New RV'er in need of advice. I'm trying to decide between a 16 foot and an 18 foot fifth wheel trailer (technically it's actually a gooseneck). I'm going to be RV'ing full time in it and would like it to be compact enough that I'll be able to stay at most campgrounds, not just RV parks.My tow vehicle is a 22 foot long Ford F350 crew cab long bed truck.I've read that some campgrounds have 40 foot limits for tow vehicle length + RV, so the 16 footer would be the safer bet there. With the 18 footer the RV would have to be basically hitting the truck to get it to fit under 40 feet.On the other hand, I don't want to skimp on space since this is going to be my home full time.Any thoughts and wisdom on this decision?

full timing in a 16 foot RV, I don't think so.don't be too hung up on 40 ft. bumpy

I think you should go drive through some RV parks and look at the size that most people have. The 40' rule is for the RV not both.

You need to check out some 16' and 18' 5th wheels, if you can find any, and see if you could actually full time in something that small. You are just talking about only yourself aren't you?

Go for the extra 2 feet, if you can find it. I don't recall ever seeing a fifth wheel or gooseneck rv trailer that was as short as that. I think about 24' is the shortest I've seen.

I don't think you'll be happy for long in an 18' rig, let alone 16. We have a 25' Bunkhouse with a superslide and it gets small with four people and 2 dogs...We've never had a problem getting it into a spot. I find that if you are motivated you can get a lot more RV into the spot than they say.

16 foot vs 18 foot fifth wheel trailer? | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

IdaD
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
My dad has a Nash 24-5N which I think is about 24'. Rear kitchen setup with a couch slide and it works good for a couple, but for more people it wouldn't be very good and I sure wouldn't want to live in the thing for more than a camping trip or vacation.

Our 32' fifth wheel with a super slide doesn't feel huge inside after a week with five of us plus the Labradoodle, although I am hesitant to go much longer when we upgrade in a few years because 32' and 13' tall is a bit of a handful in some of the dispersed spots we like to go.
Diesel_Camper
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
I don't think you'll be happy for long in an 18' rig, let alone 16. We have a 25' Bunkhouse with a superslide and it gets small with four people and 2 dogs...

We've never had a problem getting it into a spot. I find that if you are motivated you can get a lot more RV into the spot than they say.
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2016
Go for the extra 2 feet, if you can find it. I don't recall ever seeing a fifth wheel or gooseneck rv trailer that was as short as that. I think about 24' is the shortest I've seen.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2016
You need to check out some 16' and 18' 5th wheels, if you can find any, and see if you could actually full time in something that small. You are just talking about only yourself aren't you?
corvettekent
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
I think you should go drive through some RV parks and look at the size that most people have. The 40' rule is for the RV not both.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 12, 2016
full timing in a 16 foot RV, I don't think so.
don't be too hung up on 40 ft.
bumpy

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16 foot vs 18 foot fifth wheel trailer?

26 Replies

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