Moving to a 5th Wheel
The wife and I are looking down the road a little at a time when neither of us will have to go to work. The thought is to buy a new/newer 3/4 ton diesel truck to pull a 5th wheel trailer. We won't ...
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An automated leveling system is a must have for me. Having enough storage so that I don't have to haul a pickup bed full of the extras is highly desirable. Pull in, unhook the trailer, let the unit level itself, extend slides and awning, roll out a camp carpet outside, set up two chairs and a small table. Done outside.
Inside, it's all set up.
In our little hybrid; unhook trailer, level it, set jacks, fold out tent ends, then unload the truck. Generator, gas, wood, carpet, water, ladder. Then go inside; extend slide and awning, erect tent ends, move bed mattresses to beds, set up table. The setting up was always easier than the packing up.
Not a terrible hassle, just more than I want to do if we are going to move around much. That, and there is no pull over and go lay down for a quick nap or meal prep.
I was originally really attracted to the motor driven options. Then I could tow my Jeep. Besides the expense of having to own and maintain another running gear, I don't have any good storage options at home. I want whatever we buy to at least be covered under a shade structure. We live in the desert and the critters are hell on vehicle wiring when parked outside. The thought of finding $1000s of damage to a motorhome is not attractive at all.
The 5th wheel approach would represent a lesser upfront investment, get us into plenty of room and I'd still have a nice truck to use, and storing here at home would be much less concerning, considering that a trailer has so much less external wiring to be damaged.
It just seems like trailers are like homes, they're all built as cheaply as possible. So far, based on floor plan and package, I still like the Rockwood Ultra Lites. Under $50k and I'm convinced a 3/4 ton diesel would tow it fine. That counts too, because it would be a considerable project to get a 1 ton long bed into my garage. LOL!
I have looked at $80k and up trailers and they are amazing, but I can't see under the skin, so I am skeptical that we would get anything more than prettier finishes.
Am I close, or am I missing a bunch here?
Thanks all for trying to help!
Inside, it's all set up.
In our little hybrid; unhook trailer, level it, set jacks, fold out tent ends, then unload the truck. Generator, gas, wood, carpet, water, ladder. Then go inside; extend slide and awning, erect tent ends, move bed mattresses to beds, set up table. The setting up was always easier than the packing up.
Not a terrible hassle, just more than I want to do if we are going to move around much. That, and there is no pull over and go lay down for a quick nap or meal prep.
I was originally really attracted to the motor driven options. Then I could tow my Jeep. Besides the expense of having to own and maintain another running gear, I don't have any good storage options at home. I want whatever we buy to at least be covered under a shade structure. We live in the desert and the critters are hell on vehicle wiring when parked outside. The thought of finding $1000s of damage to a motorhome is not attractive at all.
The 5th wheel approach would represent a lesser upfront investment, get us into plenty of room and I'd still have a nice truck to use, and storing here at home would be much less concerning, considering that a trailer has so much less external wiring to be damaged.
It just seems like trailers are like homes, they're all built as cheaply as possible. So far, based on floor plan and package, I still like the Rockwood Ultra Lites. Under $50k and I'm convinced a 3/4 ton diesel would tow it fine. That counts too, because it would be a considerable project to get a 1 ton long bed into my garage. LOL!
I have looked at $80k and up trailers and they are amazing, but I can't see under the skin, so I am skeptical that we would get anything more than prettier finishes.
Am I close, or am I missing a bunch here?
Thanks all for trying to help!
