Trying to find out how limiting 5th wheel for boon-docking?Grand Design 374TH: 42 feet long, 14 feet tall, ground clearance 18" (maybe 24", if able to increase by another 6") GCWR:20,000.Other members suggested that I will have problem not only with ground clearance but with height due to tree branches, and turning due to tight turns. So if you done some boon-docking in your 5th wheel, what was your experience? Where you able to find secluded, scenic place that your 5th wheel could navigate to? Thank you.

Check out Loveyour rv.com.. They are fulltimers and frequently boondock

I haven't boondocked in mine but you might want to search out the toy hauler folks as that's what their trailers are made for. Your situation is different back east with all the trees. Out here we can go to the sand dunes and to our lakes without fear of trees. Or we can go up to the national forest near Flagstaff and camp in the pines with easy access.

Eastern Sierras, very limiting. There are some areas near USFS Glass Creek CG that could work, however. Alabama Hills, doable. SoCal deserts, doable particularly where off-roaders ride. Some bring really big rigs.

Boondocking is who we are. I think our fiver handles it better than our old pull behind. More ground clearance.Having said that, we are only about 29'L x 12'T. And we are west coast dwellers where we have huge deserts and BLM property. Some places we go would not be friendly to 42', but most of the places it wouldn't make a bit of difference. And then there is PA terrain compared to CA. Still, I don't think what kind of hitch hangs on the front of your trailer is going to make much difference.

Boondocking can range from stopping at a WallyWorld, staying at a BLM campground with no hookups, to just staying where you feel the fancy. It all depends on what you have in mind. Staying at some BLM campgrounds could be problematical with that large of a trailer, but it depends on the campground. Some are wide open, some are very tight. Same with state, city, or county campgrounds. If you go to someplace like Quarzite, then you'll likely have no issues. IMO it's just like staying anywhere, you'll just have to go on a case-by-case basis. There's no clear "Yes your very large trailer will be fine for boondocking" or "No, your very large trailer won't work for boondocking".If you were talking about a 25-30' trailer, you'd pretty much get replies that you are good to go, but the size you're talking about does limit you.

5th wheel boondockes, please sound off! | Good Sam Community

memtb
Explorer
Mar 09, 2019
We’ve been on some very steep ( 4 x4 in low range, 1st and 2nd gear) and rough roads (?). Obviously, in low range, 1st or 2nd.....you’re moving slow! Nothing broken....though there was a little movement of furniture, a few things in the cabinets....all in all, it did well!
laknox
Nomad
Mar 08, 2019
Plan B RV wrote:
(snipped)

The reason AK is 15' is that there are virtually no low clearances there. :-) Only state that's not in the Route-1 low-clearance database.

Lyle
ReneeG
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
mapguy wrote:
42' trailer will limit your options somewhat -depending on the terrain and driving abilities/experience of the driver.

Even my "small" 30' toyhauler can be a chore to get into some dispersed campsites.

Wise idea to carry a small chain saw and at least a manual pole saw/pruner to deal with overhead branches and other brush that are always a nuisance when getting away from the main roads.

V-dips and off camber situations are where your bedrail to trailer clearance will be tested. I have about 9" of clearance on my setup and have wished for more a couple times....

Good point. Even in some CG's one has to trim back branches. We carry the mentioned equipment for that reason.
ReneeG
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
agesilaus wrote:
Well one big problem that hasn't been mentioned is the shaking that these roads can deliver to your RV. Not just a fiver. That will shake stuff off inside your RV, open doors, agitate what's in your fridge and so on. Even when you drive slowly

Very true, which is why you definitely want to check your suspension components and secure the inside.

We've had more problems on some highways than on FS roads! One route we took in Wyoming was so bumpy that when we stopped, our sofa was shifted!
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 07, 2019
goducks10 wrote:
42' TH and 22' truck. I'd want a drone to fly out ahead and see if I can get out once I got in. :)

I have been checking out some NF spots I'd like to camp, using satellite view. You can look pretty close, but nothing like being there to actually scout the area, especially for turn around.

Jerry
PhilipB
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
We boondock at dirt bike races, mostly in Missouri. The promoter knows that many of us have larger rigs so this is part of the planning. We've found height to be an issue with gravel roads leading to some of the spots.
So don't be the first guy there. We've had some issues with soft ground, but that's just part of planning or a change in plans.

We went to Moab this past year and saw lots of large rigs in the boonies.
bpounds
Nomad
Mar 07, 2019
Backing up is an essential boondocker skill. Knowing 'when' to back up is even more essential.
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
42' TH and 22' truck. I'd want a drone to fly out ahead and see if I can get out once I got in. :)
memtb
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
Another item you may consider, though we don’t have one, a good quality 12 K pound (or so) winch. Gosh.....I love spending other people’s money! :B
mapguy
Explorer
Mar 07, 2019
42' trailer will limit your options somewhat -depending on the terrain and driving abilities/experience of the driver.

Even my "small" 30' toyhauler can be a chore to get into some dispersed campsites.

Wise idea to carry a small chain saw and at least a manual pole saw/pruner to deal with overhead branches and other brush that are always a nuisance when getting away from the main roads.

V-dips and off camber situations are where your bedrail to trailer clearance will be tested. I have about 9" of clearance on my setup and have wished for more a couple times....