Shorter 5th Wheels

[Leo_Smith]

After 3 years with a 28' TT for week long vacations, my wife and I are looking at a shorter 5th wheel for an upcoming 12-18 month road trip around the country. We would like to keep the trailer under 32' so we can fit into state and national park campgrounds. So far our short list the Arctic Fox 27 5L, Arctic Fox 28 5C, and the Glacier Peak F26 RKS. With the other brands we have looked at (Cougar, Montana) it appears that their shortest models start in the 35' range and go up to 41'. We are looking for a well-constructed unit (no "lite" models). Will be purchasing a 1 ton diesel/single rear wheel for towing. Any recommendations for brands and models that would meet our criteria?

[GON2SKI]

This boon docking site was made for the 27-5L with a tree fitting in between slides.....I had some good guidance from son and DIL!

[dadwolf2]

Gordon_R wrote:
I'm a new owner of an Arctic Fox 27-5L. I'm so far, very impressed with the construction quality. In addition, it tows much better then my last 5er (Cardinal 32 CKT). It has everything that we wanted. Only thing it lacks is a coffee table. That's easy to fix. We took a very short trip with it and I tested all the systems a couple of times. No complaints!

Glad to hear it. It's my choice too and going to a dealer in 2 weeks to check it out.

[JohnyWalter]

We've been traveling extensively for 15 years and are just starting to look at a newer RV to replace our 2002 36.5 ft Keystone Montana. It has an upstairs living room that just doesn't work for us anymore. Until you start losing mobility, you don't realize how many trips you make between the LR and kitchen every day. We've thought about going to a Class A MH but love our 2004 1/2 Dodge Laramie Cummins 3500 (quiet, comfortable and 20 MPG towing) so will stick to a 5th wheels power.

[abslayer]

I have a 2018 Cougar 246 RLSWE 5th Wheel it is 30 foot 8 inches
They claim 1/2 ton towable
Do not know if that is possible.
I tow it with a 350 one ton ford 6.7 D truck sure does not have to work hard with this camper , have to look in mirror just to make sure it is there LOL

[Gordon_R]

RollandB wrote:

Gordon_R wrote:
I'm a new owner of an Arctic Fox 27-5L. I'm so far, very impressed with the construction quality. In addition, it tows much better then my last 5er (Cardinal 32 CKT). It has everything that we wanted. Only thing it lacks is a coffee table. That's easy to fix. We took a very short trip with it and I tested all the systems a couple of times. No complaints!

We’ve had 27-5L for nearly 3 years and recently put in it a storage ottoman similar to this one except a dark color....https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/alcott-hill-oakford-upholstered-storage-bench-acot4182.html

We found it at our local Fred Meyers a few years ago for less than $75. The added storage is nice, we move it in front of the fridge which door clears when the slide is in.

Yup. Already changed a couple things. Added a Blu-Ray DVD player, 29" Vizio sound bar and magnetic door stops. :0

[RollandB]

Gordon_R wrote:
I'm a new owner of an Arctic Fox 27-5L. I'm so far, very impressed with the construction quality. In addition, it tows much better then my last 5er (Cardinal 32 CKT). It has everything that we wanted. Only thing it lacks is a coffee table. That's easy to fix. We took a very short trip with it and I tested all the systems a couple of times. No complaints!

We’ve had 27-5L for nearly 3 years and recently put in it a storage ottoman similar to this one except a dark color....https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/alcott-hill-oakford-upholstered-storage-bench-acot4182.html

We found it at our local Fred Meyers a few years ago for less than $75. The added storage is nice, we move it in front of the fridge which door clears when the slide is in.

[minnow]

Artic Fox is in a class by themselves in the shorter fifth wheel category. I doubt you’ll find a better built unit.

Grand Design USE to be a good build but the QC has dropped off significantly especially in the last two years. It might be due to the tremendous increase in sales all manufacturers are experiencing and they can’t keep up and it may be due to a drop in QC after they sold out to Winnebago and now are answering to another master. In any event GD is not the same company it was just 2 years ago.

[Likes_to_tow]

Be aware that model number on the side is no indication of length. My
27.5 Grand Design Reflection 5th wheel is 31 feet long according to the title. Not sure why the industry does this but they all seem to mislead you somewhat.

[Bob_Vaughn]

rvnutts wrote:
We just purchased a 2013 Heartland Big Country. The retired couple that owned it kept it in their storage building and it looks brand new! We couldn't be happier with our find! It is 33 feet long and I believe Big Country is rated for full time. We are also planning our first big trip in September. I think the new Big Country starts at 35 feet though. Hope you find what you need!

My 2011 Big Country 3250 TS is 32.5 feet long and we took it across the country and up to Alaska and back down to Ohio then down to Fl......plus a trip up to NYC and never had a problem with sites.....

[Road_Phantom]

Fox mountain from Northwood is well made. It's a little heavy for the 1/2 ton, but no problem for that truck you're planning to buy.

[Lexx]

Grand Design Reflection 28bh. 33'10". It has two double bunks in the rear. Kitchen and fridge are accessible when main slide is closed. Decent tank capacity. And it has auto-levelling.

[2012Coleman]

Leo Smith wrote:
After 3 years with a 28' TT for week long vacations, my wife and I are looking at a shorter 5th wheel for an upcoming 12-18 month road trip around the country. We would like to keep the trailer under 32' so we can fit into state and national park campgrounds. So far our short list the Arctic Fox 27 5L, Arctic Fox 28 5C, and the Glacier Peak F26 RKS. With the other brands we have looked at (Cougar, Montana) it appears that their shortest models start in the 35' range and go up to 41'. We are looking for a well-constructed unit (no "lite" models). Will be purchasing a 1 ton diesel/single rear wheel for towing. Any recommendations for brands and models that would meet our criteria?

Grand Design Reflection 303RLS. 33 feet long. One foot longer than you wanted but very nice rear living plan with opposing slides, TV directly across from 2 recliners, spacious pantry, nice appliances in 2018 models. Always gagged at fireplaces, but our first trip was in March and we went north. Used the fireplace and to my surprise, it put out enough heat to be comfortable without using the furnace during the day - or to break the chill in the morning.

2nd trip was to a Fl. state park - fit the site perfectly with room to spare.

[Gordon_R]

I'm a new owner of an Arctic Fox 27-5L. I'm so far, very impressed with the construction quality. In addition, it tows much better then my last 5er (Cardinal 32 CKT). It has everything that we wanted. Only thing it lacks is a coffee table. That's easy to fix. We took a very short trip with it and I tested all the systems a couple of times. No complaints!

[prd2hnt]

Our Coachmen Chapparal Lite is 32ft. Also will fit in a 12 ft door. We are very pleased with this.