5 Reasons to Avoid 5th Wheel RV Trailers

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I'm kind of 2 minds on that thought. First the article is pure junk. But beyond that I'm thinking one can compare a 5th wheel and a TT. This one is my first 5th wheel and it is everything I thought it would be; good and bad. DW informed me she wanted a washer and dryer so here we are.

I've compared TTs and 5ths for years. My observations were as valid as anyone else's whether I had owned one or not. There are stairs; I've had 7 knee surgeries, knees taken out and replaced twice along with doing without one for 4 months. Stairs are an issue. Weight; I didn't want a 1 ton nor need one but a 5th wheel requires one IMO. I had a 2500 but was not going to strap a 5th wheel to it. Height; they are tall and can sometimes make negotiating a site very difficult and require more diligence in rural areas.

Not to argue but a few things that come to mind where one can compare a 5th to a TT without dropping it on a hitch. Beyond those kinds of things I agree but there are in fact reasons and facets where one that doesn't own a 5th wheel can actually compare them in a conversation.

There is a big difference between comparing them for yourself and calling yourself an "expert" and advising others on the matter!

We have looked at all sorts of rigs for ourselves and listened to hundreds of fellow campers. I did not mean to infer there is anything wrong with that. Like others on here, I just thought it was wrong for the bloggers who sparked this thread to pose as experts on something they had never owned!! And they obviously had a serious bias against larger rigs. But most importantly their information was WRONG!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

There is a big difference between comparing them for yourself and calling yourself an "expert" and advising others on the matter!

We have looked at all sorts of rigs for ourselves and listened to hundreds of fellow campers. I did not mean to infer there is anything wrong with that. Like others on here, I just thought it was wrong for the bloggers who sparked this thread to pose as experts on something they had never owned!! And they obviously had a serious bias against larger rigs. But most importantly their information was WRONG!

You are right completely. Your post seemed a bit broad based but if meant straight at the folks that made those comments...100%. Not meant to be argumentative.

[Flying Dutchman]

We raised 6 kids and started out camping in tents 40 plus years ago. Over time we bought a 26’ Nomad bunk model TT and dragged that all around the USA and Canada for about 20 years. When the kids got bigger we made do by taking along a couple of tents for the bigger ones to sleep in. Once some of our kids had left the house we upgraded to a 36’ 5th wheel which we used until finally all the kids were on their own. We loved the 5th wheel and when we started thinking about retirement we saw a Montana for sale and we fell in love with it. We ended up buying a 3582RL complete with washer/dryer, fireplace, 6KW gen and the works. There are definitely places where we are too large at 40 feet, but for every one where we can’t go there are dozens where we can. We have plans to travel for several years following the frost line up and down the continent and hooking up with family and friends everywhere we go. It’s been our dream to get to this point and we’re finally knocking on heavens’ door. YAY 😃.

[DebNJim B]

Originally Posted by Flying Dutchman

We raised 6 kids and started out camping in tents 40 plus years ago. Over time we bought a 26’ Nomad bunk model TT and dragged that all around the USA and Canada for about 20 years. When the kids got bigger we made do by taking along a couple of tents for the bigger ones to sleep in. Once some of our kids had left the house we upgraded to a 36’ 5th wheel which we used until finally all the kids were on their own. We loved the 5th wheel and when we started thinking about retirement we saw a Montana for sale and we fell in love with it. We ended up buying a 3582RL complete with washer/dryer, fireplace, 6KW gen and the works. There are definitely places where we are too large at 40 feet, but for every one where we can’t go there are dozens where we can. We have plans to travel for several years following the frost line up and down the continent and hooking up with family and friends everywhere we go. It’s been our dream to get to this point and we’re finally knocking on heavens’ door. YAY 😃.

This progression from tents to fivers is very familiar to many of us. You seldom see it go the other direction.
I have a neighbor that has had them all, TT, fiver, classC. Now has a rather large truck camper with a newer Ram dually. 5th wheel used to be gone all winter while they traveled south, now the truck camper sits in the driveway on blocks all year long.

[whitesub93]

Originally Posted by 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.

Same here. And it doubles as a condo on the road or in my driveway. The grand kids love going in it when they come over.

[Razrbk]

Originally Posted by paulinbaja

I think the post was just to get us worked up.