My wife and I own several acres in a 100 lot "development" in the mountains in the middle of the USFS land. The elevation is 8600'. There is no electricity and the only water source is a spring running 24/7 about 1/4 mile away.We are thinking of buying a 28-33' fifth wheel to put on our lot to use only in the summer. I don't have a vehicle that could pull that weight so I would hire a transport company to move it. Once it was installed it would probably not be moved. We have a 60 year old 26' Crosby trailer there now, but it is too small to be comfortable. We use an outhouse I built on the property as the soil is impervious clay. My question is this a good use for a fifth wheel? Does the unit have to be placed on stands to get the weight off the tires? We plan to attach water storage tanks to the fifth wheel for showers and sinks, but still use the outhouse. Also, are the roofs on new trailers able to resist heavy snow loads? Our Crosby trailer has been there for 50 years and there has been no problem with the roof holding up. (The last 10 years I have been re-coating it annually.)Any comments on whether older or newer units would be more durable as far as just sitting and not just better for traveling?Anyone have any advice or comments on this plan. Thanks in advance. This is a great forum and reading it has almost given me the RV travel bug.

I'd get me a park model - they're meant to be parked forever.

I too would go with a Park Model, as long as it could be moved to and set up on the property...better insulation, more room, more of a residential look/feel, about the same cost as a good 5th wheel, somewhat of a peaked roof for the snow load, could be built to spec for your snow load, easily modified for a sun room, porch, etc. Do a google search.RegardsGemstone

I also recommend the Park Model. I have 5 of them set up on my rental propertyin Yuma and they handle the heat better than my 40 ft 5th w that I also have set up as a rental

We have down at our lake property a Forest River Park Trailer, now called an destination trailer. Forty two foot long, removable hitch, no awning and extra insulation roof and floor, (we ordered this way. Standard refrigerator and sliding glass doors. What I would add to all is storms and thermal pane glass on the slider. Love it. Custom covered deck off the sliders and wraps around to non covered.Up on concrete blocks like a mobile home it could be skirted and winterized. It more than likely never leave the lot.

I have tried to find used park models to look at. I find that most are being sold set up in mobile home parks set up with attached porches. Seller expects you will live in the unit on the same lot. Most of the new unit prices are not listed and you have to call - which I don't want to do - to get cost information.Fifth wheel and TT new and used units seem to be much easier to shop for.

Fifth Wheel for Permanent Location? | Good Sam Community

azdryheat
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
I'd get me a park model - they're meant to be parked forever.
Gemstone
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
I too would go with a Park Model, as long as it could be moved to and set up on the property...better insulation, more room, more of a residential look/feel, about the same cost as a good 5th wheel, somewhat of a peaked roof for the snow load, could be built to spec for your snow load, easily modified for a sun room, porch, etc. Do a google search.

Regards
Gemstone
samsontdog
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
I also recommend the Park Model. I have 5 of them set up on my rental property
in Yuma and they handle the heat better than my 40 ft 5th w that I also have set up as a rental
wmgeorge
Explorer
Sep 08, 2013
We have down at our lake property a Forest River Park Trailer, now called an destination trailer. Forty two foot long, removable hitch, no awning and extra insulation roof and floor, (we ordered this way. Standard refrigerator and sliding glass doors. What I would add to all is storms and thermal pane glass on the slider. Love it. Custom covered deck off the sliders and wraps around to non covered.
Up on concrete blocks like a mobile home it could be skirted and winterized. It more than likely never leave the lot.
homeputter
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
I have tried to find used park models to look at. I find that most are being sold set up in mobile home parks set up with attached porches. Seller expects you will live in the unit on the same lot. Most of the new unit prices are not listed and you have to call - which I don't want to do - to get cost information.

Fifth wheel and TT new and used units seem to be much easier to shop for.
mena661
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
azdryheat wrote:
I'd get me a park model - they're meant to be parked forever.
X2
wmgeorge
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013
For our Park Trailer or Destination Trailer as its called now, not to be confused with Park Model which is more like a house. We paid in 2009 about $28k new. You see very few on the used market, we did have one slightly smaller one we looked at that had the sliders we wanted.

We had a used 5th wheel on another lot, a lot older one. Had issues with leaks and just not enough insulation for a full time house. I'm sure a new one with the 4 season insulation and modern roof system would be much better. But you guys know what those cost...
Sturgeon-Phish
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
It sounds like your location may be pretty remote and getting a park model there may be an issue.
So much depends on how much you want to sink into it and your tolerance / needs.
The place where we have our 5th set up has a lot of TT and 5th wheels set up as to not easily move again. Some have not moved in 50 years. They may look a little long in the tooth, but it works for them.
Our set up is not the norm as we regularly unhook and pull out to go different places then return when we're done.
Jim
Miles_Away
Explorer
Sep 10, 2013
I agree with the above suggestions, however if you cannot get a "park" or "destination" model into where you are going to park it, go with a travel trailer. that way you will not have to climb stairs to get to the bed room.
homeputter
Explorer
Sep 11, 2013
Thanks for all the comments.

The 1 park model we looked out was only wired for 120vac (assume that is normal), since we don't have electricity, I think park models are out. I was planning on using batteries and solar charging.

Now my concern is the cost to build a large trailer shed to protect any 5th wheel we bought from the snow load. Too bad, as we loved many of the floor plans of the late model fifth wheels we looked at.

I agree what was said about climbing stairs (our cabin is 2 story), but I don't think 3 steps will be a big deal.

For now, I guess we will just get a new mattress for the 60 year old Crosby and use it. Another problem with it is all the window crank gears are stripped out, so it is hard to open the windows. When I was thinking about towing it out, I checked the 10 ply tires and they still had 15psi of air in them!