downsides(s) in moving from 36 to 42 ft

[jepalmer]

Went to the RV show (always a bad idea) and found a 42 ft 5th wheel we really like. We now have a 36 ft 5th wheel.

For those of you who have made a similar move, what have you found to be negative about the longer trailer?
Thanks.

[Me_Again]

Watch the trailers payload. Some manufacturer make the larger models on the same axles and GVWR as the smaller ones, and the net weight goes up, so payload goes down.

Chris

[ChuckV1]

We went from a 33ft 5th wheel to a 40ft 5th wheel an never looked back, we have never had a problem in KOA's, Good Sam RV parks, we call ahead the day before moving an have always found a space. Same with State parks we call a month ahead in most case's to make sure out here in the Western United States an reserve a spot , never had a problem ...

40' plus 5er has that a 35 or less 5er does not have besides floor space?
Is the fridge any bigger? YES
Is the stove bigger? NO But add a convection oven above stove stove as well then Yes
Is the bed bigger? YES
Are the chairs bigger? YES
Are the water & holding tanks any larger? YES
Will there be any difference in backing into a spot, NOT REALLY, the longer the easier to back !

[Veebyes]

Truck requirements & all that stuff aside, the bigger you go the fewer sites you can get into. Basic physics.

What does the 40' plus 5er have that a 35 or less 5er does not have besides floor space? Is the fridge any bigger? Is the stove bigger? Is the bed bigger? Are the chairs bigger? Are the water & holding tanks any larger?

[ken_burke]

jepalmer wrote:
Went to the RV show (always a bad idea) and found a 42 ft 5th wheel we really like. We now have a 36 ft 5th wheel.

For those of you who have made a similar move, what have you found to be negative about the longer trailer?
Thanks.

I can answer that from our experience. We now have a 37 foot 5th wheel, and it is okay except for the last 4 feet. We would like to buy a 34 foot 5th wheel. 37 foot and longer units are a lot more difficult, and harder to get in normal spots.
A long trailer is great if you stay on the interstates and camp at KOA's.

[tinner12002]

I just went from a 30ft to a 43ft...can definitely tell its back there, I get about a 1/2 per gal less fuel mileage, have to watch corners so as to not curb the tires and have to call ahead to campgrounds to make sure I can fit. Other than that love the additional room and garage!

[Dave_and_Sue]

We went from a 32' to a 42'.It just the wife or little 7# dog and myself.Dog takes a lot of room.

[jepalmer]

toedtoes wrote:
Are you unhappy with your current rig? Or was this just something that flashed in your eyes?

If the latter, go take a few hundred that you would have put out on a new rig and change out the decor of your current one. Lots cheaper.

HA! I've already put that argument forward to my better half.

[ACZL]

We seldom go to state or nat'l parks. We as well went from a 35 footer to a 41 footer and love it. Having the extra room is just plain awesome. Yes it's extra weight, but just having room to move around is worth it. If/when you have a lots a folks at your site for a party say, and it starts to rain or hotter than hot, can fit 9+ people inside. To the common person (non RVer), They would question our sanity/judgement as we had 4 people in a 35' coach. Now, kids are gone and it's just the 2 of us in a 41' RV. Nuts? Perhaps, but just simply love having the extra room.

[Aridon]

We've had everything from a 26ft TT to a 45ft fifth wheel and a 44ft dp. Never had trouble staying in any area. Including older areas of Canada. There are always some places to stay.

Size simply was never an issue

[azdryheat]

We went from a 36' 5th wheel to a 41' toy hauler. We love the extra room and haven't found any negatives for it being longer.

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

We fulltime and went from a 36’ 5er to a 44’ toy hauler. Don’t trust the RV parks just because they show to be big rig friendly. It takes a little more planning. We call ahead and talk with the RV parks. I also use google earth map to get a look at the place. Even if the sites are big enough you still have to deal with narrow roads, trees and of course other RVers who tend to park close or on the roadways. But its doable.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

[dfletch]

We went from a 34’ Class A to a 42’ 5th Wheel with a mid bunkhouse for the grandkids and pups. While it will limit some of the places we can stay having the extra room has reduced our stress while traveling.

[Merrykalia]

We just moved from a 36 footer to a 42'11" 5er. We LOVE it. Yes, it's larger and we have to be a bit choosier on our sites, but even though we do mostly state parks, we have not had an issue.

We host in state parks during the summer months and don't have a problem with our rig fitting any of those sites and we just returned today from Douglas Dam Headwater Campground. We booked our site several months in advance so we knew we would fit. We just have to make a call or search the sizes on the campgrounds we want to go to.

We are still glad we moved up even with putting about 1800 miles on it this past summer and fall.

[toedtoes]

Are you unhappy with your current rig? Or was this just something that flashed in your eyes?

If the latter, go take a few hundred that you would have put out on a new rig and change out the decor of your current one. Lots cheaper.