Finally decided it's time to get rid of the MH. We have had 5ers before. So far the front runner is the wildcat. we saw the F282RK at the dealer yesterday. We really liked this rig except for the refrigerator being blocked when the slide is closed. DW likes the F261RK because you can access the frig with the slide closed and it has an all in one bath. This is in the 1/2 ton series. We will be towing with a 3/4 ton diesel PU. There is only five inches difference in length. so that is not an issue.Any pro's or con's? Does any one have any comments on Wildcats?

No comments on Wildcats but will comment on fridge access. Our current trailer one cannot access the fridge with the slide closed and it is a non issue. If we need to get into the fridge while in transit we just open the slide enough to get out what we want and close again which is very infrequently. Takes all of 30 seconds. Do not see why it would be a problem.

We can not get in our fridge either because of slide but has been a non issue, as said above we just let slide out to get what we need if needed. But the all-in-one stand alone bathroom!! We love it! And we need not move any slides to use if we are traveling.

Jack_Diane_Freedom wrote:No comments on Wildcats but will comment on fridge access. Our current trailer one cannot access the fridge with the slide closed and it is a non issue. If we need to get into the fridge while in transit we just open the slide enough to get out what we want and close again which is very infrequently. Takes all of 30 seconds. Do not see why it would be a problem.I have a cabinet or two that I can't access when traveling due to the slide. But like mentioned above, just hit the switch and run the slide out a foot or two. Very Easy and fast.

I for one would never buy a unit where the refrigerator or the bathroom was not accessibly with the slide closed. If they didn't put enough thought into designing it than that, can you imagine what else they may have not given thought to or cut a corner to save a few bucks? No thanks. Even if it didn't mean anything to you, what if you ever decide to sell? I have seen this question posed before and many more indicated it was a deal breaker for them. Give it some serious thought. JMO

powderman426 wrote:I for one would never buy a unit where the refrigerator or the bathroom was not accessibly with the slide closed. If they didn't put enough thought into designing it than that, can you imagine what else they may have not given thought to or cut a corner to save a few bucks? No thanks. Even if it didn't mean anything to you, what if you ever decide to sell? I have seen this question posed before and many more indicated it was a deal breaker for them. Give it some serious thought. JMOThat really doesn't make sense since some of the best made units have floor plan issues. IMO floor plan and quality aren't synonymous.

going back to a 5er | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

drillking
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
GramaofAAAA wrote:
Are we the only ones to use the "slide locks" that came with our 5th wheel while traveling?? I wouldn't want to remove the locks just to get into the frig and then put them back after?? I'm a new 5th wheel owner and am wondering......:)

Had some in some of our fivers but never used them. Our last three new ones didn't come with any. Never had a problem.
mileshuff
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Our new Winnebago 26FWRKS has a rear kitchen but the fridge is on the slide so never blocked. When in, the slide blocks 1 kitchen cabinet and nothing else.
soos
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2013
Dtaylor wrote:
I am just courious as to why not being able to access the frig or bath with slide in is such a issue. How difficult is it to push a button for 10 seconds?

Well,in our case, our slide is huge, and if we're parked at a rest area we can't always open it. We travel every few days and often stop for lunch, so I wouldn't want to have to partially open the slide that often.

Most Mobile Suites floor plans do not allow access to the bath and/or refrig while traveling. Many times its a different slide that blocks the bathroom, vs. the one that blocks the refrig, so you'd have to open both slides. Many people don't care about that. I do, so our floorplan allows access to the bath and half the refrig with the slides in. Good enough for me. What we gave up was a larger bedroom slide that has room for side by side washer and dryer.
I don't think a layout that doesn't allow access Is a quality issue with a rig, its a matter of priority and preference.
GramaofAAAA
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Are we the only ones to use the "slide locks" that came with our 5th wheel while traveling?? I wouldn't want to remove the locks just to get into the frig and then put them back after?? I'm a new 5th wheel owner and am wondering......:)
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2013
SailingOn wrote:
Dtaylor wrote:
I am just curious as to why not being able to access the frig or bath with slide in is such a issue. How difficult is it to push a button for 10 seconds?

It seems prudent to avoid putting the slide out until the rig is level and the jacks and stabilizers are down; takes a few minutes.

I don't think we're talking about putting it all the way out. Just far enough to get access to what you need. However, if I'm on level ground, I've put mine out for a few minutes if needed with no problem at all.
SailingOn
Explorer
Sep 07, 2013
Dtaylor wrote:
I am just curious as to why not being able to access the frig or bath with slide in is such a issue. How difficult is it to push a button for 10 seconds?

It seems prudent to avoid putting the slide out until the rig is level and the jacks and stabilizers are down; takes a few minutes.
Scott16
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
There is a saying in the RV community. That if your Wife is happy with a Fifth Wheel then you can be happy, to go camping, lol.
I am sure you will choose the right Fifth wheel.
Best of luck, and welcome back from the dark side.
Scott
AUWing
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
As others mentioned, fridge access while traveling isn't an issue - just push the button and the slide moves a bit. The openness that you get in a rear kitchen help you get over any minor inconvenience. There is one perhaps larger issue and that's if you have guests join you often. Opening the hide-a-bed makes it difficult to get to the coffee pot if your an early riser and your guests choose to sleep in.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
I am just courious as to why not being able to access the frig or bath with slide in is such a issue. How difficult is it to push a button for 10 seconds?
MinnCamper
Explorer
Sep 06, 2013
We can access everything in our camper when closed up (slide in). We would not spend the $ on anything else. Just my thoughts.