Need advice 5th wheel size

desalvo55 wrote:
I'm brand new at this and maybe I'm intimidated but while looking at 5th wheels, they just seem to be too nice (well most of them), too big, and awfully expensive.

I'm 62, retiring with a wife and 7 year old. I (we) have tent camped all of our lives. We love camping. The downside of course is all too often we end up in a site invaded by bee's or mosquito's or rain.

So I bought a truck, a Chevy 2500HD with the diesel engine. I wanted a half ton and a small 5th wheel of trailer but, there I was buying a diesel.

Of course having this truck opens up many possibilities given its 910ft pound rating. But is is just the 3 of us little campers staring at these beautiful palaces on wheels.

My inclination is to purchase something less than 30ft in order to go more places. Forgive me is this sounds so simplistic but I really have no experience. I am NOT intimated driving anything it's just the concept perhaps. The cost of the truck was murderous but I'll get use out of the truck over and above 5th wheel towing. The 5th wheel however... We may live in the 5th wheel for a short time, maybe 3 months max. We hope to do a lot of travel but I have a 7 year old. We've been looking at new 5th wheels such as the Arctic Wolfe DBH8 but now considering a used unit.

Thanks for your advice!

There is, IMO, a real lack of true 29-30' FWs out there. That's where I really wanted to be and ended up with one that's 31'8" and almost got one that was 31'11". I agree that staying under 12k GVW for the FW is a good idea, even for the newest 250/2500 series trucks. Just a more comfortable tow. I'd recommend the Jayco Eagle HT and KZ Durango 1500 lines for lighter weight models. They are "half-ton" towable with GVW for the Jaycos being 9950 for most models and 10,500 for the KZs. Take your time and don't jump in without extensive shopping and research. Read, read, read! Visit lots of dealers and, if possible, RV shows. Also, as first timers, I'd =highly= recommend looking for a used one to start off with. This will allow you to get your feet wet without being out of pocket any more than necessary. Also, if the previous owner was conscientious, they will have taken care of any issues, and maybe even made improvements, so you won't have too many problems. Once you decide on what you like, dislike, want, need, can't live without, etc., then sell the old one and find what will make you happier. Again, used is good unless you can find an end-of-year deal, like I stumbled on, on a new unit. :B If looking for used, there are a =lot= of Jaycos out there as it's simply a bigger company; hardly any used KZs, especially recent models. I only mention these 2 companies as they were the 2 on my short list, so I researched them extensively. There are a lot of other mfrs out there, some better quality than these 2, and a =lot= that are, IMO, worse.

Good luck!

Lyle