Former 5th wheel owners

[mfoster711]

Have any of you gone from owning a 5th wheel to owning a pop-up? Our 5th wheel has been sitting in storage way to much and it is getting real hard to justify the cost of keeping it. I am thinking about getting a pop-up for several reasons:

• Can store at house and avoid storage fees
• A lot easier to pull, I can drive normal speed limits
• Can take advantage of all state parks and don't have to worry if they have a site that my 5th wheel can fit into
• A lot less money invested in the camper

We owned a pop-up and hybrid before we got the 5th wheel so I am familar with them but I am just wondering how hard of an adjustment it might be going back to a pop-up after owning a 5th wheel for the past 4 years.

[rexlion]

This thread is a few months old, but I couldn't help noticing that xteacher has traded the Aliner for a small TT. I guess the lack of a bathroom finally got to you. 😉

I just sold my KZ 14RB today and am eyeing the A-frame trailers. We're passing each other, going in opposite directions!

I see that some of the A-frames do have a toilet and shower available inside, but one loses storage space to get that feature. And with storage being so skimpy already in the pup, it seems like a bad idea to me.

[xteacher]

We went from a 34 ft. 5ver bunkhouse to a PUP with 2 king beds, a couch and a dinette. We lasted 3 trips, then traded for a TT. We couldn't deal with setting up/breaking down in the rain (happened.every.time.), then having to set back up when we got home to unload and waiting for the canvas dry out. We also had to modify the tent ends with Pop Up Gizmos to protect us from the searing GA/FL summer heat, and put reflexix in the screened bed sides to darken the sleeping areas and add more insulation. Not having a bathroom was an adjustment we had a hard time getting used to, but that was minor.

We now have an Aliner, which is much more user friendly, although smaller inside. We can set it up/take it down in 1 minute. We spend more time outdoors, which is the purpose of going camping, IMO. We have the no bathroom issue again, but picking sites near the bath house and having a porta potty for night time emergencies helps.

Would I like to still have a TT with a bathroom and more room? Yes, but the convenience and reduced fuel/vehicle cost of the pulling the Aliner has us holding off on going back to a TT, at least for now. Plus, I can park the Aliner in my garage, saving us a storage fee (I live in an HOA neighborhood).

[Grodyman]

Agreed bathroom will be biggest adjustment. Also dealing with canvas in rain. I would look for a small HTT. Gives you some cost savings, gives you the size/maneuverability you need, but you keep all the comforts of the 5th.

Gman

[oilslick]

We went from a pop up to a 5ver about 20years ago. What I liked about the pop up was it could be unhooked and man handled into camping spots say right beside a lake. What I didn't like about it was setting up or worse packing up in the rain. Our current 5ver is 36ft and if I were to down size I would go to a 14ft TT, toilet, shower and permanent bedroom.

[jay427]

Did not go from a 5th wheel but did go from a TT to a PUP for many of the same reasons as you noted. For us it was just a non use issue as our kids are getting older and keep us busy running around.

I missed the bathroom the most, we have a porta potty and while that's ok its just not the same has having the real McCoy with a shower.

My second idea was to get an old 18-20' TT gut it and do a makeover. I'm a wood worker/welder and just enjoy working with my hands after pushing a pin all day. I still may pick one up, it not going to be a crazy leaker but something that has something left of it.

[Less_Stuff]

We are downsizing as well.
Enjoyed our truck and camper for over 10 years.


We never enjoyed RV parks.
Plus I'm happy to be rid of my diesel powered expensive to maintain truck.

Yet National parks, forest campgrounds and boondocking can be a real joy.
Hotels will see more of us and one of these may be on our Jeep one day.



Or on a small trailer behind our Jeep.




Good Luck with your decision.

[Kittykath]

We'll keep our 5th at our seasonal site, but we're looking for a pop-up to take on the road when the mood hits. If I'm traveling, I prefer simplicity anyway.

[lap527]

Understand about downsizing. Our friends thought we were nuts, trading a 31' fifth wheel for truck camper. Of course we don't have all the room as before but we have what we need and enjoy. In 20 minutes we can pack up and be on the road. We also have a much bigger range of sites available to us. Our camping friends with the bigger rigs sometimes have a harder time here finding sites this time of the year with snowbird season. We spend more time outside, walking, bicycling and more camping than RVing. Personal choice and good luck!

[fla-gypsy]

Bigger is not always better. I like your idea just be sure it will be comfortable enough for the wife.

[RoyB]

I did the same thing here. My F150 truck was just not comfortable pulling my fifth wheel so I just parked it home and got my off-road POPUP trailer. Been all over the East side southern states - love the camping in the NATL Forest areas using my POPUP...

My fifth wheel sits at CAMP BACKYARD at home and is our get away place here at home. Grand Kids have a ball spending the night in it.. Having the extra fridge really helps out as well...

When I traded trucks in 2010 I have never moved the fifth wheel hitch to it yet...

Works for me keeping it more on the simpler side of things. There is normally only the two of us camping. My OFF-RoaD POPUP has all the modern appliances and does not cost an arm and a leg to pull down the road. We watch HDTV everynight just like the big trailers do.

If we bring kids with us I usually setup a TENT near the trailer as the kids would rather sleep outside anyway...

The only drawback for us is the limited floor space inside the trailer but that makes us do more things outside the trailer which was our love of camping back in the tent camping days anyway...

My OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer will go anywhere my 4WD truck will take us...


Has not been a problem for us but alot of folks want to bring along all of their worldly possessions... We are perfectly content with what we have along with us on our camping trips. My trailer is setup for long stays camping off the power grid if that is what we want to do at the time...

Roy Ken

[Reader1]

What does your spouse say? I don't know how many are in your family so I don't know how big a fifth wheel or TT you need. We have a smaller fifth wheel, Cougar 26SAB and it is perfect for 2 people and we even bring grandchildren once in awhile. DH talks sometimes about going back to a pop up, and while we loved them at the time, took wonderful vacations across the country, I like our "little" fifth wheel at this time in our lives. Best wishes on your decision. Whatever you decide, happy trails!

[Shadow_Catcher]

There were a number of factors that decided us on a large Teardrop trailer and a number of those addresses the concern I would have with a popup, wet canvas and sound.
I tented for 60 years and can remember a number of occasions packing up a wet tent and having to spread it on the solar cloths dryer when we got home, not a big deal with a three person tent. Camp grounds with folks that seem to think you share their taste in music, screaming kids, barking dog...
The tear enforces living out side our idea of camping.
The best thing 18 mpg on my Subaru Outback towing.
getting ready to camp hook up the TV load the food in the Waeco refrigerator and clothing and go.

[BigBaron]

We have two pop-ups, and one thing I have to ask is do you usually spend most of your time inside?
If you do, a highwall pop-up might be the option for you.
They're big (~6' tall closed) and heavy (~3,500 lbs) but they have all the amenities. Why not get another hybrid or a small TT?
I'd get a used Coleman/Fleetwood if I were you. The newer trailers aren't built like they used to be. Just don't get one with an ABS roof! LOL

[rynosback]

Wow, I would think it would be a HUGE difference. But it all depends on your wants and needs. Things that you must have have to be looked at.