Why only one bed in a fifth wheel and why sooo tall?

[sheripoms]

I see that everyone loves fifth wheels but I have some reservations about them compared to TT and Class C and A.
Why is it that the majority of them only have one bed? It's huge, so why not put another bed in it somewhere?

Also, have fifth wheels gotten taller in the last 6 years? It sure seems so! I walked into one and it was like a double decker bus! Why the added height? Seems like a waste of space for the ceiling to be soooo tall.
I do understand that they are easier to pull than a TT but for 35 feet of space and only sleep 2 to 4 people maybe seems odd. But maybe thats just me.

[Bamaman11]

Many buying fifth wheels have retired, and their children are out of the house. They buy their trailers for escape from the grandkids--and like only one bed for this reason.

But bunkhouse model fifth wheels are available, and they often have two beds and a J couch/bed with a fold up bed above that--sleeping 4 in a separate room.

[GregK]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

Used to puzzle me, too, but several years of membership on Forums like this one have led me to the following conclusion/explanation...for what it's worth:

In my opinion, fifth wheels are taller now because they're designed for old folks. Old folks don't like crawling into bed or breaking down a table to sleep, instead preferring sleeping accommodations that they can walk around and leave set up all the time. And which accommodations don't interfere with the La-z-boy/TV setup in the "living room". That's the plain conclusion I've arrived at after two years of research into the ideal rig for us to go tour the Country in.

The divide seems so apparent to me that it's become a bit of a "thing" with us- somehow, becoming a fifth wheel owner is synonymous with giving in to old age. In much the same way that we cling to our low chairs as proof that our knees still work as well as they ever did, my Husband and I have decided that whatever rig we choose it will not be a fifth wheel.

P.S.

At 67(H) and 62(W) respectively, we are by every other definition OLD!

I'm going to have to disagree here. Everyone I know that has purchased a fifth wheel, myself included, did so because of the way they pull. Handling, comfort and ease of maneuverability are very much different than a pull behind trailer. I'm mid 40's and most of my friends with fivers range from mid 30's to 50's.

[2112]

Yep. We are in the entertain 6, dine 4 & sleep 2 club as well.
Ours is like a 1 bedroom, 1 bath rolling condo and we like it like that. Love the opposing slides and plenty of headroom.

[Farmer_David]

6 for cocktails, 4 for dinner, and 2 for sleeping

[Campinghoss]

We can sleep 6 if we had too but we never have too 🙂 As far as the height I am 6-3 and really enjoy walking anywhere in the fiver and not having to duck.

Lastly, even if we had a "50" footer our fiver only sleeps two adults and two dogs period.

[rhagfo]

Why tall, like having 6' + of head room in the bedroom.

Why one one bed, many are retired empty nesters! That said there are also many bunkhouse models for family's that sleep up 10 or more. We like ours that will sleep 4.

[mileshuff]

Most TT's have only 1 bed as well except some with kids bunks or a sleeper sofa. Same as fifth wheels. There are some larger 5'ers with 2 bedrooms but usually the 2nd bedroom is a kids room.

5'ers are high in order to have the bedroom tall enough to stand up in. Many older 5'ers were not tall enough to stand in the bedroom.

[DavinD]

Have 3 beds in mine (not including the fold out couch and dinette). Not all of them only have one bed.

[RoadXYZ]

At 5'1" and 5'6" we have always thought 5th wheels were tall .. our cozy TT is just right for us ... but do dream of winning the lottery and having a 5th wheel built for us "shorties" ...

[bfast54]

Jerry B wrote:
Four for cocktails/dinner, two for sleeping.

Yep, reason for that.....:W

[wingsfan20]

Our Cougar has a sofa that converts to a Queen if we ever (seldom) need to have company.

[TXiceman]

sleep 2 normally and some times two added grand kids. Since we are full time, we love the added height and more of a residential feel. WE are 12'10" high.

Ken

[Francesca_Knowl]

sheripoms wrote:

Also, have fifth wheels gotten taller in the last 6 years? It sure seems so! I walked into one and it was like a double decker bus! Why the added height? Seems like a waste of space for the ceiling to be soooo tall.

They have gotten ridiculously tall over the years, haven't they?

Used to puzzle me, too, but several years of membership on Forums like this one have led me to the following conclusion/explanation...for what it's worth:

In my opinion, fifth wheels are taller now because they're designed for old folks. Old folks don't like crawling into bed or breaking down a table to sleep, instead preferring sleeping accommodations that they can walk around and leave set up all the time. And which accommodations don't interfere with the La-z-boy/TV setup in the "living room". That's the plain conclusion I've arrived at after two years of research into the ideal rig for us to go tour the Country in.

The divide seems so apparent to me that it's become a bit of a "thing" with us- somehow, becoming a fifth wheel owner is synonymous with giving in to old age. In much the same way that we cling to our low chairs as proof that our knees still work as well as they ever did, my Husband and I have decided that whatever rig we choose it will not be a fifth wheel.

P.S.

At 67(H) and 62(W) respectively, we are by every other definition OLD!

[korbe]

For years we had to crawl into bed in our old 5er. Not anymore.

[GregK]

As pretty much covered already, love the space, the large windows, side skylight, ceiling fan, full size kitchen cabinets, recliners, all of it. I can't think of anything I'd want to change in the floor plan we have.

Well, other than the awning ending at the edge of the door, but that's another story all together. LOL