Forum Discussion

Capt_Zosimus's avatar
Capt_Zosimus
Explorer
Jan 07, 2014

5th Wheel Manufacturer Recommendations

I am in the market for a new 5th Wheeler, I had been looking at a Class C but after reading for a few days now, and since money and space is a priority I am now in in the market for a 5er.:)

We currently own a TT 26' Viewfinder it is a nice trailer but not as comfortable inside as I would wish.

We are empty nesters and go camping about 4 to 5 times a year for long weekends or in some cases a week or longer.

We are active and love biking, hiking and kayaking, we take our own kayaks and bikes with us most places we go that have the access for them.

We will probably never live in the 5er full time, the longest I would imagine we would live in it is about 3-5 months at a time after I retire, but until then we would do short trips.

We love to cook outdoors and spend most of our time outdoors, but when inside we like to be comfortable, we currently can only enjoy watching TV while in bed as the dinette table and chairs in our current TT are just not comfortable for sitting and watching movies or TV.

We live in Texas so most of our camping is done in Texas State Parks in Texas weather :E

I own a 2011 Chevy 2500 Diesel truck and would want to keep it as my TV.

What I am looking for is recommendations of good green manufacturers that have well build 5ers with good maintenance records.

Well insulated for heat and cold
Quality Frames
Quality structure (not even sure what is considered best, wood frames, aluminum frames, aluminum siding or fiberglass siding)
Good storage capacity

I am trying to narrow down the manufacturers as there are so many and very little know or published as to who are the better and more reliable ones.

Lots of windows to see the outdoors when inside (I loved my Pop Up Trailer for that one reason)
A floor plan design that leads to a well placed sitting area that you don't have to strain yourself when watching TV.
Outdoor kitchen
large and easily accessible food pantries
plenty of kitchen counter space

Thank you in advance for your help.

19 Replies

Show More
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    Since you only have a 3/4 ton truck and said you don't want Lippert then the only 5'er I know of that you could tow that's not on a Lippert frame is an Arctic Fox 27-5L built by Northwood Mfg. It doesn't have an outdoor kitchen though. http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=model&make=arctic&id=1050

    Another option is the Fox Mountain. We have a Fox Mountain 235rls and it's also built by Northwood Mfg. It's slightly smaller and lighter than the AF 27-5L. Not quite as much storage but works great for weekends and week trips. We never had storage problems on the 3 week trips we took last year. You can order either of them with dual pane windows and they both come with 4 season insulation packages.
    If you ordered the Fox Mountain 235 RLS http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=model&make=mountain&id=1056you can order it with the recliners and free standing dinette. The booth is horrible. We swapped it out for a free standing and it's comfortable for hours. The tv is a 32" and is close enough to see good form the rear seating. Great sound system also. We camped in ours for close to 50 nights and have over 4000 miles of towing this year. Except for a couple glitches very early it's been trouble free. You don't need a dealer to have it repaired under warranty as Northwood will authorize an RV repair facility near you for work.
    We're outdoors type like you as we like to hike and bike. We find our Fox Mountain great for our camping lifestyle as it's only 27'10" long so we can get into most CG's easily. It has decent holding tanks so boondocking isn't an issue for 4 nights.
    We tow ours with a 12 Ram 2500 CTD and it's a perfect match IMO. We average 10.5 to 11.9 mpg.
  • 2hams's avatar
    2hams
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    Start by figuring the max GVWR you will be comfortable carrying with your truck. Then decide on max length. That will eliminate lots of units. If you look at floorplans you will see there are about 5 major variations.

    Good advice to go to RV show. Also check out manufacturer owner forums.

    We also started with an open airy popup, and were concerned with views when we moved to our first 5er. Since retirement we travel farther and stay longer, so want more of a miniature apartment. Our new 5er has tons of storage, and we are anxious for our first long trip to find the quirks.
  • earlvillestu's avatar
    earlvillestu
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    I think msredneck's point was that a lot of use is what destroys CHEAPER trailers, so therefore the OP can consider a lower-end unit. Your HH is certainly not a lower-end unit.
  • spadoctor's avatar
    spadoctor
    Explorer II
    Jan 08, 2014
    From personal experience I would suggest KZ Durango. Well built units....company in business over 40 years and still family owned and one of the few that have a 2 year warranty. Yes they use Lippert built frames as do most, but they are designed by KZ not Lippert.
  • Jim-Linda's avatar
    Jim-Linda
    Explorer II
    Jan 08, 2014
    "msneck" have to disagree with your assumption that moving down the highway is what destroys trailers. Case in point, we have a '98 38'HH Champagne that's been from NE to SoCA from WA to FL and in between. This is a fulltime unit that is pulled with a FL.

    No frame failures, no wheels falling off, no sidewall coming apart, no windows falling out, so, if you could share what "failures" WILL happen going down the road, I would be grateful. Thanks,

    Jim
  • msredneck84's avatar
    msredneck84
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    The RV lifestyle you described will afford you to purchase an entry level coach if you so choose. Driving FW down the road on long trips is what destroys them and defines what a good FW is. You don't make long trips so you can buy a lesser expensive coach IMHO. All of them basically afford the same uses; sleeping, cooking and dining, mobility, self contained, etc.
    My point is you can get a really nice coach and it will provide all the same features and satisfy you for a lot less money than someone that needs a higher end coach to do lots of traveling and must spend a good deal more money and the RV will be much heavier causing owner to purchase a heavy duty tow vehicle.
    This is just my personal opinion upon observing your personal RV uses and needs. By the way, although I do not reside in Texas, I just purchased a new FW from ExploreUSA RV Supercenter in Canton, TX. It is my understanding they are only domiciled in TX and have 8 dealerships located throughout TX and are the nations largest towable RV dealership. I would recommend them based on the excellent deal they gave me. Good luck in your purchase!
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2014
    Given your criteria I would eliminate every rig with a Lipert frame

    Unfortunately that's almost all of them

    As for structure... two of the best use wood, several other quality rigs use Aluminum. What that says is it's workmanship not material.

    I had very similar criteria and found that the most cost-effective rig that met these was Arctic Fox.
  • B_Sjulestad's avatar
    B_Sjulestad
    Explorer II
    Jan 07, 2014
    If you live anywhere close to Ft Worth there is a RV show this weekend that should give you plenty to look at.
  • GON2SKI's avatar
    GON2SKI
    Explorer
    Jan 07, 2014
    Using similar criteria and after researching for a couple of years……..here is what we chose. Have fun searching, the hunt is exciting and half the fun…..then the wonderful building of memories tops it all.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,021 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 26, 2025