manufactures don't take into account when they label the RV. The A-frame is the part that sticks out of the front of the trailer, that comes to a point where the coupler is located (the part that goes on the ball of the hitch). If you have a spot to park the trailer that is only 28 feet long make sure the trailer you are looking at will fit by overall length, not just the model number (ie a 28 RK travel trailer is probably 31 feet overall.)
The other big difference with a travel trailer is that the interior of the trailer is usually all on one level. From the front to the rear of the trailer there will not be any steps, and the ceiling height and exterior height of the trailer will be consistent along the entire length of the trailer. What this means is that you will be able to stand up in the bedroom whether it is a 18' or 35' trailer, whether it has a front or rear bedroom, and whether it has 3 slide-outs or no slide-outs.
5th Wheels
When people think of luxury recreational vehicles they usually think of big class a diesel motorhomes, or huge 5th wheels. A fifth wheel is a trailer designed to be towed by a pickup truck. The hitch for the 5th wheel is mounted in the truck box.
Fifth wheels also come as small no slide rvs to large mutliple slide units. They can be light weight units under 3000 lbs with single or tandem axles, or they can be 40+ feet that weigh over 18,000 lbs and have triple axles or dually axles (8 wheels on two axles) and you need a small Freightliner to haul.
Most 5th wheels have a bedroom in the front over the hitch area, although there have been a number of "Penthouse" models made that have the main bedroom in the rear and a living room above the hitch. There are always steps up to the bedroom in a fith wheel because of the way the frame is manufactured. The main living area is on one level and then there is a step up in the frame to accomodate the clearence needed for the truck to fit under the hitch and still be able to turn. Because of this, fifth wheels tend to be taller than most travel trailers and often the lower level or living area has a taller sloped ceiling leading up to the bedroom. Some 5ths are called low profile units because they don't have as high of a ceiling as the normal 5th wheel. The difficulty with the low profile unit is that the only way to move around the bedroom is on your hands and knees.
Most new larger 5th wheels also have large storage areas under the bedroom with what is referred to as pass through storage that goes from one side of the rv to the other with doors on both sides. I like to refer to this area as the in-law suite.
Once you know the difference between the two different types of trailers the next thing you need to know is what kind of a vehicle you are going to use to tow the trailer.
If you have a van, mini van, SUV or car you will be towing a travel trailer. There is no normal way to hook up a 5th wheel hitch to any of these types of vehicles, although I have seen some one off custom cars, some safe, some not, that have been set up to tow a fifth wheel. I'm sure there is someone out there right now reading this and thinking there is a way to make it work. For the rest of us, deal with the fact that you will be towing a travel trailer and get on with your life.
If you have a pickup, or are thinking of buying a pickup, you can tow either a travel trailer or a 5th wheel. When towing a travel trailer, some people like the idea of having the truck box available to take things like a Quad in the truck box, and other people like to have a canopy on the truck so they can store extra items in the truck box.
No matter whether you are towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel, keep in mind to remain safe you must not exceed the capabilities of your tow vehicle by towing a trailer that is too big to be safe. All vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that is the maximum they are allowed to weigh. When you are looking at getting a trailer, remember that the tongue or hitch weight must be added on to the actual weight of the tow vehicle when you are looking at what size trailer you can tow.
A quick estimate for hitch weights on towables is approx:
10% of the the travel trailer overall weight for hitch weight
15% of the 5th wheel overall weight for hitch weight
(Check with your dealer or manufacturer to get the actual hitch weight for the towable you are considering).
When you are figuring how much weight you can tow behind your tow vehicle don't forget to factor in the occupants and items you stuffed into your car as well. That is considered part of your tow capacity.
Also check with your vehicle manufacturer to find out how much your tow vehicle is rated to pull. Often there is a section in your owners manual that covers towing a trailer. This number is established by the manufacturer and is based on engine size, transmission, and drive axle ratio.
Most 4 cylinder front wheel drive vehicles are just not set up for towing. Some of them have a hard enough time moving themselves around, let alone towing a trailer as well. Some 6 cylinder front wheel drive vehicles will tow up to 3000 or 3500 lbs. Most 6 cylinder rear or all wheel drive vehicles can tow up to 5000 - 6000 lbs. 8 cylinder vehicles can usually tow over 6000 lbs but it all depends on the manufacturer and whether the vehicle is set up to tow or to get good fuel economy. Check with the manufacturer.
There are some differences in towing travel trailers as opposed to fifth wheels. A fifth wheel is designed to have a hitch in the box of the truck. The hitch is installed directly over the rear axle of the truck which is exactly where the truck likes to have the weight. This tends to make the trip with a 5th wheel a little more comfortable as the truck doesn't tend to bounce around quite as much as with a travel trailer. Also, because the hitch is in the truck your overall length for a 5th wheel is less, as 4 to 6 feet of the trailer is over the truck box instead of it all being behind the truck. Fifth wheels are also a little more manuverable than travel trailers, again because of the hitch being farther forward on the truck. You can even jack-knife a fifth wheel so it is pivoting on its axles and you can turn it on the spot.
Travel trailers are pulled behind the tow vehicle which gives you more options for what kind of vehicle you can use for towing. The down side is that all of the hitch weight is hanging off the back of the tow vehicle. I'm sure you have seen a truck pulling a trailer when the back of the truck and the front of the trailer both look like they are going to hit the ground. It doesn't have to be that way. It is recommended when you are towing a travel trailer that you use an equalizer or weight distribution hitch which will spread the tongue weight over the frame of the trailer and the frame of the tow vehicle. This keeps both units driving level and really smooths out the bumps on an uneven road. Equalizer hitches come in several sizes and weight catagories so make sure that the hitch matches the weight of the trailer you will be pulling.
Those are the main differences between travel trailers and 5th wheels. Again it all depends on you and how and where you want to use your new RV as to which type will be the best for you.
Happy camping and we will talk to you soon,
Rob Atkinson
Hub City RV
Travel Trailers
Most people remember these trailers as the rv's the older generation grew up with. Travel trailers are designed to be towed by a frame mounted reciever, that is the metal piece that goes under the tow vehicle and sticks out just under the rear bumper. Some of the larger tow vehicles like pickup trucks and some vans also have ball mounts on their rear bumpers, however these are generally not strong enough to tow even most small travel trailers.
Travel trailers can be anywhere from 13' to almost 40' long and can weigh from under 1000 lbs to over 10,000 lbs and come with no slides or multiple slide outs. When considering the length of a travel trailer keep in mind that there is usually 3 and 1/2 to 4 feet worth of A-frame at the front of the trailer that most manufactures don't take into account when they label the RV. The A-frame is the part that sticks out of the front of the trailer, that comes to a point where the coupler is located (the part that goes on the ball of the hitch). If you have a spot to park the trailer that is only 28 feet long make sure the trailer you are looking at will fit by overall length, not just the model number (ie a 28 RK travel trailer is probably 31 feet overall.)
The other big difference with a travel trailer is that the interior of the trailer is usually all on one level. From the front to the rear of the trailer there will not be any steps, and the ceiling height and exterior height of the trailer will be consistent along the entire length of the trailer. What this means is that you will be able to stand up in the bedroom whether it is a 18' or 35' trailer, whether it has a front or rear bedroom, and whether it has 3 slide-outs or no slide-outs.
5th Wheels
When people think of luxury recreational vehicles they usually think of big class a diesel motorhomes, or huge 5th wheels. A fifth wheel is a trailer designed to be towed by a pickup truck. The hitch for the 5th wheel is mounted in the truck box.
Fifth wheels also come as small no slide rvs to large mutliple slide units. They can be light weight units under 3000 lbs with single or tandem axles, or they can be 40+ feet that weigh over 18,000 lbs and have triple axles or dually axles (8 wheels on two axles) and you need a small Freightliner to haul.
Most 5th wheels have a bedroom in the front over the hitch area, although there have been a number of "Penthouse" models made that have the main bedroom in the rear and a living room above the hitch. There are always steps up to the bedroom in a fith wheel because of the way the frame is manufactured. The main living area is on one level and then there is a step up in the frame to accomodate the clearence needed for the truck to fit under the hitch and still be able to turn. Because of this, fifth wheels tend to be taller than most travel trailers and often the lower level or living area has a taller sloped ceiling leading up to the bedroom. Some 5ths are called low profile units because they don't have as high of a ceiling as the normal 5th wheel. The difficulty with the low profile unit is that the only way to move around the bedroom is on your hands and knees.
Most new larger 5th wheels also have large storage areas under the bedroom with what is referred to as pass through storage that goes from one side of the rv to the other with doors on both sides. I like to refer to this area as the in-law suite.
Once you know the difference between the two different types of trailers the next thing you need to know is what kind of a vehicle you are going to use to tow the trailer.
If you have a van, mini van, SUV or car you will be towing a travel trailer. There is no normal way to hook up a 5th wheel hitch to any of these types of vehicles, although I have seen some one off custom cars, some safe, some not, that have been set up to tow a fifth wheel. I'm sure there is someone out there right now reading this and thinking there is a way to make it work. For the rest of us, deal with the fact that you will be towing a travel trailer and get on with your life.
If you have a pickup, or are thinking of buying a pickup, you can tow either a travel trailer or a 5th wheel. When towing a travel trailer, some people like the idea of having the truck box available to take things like a Quad in the truck box, and other people like to have a canopy on the truck so they can store extra items in the truck box.
No matter whether you are towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel, keep in mind to remain safe you must not exceed the capabilities of your tow vehicle by towing a trailer that is too big to be safe. All vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that is the maximum they are allowed to weigh. When you are looking at getting a trailer, remember that the tongue or hitch weight must be added on to the actual weight of the tow vehicle when you are looking at what size trailer you can tow.
A quick estimate for hitch weights on towables is approx:
10% of the the travel trailer overall weight for hitch weight
15% of the 5th wheel overall weight for hitch weight
(Check with your dealer or manufacturer to get the actual hitch weight for the towable you are considering).
When you are figuring how much weight you can tow behind your tow vehicle don't forget to factor in the occupants and items you stuffed into your car as well. That is considered part of your tow capacity.
Also check with your vehicle manufacturer to find out how much your tow vehicle is rated to pull. Often there is a section in your owners manual that covers towing a trailer. This number is established by the manufacturer and is based on engine size, transmission, and drive axle ratio.
Most 4 cylinder front wheel drive vehicles are just not set up for towing. Some of them have a hard enough time moving themselves around, let alone towing a trailer as well. Some 6 cylinder front wheel drive vehicles will tow up to 3000 or 3500 lbs. Most 6 cylinder rear or all wheel drive vehicles can tow up to 5000 - 6000 lbs. 8 cylinder vehicles can usually tow over 6000 lbs but it all depends on the manufacturer and whether the vehicle is set up to tow or to get good fuel economy. Check with the manufacturer.
There are some differences in towing travel trailers as opposed to fifth wheels. A fifth wheel is designed to have a hitch in the box of the truck. The hitch is installed directly over the rear axle of the truck which is exactly where the truck likes to have the weight. This tends to make the trip with a 5th wheel a little more comfortable as the truck doesn't tend to bounce around quite as much as with a travel trailer. Also, because the hitch is in the truck your overall length for a 5th wheel is less, as 4 to 6 feet of the trailer is over the truck box instead of it all being behind the truck. Fifth wheels are also a little more manuverable than travel trailers, again because of the hitch being farther forward on the truck. You can even jack-knife a fifth wheel so it is pivoting on its axles and you can turn it on the spot.
Travel trailers are pulled behind the tow vehicle which gives you more options for what kind of vehicle you can use for towing. The down side is that all of the hitch weight is hanging off the back of the tow vehicle. I'm sure you have seen a truck pulling a trailer when the back of the truck and the front of the trailer both look like they are going to hit the ground. It doesn't have to be that way. It is recommended when you are towing a travel trailer that you use an equalizer or weight distribution hitch which will spread the tongue weight over the frame of the trailer and the frame of the tow vehicle. This keeps both units driving level and really smooths out the bumps on an uneven road. Equalizer hitches come in several sizes and weight catagories so make sure that the hitch matches the weight of the trailer you will be pulling.
Those are the main differences between travel trailers and 5th wheels. Again it all depends on you and how and where you want to use your new RV as to which type will be the best for you.
Happy camping and we will talk to you soon,
Rob Atkinson
Hub City RV
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