Light vs heavier 5ers

[janegowest]

OK...we are still trying to sort things out and understand the dynamics of towing.

In our inexperienced minds, we think that lighter = easier towing and maneuverability. But, I think that I have read that lighter = flimsy as well. Are all light rigs flimsy?

If so, then, does heavier = durability? It seems that whatever we have liked, have been heavy. However, we are afraid of being pushed downhill by a heavy rig. Does a bigger truck prevent this sort of thing? And are heavier rigs more difficult to maneuver?

Please tell us where we are wrong! Thanks so much for all your help!!

[mtofell1]

In a very general sense a higher quality unit is going to weigh more. IMO it depends on how much time you are going to spend in it. If full-timing you should have one rated for that (many aren't).

When purchasing my 35' Keystone Hideout it was parked in the service bay next to a 33' Heartland. I couldn't help but notice my dry weight was 9000# and the slightly shorter Heartland was almost 11,000#. I love the floor plan of mine and really liked the price but if I were planning on using it a lot I never would have got it. Realistically, with work and kids I probably spend +/- 30 nights a year in it.

[YnotTurbo]

We prefer the thicker walls and heavy weight of our fiver. It keeps a lot of sound out while sleeping. With heavier constructed units, price tends to go up depending on size and options. We have had 5 fifth wheel RV's. We did have a few reliable light fivers, but you could hear just about every conversation from the people next to us sitting outside. Our DRV is pretty solid, but it comes with a higher price..

[goducks10]

Something else not mentioned is the type of use that the trailer is going to be subject to. A "lite" version could very well be suitable for lots of campers. If you only travel a couple 1000 miles a year and just do 20 or so nights of camping then you don't need a heavy built trailer.
On the other hand if you travel a lot and then you would want something that's going to take more abuse.
I know several friends that have lower end trailers that serve them well. They only go out a few times a year and probably never put more than 800-1000 miles on their trailers.
Given a 10 year life span as an example. I'm sure the lighter version will hold up as well under light user conditions as well as the heavier built version that's being used more often.
Each has their own boundaries.

[Dumoldles]

Jane, I would suggest that you rent an RV (probably a class C) from one of the various RV rental companies and take it to a close by RV park. This will give you the opportunity to learn about the basics of hooking up to the water, sewage, and electricity...and the other stuff involved. This would also give you the opportunity to research the various brands of 5th wheels. You can walk around the park and ask your fellow campers those great questions and be able to ask lots of follow up questions about their campers. I'm sure they would be very helpful in sharing information.

Dumoldles

[travelnutz]

Being a retired automotive and component engineer (mainly for pickups/vans/and SUV's - working vehicles) and an engineering business owner for decades, it really concerns me that so many RV'ers and forum posters DO NOT understand the actually function required/demanded of tow vehicle brakes and the towed RV's brakes and how they must be adjusted and coordinated together.

The tow vehicle's brakes are only required to bring the tow vehicle itself to a stop, not the towed RV also. That's why towed RV's have their OWN brakes and why they must be capable and adjusted to stop the total towed RV's weight even faster than the tow vehicle. Including the towed RV's tongue or pin weight! The RV's brakes MUST be adjusted to always pull backward when activated on the tow vehicle to prevent any jackknifing scenario when bring the total RV rig to a stop or slowing using the brakes! Whether it be a panic stop or and normal use stop. NEVER should the towed RV's brakes be adjusted or incapable of allowing the RV to push forward on the tow vehicle when braking or stopping. It's asking for a disaster and a total lack of control of the entire rig.

THINK ABOUT IT!!!

[travelnutz]

Jane,

There are plenty of differences in how various manufacturers construct their "Lite" series RV's. Some skimp on: Frame strength and metal thicknesses, floor construction/strength, wall and stud size and thickness, roof thickness and truss strength and/or number of trusses construction, and the biggie - insulation and R-values to lower their RV weights.

While others simply use different and usually more expensive materials, different designs and engineer in learned strength by applying quite different construction methods, and still keeping the floor/walls/roof thicknesses fairly close to their heavier model lines.

The 2 variations are like apples and oranges and so will their price to purchase almost always. The 2 RV's equal service life and comfort while using will likely have very different scenarios and outcomes especially as the RV ages and so will it's used value as virtually all RV's are eventually sold.

Buyer beware and do your in-depth research and eyeball to know what you are purchasing! Brochure wording can be quite misleading due to words used and facts not in writing or expressed properly. Slick willy is alive and well and looking to pull the wool over the eye's of the unsuspecting or un-informed.

[dapperdan]

Paul Clancy wrote:
There are many factors involved that should effect your decision. Most important is floorplan. Can you spend the time comfortably. The more you compromise the less time you will want to spend. If you are seasonal or full time living (ie 6 months) you require a better build strength to withstand daily use-so something full time rated. Are you staying in extreme climates? If so dual pane windows and thicker walls / dual ac etc all add weight. Do you tow through high mountain passes? If so a truck that is up to the stress of the weight it is pulling and handling is hugely important. Honesty with yourself is what will help with all of this. What is perfect for me will be different for you. We are on our 3rd 5th wheel and each was perfect for the time we bought- needs and wants do change - but we always bought with an eye to solving multiple limitations of the previous rig. As you see it is not as simple as heavier = better. Also you can spend huge $$ and be unhappy. Research and more research. For the most part ignore salesmen as their motivation is usually in conflict with yours.

Couldn't agree more with Paul. Only YOU can decide whats best for you and your situation. Like Paul we're on our third fifth wheel, the ones before we thought were perfect for our needs/wants but things change.

What these other people are saying is also very true but ultimately it's YOUR decision, your hard earned money and YOU have to live with your decision.

We have a newer TV that handles our trailer great especially the engine brake for going do big grades, I love it and wouldn't be without a decent engine brake again! Keep researching, you'll do just fine.

Good luck in your search!

Dan

[csamayfield55x]

The manufacturers have done a very nice job in recent years of making the lighter smaller trailers very nice and well appointed. Matter of fact ours is called the Light. There is nothing scrimp ed on it though. It has 2 40 inch tvs, front living room and a full queen bed. It has 3 slides and is 100 inches wide. They say it is half ton towable but I wouldn't do it with less than a 3/4 ton. There is also nothing flimsy about it, it is rock solid

Chris

[Paul_Clancy]

There are many factors involved that should effect your decision. Most important is floorplan. Can you spend the time comfortably. The more you compromise the less time you will want to spend. If you are seasonal or full time living (ie 6 months) you require a better build strength to withstand daily use-so something full time rated. Are you staying in extreme climates? If so dual pane windows and thicker walls / dual ac etc all add weight. Do you tow through high mountain passes? If so a truck that is up to the stress of the weight it is pulling and handling is hugely important. Honesty with yourself is what will help with all of this. What is perfect for me will be different for you. We are on our 3rd 5th wheel and each was perfect for the time we bought- needs and wants do change - but we always bought with an eye to solving multiple limitations of the previous rig. As you see it is not as simple as heavier = better. Also you can spend huge $$ and be unhappy. Research and more research. For the most part ignore salesmen as their motivation is usually in conflict with yours.

[Coach-man]

You may be looking at things that may not matter down the road! If it were me I would be looking at the floor plan of the different models to see what suites YOUR life style. Is the bedroom comfortable? Dose it have closet and storage for your things? What about the bathroom, can you put all your "stuff" away, is it comfortable, (down to sitting on the toilet!)? What about the kitchen, can you cook comfortable, can you store things you need? Living room? Back window vs side window? All these things go into the floor plan and more! You must be comfortable in your RV, think about it down the road even small things may become BIG annoyances. Take your time check out different models, Once you find the "perfect" floor plan for your needs, then you can look at other things, such as weight, length etc. After that get a TV that will adequately handle that rig!

[Dick_B]

Be sure you know the difference between `light' and `lite'. I would ignore the model description `lite' and pay attention to actual published weights. Think about where the reduced weight might come from. Thinner structure is not a desirable weight saving option nor are thinner countertops or roof materials; just to name a few.
X2 on finding the rig you want then buying a truck to tow it.

[Lantley]

A heavier unit will more than likely have more features and a higher payload capacity (ability to carry more weight). A heavier unit will require a more capable truck.
Durability and longevity are not necessarily a related to weight
Initially you can shop all trailers and decide which you truly like, however at some point you will also need to determine how big a truck you want. Are you prepared to purchase a 1 ton dually pick up?
The truck and trailer are a matched combo, as you narrow down your 5'er choices and sizes you will begin to figure out how much truck is required to haul it.

[1ofmany]

It is difficult to provide definitive answers to general questions...light does not necessarily mean flimsy and heavy does not necessarily mean durable. We have found that the more time we spend in a particular unit, the larger we want it to be. Will a larger/longer fifth wheel be more challenging to maneuver? Probably. Since you are in the decision making mode, you might consider finding a fifth wheel that meets your needs and is one you like...then start a search for a truck capable of towing it. As azdryheat pointed out, your fifth wheel will have its own breaks and should be able to stop itself.

[Strabo]

I'm comfy with 32' fifthwheel that's 13,000lbs and a '04 F350 SRW SC LB 4x4. But I would prefer a '36 class A Moho with slides and a 2017 four door Jeep Rubi, fully modded.