Forum Discussion

Flscubadiver72's avatar
Flscubadiver72
Explorer
Feb 23, 2016

Alaska Trip from FL (Size Limit Questions)

Hello as of right now we own a 2016 Lance 855s Truck Camper it sits right at 12'4 high and 23 long we also have a 12x8.5 enclosed trailer we will be pulling for a total length of 39ft....We have been looking at 5th wheel toy haulers and found the Raptor 355ts to fit our bill but we are worried about the 13'2 height and the 40ft length of the trailer restricting us to just KOA campgrounds......We are making a trip to AK from FL we will be going to Grand Canyon Zion Sequoia Yosemite Yellowstone and up the West Coast we just dont want to make this trip and be confined to big commercial camping resorts.....Any Advice??

Also whats a ball park for mileage pulling a 5th wheel (We are getting about 13 with the Truck Camper pulling the trailer)

We have a 2016 Dodge 3500 Mega cab 4x4 so pulling the 5th wheel isn't an issue.



Thank you
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Feb 23, 2016
    The height isn't much of a problem. Most 5vers and other RVs are over 13'. The length will restrict how many federal campgrounds you can use. For example there is only one valley CG in Yosemite that a big RV will fit into (North Pines) and only some of the sites in that CG would work. 40 ft is on the long side tho, a 35 ft RV would give you more flexibility.

    Most commercial CG will work and you can find federal CG that work too with some effort. We camped in Lassen and Yosemite for example.

    Not sure if this will cross over to your RAM but we get 9-12 mpg with our F-350. Mileage depends on winds and road grade. Most of the time we get 10-11 mpg.
  • VTLee's avatar
    VTLee
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    I have both a 5th wheel and a pickup camper and it is not so much a question of towing and mileage but of accessibility to National Parks and remote areas. You will be somewhat restricted with the 40 ft. 5er. Unless I am going somewhere and staying for a week I take the truck camper as it is easier to park at most "roadside attractions" and you always have your stuff with you so you don't have to worry about packing up for each days outing, and experiencing leaving the raincoat in the trailer. Two different styles of RVing.
  • Tripalot's avatar
    Tripalot
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    Your truck camper is the ideal vehicle for a trip to Alaska. Do you really need to take a trailer too? We traveled all over North America (eg Arctic to Baja) in our Lance 1030 and were able to take all the necessary stuff for extended trips. Having the trailer will make it more difficult to find quick pull off the road scenery stops and some camping areas.

    That will be a great trip you have planned.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    Flscubadiver72 wrote:
    Yes the enclosed trailer has our ATV 2 motorcycles and a 12ft Jon boat


    Keep what you have, go and enjoy the trip.

    We have done the Alaskan trip several times, and never were restricted as to which camp grounds to use with the coach, but often envied the campers ability to get around in the cities/towns.

    Plus, In My opinion, your camper is better built than 99% of the toy haulers.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Feb 23, 2016
    I would probably keep what you have for the AK trip, not because of size, but wear and tear. You already know getting the toys out can be a problem, but at 40' you'll need to take them out before putting it in most sites.

    We are able to boondock most of the time, but it takes more planning and not showing up Friday without reservations. I always say to buy more RV than you think you need... ONE TIME but I'd wait a year on the TH.
  • jnharley's avatar
    jnharley
    Explorer
    Feb 23, 2016
    We stayed in both public and private campgrounds in AK along with some boon docking with a 37 ft 5th wheel. We enjoyed each and every stop. You will be fine with a truck camper and enclosed trailer. We only made a couple of reservations the entire trip and had no difficulty finding places to stay. Have a great trip.
  • zb39's avatar
    zb39
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2016
    I have been to all the places you mentioned including Alaska with a 40 or 45ft coach pulling a car. ZERO issues finding a place to stay. I don't like KOA either.
  • dgfarMSCOUGAR's avatar
    dgfarMSCOUGAR
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2016
    I was having similar thoughts pickup camper or take fith wheel. Only thing I question is if we brought our side by side utv, would it be worth while? Or we could have gotten along without missing some of the scenery that was off the beaten tract? Any observations would be appreciated.

    F250 super duty 6.7
    Sea eagle boat
    Sea eagle kyaka
    31res Denali 5th wheel
    Yamaha run quite 2400 Invertor
  • arnko37's avatar
    arnko37
    Explorer
    Feb 27, 2016
    I made the 15,000 mile round trip from Florida to Alaska a few years ago. This was at a time when gas prices were way up. At the time we had a 36 ft MH, a new car and a diesel pu truck. I did not want to get the car dinged up by gravel roads so we bought a used 20 ft TT for the trip. After the trip we sold the TT and everything turned out great. Glad we went and still talk about it. For the trip we averaged 20mpg instead of 8 mpg the motorhome got.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,006 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025