top five 5th wheel makers
looking to purchase maybe 32 to 34 ft 5th wheel used . What is your list of the top 5 makers
Forum Discussion
:h Well then I should add you can live full time in ANY of them, should you so wish.
But, and this is a big one, how are some of these going to stand up to full time use???
The best answer is that some will not. They're just not built for it. Not built sturdy enough,
The best example I can give you is look at the utensil drawer in your kitchen area. Probably will be the most opened drawer in the whole trailer.
For weekender built rigs, used Fri-Sat-Sun 3 times a month for 3 months, (27 total days of use) that drawer is opened 3 times a day for 81 total uses a season.
So yes, it can have staples and plastic drawer glides.
But now take that same drawer 365 days a year times 3 daily uses. 1,095 total uses during a year.
1095 versus 81. Huge difference. And that is why the drawer in a full time capable rig better be built like the drawers in your stick house. Glued, screwed, dovetailed and metal type runners. No particle board or other light materials. Real wood, real quality. Real weight.
And the fifth wheel you choose to live in full time should be built the same way. Which means it is going to be heavy.
But, in the end, your choice. Remember that things in a lightly built trailer are going to stand up only so long before use past their designed expectations just causes them to break.
Buying used is not the problem here. Finding used in the quality levels you need is the major factor.
There are a lot of good, used rigs around in the quality level you need. However, most are heavy so be advised and beware. Have the proper truck that can handle the hitch weight of these trailers.
And please, please don't pay any attention to someone who tells you "this truck can pull it". Pulling is never the problem with a heavy fifth wheel. Most all newer trucks have plenty of power to pull these trailers.
The problem comes with if the truck can handle the hitch weight of the fifth wheel and not go over rear axle ratings, tire ratings, or the gross vehicle weight rating of the truck. For there are many, many trucks that have power to pull that cannot carry the hitch weight of a heavy fifth wheel.
Best of luck in your search.
But, and this is a big one, how are some of these going to stand up to full time use???
The best answer is that some will not. They're just not built for it. Not built sturdy enough,
The best example I can give you is look at the utensil drawer in your kitchen area. Probably will be the most opened drawer in the whole trailer.
For weekender built rigs, used Fri-Sat-Sun 3 times a month for 3 months, (27 total days of use) that drawer is opened 3 times a day for 81 total uses a season.
So yes, it can have staples and plastic drawer glides.
But now take that same drawer 365 days a year times 3 daily uses. 1,095 total uses during a year.
1095 versus 81. Huge difference. And that is why the drawer in a full time capable rig better be built like the drawers in your stick house. Glued, screwed, dovetailed and metal type runners. No particle board or other light materials. Real wood, real quality. Real weight.
And the fifth wheel you choose to live in full time should be built the same way. Which means it is going to be heavy.
But, in the end, your choice. Remember that things in a lightly built trailer are going to stand up only so long before use past their designed expectations just causes them to break.
Buying used is not the problem here. Finding used in the quality levels you need is the major factor.
There are a lot of good, used rigs around in the quality level you need. However, most are heavy so be advised and beware. Have the proper truck that can handle the hitch weight of these trailers.
And please, please don't pay any attention to someone who tells you "this truck can pull it". Pulling is never the problem with a heavy fifth wheel. Most all newer trucks have plenty of power to pull these trailers.
The problem comes with if the truck can handle the hitch weight of the fifth wheel and not go over rear axle ratings, tire ratings, or the gross vehicle weight rating of the truck. For there are many, many trucks that have power to pull that cannot carry the hitch weight of a heavy fifth wheel.
Best of luck in your search.
