Forum Discussion

SettingOutSoon's avatar
SettingOutSoon
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013

Can I get 35' 5th wheel into a lot of natural spots?

I plan to liquidate in 12 months (when the nest is empty) and move my home and office onto the road. A 5th wheel toy hauler seems to make the most sense, as I *have* to have a garage I can convert to a porch (can't be happy working and living unless half outdoors). I'm thinking around 35' would be ideal. Really like the Voltage layout, with 1/2 bath and 2nd door... would just make the whole back end my office. I work from wherever I am with a laptop and internet.

My question is this: how realistic is it to get a rig like that into the campgrounds and state parks where I can really enjoy the setting? Would I be limiting myself to parking lot-type parks? In my dreams, I would spend a month or two in a series of beautiful spots. But something tells me I'm dreaming.

Thanks for any advice you can share!
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jun 08, 2013
    A 5er that size will severely limit you as to where you can camp on the Blue Ridge Parkway, IF you are planning on going there
  • SettingOutSoon's avatar
    SettingOutSoon
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Wow, thanks for the help. I have very little experience towing, and it's not my idea of a good time. But I'm sure I can master it with some practice. This is one reason I think I'd be more comfortable in a 5th Wheel over a TT. (I have read that with high-end hitches, a TT can be as smooth, but still gravitate to the 5th Wheels).

    But is there any reason to think a 30' 5th Wheel would be much easier to navigate than a 35'? Or would it open up more options in state/federal parks?
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jun 07, 2013
    Our 5er is 4" shy of 35'. We have stayed in state parks in OK and TX and some older private RV parks originally designed for smaller RVs. Have always been able to find a suitable site. Are there some we can't get into? I am sure there are but we have not found one in the last 6 yrs.
  • haste_maker's avatar
    haste_maker
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    This will depend on your driving ability, and backing experience. I pull a 33 foot TT with a 4 door long bed Dodge pickup, which should be much longer than a 5th wheeler, I have no trouble with my rig at any park, but I have 42 years experience driving a tractor & trailer.

    If there is a question in your mind about the rig you are thinking about...you may want to rethink this, and go with something else. What ever you do I hope you have fun Rving.
  • caberto's avatar
    caberto
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    Our 5er measures 36' and we try to avoid RV Parks as much as possible because we prefer the more natural settings. So far, we've been able to park pretty much at all campgrounds we've been to. Calling ahead of time to ask about your rig size helps too. For some of the state and fed parks, you may need to stay a little further away and then drive into the parks.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    My 24 foot conventional trailer tows longer than a 35 foot 5th wheel and I camp almost exclusively in NFS, State and Federal CAMPGROUNDS and only very RARELY in RV parks. Not sure what you mean by 'a lot of these campgrounds" since every campground is individually designed. They come in all different sizes and of course you will find a lot of SITES that are too small for your trailer. You will need to take it on a case by case situation. If you can't fit in local campgrounds there are always a lot of disburssed areas where you certainly fit if you can get there. Those are my favorite types of places.
    Good luck / Skip
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    State and Federal parks will be a challenge because they are older and designed for much smaller rigs.
  • CincyGus's avatar
    CincyGus
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2013
    Are there going to be spots that a 35' rig might be a challenge to get into? Absolutely. But there are an awful lot of places you can get into and I've never been anyplace you couldn't get into with that size trailer. I'm sure there are places you can't but I'm thinking they will be few and far between.

    Might repost over in the Full-timers forum as there are plenty there that have a 35' rig. Even in the Toyhauler section as they are more likely to be ones that camp at "natural sites" since they often are taking their ATV's, Rail buggies, etc out in the middle of no where to ride.

    Good Luck in whatever you decide.
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2013
    "IF" you have had time in the seat towing before I don't see a problem. "IF NOT", 35' of trailer behind you will be an eye opener for a time, but can still be done.

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