by A 5th wheel trailer is the pinnacle of towable RVs. If you are the type that wants to explore the road, a retired snowbird, an extreme adventurer, or a full time RVer than a 5th wheel may be perfect for you. Since a 5th wheel trailer is typically much larger than your average towable RV, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, without losing the comfort and amenities of a full size house. An advantage of any towable vehicle is that you will have access to a vehicle for any and all regular use once your trailer is parked.
About Fifth Wheel Trailers
A fifth wheel is the largest type of towable RV, one of the main reasons they can get so large is how they connect to a vehicle. With a traditional trailer you have a rear hitch where the trailer connects to, the down size is there is a limit to how much tongue weight a normal hitch can hold.
On the other hand a fifth wheel has a special hitch that is either built into or installed in the bed of a truck. Meaning the weight is not on the rear of the tow vehicle but is spread out thought the entire truck making it much more efficient for the tow vehicle. There are a few advantages of a fifth wheel over a traditional bumper pull trailer.
- Less sway when towing
- Better turning radius
- Easier to handle
Like any other type of towable RV you can disconnect your truck from the trailer and leave it at park or site that you are staying at, this frees up the tow vehicle to be used as a daily driver to explore the area.
Fifth wheel trailers have a wide array of floor plans and types of RVs. You can get anything from the traditional bunk house, to a bring everything toy hauler.
Fifth wheel trailers vary greatly in price. A smaller, older trailer can be in the $10,000 range, with newer luxury models in the $50,000-$100,000 range. The price you pay will depend on your preference of amenities and luxuries you want and need in a trailer.
Towing Your 5th Wheel
Being the largest type of trailer, they can be as long as 45 feet and weigh well over 10,000 lbs. With the excess size and weight, a tow vehicle that is equipped for this type of load is extremely important. It is always important to be aware of the towing abilities of your vehicle before deciding to purchase a fifth wheel or any other type of trailer. Having a vehicle that is not well suited for the job can make your trailer sway back and forth, can cause major damage to the drive train of your vehicle and can become hard to control.
Not sure how much your truck can tow? take a look at “how much can I tow”
I can’t stress this enough:
ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR VEHICLE CAN TOW BEFORE HITTING THE HIGHWAY.
Having the proper hitch is equally important, there are many different types and styles to choose from, and some vehicle manufacturers are now even installing them in the bed of the vehicle. Choosing the right hitch will save you stress and money down the road, always talk with your dealer about choosing the right hitch.
Weight options
Like travel trailers, there are many different types and weights to choose from. Choosing a lighter 5th wheel can be towed by midsize or ¼ ton truck, and may be a good option for short trips or if you don’t require a ton of living space while on the road.
Midsize weight travel trailers will require a larger ½ ton truck to safely pull down the road, but will have much more living space and normally have more amenities. The largest trailers will require a ¾ ton truck and in most cases will need a diesel engine to properly and safely tow the larger rigs.
As an estimate, you can expect to add somewhere around 2,000-3,000 pounds to the weight of your trailer once you have it packed with fuel, water, propane and all of your personal items. That is something important to consider when choosing the right 5th wheel for your vehicle (or the right vehicle for your 5th wheel).
Interior Amenities
With all that extra size comes great features like a full size kitchen, multiple slides to open up the living space or living room. Some even have 2 or 3 bedrooms and tons of under compartment storage.
Many if not all newer fifth wheel trailers come with multiple slide outs to extend the trailer to a much larger and roomier living space. While traveling I have seen a fifth wheel with 4 slides making the inside comparable to a large apartment or even a small house, some trailers come with better amenities as well like, marble counter tops, stainless steel appliances wood floors, big screen tvs and even gas fireplaces. Since some people call this home for many months of the year, having all the right amenities is a must.
Kitchen – Options for fifth wheels are that of a full size kitchen complete with all the must have appliances and loads or pantry space. You can customize your kitchen till your hearts content and have simple flooring like laminate, all the way up to full on wood floors much like you would see in a high end kitchen. You can even opt for a center island to offer both more sitting space but also gives you more countertop room for preparing food.
Sleeping areas– With a large RV like a 5th wheel the master bedroom can be equipped with all the standard comforts you have at home. Things like
- Full size closet space
- Queen or even king size bed
- Ample outlets
- Dressers
While the master bedroom has most of the must haves there are several options for bunk beds in a separate room for the kids, along with dedicated entertainment centers like build in desks, seating and tvs, to make living in a fifth wheel not much different than living at your home.
Living area– like the bedroom there are tons of options to best suit your needs. You can choose from multiple couches in cloth, vinyl, leather or suede. If relaxing in a recliner is more your style you can opt for reclining couches, or even a standard lay-z-boy.
At home you want all the toys, internet, tv, ect. Why skimp on your RV?
Like at home you can have a big screen built in with a top end surround sound built into the walls and ceiling of the RV. Satellite radio can be set up, and even desks and work stations with internet connections are in some models.
Cleaning appliances – Fifth wheel owners can keep things tidy with central vacuum systems that allow for easy emptying. You can eliminate the need for other types of vacuums that take up valuable space.
Washers and dryers are also options in many trailers so you’ll always have fresh and clean clothes while on the open road.
Bathrooms – Bathrooms come equipped with toilets, sinks, mirrors, and full-size showers.
Electrical and water capacity will vary with each trailer so be sure to consider what types of traveling you will be doing and what your needs are.
What Can You Do with a Fifth Wheel Trailer?
Go camping – or Glamping as its often referred to. If you love the outdoors like I do but don’t want to sweat the night away in a tent then this is a great way to see the world. Imagine pulling your awesome home on wheels deep into the woods. Setting up a fire pit just outside your door and cook dinner without having to “rough it.” Then walk just a few steps away and fall asleep with the cool air conditioned house you have sitting there waiting for you.
Take road trips – If you are a regular reader of mine you know that I love to see new things and get away from the “norm,” traveling with a fifth wheel trailer is a great way to not only be comfortable anywhere you go, but may even help save you money. When traveling city to city without an RV (expecially with children) you have expenses like:
- Hotel stays
- Resturants (all the time)
- Ect.
But with an RV you can purchase groceries and take them with you saving a ton of money (ask me how I know), and with the average price of $65 a night for hotels you can really rack up the credit card rather quick. We found that even though RVing isn’t cheap, its much more affordable than traveling the traditional way.
Get out of the snow (or into the snow) – People that live in their RV full times are often referred to a “snow birds” these folks travel south during the winter to warmer climates for several months in destinations like Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to escape the frigid colds of the northern states.
On the other hand if you want ot find the snow you can follow it to your favorite mountain and enjoy the fresh powder snow for an extended ski trip, without having to pay ridicules lodging fees at a mountain lodge.
Be a full-timer – If you are or are planning on becoming a full timer, then a fifth wheel is one of the best options for you. These RVs provide luxurious and comfortable living anywhere, you can take your new home anywhere you please and not lose the creature comforts behind. If you wake up one day and decide you want to see the grand kids, go ahead, if you want to head south and check out the Florida keys, go ahead. Do all the things you wish you could when you were working endless hours at a day job, With a fifth wheel you can go anywhere you like and be comfortable at the same time.
Why Choose a Fifth Wheel Trailer Over a Motor Home?
Fifth wheels often have more living space than a motor home, especially because of the slide out options available.
- They are typically easier to move when trying to park or maneuver.
- If an engine repair is needed while on the road, your entire living space won’t need to go to the repair shop along with the engine.
Whether you’re on the road 12 months out of the year, or just enjoy taking smaller road trips or camping trips, RVing is a lifestyle to be enjoyed. The fifth wheel can give you the convenience of traveling with your vehicle – one that is easily detachable and accessible at all times. It may not have its own motor, but you can still take all of the comforts and luxuries you would enjoy in your own home
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