We have a really nice Viewfinder Signature 28BHOB that we bought new last year. We like it but the rear bunk sleeping area isn't the best arrangement for our needs. I have a buyer for it so I thought we should think about a 5th wheel with a bunk room rather than going for a longer TT. We went to a big RV show today to look and all the 5th wheels with bunks are over 35' and really high. I'm not afraid to tow a bigger rig since I have a 2500HD Duramax. I am however worried that a big 5th wheel won't be allowed in a lot of state parks that we like to camp at. These rigs are so high they may not clear a lot of the trees or fit in the spaces in state parks. The thought of having to park in RV parking lots (KOA, RV parks, etc) just isn't appealing to me.To stay with a trailer with a bunk room would mean a TT that is probably 35' long. For the same length trailer, the 5th wheel would actually be shorter when hooked up to my TV. Anyway, I'm confused now. Has anyone stepped up to a big 5th wheel and regretted it later because of the limited places you could go because of size?

We've found that we're *slightly* more limited, but in those cases we seek out RV "resorts". YMMV, but I'm happy with our decision to go to a 39' 5'er. We can usually squeeze into state parks and such, but we call ahead or image search to make sure they can accommodate such a large rig before making reservations.

I went from a 36' bunkhouse TT to a 39' bunk house 5'er. In the end I do think height is more limiting than length. However I have no regrets. I am confident we will not outgrow the 5'er however we did eventually outgrew the TT. The bunk beds became a bit small for larger teenagers

Height is generally not a problem. Most parks understand the height of 5ers and keep the trees trimmed accordingly.

Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

donn0128 wrote:Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.I checked the specs on my 2013 Sierra crew cab 2500HD Duramax and I think it should easily do the job. If I were looking at something over 40' a 3500 dually would be my choice.

Trailer or 5th wheel? | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

RVcrazy
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
How old/big will the people in the bunks be? Not all bunks are equal and this may impact your decision.
TomG2
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
I am not normally a negative person, but dragging a forty foot mobile home is not my idea of "camping". J believe that sometimes "Less is more". I am not advocating a tiny tear drop trailer for a trailer of six, but...... Just asking.
MFL
Nomad II
Jan 09, 2017
BB_TX wrote:
Height is generally not a problem. Most parks understand the height of 5ers and keep the trees trimmed accordingly.

I disagree with this statement. Even a mid height FW, like mine, has clearance issues in areas of the state parks I visit. Mine is only 12' 4"s tall. Although I can find a site, I often have to pass on the preferred sites of some loops, due to not wanting to drag the limbs over my roof.

It may be regional, but in my experience, the state parks are reluctant to trim trees, even by some dump stations. The rangers just agree with you, saying "the canopy could use a little trim, but we like to keep it natural".

I do see other FWs sliding the branches over the roof, to get to the good sites, keeps the roof repair folks in business.

Jerry
fitznj
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
I have a 24ft TT and camp almost exclusively in State Parks.
I don't remember seeing any 5th wheels in any of the State Parks I visited this summer in NJ, PA, MA and VA. All of these SPs were somewhat tight even for my setup. DE does have open SP campgrounds but that is an exception.

I think a 5th will restrict you to commercial campgrounds and limited SPs.
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 09, 2017
Second Chance wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

Not necessarily so. While the OP will have to be mindful of loaded pin weight, there are plenty of fivers out there that he can pull with his truck. We have a 36' "mid-profile" that, loaded for full-timing, is just under the rear axle and tire limits when scaled. We do watch weights closely, though.

Rob

The weight debate comes down to do you believe in the ratings....All of them vs. some of them.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jan 09, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

Not necessarily so. While the OP will have to be mindful of loaded pin weight, there are plenty of fivers out there that he can pull with his truck. We have a 36' "mid-profile" that, loaded for full-timing, is just under the rear axle and tire limits when scaled. We do watch weights closely, though.

Rob
Nicholsfamily05
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
We originally started out with a 34' TT bunk house and lasted one season. Kids complained of no room. Wife complained of low ceilings. Went and bought a 40' bunk house 5er with double slides in the rear bunk house. Kids loved it as they had their own room to play in when they couldn't be outside and had their own bathroom. Wife loved the ceiling heights and all the extra space. I liked it as it towed 100% better than TT.
As for parks we haven't had any real issues. Just that we usually have to park the truck in a different spot because it doesn't fit on the sight.
We kept that one for two years and just upgraded again. Wife's choice again.
n0arp
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

I checked the specs on my 2013 Sierra crew cab 2500HD Duramax and I think it should easily do the job. If I were looking at something over 40' a 3500 dually would be my choice.

As long as you stay within your RAWR you will be fine. The payload is superficially low - class 2B tax status stunting it, and all.
IBcarguy
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

I checked the specs on my 2013 Sierra crew cab 2500HD Duramax and I think it should easily do the job. If I were looking at something over 40' a 3500 dually would be my choice.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2017
Your biggest regret is going to be your undersized truck. Loaded with family and stuff you simply do not have enough load capacity left over for much of a fiver.

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Trailer or 5th wheel?

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