Forum Discussion

royvp1076's avatar
royvp1076
Explorer
Mar 31, 2014

Fifth Wheel Rentals

I am looking to rent a 30-32 foot unit for 3 months to tour the western US. Would like to pick up and return the unit in a Mid West location. We are a couple in our 70's and will be traveling alone. We are life long RV'ers. Our last RV was a 36 foot Airstream. Our tow vehicle is a 2013 F150 Platinum rated for 11,000 lbs GVW
  • ford truck guy wrote:
    I too would buy used and resell but since you asked - Fifth Wheel rentals in CA or here - - Rent MY RV and one last one - - Elmonte RV rentals


    Looks like both East & West Coasts are covered in the links.

    CA = year round camping, so rentals may(?) be in better condition.

    See El Monte Class C rentals frequently on the road in So. CA - but never have seen a TT or 5th.

    IMO - be ready for "sticker shock" from any of them!..:W

    ~
  • royvp1076 wrote:
    I am looking to rent a 30-32 foot unit for 3 months to tour the western US. Would like to pick up and return the unit in a Mid West location. We are a couple in our 70's and will be traveling alone. We are life long RV'ers. Our last RV was a 36 foot Airstream. Our tow vehicle is a 2013 F150 Platinum rated for 11,000 lbs GVW


    After reading what the others have said, I can't disagree with any of them, especially about the size FW you're looking to tow. With FW's it's not what you can TOW, it's what your truck can CARRY, and you'll be severely limited on the payload of any 1/2 ton truck, even the newest. Most FW's that size would easily overload my '02 3/4 ton Duramax at =dry= weight. Either buy a used, SMALL, FW and resell at the end of your tour, rent a motor home and tow a small car or look to a travel trailer. That truck will tow plenty of TT, with a weight distributing hitch. Here in PHX, I see very, very few FW's for rent, other than toy haulers, so you're in for a challenge.

    Lyle
  • Do you already have a hitch? If not, I would go with a TT instead.
  • I would think there would be serious liability concerns in renting to someone who intended to pull with an F-150, no matter how it is loaded up.

    I may be wrong, but I wouldn't do it.
  • Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
    If 5er rentals even exist, it would most likely be cheaper to buy a used unit then to rent for 3 months.


    This would be my suggestion as well. You would have to buy a small used FW, and sell it when you were done.

    Most 30-32' FWs would have too much payload for most 1/2 ton trucks.

    A TT might be better towed with the truck mentioned. IMO, they do not tow as nice as a FW, and a little more trouble to hitch/unhitch.

    Jerry
  • Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
    If 5er rentals even exist, it would most likely be cheaper to buy a used unit then to rent for 3 months.

    I would agree. We thought about renting before we bought to see if we would like RV travel. We considered renting a motorhome or travel trailer (the only options available in our area). When we worked out the cost for a couple of long trips it was more cost effective to purchase.
    Good luck.
  • If 5er rentals even exist, it would most likely be cheaper to buy a used unit then to rent for 3 months.
  • I've never heard of 5er rentals but it would certainly present a conundrum for the sales staff if they exist.

    If you were buying it outright, I'm sure the salesman would say you had plenty of truck. Wonder how much that tune would change for a rental.