5 Reasons to Avoid 5th Wheel RV Trailers

[Camp CA]

Just saw this article entitled "5 Reasons to Avoid 5th Wheel RV Trailers" by Founders of Drivin' & Vibin' who live in a 16 foot travel trailer. These are their reasons and my reaction.............what are yours?

1. Expensive - We had the truck so the cost was more than travel trailer BUT way less than a motorhome AND lots more space at 41 feet.
2. Too Big for State & National Park Campgrounds - good point!!........but we did get our 38 ft fifth wheel into the Grand Canyon National Park 1/2 mile from the rim.
3. Gas Mileage Is a Sad Story - OK they got me.........albeit 12 mpg for my dually towing a 16,600 lb trailer seems way higher than a gas or diesel motorhome.
4. Your Daily Driver is Huge - our dually truck has never been inconvenient to drive around town and park with a little planning.
5. Limited Access on Travel Days - OK, they almost got us.........but with the slides in we can access the refrigerator, pantry, washer/dryer, bathroom and bedroom and no big deal to pop the slides out when parked to access the living room and kitchen.

https://drivinvibin.com/2020/07/05/5...l-rv-trailers/

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Just saw this article entitled "5 Reasons to Avoid 5th Wheel RV Trailers" by Founders of Drivin' & Vibin' who live in a 16 foot travel trailer. These are their reasons and my reaction.............what are yours?

1. Expensive - We had the truck so the cost was more than travel trailer BUT way less than a motorhome AND lots more space at 41 feet.
2. Too Big for State & National Park Campgrounds - good point!!........but we did get our 38 ft fifth wheel into the Grand Canyon National Park 1/2 mile from the rim.
3. Gas Mileage Is a Sad Story - OK they got me.........albeit 12 mpg for my dually towing a 16,600 lb trailer seems way higher than a gas or diesel motorhome.
4. Your Daily Driver is Huge - our dually truck has never been inconvenient to drive around town and park with a little planning.
5. Limited Access on Travel Days - OK, they almost got us.........but with the slides in we can access the refrigerator, pantry, washer/dryer, bathroom and bedroom and no big deal to pop the slides out when parked to access the living room and kitchen.

ttps://drivinvibin.com/2020/07/05/5th-wheel-rv-trailers/

What they didn't mention was all the negatives about what they are living in!!!!! When you compare them side by side the 5th wheel is going to win every time!!!

[Slow Hand]

Say you plunk down $100,000 on a nice RV. Hopefully you already have the truck but if not that's another $60 to $80 grand. Then you step up to a motorhome. I see them going in excess of $150,00 and I might be a little low on that number. Then you have to buy a tow dolly and a car to tow behind the motorhome. Also I think but could be wrong you need a special license to drive a motorhome like the bus

[DutchmenSport]

There's only 1 reason I have for having a fifth wheel, and it's the only one that matters to ME. Reason: I wanted it! All the negatives in the world don't matter to me. It is simply something I waned, so I got it. Nothing else matters.

[RKassl]

BS story!

[Theunz]

You don’t “live” in a 16’ trailer...you survive! Well unless your spouse kills you, very likely in my case

[dhuhn]

I don't think Drivin and Vibin ever pulled or lived in a 5th wheel. there are a whole lot more positives to a 5th wheel then bumper pull. I for one will not go to a bumper pull trailer.

[mhs4771]

At only 16', you must have to go outside to turn-a-round or change you mind.

[Desert Rat]

I have heard a 16 foot trailer is a great camper for two people as long as one person is sitting down.

[speedster100]

Watched a couple in a 16ft trailer last winter in Florida, first week they were ok, still happy, holding hands, enjoying walks & biking together. 2nd week, he was out walking by himself, she was over at neighbors chatting up the single guy.. 3rd week they were screaming at each other constantly, regularly truck would start up and squeal out of park with only one in it. 4th week, she went to her brothers in Miami leaving him alone for a week. 6th week she is back they are fighting constantly, she packs her suitcase and leaves walking and goes home. Two months later she is back, 3 days in they are fighting, she goes to neighbors and sleeps with him for the night then she packs and leaves permanently..... Ya 16ft trailers are great to live in......................RIGHT !

[Charlie 3931fb]

This remind's me of these folk's who put in all that money to build a tiny house. They think because they are small that their foot print and all that stuff. I would rather be in comfort and be able to have some room between my wife and myself. Not turning around to meet myself. Also I think that they could not afford a 5th wheel and so all 5th wheel's are bad. Well everyone has an opinion and they are all like backside's, They are all different and most of them stink. We LOVE our 5th wheel!

[prndl]

Click-Bait. Everyone goes and looks at the outrageous lead-in and then we all comment while they make money on you tube. Moths to the flame.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

Say you plunk down $100,000 on a nice RV. Hopefully you already have the truck but if not that's another $60 to $80 grand. Then you step up to a motorhome. I see them going in excess of $150,00 and I might be a little low on that number. Then you have to buy a tow dolly and a car to tow behind the motorhome. Also I think but could be wrong you need a special license to drive a motorhome like the bus

Our brand new 42' 5th wheel was $55K. Our brand new Ram 1 ton dually was $50K. And we needed the truck to pull farm equipment so there ya go.

I think your way low on the motorhome unless your talking a gas burner which I will never ever own again. The diesel pushers start at more like $250K and like you said then you have to get a toad.

The license would depend on where you live. We didn't need anything special in Arkansas.

[Sdgood1]

Ok, 2 months hunting and fishing. My wife, myself and 3 boxers in a 14’ Tongue tow! Shortly there after we had a 25’ Salem fifth wheel, with one slide and new f250 diesel. Never looked back, never will go back!

[bleedmichigan]

There are some fine travel trailers out there. At the same time my wife 2 daughters and I had a Dutchman with bunks , 28 foot long. Went camping all over and it was fine then we ended up camping for a week in rain and everyone was stuck inside. Returned home wife started cleaning camper out. She said either we get a bigger camper or never go again, if that didn’t work divorce was an option. She was joking on the divorce I think. In any case the Dutchman was gone in a month replaced by a 38’ front living 5th wheel. Yeah never going back to a bumper pull. As for these dumb 5 reasons from driving and Vibin I get more than single digits for mpgs my truck wasn’t 80k and I have had no issue finding spots in NPS or state parks from Maryland to Wyoming. So I won’t be reading their drivel anytime soon again.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Just two peoples opinions.

The article should read 5 Things to consider before looking to buy a 5th wheel RV trailer.

[Dave W]

Everyone has an opinion - but theirs is dead wrong and total BS though there was one couple at our 'home' CG that were traveling the country for a year in an R-Pod but did have a S&B base.



We got back into RVing with an 8' truck slide in - which lasted one partial season. Try to make an O Dark Thirty potty run from the overhead bunk without waking the other. We graduated to a 19' TT. Better, but remember that potty run....Next was a 27 footer TT with a REAL bed which worked out OK but that pass through bathroom didn't. Back after 10 years to a 35' 5er - great! Now, a 38 footer - even greater. I don't/wont watch much TV but my wife enjoys some. This means we actually can do what we want in separate rooms. We don't have heated "discussions" now either(never a fight). Cost - my truck, 1 year old was $42k, mostly covered by my trade, the 5er, brand new - $46K of which a big part was coverd by the trade.

[Slow Hand]

I have been looking at a new RV and wow the price was huge. Over $100,000. It was nice and not all the bells and whistles but still nice. Grand Design 344GK. I saw it at a RV show. Wife went back to the show to take a second look. Fish on LOL We haven't pulled the trigger yet because the places we want to go are locked down.

Here in California we need a license for everything.

[1retired06]

Have had several tagalongs and fivers. Will stick with the fivers. Tagalongs were fine when we were young, graduating from tent camping and only doing weekend trips.

[Skw774]

opinions and rear ends.(everybody has one)