How much will a big fifth wheel limit us?

[billy79]

I don't currently have an RV but have borrowed my in-laws Class A before...so though I am not in the owners club I am not a total newbie either.

My wife and I are around 40 and are self employed. As long as I have an internet connection we can work and no kids (other then the 4 legged kind).

We've always said that when we retire we would like to get an RV and do some extensive traveling. But due to some unexpected changes in our personal life we are seriously talking about taking the plunge and getting an RV next year. We figure if we do we will make a one year commitment and go from there....maybe it is just a one year adventure, maybe it is a new lifestyle that we embrace for a decade or more, who knows.

Anyways the big issue now is RV size. We both agree on a few things:
1.) We want a fifth wheel.
2.) We need a toy hauler (both to haul our toys during travel and also to use as a separate office during the work day....my job can be stressful and it is best if it is separate from our living space).
3.) We really want to be adventurous, we don't always want to be in rv resorts. We want to spend our fair share of time in state and federal campgrounds, including national parks and national forests.
4.) We would like to try some boondocking out in the woods....(This is probably an 8 or 9 to me in importance and probably a 6 or 7 to her.

Lastly we both agree our RV should be comfortable and homey since we will live in it but this is where the ideas start flowing. While I would be willing to live with a little less comfy trailer if it means losing a few feet and getting into more campgrounds my wife would rather be limited on campgrounds and have a more comfy / roomy rv.

So I am finally to my question. How much will having a big truck, pulling a big fifth wheel limit us?

My wife and I both love the Road Warrior RW390 but where she sees an easy place to call home I see impossible to get into a lot of campgrounds.

Now we drive around a lot of campgrounds in our area and even though many have 30 and 35 ft limits I see lots of big 40ft fifth wheels and rv's jammed in them. But not sure if we are just lucky to have stretchable campgrounds or if they tend to underestimate their size requirements.

Any feedback on how much this will limit us is appreciated. If it only cuts out some campgrounds (10 - 25%) I figure may as well just get what she wants. But if it cuts out a lot (50% or more and most boondocking opportunities) I think that I need to give her a nudge towards looking at other units.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

jmtandem wrote:
Get big enough to be comfortable living in it.

:B

We purposely went with a 35 foot TT with opposing slides in the living room for that reason.

In three months campground hosting at Big Bend NP (no cell phone service) - we had to spend a few days inside. Each of us having our dedicated area really helped.

[jmtandem]

If you are intent on getting a toyhauler for full time living and working, I would certainly look at those that have a bath and a half.

Don't measure the size of the toyhauler in feet and inches; rather, your concern should be that whatever purchased did the job for what you need it for. RV's get real small inside when it is raining, buggy, cold, windy, etc. Get big enough to be comfortable living in it.

[billy79]

Aridon wrote:
We go where we want to go without any issues. We are close to 45 ft (never actually measured it) long plus the truck.

Obviously we aren't going to fit at every state or federal CG so if that is a big issue you need to look into the places you want to go and see if you fit. Generally speaking, we have had no issues finding a great place to stay anywhere we have gone.

Size really isn't an issue unless your plans or so rigid it becomes one. If that is the case then you need to try and stay under 35 ft because once you hit 40+ there isn't much difference for the most part.

I don't think my plans are so rigid that I can't change. I was traveling last week and popped into a KOA campground in the area that I was visiting and there was no privacy, one trailer stacked on the next with only a few feet of gravel in between them. Probably close to 300 rigs there if not more. That's just not me....and I am just worried that with a big unit that is the only type of place I will find myself.

So not rigid to where I am not flexible and can't change plans or have to be in a certain CG, just don't want to always be in those places either and want to know that I can get away from the hum drum and to an area with some privacy.

[billy79]

Passin Thru wrote:
I'm 66. You don't need a toyhauler. The less toys you have, the less things you need to take care of in your race Friday night to get to the river or woods. A 5er is like pulling a sled. My brother delivers Trailers for Horizon and hates them. Big, Bulky and make your truck work to the max. Get a smaller motorhome, pull your toys but you don' need over 35 feet if you're outside all the time. It's a waste and more to take care of. We figured out the price of owning a bass boat and if you could only guess what a fish cost'/lb. A new one starts at 22K. We rent a boat, usually $100/day and don't have to tow it out of the water or home. You can rent jeeps in CO so I suppose you could rent them in ID also. I like the simple life of going to any trailer park, campground or boonies and crashing from Friday night til Monday and watching the crazies hurl themselves into it.

Big part of having a toy hauler for us is having a separate dedicated (when set up) work area from the living area. So the #1 reason for me to get a toy hauler is really to use the back area as an office, not for the toys. The fact that I can then take the toys I already own (already paid for, no payments, I own them) out into the woods to play with is a bonus.

Definitely not planning on racking up a credit card to buy toys and not looking at the Toy Hauler simply because I want to take toys.

Have also looked at some of those bunk units where they have a separate living area for kids and have thought about converting that to an office. So far haven't found one I love + though I don't need the toys the toy hauler lets me take them (ATV's and kayaks). But I will probably keep looking.

[billy79]

Jayco-noslide wrote:
What got my attention is when you said you wanted to be out in the boonies a lot in Nat'l Forests, etc. My opinion is that you should limit your trailer length; possibly to 30 ft preferably less and even that can be too long for some campgrounds with sharp curves and short sites. You can get along with much larger but with a lot more planning and making sure you know what you will be getting into in a campground before you head down a gravel road to a remote campground.

This is what I am worried about. Here in N. Idaho a lot of our wooded areas are SUPER accessible, at least in my opinion. Don't get me wrong there are lots of places I would never try taking any, but there are lots of good roads back into the woods, and lots of areas that not only could I get a big rig, but that I can get a strong cell signal (using a booster). I think I would be limited by width and height around here more then length.

So I am a little spoiled by that. It's hard for me to remember that not everywhere is that accessible. So thanks for that reminder.

Can't really get a toyhauler that we will be happy FTing in under 30ft, but I think I might take another look at some of the shorter units and see what else I should share with the DW.

[billy79]

the bear II wrote:
Keep in mind these are tourist destinations so there are usually quite a few privately owned RV Parks nearby with big rig friendly spaces.

You learn to adapt to the size.... Park far out in parking lots at shopping malls, grocery stores, visitor centers or go to these places while unhitched.

Use truck stops and large modern gas stations for fuel while on the road or get fuel before you hitch up to leave an RV park.

Great tips. I have never towed anything as big as this unit but I have driven my fair share of larger trucks and my in-laws motorhomes and decent sized trailers (20 - 30 ft) so I figured a lot of this (checking out gas stations) isn't much different....just need to be aware of your size and always have an exit strategy.

jmtandem wrote:

There is a lot of good information on intenet connectivity on the road at Technomadia. You are probably looking at solar power as well and perhaps lithium batteries, led lights, etc. Lots to think about when you want to boondock for extended periods of time.

Thanks, I had just stumbled on their blog last night. Good info their for sure.

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

RV-Dreams this couple has done pretty much want you are talking about - and made enough modifications to be able to boondock, use public campgrounds, etc.

Thanks for all the tips and that looks like a great blog, will be digging in and reading what they have to share for sure.

[billy79]

Golden_HVAC wrote:

As for internet access, you might want to consider a satellite receiver, it will give high speed access anyplace that you park and set up the dish. If you need a cell phone access, or other local Wi-Fi, you might not find those in any state campgrounds (well cell might be limited in some, free Wi-Fi is not something that I camp across in Federal Parks, they are not into Wi-Fi yet, but more back to nature). . ..

Thanks for all the info including the extra boondocking info. Been doing a lot of research on that and am sure will have plenty more questions about that stuff once we pick up a trailer.

We have read a fair amount of blogs of full timers who work remotely and it seems a lot of the are ditching satellite.

My game plan was to start with my cell (I have AT&T and Verizon hotspots and services currently both with big plans and signal boosters) and see where that gets us. If we find it falling short getting into Sat internet, but I figure why spend the $$$ just assuming cell will fall short.

My thought process, both to address finding spots that I can get the big trailer (if we get that) and that we can get a signal is to do the following:
When we pick an area we want to visit find a campground / rv park or place that we KNOW will fit & that has good reliable wifi (and / or ) has solid cell signal (using the network maps and asking questions).

We can get there and get set up and we know we can work out of that space. Then we can use the truck, ATV, foot, bicycle or whatever to get to know the area, and find out if there are good boondocking spots or more remote camping areas of any kind that we like and can get the trailer into AND that have good cell coverage.

Hopefully that will keep me from getting into a bad position. Worst case we find ourselves having to move on or spend all our time in that area in the rv park or campground. If we find ourselves passing on lots of places due to internet coverage that is when we would jump on satellite internet.

I have a funny feeling the first year will be more traveling, more visiting friends and relatives, seeing sites we have never seen, etc.and not staying in one place as long. Though I would hope to scout out the good boondocking sites (and maybe test them for a few nights) and learn more about that so that after we get past all that playing tourist and visiting people we can settle into a life style of being more out in the woods, and boondocking and enjoying that solitude.

[billy79]

First off thanks to everyone for all the feedback, it is greatly appreciated and will all be highly regarded in our decision making process. Nothing like getting real feedback from those living the life.

Some of you made similar points so I may only reply or ask questions while quoting one to not be redundant but that doesn't mean each point isn't highly regarded and appreciated.

DutchmenSport wrote:
Your Road Warrior has a very interesting floor plan. I honestly can say I've never seen one like this before. Very interesting!

DutchmenSport wrote:

First, your floor plan is dynamite! From what you've described for your needs you've selected an excellent choice!

We thought so. We looked at a Torque on a dealers lot that we liked the floorplan of and it was okay, but then we went through a RoadWarrior that was a near identical floorplan (same manufacturer) and the fit and finish and build quality felt so much better. We thought we would be more comfortable FTing in that. So then I went to their website and stumbled on this one. Loved the floorplan but after seeing some walk throughs on YouTube we were really sold on the open concept.

Haven't seen one in person yet...haven't found one in my area. Might be doing some traveling at the end of the month and if so will look in the area I am traveling to to see if there is one in that area to look at.

DutchmenSport wrote:

You're gonna need a hefty truck to tow this. Even a 3500 / f350 dually will be near or over it's max. You may have to go bigger.

I have been looking at F450 / 4500 type trucks in my area recently. They spec out to where they should be able to pull something like this full time but don't feel as large for regular daily driving as the big Kodiaks and SuperTrucks and other MDT's. Much more like a regular pick up truck which the wife likes. Go figure she loves a huge trailer but likes the smaller trucks.

[Aridon]

We go where we want to go without any issues. We are close to 45 ft (never actually measured it) long plus the truck.

Obviously we aren't going to fit at every state or federal CG so if that is a big issue you need to look into the places you want to go and see if you fit. Generally speaking, we have had no issues finding a great place to stay anywhere we have gone.

Size really isn't an issue unless your plans or so rigid it becomes one. If that is the case then you need to try and stay under 35 ft because once you hit 40+ there isn't much difference for the most part.

[tsetsaf]

Good feedback so far. We had a 37' 5th wheel for the first 4 years of our ft life and would easily have answered like many have already "you can find forest and boondock sites". Now that we have a 44' 3 axle fiver that notion is humorous. Over about 40' the dynamics change completely. With my other rig there were a number of times were I got into an uh-oh position but was able to 3 point out of it; this bigger rig no way. I can't even fit down my fathers col-de-sac with the new rig. Point being going big seriously limits choice.

If you will be working from the road the boonies is not an option. Satellite internet has terrible latency issues. We are grandfathered with Verizon 3G and 4G unlimited plans but from what I read those are no longer an option. Figure out how much data you use monthly and then shop plans.

You are starting out right by planning ahead. Took us a year of concerted effort to get out on the road (I was 30 and wife was 25) that was 5 years ago now and we have no plans to stop.

[Passin_Thru]

I'm 66. You don't need a toyhauler. The less toys you have, the less things you need to take care of in your race Friday night to get to the river or woods. A 5er is like pulling a sled. My brother delivers Trailers for Horizon and hates them. Big, Bulky and make your truck work to the max. Get a smaller motorhome, pull your toys but you don' need over 35 feet if you're outside all the time. It's a waste and more to take care of. We figured out the price of owning a bass boat and if you could only guess what a fish cost'/lb. A new one starts at 22K. We rent a boat, usually $100/day and don't have to tow it out of the water or home. You can rent jeeps in CO so I suppose you could rent them in ID also. I like the simple life of going to any trailer park, campground or boonies and crashing from Friday night til Monday and watching the crazies hurl themselves into it.

[lbrjet]

Yep, internet is going to be your problem in remote locations. May not even get satellite in wooded areas.

[Jayco-noslide]

What got my attention is when you said you wanted to be out in the boonies a lot in Nat'l Forests, etc. My opinion is that you should limit your trailer length; possibly to 30 ft preferably less and even that can be too long for some campgrounds with sharp curves and short sites. You can get along with much larger but with a lot more planning and making sure you know what you will be getting into in a campground before you head down a gravel road to a remote campground.

[valhalla360]

garysol wrote:

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:


Internet is going to be the big limiting factor, not rig size.

Satellite card.... We never leave home without one...... just in case.

Does anyone really use satilite anymore?

The standard is pretty much to use your cell plan. While in some out of the way places coverage is iffy, last time I checked, it's drastically cheaper (though not cheap)

[garysol]

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:


Internet is going to be the big limiting factor, not rig size.

Satellite card.... We never leave home without one...... just in case.