Help with purchase

Question

Getting near to retirement and planning to spend time travelling through Canada and USA I bought a RAM 2500 with a 6.7 Cummins outdoorsman package which includes Bilstein shocks front and back. That should give us options as to what to tow. Now we are looking. As we are not interested in Full Timing a travel trailer around 25 feet would be enough for us. A good friend who is a Full Timer advises against that decision as he feels most people trade up within a year or two for something bigger. Most trips will be short but we do plan at least one trip a year that will be over 3000 miles one way. (Likely a month at a time)
We have some experience with a Class C motorhome but then we had kids and life was different.
So is there an advantage getting a 26 foot fifth wheel or should we just get a trailer and then have a useable bed. My truck is a daily driver but I should be working less next year.
I know these are personnel questions but looking for input from people who have experience making these choices.

lwiddis · Answer

Where do you want to camp? RV parks, public campgrounds? Is dry/boondocking on the list? How often will you move? What's your RV length comfort driving level? All these play into the decision. Remember that slides make a smaller RV big at the campsite. "Most" don't trade up with n a year or two..Some trade down. Where I go mostly, 25 feet is the max I see.

ladyrver · Answer

I tow a 31' fifth-wheel and personally, my preference over a travel trailer.
BUT, consider your legs/knees... going up and down the inside steps to the bathroom and bedroom numerous times a day can get a little much if either of you have leg problems. I don't, but it is still hard at times.

I have toyed with the idea of going to a travel trailer, but would do about a 26'... just my idea of the right length for me.

Using bed of truck is a consideration, a nice cover on it does give some storage room. It is all in what you and your spouse want...

Good Luck and happy trails.

docdvm · Answer

Yes I thought that 26 feet gives us all we really need. We really don't need more space. Most of the time we will be travelling fo 3 to 4 days at a time . But will be travelling to Edmonton and Jasper next year and possibly the Yukon the following year. That is pretty well across the country
Of course we would also like to visit Newfoundland but the ferry crossing might just be too costly, They charge by length.

So would the trailer travel those distances as well as a fifth wheel ? Is that a good reason to spend more for space we , at this time, don't really need?

If we opted for a fifth wheel we would be looking for the shortest which seems to be around 25 feet.

donn0128 · Answer

Quit listening to your friend, and buy what YOU want

alabama_jim · Answer

It should be what you want.  I prefer a TT and must have an island bed.  With more age it is easier to get to the bathroom at night without crawling over someone.  Riverside mfg. has a good selection and quality is fine.

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