The Ultimate Fifth Wheel Guide & the Best Fifth Wheel RVs of 2023

Recreational vehicles are growing in popularity with adventurers of all ages and fifth wheel RVs are perfect if you want to quickly hook up and take off. Whether you like to keep camping simple at your local campgrounds and state parks, you are a recent retiree who wants to hit the open road and explore or you are ready to splurge on luxury, there are fifth wheel floor plans for every need.

A پنځم څرخ is a home on wheels that offers the most spacious accommodations and luxurious amenities of any other type of towable RV. Unlike a motorhome, fifth wheels tow behind a heavy-duty truck, giving you more mobility than a Class A or Class C RV. Fifth wheel RVs are also a cost-effective alternative to the expensive and ongoing costs associated with hotel lodging, eating at restaurant and traveling by air.

Fifth wheels are great for larger families and for those who want some privacy while camping. The roomy interiors are also perfect for hosting get-togethers with friends and family. Additionally, they offer a smoother driving experience with less sway, so they work well for longer trips.

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What is a fifth wheel?

Fifth wheels are split-level RVs that must be towed by a truck with a special hitch. Typically, a fifth wheel will have a living space or bunk area on the lower level and a private bedroom that hangs over the truck bed. Fifth wheel RVs are available in all sorts of styles and sizes. The smallest fifth wheels have less than six feet of headroom and are just large enough to squeeze in a wet bath. The largest fifth wheels weigh tens of thousands of pounds and must be towed with a semi-truck cab.

Fifth wheel travel trailers are great because they offer both the flexibility of a towable vehicle, as well as the comfort and luxury of super-sized RVs. If you plan to spend more time on the road, then you will want to make sure you have enough space for long comfortable trips, as well as some amenities for those rainy days. Even if you’re only a weekend warrior, a fifth wheel gives you plenty of extra leg room to feel comfortable anywhere the road may lead. If you have a family with children, a fifth wheel can give you a little bit of extra privacy.

What are the primary differences between fifth wheels, travel trailers and toy haulers?

When it comes to choosing between travel trailers versus fifth wheels, there are not many differences. Instead of thinking of it as fifth wheels being better or travel trailers being better, it’s more about fit and which kind of RV best suits how you want to travel.

Travel Trailers

Fifth wheels and travel trailers vary greatest when it comes to length. They are available in a bigger range of lengths — from 12 to 35 feet. You can get the same roomy feel of a fifth wheel with a large travel trailer, but you also have the option to go much smaller. The smaller options allow you to tow with a smaller vehicle, like an SUV or light pickup truck. In other cases, you may be able to tow with a mid-size truck rather than a full-size truck. On average, a fifth wheel weighs somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds. In contrast, travel trailers tend to weigh 3,000 to 12,000 pounds.

Fifth wheels have an unparalleled amount of storage compared to other types of RVs. The longer an RV, the more outdoor storage bays it has available. In addition to more exterior storage bays, fifth wheels are often equipped with a basement of sorts. This term refers to large pass-through areas that can accommodate long items, such as paddles, surfboards, etc.

Additionally, fifth wheels have the greatest variety of floor plans. The placement of slide-outs can make a huge difference.

Toy Haulers

The main difference between toy haulers and fifth wheels is seen inside the RV. With a toy hauler, you will have a large garage space that often transforms into a living area with couches or beds when not being used to haul toys and gear. With a toy hauler, it’s not just about living in or camping. It’s also about getting your golf cart, ATV, motorcycle, dirt bikes or other toys to the campground.

Toy haulers are built on a sturdier frame and, therefore, can be much heavier. The dry weight for the average toy hauler is around 10,000 pounds, but models can range from 4,000 pounds up to 15,000 pounds. If you’re a traveling family, the extra space in the garage will provide additional sleeping areas for the kids and an indoor play area. The garage can also be converted to a space for homeschooling a young family. Furthermore, pets are another reason you might choose a toy hauler. The garage area is a great place to bring your wet, sandy or muddy pets inside, but still keep the dirt under control.

How big are fifth wheels?

Fifth wheel RVs often stretch anywhere from 30 to 45 feet in length. Many families opt for fifth wheels because they’re usually some of the largest travel trailers. Fifth wheels can vary widely in weight, with the smallest starting at around 2,400 pounds and going up to 24,000 pounds. It’s critical to have a heavy-duty truck — and a fifth wheel hitch — to tow them.

Unfortunately, not every fifth wheel will fit in any RV park. Many older parks have not updated their campsites to reflect the length of newer RVs. Even some national park campgrounds can’t accommodate an RV more than 30 feet long. If you plan to stay in state parks and national parks often, you may want to consider a short fifth wheel. Many RV parks across North America can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long, but be aware that those spaces may be limited. Make reservations in advance.

Is a fifth wheel easy to tow?

While travel trailers attach to your vehicle using the conventional hitch ball system found on most trucks and SUVs, fifth wheels use a special hitch which can only attach to the bed of a pickup truck. Because fifth wheels tend to be larger and heavier than travel trailers, you’ll need a truck with a high towing capacity. Before purchasing an RV, check the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for the fifth wheel and compare it to your truck’s towing capacity. If the GVWR is heavier than the towing capacity, you’ll either need a bigger truck or a smaller RV.

That said, many people find that towing a fifth wheel is easier than towing a travel trailer because of the way it is hitched.

پنځم څرخ 38C کاسټ ټاپ پلیټ ټریلر ټرک برخې هچ هیوی ډیوټ هچ

Where can you go camping in a fifth wheel?

Due to their size and weight, fifth wheels are best suited for a campground or a campsite that is easy to access. Most of these trailers are not equipped for wandering too far off-road, although that doesn’t mean they can’t be used for boondocking in a remote location. You’ll just need to choose the right place to accommodate a towable RV of this size.

Most fifth wheels come with fresh, gray and black water tanks, but they can vary widely in size. Some tanks as large as 75 gallons, which provide plenty of capacity for camping off-the-grid for an extended period.

Who are typical fifth wheel owners?

Trailing only conventional travel trailers, fifth wheels are the second most popular RV types, accounting for 20% of RV owners. An RV Owner Demographic Profile from Go RVing shows young families make up 27%of fifth wheel owners, while 34% are Millennials or Gen Zs and 24 percent are first-time owners.

Fifth wheels are, on average, used roughly 30 days out of the year. They are used most often in summer (85%), followed by fall (61%), spring (50%) and winter (36%). Just over half of fifth wheel owners prefer to stay at private campgrounds or state parks, while a little more than a third favor national parks or campgrounds.

In terms of demographics, 46% are between the ages of 18 to 34, while 54% are ages 55 and older. 59% of those with a fifth wheel are female, and 41% are male.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a fifth wheel?

Popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts, fifth wheels make it easy to take the whole family camping in comfort. Outfitted with numerous amenities and features, these RVs quickly become your home away from home.

Advantages of owning a fifth wheel

Tow Vehicle Doubles as Transportation

When you purchase an RV, it only serves one purpose. Very rarely would you drive your RV around town to run errands. Additionally, once you set up camp with an RV, you don’t want to break everything down to run back into town or to access a nearby lake or trailhead. Conversely, with a fifth wheel, the truck that tows your RV can double as transportation both during and after a trip. When you are in-between camping trips, your truck can also act as a primary vehicle while your RV is stored.

Safe Towing Option

One of the benefits of a fifth wheel versus many travel trailers is how much safer they are to operate. A fifth wheel holds the weight of the RV in the bed of your truck. This makes it easier to maneuver the RV and increases the stability of the fifth wheel when in motion.

Extra Space

For large families, a fifth wheel is the perfect choice. Most fifth wheels feature a lofted sleeping space above the truck bed. This extra space is typically designed as a primary bedroom or a multi-bunk area. Additionally, fifth wheels frequently feature slide-outs, which can be equipped with even more sleeping options.

Versatility in Amenities Offered

There’s no limit to the amenities a fifth wheel can offer. The large body space provides ample room to host all of the extras. If you want to take your dream kitchen on the road, or if you cannot do without your own personal bathroom, a fifth wheel is an excellent choice.

Less Vehicle Maintenance

When you purchase a motorhome, such as a Class A, B or C, you commit to upkeep on a second motorized vehicle. This means double the oil changes, fluid flushes and general vehicle upkeep. With a fifth wheel, you only need to perform maintenance on your truck towing the RV. While there are still some maintenance tasks associated with owning a fifth wheel, such as replacing tires as needed and keeping moving parts lubricated, there is far less maintenance than a traditional motorhome.

Disadvantages of owning a fifth wheel

Requires a Capable Vehicle

Normally, it doesn’t matter what size your personal vehicle is. For example, you can drive a small Toyota Corolla as your daily commuter. However, when you choose a fifth wheel, you will need to ensure you have a truck capable of towing the RV. Fifth wheels require a heavy-duty truck that can not only handle the weight of the RV, but can also safely stop it. If you don’t already own the right vehicle, this can require a second investment.

Separation Between Driving and Living Space

When you are towing a fifth wheel, you will be separated from your living space. Unlike a motorhome, you cannot simply run into the back of the RV and hop back into your seat. You will need to pull off the road, exit your truck and enter the fifth wheel to access the kitchen, bathroom or bedrooms. Currently, only 23 states allow passengers to ride inside fifth wheels while driving, but each state has its own safety requirements and conditions. Even if it is legal in some states, this does not mean it is always safe. Additionally, if you cross into a state that does not allow passengers to remain in fifth wheels, all passengers must ride in the main vehicle.

Needs Ample Storage Space

When you aren’t using your fifth wheel, you will need to find a place to store it. Unlike a small camper van or pop-up trailer, fifth wheels take up a decent amount of room. If you don’t have the space at home, this might require renting a storage unit or RV storage space during the off-season.

How much do fifth wheels cost?

Because they’re extended travel trailers instead of motorhomes, the best fifth wheel RVs come at competitive prices. Expect to spend between $25,000 and $120,000 for a fifth wheel RV. Extra features and higher build quality will cost more. Not all fifth wheels are classified as being a luxury model. In fact, there are many models that are basic and designed to appeal to tradesmen and construction workers who want the comforts of home, but don’t necessarily care to pay extra for leather furniture and hot tubs.

A fifth wheel typically costs more than a travel trailer, as it provides a bit more amenities and a better driving experience. It’s a better option if someone wants to try full-time RVing. Fifth wheel prices tend to vary depending on the make, year and amenities that come included.

Another factor to consider is storing your RV when it’s not in use. If you do not have the space to store your RV on your property, you’ll likely need to rent space from a storage facility. On average, it costs between $50 to $200 per month to store an RV, with the actual cost influenced by various factors. The average cost to store an RV indoors is roughly $135 a month, according to Sparefoot, a self-storage marketplace. Naturally, the size of an RV can greatly influence the cost to store it.

Financial options for purchasing a fifth wheel

A number of financial options are available when it comes to purchasing your fifth wheel. While some may pay in cash, most will finance their purchase over the course of several months. Monthly payments can be reduced by providing a large down payment at purchase. This could also help secure a lower interest rate, leading to even more savings in the long-term. Many RV dealers and banks offer great financing options.

Creating an RV budget will help you stay within your financial boundaries and help narrow your fifth wheel RV search. Be sure to also include parts or accessory upgrades, regular preventative maintenance and RV insurance in your budget. You will also need to account for storage costs if you are unable to store your fifth wheel on your property when not in use. RVing is growing in popularity at an exponential rate because it can be enjoyed on nearly any budget. Read about some ways to save money while RVing.

What’s the best fifth wheel for me?

Offering superior space, amenities and maneuverability compared to other towables, fifth wheel RVs are a popular choice for travelers who want it all. If you’re looking at trailers more than 28 feet long, a fifth wheel is probably the better choice. They have higher ceilings with multiple levels and can be situated better when you are pulling them.

Next to your home, an RV is most likely the second-most expensive item you’ll ever purchase. If you’re looking for an RV that’s spacious enough for the entire family, you’ll definitely want to check out the best fifth wheels General RV has to offer.