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bwilke's avatar
bwilke
Explorer
Dec 11, 2017

5th wheeler bunk houses

i am looking to purchase a 5th wheel that has bunkhouse for separate room with tv. I want one that is quality built and would like one that is not always in the shop or cheaply made.

i saw a used chaparrel coachman 29bhs and the floor plan was one that i liked with an outside kitchen.

can someone tell me about the quality of this 5th and or let me know what you would recommend.

i like the island in the kitchen too.

Thanks so much
Don't want to go bigger than 35 feet. have a ram 2500 diesal
  • Don't dismiss a Cedar Creek Silverback as they may fit the bill I'm guessing. Having owned one, it was of good quality decent unloaded weight and room for 3k of stuff. Mind you this was a '06 model. Unit served us well when we had both kids and now down to 1 and he outgrew the bunk, so we upgraded.
  • Also why a 5th wheel? Kids in truck, full tank fuel, gear etc etc. You have to get your weights close..

    Im not a 5th wheel guy but if you look at travel trailers you may save $$$ and get more trailer IMO..

    Plus your tongue weight will probably be lighter and you will have a weight distrubution hitch to move weigh to trailer and front of truck..

    Id be looking a two bath models in a travel trailer..

    Like cross roads 330 sunset trail...

  • What price is a good price to you?

    What year is the RV your looking at?

    What year is your ram 2500?

    Whats the payload sticker say on the door?
  • i will have to look at my specs on my truck. i am not sure on the weight.
    I saw some jayco eagle and reflections by design but they are pricey and would need to find one used most likely. this coachman lite that i saw on sale was a good price range but not sure how well it will hold up
  • Look at a Jayco Eagle 30.5BHLT I had one when raising a teen grandson. It has a "loft" we used as storage, about 8K dry 33ft.
  • The trouble with most diesel 3/4 ton trucks is they run out of weight carrying capacity before they run out of towing capacity. When you start looking at your ability to drop load onto the rear axle, like a fifth wheel does, having those extra springs and wheels and tires that the one ton gives you disappears fast.

    A lot of what you want as far as quality build is available, but quality means weight and so you have to compare pound for pound compared to say an Arctic Fox, (known to be heavy, and quality).

    So, what is your capacity on the rear wheels? What can you drop on there and still be OK with?