Traveling in a Fifth Wheel

I would think you would be better off with a class A or class C, rather than a fiver. With our model we can get to frig, pantry, microwave, bathroom, with the slides in. That does not leave much "running around" room.

When hooked up my combination rides a little nose high. I am pretty picky about never putting my slides out unless my rig is level. I have always practiced this and I have never had a slide failure nor have I ever needed to adjust a slide.

We can access fridge, almost all cabinets, bathroom and bedroom with the slides in. Only thing blocked are a couple cabinets and the TV. We often pull into casino parking lots as they usually have an area set aside for RV's.

Maybe consider shorter distances or longer duration trips (ie: 2 weeks instead of 1 week and you break up the drive into 2-3 days of travel instead of 1 day).

After 4-5 hours, I'm ready to be done driving (towing or not).

I don't know how kids can handle long car trips in todays world. I remember all of us kids sprawled all over the van while traveling. I couldn't imagine being strapped down for several hours as a kid.

If you are just crashing for the night, lots of folks stop in a walmart or truck stop. As long as you make sure there is nothing in the way, it takes 15 seconds to put our slide out. Generally, putting the awing out and having a BBQ in the parking lot is discouraged but opening the slide shouldn't draw much attention. With kids, this is probably less desirable as they will want to run around and play after a day stuck in the truck and a parking lot isn't the best option for that.

Regardless of RV type, do check on the ability to get to the beds, bathroom and fridge with the slides closed. There may be a situation where you can't or don't want to open the slides and it's nice to have the basics still accessable.

A MH doesn't really solve much as the kids are legally still required to be strapped in while the vehicle is in motion and they also have slides that reduce the available space when closed.

We have a 5er that has a floor plan(3 slides) that allows us to get to the fridge, bathroom, couch and recliners without opening the slides. Granted we are of the age where our children are older and have families of their own. You can pull over in a rest area or a roadside stop to have time out of the tow vehicle. We just came back last month from a 2.5 month trip out west and back and we knew where we were going to stay every day. It depends on how much time you have to travel and where you want to go. Then the research comes in. We stop fairly early in the day and very seldom need reservations. We just came back from a 10 day camping trip and had our 2 year old grandson with us.He had to sit in a baby seat and be belted in. He was good as gold and we didn't stop until about 4.5 hours into the trip. Maybe the exception. Good luck.

Maybe your a family that would be better off with a motor home. Have you considered that option?

I can't go 3 or 4 hours without going nuts. I need to get out and walk around, potty break, get a snack, etc...

We stop at rest stops, parks, walmarts, big box store parking lots, wherever we can find. I make sure the open slide doesn't impede anyone.

Hi,

I know someone who traveled with a family of 6 and in a regular cab truck that only seats 3. So the rest where in the trailer. His wife, and kids. They had a intercom to the trailer, and it was legal. Safe? Well - some states say it is legal to allow people in a fifth wheel while driving down the road. Many states will not allow anyone in any trailer on the freeway or any other highway. I don't think any state allows passengers in a travel trailer. Some states are even making it illegal to have passengers in a cabover camper on the roads.

Try looking at a class C motorhome, where the kids will be a lot safer, and walking to the bathroom is not a problem. They can watch TV on the overhead TV set, watch a DVD or something. Use a 12- 120 VAC inverter to run the TV while driving. Many have seatbelts for as many as 6 passengers.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

Open the slides as needed. No big deal just be careful where you park and some orange cones near slides help. There are some floor plans where you can get to the critical things (fridge and potty) with no slides out. Ours requires one out for fridge and never been a problem on the road. We do trip plan our stops, rest stops, fuel, overnights at walmarts Costco cabellas (some don't allow so call ahead as a part of trip planning), flying j and sometimes an Rv park. Winging it would be scary with the big trailer on.
We don't travel with small kids now but have with my daughter since 6 and our cat. They both still enjoy it and she's 21. Trip planning is done with Google maps and a dedicated GPS unit. Remember if you use google or Apple maps there are places with no cell service so either download maps or get an app like copilot with built in maps or a good garmin GPS that has exit services for exits ahead and teach your partner how to use it before you hit the road.