Forum Discussion

Bluebeard's avatar
Bluebeard
Explorer
Mar 20, 2014

What options are there for short 5th's with slides?

Just got rid of a Keystone Cougar 243rks, because it was too long to take onto back roads. We originally were considering getting a cabover, but when my wife looked at the floor space in the TC, it wasn't big enough for our 2 labs. The only TC that would have worked, was the "yo momma" 11 foot double slide out $45k TC that necessitated our also purchasing a 1 ton truck to haul it.

Then it was suggested we could look into 5th Wheels. I currently have a GMC 1500 4x4 extra cab and was considering maybe a "small" 5th wheel. Maybe something less than 20' with slides. A slide would add much needed floor space for the dogs to lay out.

Low and behold, it doesn't appear that many companies are that interested in building "small" trailers of any kind. So I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for us or any suggestions of companies that build sub 20' 5ht's that my truck can haul? Possibly with a slide to give a little more floor space. We don't necessarily need a newer model, if there were decent models from yesteryear.

I looked at the Escape 5.0 (website doesn't show much) and the Scamp 5th, but in both instances I don't think the floor space was enough.

As a side note, something I really like is this: http://uev.com.au/490-1, but alas it is in Aus, and is a bit out of my price range.

One complaint I have about American trailers (after reviewing the UEV 490) is American manufacturers (in my opinion) go to too much trouble to make a trailer look like home and make them way to big and bulky. I'd love to see a manufacturer create a stripped down trailer that has NOTHING in side of it, and you can add the exact stuff to it that you need (after all, you are "camping"). I'd like to see the kitchen sink, refer and working space, a few closets and the rest of the space open, where I could open up a table and chairs as needed. I think too much effort is focused on packing too much stuff in a trailer then is needed.

Anyone got any suggestions?
  • About 15 years back we were looking for a good "short" 5er. At the time a number of firms built 5ers in the 20 to 27 ft (actual) length range.
    We had a Fleetwood 21-5B, but found it was only good for weekends. With no storage all the outside chairs and things had to go inside the rig.
    So we looked at slightly larger, rigs, in the size of 25 to 27 ft (actual)
    Fleetwood built one, but the quality wasn't there
    Sunnybrook built a good one, but it was a little large
    Northwoods build a really good one, well designed and with the most storage of any in that size range.
    Unfortunately all have stopped making these rigs

    Personally I would checkout the Nash or Arctic Fox 24-5N that they stopped making about three years ago. I know people full-timing in this rig, it's really a well designed small rig, with lots of storage and the LARGEST closet of any small rig I have ever seen
  • Seems to me you jumped over a number of options when going from TC to a 5er. There are a lot of pretty roomy travel trailers in the 20 foot market with slides that might be a better choice. The North America market for 5th wheels is certainly tilted toward bells, whistles and comfort of home.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    I drool all the time looking at the AUSTRALIA trailers just for those mentioned reasons above. It seems they still produce the trailers with being outdoors in mind.

    All of their OFF-ROAD models like the outdoor kitchen idea... They surely know how to setup the off-road trailer suspensions as well.

    They also have several tent/trailer combos ideas where the basics are in the metal part of the trailer and have capability of opening up a rather large attached tent.

    Most of the trailers have holders for extra gasoline cans and you see SOLAR PANELS mounted everywhere.

    The bad thing for US however is their country operating voltages are different and you would have to make lots of changes to bring one over here...

    I have been contemplating using several of their OFF-ROAD trailer ideas (specifically their independent wheel suspension and storage ideas for my deck area) incorporating into my Starcraft OFF-ROAD RT series 12-foot box trailer. This would be my ultimate go anywhere 'WAR WAGON' for camping off the power grid around here.

    Roy Ken
  • years back my friend had one more or less custom made by a small outfit in Indiana. they would basically build what you wanted. perhaps they or others are still in business?
    bumpy
  • All manufacturers, in any country, make what sells. That is why they are in business. It seems the trend in this country is that what sells is BIG. If they could sell small fivers, with slides, and make money they would do so. I don't know of any fiver that fits your category.