Forum Discussion

gareengo's avatar
gareengo
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015

5th wheelers size and frequent relocation/campsite fit size?

Hi RVers,
I am a relative newby truck camper guy and am looking at future options. I am looking to prematurely retire and get some form of 5th wheeler/travel trailer and go wandering. I have a dodge ram 3500 diesel dually that should tow anything. I just went to a dealership and looked at the offerings. I found a 32 foot with double king size slides that weighs about 10K that I really liked, but also looked at bigger offerings.
My newby questions:
1) If you are relocating about 10-12 times a year, how practical is it to have a 10K-15K weight 5th wheeler? or are they more for the sedentary folks who stay a long while and should I instead consider a travel trailer?
1.5) Is it the case that 40ft travel trailers are such a pain to tow that you wouldn't want to relocate frequently?
2) The sales guy mentioned that some of the larger 5th wheelers (38+ feet) may have a hard time fitting in certain campsites, along with the truck in front. What are your thoughts about this--can't you park truck along the side?
3) How significant (roughly) would be the difference in fuel economy with a 5K weight difference between trailers?

Thanks for your sage advice

Russell
  • retispcsi's avatar
    retispcsi
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2015
    We are traveling full timers. We rarely stay more then two weeks in one place. We stay in as many state, fed or county parks as we can find. Went through about 28 states this past summer. Never had problems finding a place. My fiver is listed at 38'11". However cap to cap is 40'6" according to DRV. I also carry two bikes on the back so add at least three more feet. This winter all state parks in Fla. moving every one to two weeks. Yes there are places you won't fit but there are many places you will.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    With that truck I would pull a fw unless you absolutely need the open bed. I'm at 29 feet and its pretty easy. I dont think I would want over 32 or 33 but I also move around a lot more than 12 times a year.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Nov 08, 2015
    gareengo wrote:
    3) How significant (roughly) would be the difference in fuel economy with a 5K weight difference between trailers?
    Weight only matters when you're pulling grades.
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    gareengo wrote:
    Hi RVers,
    I am a relative newby truck camper guy and am looking at future options. I am looking to prematurely retire and get some form of 5th wheeler/travel trailer and go wandering. I have a dodge ram 3500 diesel dually that should tow anything. I just went to a dealership and looked at the offerings. I found a 32 foot with double king size slides that weighs about 10K that I really liked, but also looked at bigger offerings.
    My newby questions:
    1) If you are relocating about 10-12 times a year, how practical is it to have a 10K-15K weight 5th wheeler? or are they more for the sedentary folks who stay a long while and should I instead consider a travel trailer? Weight is not really the issue but size. Find the one that meets your needs. 5er's tow better and set up and take down is the same at 15' or 40'.
    1.5) Is it the case that 40ft travel trailers are such a pain to tow that you wouldn't want to relocate frequently? Normally I pull a 53' trailer so the 5er is "short". Just depends on your comfort zone but height is usually more of a limit than length. I tend to stick to truck routes with mine. IE use US routes instead of state routes unless I've checked a truckers map or see truck traffic. If the truck fits I know I will.
    2) The sales guy mentioned that some of the larger 5th wheelers (38+ feet) may have a hard time fitting in certain campsites, along with the truck in front. What are your thoughts about this--can't you park truck along the side? Older parks were designed for shorter trailers. Most commercial parks are good at 40'. Mines around 37' and never had an issue in a commercial campground but the local state park is a no go. Sites to small and they don't trim the trees overhead. A heavier trailer typically behaves better in the wind etc... Some times I have to park across the end of the site or angle in next to the camper.
    3) How significant (roughly) would be the difference in fuel economy with a 5K weight difference between trailers? Weight will effect mpg to some degree but wind resistance is the biggest drag of mpg. Newer 5er have aerodynamic noses which help but I get about 10 mpg towing in mountains and 11 mpg in the flats. My trailer was about 10,500# empty and 12,000# loaded the last time I weighted it. I get about 16 mpg highway and 10-12 mpg around town.

    Thanks for your sage advice

    Russell
  • cmeade's avatar
    cmeade
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    We have a 39 ft Keystone Alpine 3500RE. Weight is about 13.5k. Friends have a 34 ft 5ver. We have had no problems fitting into CGs so far but always tell them it is a 40 ft rig. We made a trip from CA to Houston 3-2015 in 4 days. We stopped in a CG with FHU each nite and with 6 pt auto levelling we were set up in about 20 minutes - sewer, electric and city water and putting out the 4 slides. No big deal. Friends 34 ft without auto level not so good. We end up helping level it since we are done so quickly. They are looking to upgrade to one with auto level.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Nov 08, 2015
    1) When traveling, we move that much every couple months. Doesn't take any more time to set up and tear down than a motor home.
    1.5)Once you get a 40'er on the road, there is no significant difference in how it tows (assuming the truck is sufficient for the trailer).
    2) By the time you get up around 40'...yes, you will limit the RV parks you can fit in. This is particularly true of state parks. If you want to limit the impact, I would stay under 32'.
    3) On level ground, probably not much difference as aerodynamics is the main thing eating fuel. In city driving or mountainous, the extra weight will have more of an impact.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    My thoughts would be that if you are wandering around the country from one RV park to the next, length is normally not a problem. But once you start wandering around in the more rural areas and the public type campgrounds, you may feel things a bit tight.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Nov 08, 2015
    Issue seem to be that most of the mid to higher quality manufactures are not making anything but 38-40 footers anymore, with a few exceptions. Chris
  • Bipeflier's avatar
    Bipeflier
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    We have a 33 footer that weighs in about 12000 lbs. I wouldn't want anything much longer to maneuver in most of the parks here in the mid-west. We can get into just about any private or state parks in this area but longer would be a deal breaker for some places.

    The weight isn't a big deal, assuming that you have the proper truck.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Nov 08, 2015
    I think our Titanium is around 12K and we have had no problems. I did some quick research before we bought ours and it seems like over 35 ft is when you start having some problems finding a site. With our 34 ft fiver we haven't had any problems in private CG but you will see some in State and National parks.

    As for ease of moving, I don't seem why it would make much difference. The process is exactly the same for a 40 footer and a 32 footer. Maneuvering around tight areas would be more difficult with the extra length. Inside towns and parking lots mainly. And of course driving around CG roads which can be tight.

    I have no feel for fuel consumption vs weight. One major factor is the large frontal area causing a lot of drag. But that would be the same no matter how long the trailer is.

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