Why did you go with a 5th wheel?
We are a first time RV buyer and are weighing some of the options. We started our quest for an RV thinking that we would buy a TT, but now we are open to 5th wheels, as they have been suggested to us...
Forum Discussion
I just got back from a 12 night trip in our fiver...very comfortable. I just hate to come home.
A couple of points came to mind... 5th wheels have a tendency to pick up lots of love bugs. So, keep the nose waxed good. I had hundreds stuck to the front...but a quick rinse, a few brush strokes with RV soap, and a rinse and they were gone. Good thing I touched up the wax before the drive home, or those love bugs would have required some elbow grease to get off.
The other thing that came to mind...while my wife and I were returning to our site from a bike ride (folding bike by Downtube that store easily inside the camper) ...we witnessed a gentleman backing his fiver into a site. He got it twisted a bit...and before I could even yell STOP he had crunched the rear pillar of his new F-350. If you get a short bed truck, do yourself a huge favor and get a Superglide hitch. We have one, noticed that the people camping next to us had one too. I bet that guy that just crunched his truck is wishing he had one too. Also, when learning to back a 5 th wheel...try not to exceed about a 45 degree angle. The more angle you get between the truck and the camper the larger the lead time is to transition out of a turn again. It CAN be done...just remember the huge lead time AND the twisting moment you are putting on your running gear. Two and three axle trailers have a lot of side force on the springs and axles when pivoting a trailer at high angles.
I've been taking notes on things I would prefer to have in my next 5th wheel :).
1) vanity that you can actually spit toothpaste into without hitting your head on the mirror.
2) 16" wheels to give a better selection of tires. 15" tires are limited to junk, basically.
3). Dual A/C units. In FL, parked in a shade free spot...with one A/C...our camper will get up to 83-84 degrees during the day with the single a/c unit going full tilt.
4) receiver hitch for bike rack attachment.
Some other wishes...
Full body paint to eliminate peeling decals
6 point hydraulic self leveling
Generator
50 amp service
More fridge space
Full queen vs short queen mattress.
Larger grey tank for camping in state parks with no sewer connection.
Slightly larger wardrobe space if going full time
Possible washer dryer connection if going full time
Wired for SAT if going full time.
Built-in ice maker??? We use a countertop model now...and it takes up a lot of counter space.
Our unit is fine for us really...but when I retire, we plan on doing a LOT of traveling...we'll probably upgrade then.
A couple of points came to mind... 5th wheels have a tendency to pick up lots of love bugs. So, keep the nose waxed good. I had hundreds stuck to the front...but a quick rinse, a few brush strokes with RV soap, and a rinse and they were gone. Good thing I touched up the wax before the drive home, or those love bugs would have required some elbow grease to get off.
The other thing that came to mind...while my wife and I were returning to our site from a bike ride (folding bike by Downtube that store easily inside the camper) ...we witnessed a gentleman backing his fiver into a site. He got it twisted a bit...and before I could even yell STOP he had crunched the rear pillar of his new F-350. If you get a short bed truck, do yourself a huge favor and get a Superglide hitch. We have one, noticed that the people camping next to us had one too. I bet that guy that just crunched his truck is wishing he had one too. Also, when learning to back a 5 th wheel...try not to exceed about a 45 degree angle. The more angle you get between the truck and the camper the larger the lead time is to transition out of a turn again. It CAN be done...just remember the huge lead time AND the twisting moment you are putting on your running gear. Two and three axle trailers have a lot of side force on the springs and axles when pivoting a trailer at high angles.
I've been taking notes on things I would prefer to have in my next 5th wheel :).
1) vanity that you can actually spit toothpaste into without hitting your head on the mirror.
2) 16" wheels to give a better selection of tires. 15" tires are limited to junk, basically.
3). Dual A/C units. In FL, parked in a shade free spot...with one A/C...our camper will get up to 83-84 degrees during the day with the single a/c unit going full tilt.
4) receiver hitch for bike rack attachment.
Some other wishes...
Full body paint to eliminate peeling decals
6 point hydraulic self leveling
Generator
50 amp service
More fridge space
Full queen vs short queen mattress.
Larger grey tank for camping in state parks with no sewer connection.
Slightly larger wardrobe space if going full time
Possible washer dryer connection if going full time
Wired for SAT if going full time.
Built-in ice maker??? We use a countertop model now...and it takes up a lot of counter space.
Our unit is fine for us really...but when I retire, we plan on doing a LOT of traveling...we'll probably upgrade then.
