Height

Ashbourne wrote:
OK. At the risk of being called a stupid limey, can anyone answer this.
I have owned an American built fiver for over 3 years, covered about 16000 miles, driven on and off ferry ramps, in and out more gas stations that I care to know about, and accessed camp grounds galore. In all this time I have never even come close to grounding the trailer. So why is it built so high off the ground. What is the significant difference between the USA and Europe that makes this necessary
Many thanks

Might have to do with having larger trucks here. Europe doesn't have 3/4-1 ton trucks hailing 5'ers. At least not that I know of. Rear bed hgt is around 58-60". Having a lower 5'er would result in it being out of level when attaining the bed to 5'er clearance. JMO.

I appreciate the low point sewer outlet having good ground clearance for positive slope to a distant sewer service connection. And I still scrape my rear bumper on my driveway - if I don't use short ramps.

A very good question, and one that will evoke many opinions.

I have no idea why they make these things so tall. I would gladly trade a few feet off mine. How many people take a 40' fifth wheel on bad enough roads that they need 2 feet of ground clearance?

OTOH the new trucks are so tall that they wouldn't fit under a normal height 5th wheel.

235/80-16 tires and flat floors in the 5er!!

I think it has to do somewhat with the target buyers, and what they use it for. The higher content trailers seem to be much lower in clearence. A lot of people are hunters that might go places most people don't. Trailers without heated or inclosed underbellies tend to be higher.

Mark

The main factor on overall height, is a stand-up height bedroom above a truck bed. Ground clearance is a different and separate component, but I barely avoid dragging the bumper quite often on average driveways. So I would not want any less.

Americans want trucks with plenty of ground clearance, and trucks have been getting taller over the last decade. Not everyone appreciates that ground clearance, but anyone that works or recreates off the pavement sure does.

Not a dumb question at all, Limey :)

I'm certain truck height and perceived requirements to get off road play a major part.

Northwoods are known for their rig's ground clearance. Part of why we are on our 2nd one. Something like half our summer stops are in areas that having lots of clearance is good.

Of course come fall/winter/spring, when we mostly stay in improved campgrounds that is much less so.

X2. I think you will find the lower profile the 5er is the less headroom you will have in the bedroom area. We have a friend that has a very low profile 5eer and he can't stand in the bedroom. Good Luck and Happy Camping

As someone else stated, the rear bumper is the low point on my fiver also... getting out of some gas stations and parking lots, that bumper sometimes scrapes if not exited just right, so I too am thankful for the height of the unit.

Same here,I just avoid hittimg my bumper backing into my driveway.Thankful for the hieght.I had TT that were lower and dragged the jacks in the rear many times on roads driveways etc.