A friend of ours wants to buy an RV this summer in the US (they're Israelis like us, but have American citizenships too, so it should be relatively easy for them). They want to buy a motorhome because that's what they've traveled with in the past (rental RV vacation about a decade ago). We've been talking about types of RV's and I mentioned I think a fifth wheeler is better because you can disengage the truck and just travel around while your trailer (is that the term?) stays at the campground. He has two arguments against trailers/5th wheelers:1. Connecting and disconnecting the TV is complicated.2. When you get into the trailer it can be very hot and stuffy. He says that a motorhome is always ventilated/ac'ed because you're there while your driving as well. A trailer gets all hot and stuffy while you drive, so if you want to make a short stop for a couple of hours nap in a rest area, you have to wait for the trailer to get cooled off by the ac.Thoughts on these? Obviously, it's his choice, not mine, but I'm helping them plan their trip and I'm also thinking ahead about our own potential future trips in an RV. They've actually brought up the idea of letting us use their RV next year for a trip of our own.

1. Hooking up the trailer can be learned. It takes practice but as you said, then you have a vehicle to drive around and see the sights.2. He's right. You have to cool down the trailer. When hooked to power it take no time at all. You always can pull a vehicle with the motorhome. It's great to have friends who share their toys.

Hooking & unhooking a 5th wheel is very easy. It takes a few minutes. They are correct that a 5th wheel will be basically the same temperature as outside. You may be able to get a 5th wheel with built in generator to run the air but I'm not sure.I prefer a 5th wheel but it's not for everyone. It sounds like a motorhome may be a better choice for them.

Depending on the size of the fifth wheel it may take some practice backing the trailer up into a site and hitching and unhitching the trailer if they or you have never towed a fifth wheel or any trailer for that matter so you will need some time to learn. None of it is that hard to learn but it will something you need to take slow and easy . You will need to watch for low trees or other things but taking your time you or they will learn. If you’re staying in one place for weeks or more at a time a fifth wheel works for many but if you’re on the move every day or so a motorhome may be a better choice, you can always rent a car for sightseeing.

For hitching/unhitching, this is an easy task.For cooling, he's not wrong. However, we have 2 air conditioners in our unit. One is in the bedroom itself and with the dump/quick cool feature, it would only be a couple of minutes before the room is bearable (and then shortly after that comfortable) for a nap.

Looks like their itinerary won't include more than 2-3 nights at the same place (at most). The same will probably be true for any trip we'll take with their RV in 2015 (or any time before we retire in 2025). I guess maybe a motorhome isn't a bad idea then. Thanks everyone - this input is extremely helpful!

Fifth wheeler trailer - how hot/cold does it get?

16 Replies

randy777
Explorer
Jun 22, 2014
If they plan to buy the RV their is one big difference in my opinion. When you get home from your trip in a Fifth wheel you put it away and forget it. Mine sits under an awing beside the house and does not even get rain or sun on it. For a Motorhome you still need to maintain the engine, transmission, and other things that cannot sit for six months unattended. My sister has a MH and spend more money on it after it has been sitting unused than when they are traveling. If you get a diesel engine this is even more important. They last longest when used often. Randy
stetwood
Explorer
Jun 22, 2014
the bear II wrote:
The real determining factor between a 5th wheel and MH is how they will be travelling.

A MH is best for long drive times and short stays...Drive 400 miles stop overnight and drive 400 miles the next day and stop for two days.We do 1 or 2 days of driving and stopping 1-3 days in our 5th wheel. Those single nights don't require unhooking. And you don't need that second vehicle. You can always tow a vehicle behind the MH for side trips.

A 5th wheel works better for long stays more livable space than an equal sized MH. In a MH you lose 1 to 3 feet due to the dash area. Like others have said, a generator equipped 5th wheel will allow the 5th wheel to be cool when you stop.Unless you are planning to be traveling in 95+ days, the 5ver doesn't take long to cool if well made and insulation is r-14. And then you don't need a generator, unless you are boon-docking. We stop about 1/2 hour from our destination to start the genrator and AC so the coach will be cooled down when we arrive. Hitching unhitching becomes second nature.

Either a MH or 5th wheel works no matter how you travel and both have pros and cons so it boils down to personal choice. You see about a 50/50 mix on the road and in RV Parks.This type of travel, long trips, short stays, look at smaller 5vers, 30ft and under with 1 or 2 slides and tow it with a 35 series truck 2 x 2, extended cab short box or regular box.
AnneM
Explorer
Jun 22, 2014
They're American citizens and have family in the US they're staying with (so they can provide a local address). I doubt they'll have a problem buying, titling or insuring the vehicle? I know several Israelis who did it too, so it's actually doable even if you're not an American, but I think you need to get a local address for the paperwork.
newk
Explorer
Jun 22, 2014
I like our 5er (and the one before it, and the one before it....), but for the type of traveling/camping you'd be doing, I'd probably opt for a MH -- a diesel pusher if that's in the budget. If it's not in the budget, then I'd probably go with a 5er. Neither would be a bad choice. Advantages here, advantages there. Unless they're talking about a class B. (Actually, my preference would still be a truck camper, but my wife carries 51% of the voting shares in our partnership.) ;)

Have they looked into how they're going to title, register and insure it? I don't know anything about it, to be honest, but look into it if you haven't already.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
I've owned both. Having been a farmer I always had a big pickup, with a diesel engine. It was foolish to add another engine, as I was already taking care of a lot. With on onboard generator on 5ths, you can cool or heat the trailer while traveling. I will stop and turn on gen. and start A/C. As far as pulling it just takes practice. Go to a big parking lot and practice. every hitch has the best way of hitching and unhitching. Must read instructions for that procedure. By a quality 5th. and get the auto level. However; for your needs a MH might be the best, and pull a small auto.
AnneM
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully other sections of the road can be driven at 50MPH and not 25MPH... We're going to take 8-9 weeks for the trip, so we won't be in a rush. We want to stop and do a lot of sightseeing and some hiking along the way too. There will be some parts of the trip where I hope to just drive through (places we've already been to in the past - between Seattle and Jasper, AB) and I hope to cover 400 miles a day on such days (two drivers, so we'll take 2-3 hour shifts).
sue_t
Explorer
Jun 21, 2014
IsraeliMom wrote:
People tell me they try not to plan for more than 150-200 miles a day with a MH. I was glad to say you mentioned 400 miles a day as it's what I have in mind for our Alaskan HWY trip for the summer of 2015 (not every day, but definitely on some days).

On the Alaska Highway, plan 200 miles for some days. There's one stretch (Burwash Landing to Beaver Creek) that's only about 100 miles and if you wish to drive it safely (without damaging your RV), plan 4 hours for that stretch. It is rough and not all holes/frost heaves are marked.

If you're here during construction season (summer) when they're repairing the winter freeze/spring thaw damage to the highway, it isn't uncommon to wait 15-30 minutes for a pilot vehicle to escort traffic through the zone.

A small motorhome (23-25') is a nice size for touring the north - we did so before moving here. BTW, we have a 4x4 and rarely use 4-wheel drive when exploring backroads/goat trails. Have used it once this year and that was a wide gravel creek crossing on an old narrow backroad where most tourists wouldn't venture.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Jun 21, 2014
A MH without a 2nd vehicle is very restrictive. In our travels, we see those rental units in the campgrounds. By the time breakfast is over and everything put away, they don't hit the road before mid morning. Which means they will miss a great sunrise or sunset at a special place, or they arrive at the same time as all the tour buses arrive. Also a MH with a 2nd vehicle or a trailer/tow vehicle provides access to places the MH can't get to.

When traveling in very hot temps, the dash A/C in a MH will not keep the entire coach cool, which means running the on-board generator and impacting fuel consumption. On the other hand, if a trailer has an on-board generator, it can be started mid-point on the road in order to cool down the trailer.
laknox
Nomad
Jun 20, 2014
IsraeliMom wrote:
A friend of ours wants to buy an RV this summer in the US (they're Israelis like us, but have American citizenships too, so it should be relatively easy for them). They want to buy a motorhome because that's what they've traveled with in the past (rental RV vacation about a decade ago). We've been talking about types of RV's and I mentioned I think a fifth wheeler is better because you can disengage the truck and just travel around while your trailer (is that the term?) stays at the campground. He has two arguments against trailers/5th wheelers:

1. Connecting and disconnecting the TV is complicated.

2. When you get into the trailer it can be very hot and stuffy. He says that a motorhome is always ventilated/ac'ed because you're there while your driving as well. A trailer gets all hot and stuffy while you drive, so if you want to make a short stop for a couple of hours nap in a rest area, you have to wait for the trailer to get cooled off by the ac.

Thoughts on these? Obviously, it's his choice, not mine, but I'm helping them plan their trip and I'm also thinking ahead about our own potential future trips in an RV. They've actually brought up the idea of letting us use their RV next year for a trip of our own.

1. Hitching/unhitching is no worse than hitching/unhitching a towed car. Setup, with power, water and sewer is basically the same. Both MH and FW can be had with auto-level systems, so that's a wash.

2. As others have said, a FW with a generator can have the coach cooled in pretty short order. You can get generators with a remote start so you might not even have to stop to fire it up to have the A/C running.

3. If you plan on contributing to the RV in anticipation of using it yourself to go to Alaska, a truck, especially 4wd, would be very handy and allow you to get a bit more off the beaten track. If they do go the MH route, they'd almost certainly need a 2nd vehicle. You don't necessarily need to use the same 2nd vehicle and could get a small 4wd or AWD to tow behind.

Just my $0.02...

Lyle
AnneM
Explorer
Jun 20, 2014
Makes sense. I have to say though, to most Israelis driving 400 miles a day sounds nuts. That's about the length of our entire country (Israel's width is about 20-50 miles... 14 miles in the narrowest point.

People tell me they try not to plan for more than 150-200 miles a day with a MH. I was glad to say you mentioned 400 miles a day as it's what I have in mind for our Alaskan HWY trip for the summer of 2015 (not every day, but definitely on some days).