Looking at first Fifth Wheel

[Al_H]

Hi Everyone, not new to RV'ing but seriously looking at buying a fifth wheel for winter trips south and camping in summer months. I realize that bigger is better but have heard that if you get over a certain lenght it can be tough finding sites when traveling? Is it 33 feet or more? also what about generators, it looks like most fifth wheel trailers don't have them? Also any other tips for a newbie?
Thanks

[RoyF]

DW and I take eight- to nine-week summer trips in a Hitchhiker II 29.5 that measures 32 feet, and we feel that we have plenty of room. Tow vehicle is a F350 diesel. For generators, we use a pair of Honda 2000s. A 3/4-ton might have been enough truck for just the trailer, but I wanted a 98-gallon auxillary fuel tank, which would have been too much for a 3/4 ton.

[Old-Biscuit]

Al H wrote:
Thanks for the input so far, I thought I would need a 1 ton diesel truck and may limit the length to 33' so maybe a 3/4 ton would be enough? also we had a 31' class A for 8 years and found ourselves using the generator quite a bit when traveling to make coffee and run the ac

Length CAN limit where you camp....out 5vr is 34' 14K
SOME older campgrounds were a bit limiting. More so maneuvering in/around CG vs actual site.
State/National/COE CGs ---not so much of an issue


Length is NOT the issue with WHICH truck...that comes down to WET Pin Weight (trucks carrying capacity on rear axle/tires)

No body is going to be riding in the 5th wheel while in transit
Generators can be used to run A/C Unit so 5th wheel is cool upon arrival (we used to do that but gen is in bed of truck vs IN the 5th wheel)

NEW 250/2500s are more capable now then in past.
As are the NEW 350/3500 SRW trucks

My era of truck:
250/2500 max'd out at 12K.......now can handle 14K 5th wheels
350/3500 SRW max'd out at 14K....now can handle 16K 5th wheels
350/3500 DRW 14K and up.......now 18K, 25K (have 5000# plus payloads)


MFG published numbers are STILL magical marketing numbers
RAWR/Tire Max Load Ratings are STILL the Limiting Numbers.
Check/compare RAWR/Tire Ratings against amount of 'capacity left over' from actual weigh numbers.

[donn0128]

Generators in fivers add a lot of weight to the nose for very little return. A portable Genny like a Honda 2000 watt is pretty cheap compared to built ins.
I would tell you floor plan is Paramount. The bitterness of a lousy floor plan will far outweigh the thrill of a small size. Find what your comfortable living in. All else is irrelivant.
Please forget 2500 series trucks. By the time you load it with bodies and stuff your available payload is just too lacking. Besides you can get a comparable 3500SRW for nearly the same money. To me it's a no brainier.

[Al_H]

Thanks for the input so far, I thought I would need a 1 ton diesel truck and may limit the length to 33' so maybe a 3/4 ton would be enough? also we had a 31' class A for 8 years and found ourselves using the generator quite a bit when traveling to make coffee and run the ac

[Lwiddis]

“I realize that bigger is better...”

Not necessarily. Depends on where you like to camp. If water and dumps are available. How long you stay. How many in your party. Size of your TV. Why a generator?

[DutchmenSport]

Well, I'll be the first to ask the important questions so everyone can answer your questions.

1). Not new to RV'ing. What have you done in the past that we can compare to for you.

2). What kind of tow vehicle do you have, or plan to get.

3). You are asking about generators. Are you planning on camping in locations without electricity. If you are camping in established campgrounds, you'll never have need of a generator. If you plan on boondocking, then yes, you'll need an independent source of electricity.

[dpgllg]

Welcome!

Bigger will get ou more room and options such as washer dryer pantry etc. Just remember that bigger 5th wheels require bigger trucks to tow them with. Make sure you have a truck capable of safely handling the 5th wheel. With my first 5th wheel I tried towing it with a 1500 chevy and discovered after one trip that my truck was really not that good at towing our new 5th wheel. The dealer told me that the unit was a 1/2 ton towable unit but it was a nightmare to tow.

State parks are known to have smaller sites. I think at 33 foot or less you should not have to much trouble but it wouldn't hurt to go on your favorite parks website to check and see first.

Good luck and enjoy!

Dave

[fj12ryder]

5th wheels at 40' or longer are considered to be pretty long. But you're still not likely to have trouble finding a site as long as you plan ahead. Spur-of-the-moment stops are more problematical with longer trailers. Older campground and quite a few Forest Service campgrounds tend to have smaller sites with more cramped roads. A 33' 5th wheel will probably fit in most campgrounds, add 7-10 feet and the story changes dramatically.

We have a 40' toyhauler and have never not been able to find a spot for the night. Sometimes it takes a couple calls but we've never had to spend the night at a Walmart or truck stop because we couldn't find a space to fit into.