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Think am wanting a smaller fifth wheel!

Loving_God_s_Co
Explorer
Explorer
Hello all! We currently have a 38' Holiday Rambler Alumascape which we love because of the floor plan but we are finding that sometimes its just to big to travel around in. It takes a lot of pre-planning on my part to research where we're going to get the best spots that we can fit in! So we are possibly thinking of downsizing to a smaller FW. Now to my question, what fifth wheels are out there, new or older that has a separated living room from the kitchen? Ours has sliding doors that actually closes off the living room area from the kitchen area. It feels more like a home environment instead of everything in one big open space! If anyone has an suggestions we would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!!
God Bless and Happy Traveling!!! 🙂
12 REPLIES 12

Wumba
Explorer
Explorer
I'll be the oddball, we went from a 35 ft. tt to a 43 ft. 5ver and a dually with no complaints at all. Should have done it sooner...lol

RollandB
Explorer
Explorer
We were shopping trailers a year ago and went with an Arctic Fox 27-5L, it's just under 30' and feels larger inside than our old 5er which was longer. I don't recall seeing one floor plan that wasn't open in the living and kitchen area.
2013 Yukon

2021 Coachmen Spirit 1943RB

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
I think Cedar Creek has a "separate" LR/kitchen. If not current, once did. May want to look at Jayco and Montana as well.
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

kennethwooster
Explorer
Explorer
Went from a 38.5 5th to a 32 5th. I do miss the extra room. Living area is great, but kitchen is part of it which I don't mind. It's full body paint with all options, including Big Foot levelers.Bed room and bath area is adequate but a little tite. We stay in it for several months at a time. It's a Cameo by Carriage which is out of business. I imagine there are a number of used units form Carriage on the market. They are built like a rock. anyway a smaller size will work, just have to give up some things. Get one with large slides. They do pull very easy.
kenneth wooster- retired farmer. Biblical History Teacher in public HS, and substitute teacher.
wife Diana-adult probation officer, now retired.
31KSLS Full Body paint Cameo
Ford F350 2014 DRW 4X4 King Ranch.
20K B&W Puck mount hitch

lakeside013104
Explorer
Explorer
We felt the same way after towing a 39' 5er all over this beautiful country.

It seems that the big 5er allowed us to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while the smaller unit we have now allows us to return to our "camping" lifestyle.

RVing to us was like being at home. Downsizing to us means more time spent outside in nature, less time watching television, and zero time on social media. Works for us.

Good luck with your decision to go smaller.

Lakeside

ronday
Explorer
Explorer
After we left our 34 foot 5ver in Florida as our winter home we decided we needed something for up north. Bought a used 26 foot 5ver and we love it, not the same as being in the 34 footer. So much easier to haul, maneuver and get into state parks. Works great for us and still can take the grandchildren. Ron Day
2008 Chevy 2500HD D/A, Crewcab SB, Pullrite superglide
2011 Big Country BC 3250TS 33ft 5ver
2005 Fleetwood 26ft 5ver
2005 Sun Lite Truck Camper
Ron - 29 yrs HS Tech Teacher (ret) 24 yrs USN/USNR Chief (ret)
Sheila - 29 yrs HS Home and Careers Teacher (ret)

belairbrian
Explorer
Explorer
We made the downsizing deal today. For the last 6 years we've been pulling a Cougar 314 bunkhouse. Worked great when we had young kids. As the kids are older and heading to college we decided the Dually and 31 footer (more with the bike rack extended) was too much. We picked a rear living room 26 footer and will pull it with the single wheel 2500HD. it's not as small as the 18ft tag along we started with.

Put the dually up for sale and had three calls wanting to come look at it today. I guess Duallies that only have 100K are in demand.
TV 2007 Chevy 2500 Long Box Vortec 8.1/Allison or 2016 Tundra Crew Max 5.7L 4x4
2022 Freedom Express 192RBS
Equalizer 4 way WDH, Prodigy 3 BC
USAF Retired
WAR EAGLE

RedJeep
Explorer
Explorer
We found that our 40' FW TH and dually was just too limiting for where we wanted to go. We sold it and the truck and bought a 36' class A. Yes, there are compromises but for us, I finally have the RV that works best for my family.
2008 Georgetown DS350 Class A
Wife, kids, dog and cat

Milt
Explorer
Explorer
We looked at a smaller Open Range fiver in their light class, don't remember the model. It had a front living room, middle kitchen and galley with a bedroom in the rear. That might be something that would work for you.
Milt

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
We just went from a 29' trailer to a 39' trailer. We wanted to stay around 35-36, however we could not find something in the length that had everything we wanted. So we are going to "live" with the logistics of a 39'4" rig. We used a Safeway fuel station as a test of getting in and out of tight spots. We love the trailer and it full height roof line, theater setting/48" TV, king bed, butlers pantry counter etc etc.

OH, and it is longer that the 18 wheel 35" trailer and truck I drove back in the late 70's.

Time will tell! From the inside looking out it is great. From the outside it is BIG!

Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

Loving_God_s_Co
Explorer
Explorer
I know what you're saying is absolutely true but wouldn't you try first to find out if there is an option out there before giving up and settling? :B
God Bless and Happy Traveling!!! 🙂

Veebyes
Explorer II
Explorer II
Everything is a compromise. Having all that the 38 has in a 32 is simply not going to happen.

Decisions have to be made on what is going to be lost & what is going to be gained by going smaller. Just me, but the ability to go places, have the flexibility of a smaller unit far outweigh a door between the galley & living spaces.

It is, after all, an RV not a house.
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995