Newb looking for 5er

[TazCamps]

The wife and I are considering trading a TT in for a 5er. unfortunately I missed the biggest show in my area so I need your help and suggestions.

We are a family of 6 which includes 4 teens so I need sleeping space/storage that will not have me constantly converting beds or moving belongings (which we currently do 😞 ). I am assuming a Bunkhouse and wife does not like when you have to walk through the bath to get into Bedroom. Looking online she has only liked one 5er but it is 40' which I would prefer smaller.

My TV is a 2005 F250 crewcab 4x4 shortbed with the 6.0 powerstroke.

Any info is appreciated

[JKJavelin]

Albackore- That floorplan you're showing above-LF311FLR- is from the Open Range Light line. I've been in one of those and I like it a lot. We didn't get one because it's a few feet longer than I wanted but it is a great layout- really very roomy. There's a you tube sales pitch by Joshua Winters (Haylett RV in Michigan). He does a good job showing the rig.
JK

[mileshuff]

Winnebago Voyage Lite 28RDB has 2 54"x75" bunks along with sleeper sofa with a GVWR of 10,000lbs. One of the few light weight 5'ers out 30' or under with a low GVWR.

https://winnebagoind.com/products/fifth-wheel/2017/voyage-lite/floorplans#floorplan-28RDB

[albackore]

So, I know it's only been a week since I mentioned we were looking at a Rear Master with Front BH to take care of the dogs, but then I got to thinking that the BH really takes away from the living area (for people, namely me and the wife!) and we're pretty much stuck with a foldout bed, two tiny recliners, and/or a dinette.

I've pretty much made my mind up on the Rear Master with an adjacent Bath... why would I want to walk all the way across the trailer to take a shower?

I got to thinking and the more I looked I am really liking the (relatively new) Front Living Room concept. An open floor plan with plenty of seating and you can see the TV from the kitchen. Here's what I'm talking about.

[Big1]

The wife and I are looking for a fiver also, have find some that will work but trying to work the money and the right deal.

[T18skyguy]

I'm just like you, in the market for a fiver, but am taking my good old time. I have decades in both trailers and motorhomes, and my feeling about them in general is get as big as you need but no bigger. Forty foot is a lot to park and move around a campground. I wouldn't want to do it personally, but I'm sure there are plenty of guys here that do. I think the advice about the kids moving on/losing interest is wise. They might wish you well when you leave, then party at the house when your gone. They usually get to that stage. Best of luck in your search.

[albackore]

Taz, I've got a similar situation: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 MEGA CAB, 2WD, Cummins Engine + Me, 1 Wife, 3 Large Dogs

Because of payload issues, I've been eyeing the "light" fifth wheels on the market. Not a ton (pun intended) to choose from which also limits the number of floor plans options.

However, I came across this one which puts all 3 dogs in the front bunkhouse and the master bedroom in the back. This gives the boys their own room which I can even close off if I choose and it gives us a bigger master bedroom with more headroom.

Check out the: Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5FBHS



There's a couple of other light fifths on the market that you might be able to get by with.

[TazCamps]

Halmfamily wrote:
We've been where your at except with two teens. All of the bunk houses we looked at the beds were just not long enough or the layout didn't work. We encourage ended up traditional get out out truck to a dually and went with a front living room model. The couches folded out to two queen beds and they had a big tv ando room to move. Two minutes to convert back to living room. This was a decision the kids made as they want room for all of us if the weather was bad.

Fast forward three years kids are too busy with work, school and social life to camp with us. We traded out to a rear living room for us and couldn't be happie . Kids can still come but sleep on couch or recliners.

You will need a bigger truck as you will max out on weight real quick with a fifth wheel. Good luck.

Very good point and you have me re-thinking bunkhouses

[IdaD]

TazCamps wrote:
Thanks for all of the replies so far. I honestly expected to get all of the get a bigger truck comments, but my truck is fine for the lower level fivers. Back when I ordered my truck I compared to the 350 and the only difference was something minimal so I chose to save the money with the 250. I did order the 18 inch rims and because of the 4wd and diesel the suspension is same as a 350, although I will supplement with airbags.

Look around, all you see is 250/2500 or 350/3500 towing everything. VERY rarely see a 450 or custom tow horse. I am not a full timer nor do I travel cross country. My plans this year is to just try to go to different areas that my kids haven't been to(currently never leave NJ)about once a month. Unfortunately our current trailer was purchased by my Father in Law and handed down to me who knew nothing about camping and sleeping capacities, it just doesn't work for us.

So it may be a little backwards, but I am hoping to buy a fiver this year, then in 2 years from now I will be handing my current truck down to my son and hope to buy a new one at that time

Sounds like you are well informed and did you homework up front - good job and good luck with the search!

[TazCamps]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I honestly expected to get all of the get a bigger truck comments, but my truck is fine for the lower level fivers. Back when I ordered my truck I compared to the 350 and the only difference was something minimal so I chose to save the money with the 250. I did order the 18 inch rims and because of the 4wd and diesel the suspension is same as a 350, although I will supplement with airbags.

Look around, all you see is 250/2500 or 350/3500 towing everything. VERY rarely see a 450 or custom tow horse. I am not a full timer nor do I travel cross country. My plans this year is to just try to go to different areas that my kids haven't been to(currently never leave NJ)about once a month. Unfortunately our current trailer was purchased by my Father in Law and handed down to me who knew nothing about camping and sleeping capacities, it just doesn't work for us.

So it may be a little backwards, but I am hoping to buy a fiver this year, then in 2 years from now I will be handing my current truck down to my son and hope to buy a new one at that time

[Aridon]

You make no mention of budget or size. Your TV will limit you somewhat. Personally I like the larger toy haulers for their excellent living and sleeping options.

KZ 3911 / 4111
Momentum 395m
Cyclone 4005

Are the three we like the most and for varying reasons. They are all on the larger side though.

Anyway, having the space back there for beds for the kids while retaining a functional living area and kitchen are high on our list.

The Cyclone 4005 we'd rip out the small slide sofa and put a sectional there that we'd move when the slides come in.

The KZ we'd put a slightly more functional sectional there in front of the counter and in the slide and the momentum is fine as is.

In all cases the rear garage would be used as the kids room.

Good luck in your search.

[Veebyes]

The OP does not say what this thing is to be used for. Weekending & the occasional longer trip or fulltime?

I'm going to assume it is the more common weekend warrior & vacation travel use in which case keep what you have & throw those teenagers outside in tents.

[IdaD]

stew47 wrote:
Oh good grief. The 250 vs 350 battle again. I bought a dually for a 10000 lb fiver because of people on here. Yet I go to the camp ground and every truck is a 250. You'll be fine. Put airbags on it.

Now for the camper. I bought a crossroads cruiser with a mid bunk. I'm not sure if it would help you but maybe something to look at.

In all seriousness some real people have wasted a lot of money based on bad advice from this forum along these lines. I'm sure many more have benefited but there are a lot of folks offering advice who really don't understand what they're talking about.

Whoever said you should buy a DRW for a 10k lb fiver doesn't have a clue what he or she is talking about. If you want one fine, but you sure as heck don't need one.

[stew47]

Oh good grief. The 250 vs 350 battle again. I bought a dually for a 10000 lb fiver because of people on here. Yet I go to the camp ground and every truck is a 250. You'll be fine. Put airbags on it.

Now for the camper. I bought a crossroads cruiser with a mid bunk. I'm not sure if it would help you but maybe something to look at.

[azjeffh]

I suggest you look at the sticker on driver's side door column as it will tell you the payload capacity. Having said that my 05 Ford PSD super cab had a payload capacity of 2736 lbs. Our 29 ft 10k fiver took us within 50 lbs of its capacity. I figured I could go as high as 13k lbs without exceeding the RAWR or GCWR, however there was just the two of us which helped with payload.

In addition don't believe Ford's 5th wheel towing capacity numbers as mine was rated for just over 16K lbs which was an unachievable number.