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What the smallest 5th wheel with a slide?

Blanco1
Explorer
Explorer
Considering a 5th wheel, but most are so huge & that's great, but I don't have anywhere to keep anything very big.

So I'm just wondering about smaller 5th wheel options.
But being small, I'm figuring a slide would help.
1997 Dodge 4x4, 5 spd manual trans & HotRod 5.9 cummins.
With '85 Lance.
56 REPLIES 56

1nolaguy
Explorer
Explorer
Milesuff - Thank you also for the Winnie reference. Both of us have preference for the RK floorplans and this one also has a full QS bed, both real pluses.

1nolaguy
Explorer
Explorer
Clotus - Thanks for the reference. I could only find a few out there for sale but the photos show a good layout for a small 5er. Will this unit hold a full length queen bd or just a short one?

clotus
Explorer
Explorer
May I suggest Heartland Sundance XLT 245. Doesn't look like they make them anymore, but it is 26.5' overall with a single slide that allows for a very open floor plan, at least for someone who came from a truck camper. The only downside is the smallish holding tanks (40/40 gry/blk), but I have found it is still very doable to last a week. Being so short allows for a larger Cargo Carrying Capacity, over 3k, which is nice.

We have been happy with it thus far. I would have gone shorter, but had a hard time finding a short enough rig with the carrying capacity I wanted (double-towing my boat with it).
Current: 2017 Winnebago 31K
(Sold): 5th wheel: 2015 Heartland Sundance XLT 245

mileshuff
Explorer
Explorer
Winnebago has the 2018 25RKS at 27'.

https://winnebagoind.com/products/fifth-wheel/2018/minnie-plus/floorplans

We love our 2014 Winnebago 26FWRKS. Very well made for a lite fiver.
2014 Winnebago 26FWRKS 5th Wheel
2007.5 Dodge 2500 6.7L Diesel
2004 Dodge Durango Hemi 3.55 (Used to tow TT)

colliehauler
Explorer III
Explorer III
1nolaguy wrote:
Blanco1 - My apologizes for hijacking your post. That was not my intention. This was my first reply and I am not sure on the procedures here.
Best to start another new thread,the answers will be more to your specific needs.

Blanco1
Explorer
Explorer
1nolaguy wrote:
Blanco1 - My apologizes for hijacking your post. That was not my intention. This was my first reply and I am not sure on the procedures here.
no worries I just don't want them answering toward your much lighter truck than my 1 ton dually.

Different animals that likely would have different answers.
1997 Dodge 4x4, 5 spd manual trans & HotRod 5.9 cummins.
With '85 Lance.

1nolaguy
Explorer
Explorer
Blanco1 - My apologizes for hijacking your post. That was not my intention. This was my first reply and I am not sure on the procedures here.

1nolaguy
Explorer
Explorer
Magic43- Thanks for your recommendation of the Allen Kamper 219. I checked this out and likes the floor plan but because I am looking at using this full time for at least a year I am more inclined to go with something that has a 4 seasons package. I have looked at Blackstone and Artic Fox but am once again concerned about the weight.

johndeerefarmer
Explorer III
Explorer III
Rather B Fishin wrote:
We are looking at "small" 5ers as well. Wildcat Maxx a Forest River product also builds a shorter 5er and looks to be a decent build for a FR. Spent a ton of time talking to the Rep at a local show and will schedule a factory tour soon to take a look at the operation.

Fox Mountain 235RLS is on our short list. Still need to look at Outdoor RV in person. Looked a GD and they were OK but we felt the Wildcat and Fox Mountain fit our need and use a little better.


FYI, Outdoors RV is owned by Northwood so I would expect the same build quaility as a Fox Moutain. They are too heavy for pulling with a half ton truck though. What are you towing with?
Nearly everyone makes fivers less than 32' but shorter than 30' you don't have many choices. There is the Rockwood/Flagstaff line from FR but I didn't care for the floor plans.
http://www.forestriverinc.com/travel-trailers-and-fifth-wheels/rockwood-signature-ultra-lite
2020 Ford 350 6.7 PSD & 2017 F150 3.5 EB max tow
GD Reflection 29rs

Rather_B_Fishin
Explorer
Explorer
We are looking at "small" 5ers as well. Wildcat Maxx a Forest River product also builds a shorter 5er and looks to be a decent build for a FR. Spent a ton of time talking to the Rep at a local show and will schedule a factory tour soon to take a look at the operation.

Fox Mountain 235RLS is on our short list. Still need to look at Outdoor RV in person. Looked a GD and they were OK but we felt the Wildcat and Fox Mountain fit our need and use a little better.
2017 F350, CCLB, XLT, 6.2L, 4.30's
2005 Four Wheel Camper - Grandby
2020 GD Reflection 337RLS 5'er (for sale)
Going back to a truck camper...

Blanco1
Explorer
Explorer
RVcrazy wrote:
I doubt many responders realized you were planning on towing with a Nissan Titan.



This Nissan guy is HighJacking my post!
The responders were NOT responding to him.

I'm towing with '97 Dodge Dually 4x4 5 speed cummins diesel club cab long bed.
& I am the original Poster.
1997 Dodge 4x4, 5 spd manual trans & HotRod 5.9 cummins.
With '85 Lance.

magic43
Explorer
Explorer
I bought an Allen Camper "219 RKS 23' Idle Time" two years ago. I recommend the camper and the manufacturer.
magic43

Edd505
Explorer
Explorer
Layton did make a 24ft single slide about 4K weight
2015 F350 FX4 SRW 6.7 Crew, longbed - 2017 Durango Gold 353RKT
2006 F350 SRW 6.0 crew longbed sold
2000 F250 SRW 7.3 extended longbed airbags sold
2001 Western Star 4900EX sold
Jayco Eagle 30.5BHLT sold, Layton 24.5LT sold

RVcrazy
Explorer
Explorer
I doubt many responders realized you were planning on towing with a Nissan Titan. We owned a Nissan Armada... IMO, if you really study the limitations for GCVWR & Hitch weight rating. We wanted a 4 season trailer & are partial to Arctic Fox trailers. After careful analysis, we found that even their 22gq model would be pushing it for our comfort level. We now have a 4 season 5th wheel & tow it with a 3500 truck. Please don't waste your money trying to match up the Titan with a 5th wheel, or you will be shortly needing to replace the truck anyway after you drive it and experience your limitations. There are some lightweight travel trailers that could work with the Titan, but most are not 4 season. Take a look at Outdoors RV Mfg Creekside line for a decent, short stout TT.

1nolaguy
Explorer
Explorer
Hi all,

First, thank you all for your many and learned contributions. I am a newbie, having not yet purchased my first RV. My wife and I have been researching for the last several months so as to be a bit knowledgeable and have an idea of whet we want before we get serious about buying.

At this point we have narrowed our search down to a mid to small TT or 5er. It OP discussing the GD295RL lead me to the GD220 or 230RK, which I believe will meet our needs. The question comes back to weight. Of all the issues concerning RVs this has been the most perplexing to me.

If I should be posting this elsewhere please advise.

First a bit about the guiding principles that brought us to this point.

We will soon be retiring (65) and plan to travel for at last the first year. In our younger days we backpacked and tented in much of the US and elsewhere. We are generally well traveled and so the target for this first year is to go places we have not seen. This means some dry camping and also some length limits. There is just the two of us but we have spent 46 years sharing a KS bed so a full queen is the minimum (I'm 6-1.I currently drive a 2008 Nissan Titan SE crew cab with only 78K miles and new tires and breaks. Since the truck is paid for and should have much more life I would prefer to limit the search to something I can tow with this truck, eliminating MH with a toad as an option and preferably not a trade up to a bigger truck. This brought me to either a TT or 5er.

Since we plan to be essentially full-time for at least a year I want to invest in a good quality unit well suited to 4 seasons, although we generally plan to follow the weather. We are more explorers than campers in that our nature is generally not more than a week or two in any given place. We are more likely to leave "home" at site and then venture out to see what we can see within 100 miles then hang at the camp site enjoying the view for a month. Not that there is anything wrong with that its just not our personalities.

So this brings me to a TT or 5er in the 25-30 ft range. The main problem is I can not with confidence figure out what my weight range is. According to the truck documents my GVW is 12500 if "bumper" pull or 14500 if 5er, but I am not sure if I am reading this correctly.

My truck does not have the two package but is pre-wired for tow mode and harness. I currently have a bumper hitch for my boat. My plan would be to add a class V if if I go with a TT or a fifth wheel receiver if I go with a 5er.

Question: can I tow a GD220 or 230 (or similar) with my truck or am I relegated to a TT? Also, how do I calculate my (legally allowed) tow weight if I assume my truck cargo at 1000 pound (passengers plus fuel).

Thanks in advance for your help.