My wife and I are recently retired and moving toward becoming fulltime RVers. We are currently in the fact finding stage of a 5th. wheel purchase. We're interested in a front lounge floor plan but more importantly we would like to get some imput from fulltimers as to what features of the 5th wheel are the most important in a full time application. Thanks for your time.

Bed and bath functionality for me, my wife wants more high storage so she does not have to bend down so often. She is fine with my tools being down low but wants all her stuff above the knees. I guess the list could be endless if you get down to automatic leveling, tv tuning, awning deployment, hot water heater ignition, etc. I want big wheels, shocks, upgraded axles with disc brakes, and a gooseneck hitch, with a back up camera and heavy duty rear receiver hitch. I think I could go on all night but I am sure others will cover the rest of the items.Oh yes and a truck with enough power and carrying capacity to get me through the mountains pulling doubles at 80mph.

We are fulltimers and have a Front Living 5th Wheel. We love the layout and living space, but a Front Living by design has less basement storage space than a traditional rear living 5th Wheel.We have good inside storage space and love the layout for fulltiming.Again, things important to us, large refrigerator, good insulation, larger bedroom that you can move around in, large hot water heater, good size TVs and good sounding entertainment system, auto leveling and a solid durable design with heavy running gear and good tires and wheels.And always a correct truck to pull it with that is not overload and struggles to pull and handle a large 5th Wheel.

You can actually try several out. Seriously! I take it you have several you are considering. Go look again, but this time chase the salesmen away. Then sit in it, look around closely, spending as much time as you feel you need in each one. 45 minutes alone looking around and noticing all the little things that can make that one floor plan be the right one for you. Then go do it again until you've looked and pretend lived in all the models you are considering.

We're fulltimers and have been looking at new units for potential upgrades.One thing that leaps out at me is storage! Think about your hobbies and family activities. Where will we put the quilting fabric? Where does the litterbox go? Where can we put the wine rack? (Our current unit had a never-used desk that got repurposed to wine storage underneath.)Really good advice above to sit in any unit you're thinking about for a while. Picture watching TV - does everyone have a comfortable seat to watch from? If you like to cook is the kitchen well laid out for you? If you do a lot with electronics are the outlets convenient?

Define your idea of full timing for us: - Moving a few times a week. - Moving every couple weeks. - Moving a couple times a year.The less you move, the bigger you want.Also where will you be traveling and what will you be doing. - If you prefer state and national parks, keep the size limited - If you prefer boondocking, big tanks and battery systems are needed. - If you like motorcycles/ATV's, consider a toy hauler. - If you are moving a lot, make sure you can get access to bed, bath and kitchen with the slides in.Without knowing more about you there isn't much I can reasonably add in terms of specific features to look for.

Most important 5th. Wheel features for full timers

34 Replies

Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2015
cdlaine wrote:
Golden 5th wheel rule applies....

Not likely the first one is going to be the end-all, be-all, do -all.

Charles

But it is possible. Making the first your last saves lots of money but it takes time, loads of research & not jumping at something not right just because it is 'such a good deal'. It won't be. There will be regrets everytime that would have been the perfect one is seen.

Years of research here. Listed the 'must haves'. Hours looking at floorplans. Untold hoours lurking on sites such as this. A couple of really big shows. All narrowed down to a very very short list.

Then the serious hunt began. Everyday searching online. Money ready & prepared to travel the distance for the right one.

Got it. 8 years later have not seen anything else worth a serious look or given the itch.
robwhite61
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
cdlaine wrote:
Golden 5th wheel rule applies....

Not likely the first one is going to be the end-all, be-all, do -all.

Charles

Amen to that!!
cdlaine
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
Golden 5th wheel rule applies....

Not likely the first one is going to be the end-all, be-all, do -all.

Charles
AuntSmurf
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
A kitchen with plenty of cupboard/counter space is vital when full timing. We went from a 29 ft TT to a 32 ft fiver. TT had a galley kitchen with non-existent space. The fiver has a rear kitchen, giving us much more counter and cupboards. I could deal with the small closets in the bedroom. But trying to prepare meals was a nightmare. Remember, you will spend most of your "awake" time in the living area. Make sure THAT'S comfortable and serviceable.
jamieline
Explorer
Feb 15, 2015
I've read through this topic and notice that very few mentioned a washer and dryer. What does everyone do with out these when staying in state parks or other such areas that have limited services?
I would think that the folks that move frequently would find a laundry but what about those that may work or volunteer in these state parks?

How much boondocking would you have to do before a generator is really required?

Thanks
Jim
drillagent
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
All the previous posts are spot on. The one thing I will add is, what can you get to with the slides closed? We like to pull over and be able to get to the fridge for lunch or that quickie bathroom break.

Another thing to look at is what utilities are in a slide? With fulltiming, you're going to be moving the slides a lot. If your fridge or even the whole kitchen is in a slide, then all those connections (sewer, water lines, gas lines) are going to get a lot of wear and tear.
rmalik1
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
hitchup wrote:
For 10 years, we've fulltimed exclusively in 5thW. Had 40', 36' and 38'. We look for comfort and have found the 38' is almost always ideal.

Our version of comfort is:
- TV must sit directly across from reclining loveseat or individual recliners
- Must have plenty of counter space for food prepping and clean-up
- Enclosed bathroom over split-bath. Needs shower large enough to bend over when you drop the soap
- Full Queen bed, so high thread count sheets are easy to purchase.
- Well placed inside storage and easy access to basement.
- Good insulation, because we can't pick warm Winters or Cool Summers while still working.

For us everything is the same but we want/have king bed and very good mattress (serta -Trump pillow top) for old tired bones
Gsport
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
One thing I havn't seen that makes a big difference is getting a widebody model. I've got a grand design solitude, 39' 5th wheel. It is 101" wide. It does make a big difference..
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Feb 14, 2015
Bird Freak wrote:
We also liked the front living area when we first saw it. After sitting in it for a couple of hours like we were living in it DW decided with age she really did not want to do the extra steps every time she wanted something from the kitchen.

A very good point to back up my earlier suggestion of pretend living in each model.

Looking around, with the salesman in tow, blabbering away, one is NOT going to realize how some of these little things you are going to miss, are going to effect living in the fifth wheel. All your attention is instead being directed to what the salesman wants to show you.

That "light bulb" is not going to illuminate a bad idea in the middle of such chaos.
Chiefcpo
Explorer
Feb 13, 2015
Without question the most important thing are, the one you love and can stand being with day in and day out', LOVE helps out a lots, coupled with patience.