Big, beautiful, and boasting an interior that could rival any high-end Class A rig’s on the market, fifth-wheel trailers are one of the most popular options for campers looking to upgrade their game while still keeping the unique benefits of a towable rig.
But if you’re just getting on the market to buy a rig of your own, you may be wondering what the big deal is about 5th wheel campers. How can you decide between a towable vs. a motorized RV in the first place. And in the wide world of travel trailers, what’s the benefit of choosing a fifth wheel specifically? Exactly how difficult is it to navigate the world with such a large and powerful piece of equipment?
In this post, we’re going to take a deep dive into all things fifth wheels. This includes all their basic stats as well as more in-depth considerations like how to drive towable rigs in the first place. We’ll talk about the unique amenities and luxuries available to fifth wheel campers, and discuss how to get started on your own travel trailer journey.
Ready to get started? Let’s hitch up and go!
Towable RVs: What Sets Them Apart?
Before we get going on the nitty gritty of fifth wheels in particular, let’s talk about towable RVs as a category. What makes them so different from the self-drivable types of RVs you might be more familiar with, like Class A and Class C motorhomes.
Just like the name implies, towable RVs require a secondary vehicle in order to get them where they’re going, by hauling them. They don’t have motors of their own to get them where they’re going.
This necessity can be both a boon and a bit of a hassle, depending on your perspective. It also has an effect on the overall price you might expect to spend on your setup, especially if you don’t already have a powerful, tow-capable vehicle.
Benefits of Towable RVs
So why might towing a rig, as opposed to getting one where you can simply step in and put the key in the ignition, be beneficial? There are several reasons.
- Affordability. Since towable RVs don’t have motors, they cost significantly less than their self-powered counterparts. You can find even high-end models available for under $50,000. This is certainly not the case when you’re looking at motorhomes of a comparable size to large fifth wheel travel trailers.
- Convenience. Many motorhome campers end up pulling a small car behind their rig in order to make getting around more possible. This is often referred to as a “towed” or “toad” vehicle, which can be a hassle, especially behind a large vehicle. Other campers wind up driving their whole RV to the grocery store, or using some other, smaller (and frankly less convenient) way to get around, like a golf cart or bicycle. When you tow a travel trailer, however, you don’t have to worry about any of these options. Your “escape pod” is built into the rig itself! Of course, depending on what kind of trailer you’re pulling, you’re likely to be stuck with quite a large tow vehicle. Driving a one-ton pickup truck in city traffic isn’t always the most thrilling vacation experience.
- Economy of space. Relative to motorhomes, RVs offer more living space for their footprint. This is because they don’t have to devote any of their room to an onboard motor or cockpit area. That means your entire family can spread out and feel comfortable. If you’re traveling with multiple children, they might want the option to curl up in their own space and enjoy some privacy. You’ll also have additional storage space in your actual tow vehicle. This can make a big difference if you’re someone who brings a lot of large adventure gear, like kayaks, skis, or bicycles, along on your journeys.
Potential Drawbacks of Towable RVs
There are plenty of good reasons to consider a towable RV versus a self-driving motorhome. But there are also a few potential drawbacks or challenges to consider when you’re making your decision.
- Less simple to set up. Although it would be a stretch to say it’s a struggle to set up camp with a travel trailer, it does lack a bit of the utter simplicity you’d get with a motorhome. (After all, large Class A vehicles typically have automatic self-leveling systems in place. All you have to do is push a button and let the RV take care of the hard part itself. With a travel trailer of any size, you’re going to have to use leveling blocks, and possibly wheel chocks as well, if you want to maintain a sense of stability.)
- Might not be budget-efficient if you don’t already have a tow vehicle. Towable rigs, including large 5th wheel RVs, are significantly less expensive than motorhomes of comparable size and luxury level. However, you do need a serious truck to pull them around with. If you don’t already have one, you could easily be on the hook for another $50,000 or more.
- Driving a towable rig requires some skill development. Although motorhomes are big, they generally operate in the same way your day-to-day vehicle does. Turns might be wider and it might take you longer to stop. However, there are no unique physics to understand when it comes to driving a self-contained, motorized recreational vehicle. But travel trailers are towed, which means there’s a great big break in your setup: the hitch. A hitch makes even basic driving operations, like backing up and turning, slightly more complicated. Although it’s not too difficult to learn with a little bit of effort, it does require some learning. The large trucks required to pull most travel trailers, including fifth wheels, can be a bit of a pain to drive around small city streets. This makes them a less-than-ideal way to explore urban destinations.
For a more in-depth breakdown of the different types of RVs on the market, click here.
The Basics of Fifth Wheel Campers
Now that we’ve covered why you might want to look into towable RVs, let’s talk turkey about fifth wheels specifically. How big are they? What kind of amenities can you expect to find inside? What’s the average price point?
Although “small” fifth wheel trailers do exist — or at least, relatively small ones — these travel trailers are all about serious size and comfort. When you include slide-out space, large fifth wheels are the biggest travel trailers on the market when it comes to interior living space. To that end, 5th wheel trailer lengths start around 21 feet and extend to over 40. Their prices run from a little over $15,000 to well over $100,000. This simply depends on the size and level of luxury you choose.
Most fifth wheels are fully enclosed trailers, and feature many of the same luxury amenities you might expect to find in a comparable Class A motorhome. As mentioned above, they frequently come with slide outs to increase the interior living space even more. The features you’ll find within are often of the highest caliber and quality.
Many fifth wheel trailers have full-sized kitchens complete with standard amenities like stoves, ovens, and even dishwashers. Some fifth wheels have separate master bedrooms, bath tubs, ample closets, and even extras like washing machines. Fully functional onboard plumbing systems with holding tanks as well as generators to make off-grid camping easier are fairly standard, particularly on newer models. As with other types of RVs, they come in a wide range of footprints designed to suit different family scenarios and camping needs. With fold-out dinette sets and other compact sleeping arrangements, a large fifth wheel might comfortably house as many as eight adults.
Fifth Wheel Hitches
There are a few specific RV parts that go along with towing a fifth wheel trailer that you might not be familiar with if you normally drive a motorhome — or even if you’re used to other, smaller types of towable rigs. For instance, the fifth wheel hitch is a unique type of connection that necessitates the use of a large pickup truck. It attaches the trailer to the tow vehicle in the bed of said truck.
There are a wide variety of different types of hitch adapters available on the market, each with its own drawbacks and benefits. Newfangled “slide on” hitches are particularly popular these days, since they make it much simpler to attach your rig quickly and easily. Hitches are offered for specific trailer weights or types. It’s worth shopping around to find the right one for your vehicle. For the best information and help finding the best trailer hitch for your rig, visit your local camping supply store.
To recap, here are the basic stats of fifth wheel travel trailers.
Length: 21-40+ feet
Weight: 2,000 pounds to over 10,000 pounds fully loaded
Amenities: Slide outs to increase living space. Onboard plumbing systems with fresh and wastewater holding tanks. Full-sized appliances and amenities like ovens, stoves, and refrigerators. Full-sized sleeping quarters with privacy doors. Auxiliary sleeping surfaces like fold-out dinette sets and sofas. On-board entertainment systems (both interior and exterior).
Cost: $15,000-$150,000+
Advantages of Fifth Wheel Trailers
You may already be convinced that a towable rig is the way to go. But what’s the advantage of a fifth wheel RV specifically? After all, they’re so much larger and weightier than other types of trailers, requiring the biggest and most capable tow vehicles. (Some smaller types of travel trailers can be pulled behind a full-sized SUV. Even a compact SUV or sedan, in the case of lightweight and miniature models.)
But when it comes to bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat the fifth wheel. It offers unparalleled living space at the lowest available price points on the market (at least when compared to motorhomes of similar sizes). Especially if you already have access to the one-ton truck you’ll need to pull it, a fifth wheel allows you and your family to really spread out and get comfortable during your camping trip. This can be especially important if you’re traveling with older children who’d benefit from maintaining some privacy.
The Luxury Lifestyle of 5th Wheel Trailers
Along with their overall size, there’s something to be said for the luxury aspect of camping in a fifth wheel. With full-sized amenities, genuine leather upholstery, and other luxe features. Towing a fifth wheel can be a way to experience the high-end camping lifestyle for those who might not be able to afford an ultra-fancy Class A motorhome. (After all, those vehicles often sell for almost a million dollars.)
Imagine coming back from a long day of exploring the great outdoors to cuddle up on a plush leather sofa in front of a big-screen TV. Or create a gourmet meal in a full-sized kitchen. You could even entertain guests. Serve up freshly made meals on your large kitchen island, all while other members of the family might be enjoying time to themselves in a totally separate bedroom.
In short, when you travel in a fifth wheel trailer, it’s fairly easy to forget you’ve got wheels under your feet. If you’re looking to experience the super-glamping style of camping, a fifth wheel may just be the most accessible way to do so.
Fifth Wheel Manufacturers to Know and Watch For
One of the most common questions we hear from prospective buyers is, “What are the best 5th wheel camper brands to consider?”
The truth is, it’s hard to say there’s such thing as the “best” fifth wheel camper. Rather, there are a huge range of vehicles available at different amenity levels and price points. Which one’s right for you and your family will depend on your needs and intended usage. For example, if you’re a weekend warrior looking to spend just a few days in the woods each year, a lower-cost fifth wheel is a great way to take advantage of your down time. And if it’s just you and your spouse, or if you’re a solo traveler, a smaller rig might make more sense than a great big 40-footer. Though if you want that extra room to spread out, you’re certainly able to find it.
If you’re considering taking to the road full time or you’re bringing along a great big family on multiple vacations, you’ll want to be sure you purchase an all-seasons vehicle. Designed for heavy usage and cold-weather camping, all season vehicles are great. But no matter which end of the spectrum you and your camping party falls into, there are a few specific, well-known manufacturers to keep an eye out for.
Coachmen Fifth Wheel Trailers
Coachmen is one of the best-known RV manufacturers on the market. It offers vehicles across a broad range of types and styles and including both towables and self-driving models. Despite their low cost, these RVs offer impressive build quality. This makes a reliable rig accessible even to campers who are buying their first RV or looking at the entry level. Their fifth wheel brand names include the Chaparral and the Brookstone. They come in a variety of different floor plans and sizes. Click here to explore their products and customize your own Coachmen fifth wheel trailer directly from the manufacturer.
Forest River RV Fifth Wheel Trailers
Forest River RV is another manufacturer which creates rigs across a wide range of different styles. These includes a large number of brand names and a promise of products fit for every type of camping experience. Their fifth wheels in particular are acclaimed for their diversity of size and setup. The vehicles also represent a large spectrum of price points, making them accessible to shoppers no matter their budgets. Check out the full range of Forest River RV fifth wheels by clicking here.
Highland Ridge RV Fifth Wheel Trailers
Open Range fifth wheel trailers are a line made by Highland Ridge RV. They are particularly well-known and sought after. These towable rigs combine spacious interiors with surprisingly low tow weights. They feature wide-body construction. This means you’ve already got more room to roam, as well as outsized slide outs of a whopping 42 inches. Their amenities are chosen for both form and function. Offering style as well as reliability in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and elsewhere.
This is just a small sample of the huge number of fifth wheel trailers available on the market from a diversity of manufacturers. Click here for a more comprehensive list of RV manufacturers creating fifth wheels and other types of towable and self-driving rigs.
Overall, the very best way to figure out which type of travel trailer is right for you… is to travel in one.
Which leads us to our next topic.
Driving a Large Trailer Isn’t as Scary as You Might Think
To be certain, it can feel like a lot to take on to drive such a large vehicle. Especially when you have to deal with that pesky break in the middle, thanks to the tow hitch. As many benefits as towable rigs bring to the table, there’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to figuring out how to drive them. Even if you’re already comfortable with other types of large vehicles like moving vans and motorhomes, you may need practice.
But although it might take a second to master, fifth wheel towing isn’t really any more difficult or dangerous than other types of driving once you get the hang of it. You’ve just got to develop a keen awareness of your size and pay attention to the other drivers and road obstacles around you. Of course, you have to deal with the regular challenges of towing, like learning which way to turn the wheel when it’s time to shift into reverse.
Renting Fifth Wheel Trailers
One of the best ways to get started on developing your skills is to explore the world of fifth wheel rentals. That way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try out this particular method of camping before you take the plunge and purchase your own. Of course, anybody who’s looked at the commercial RV rental market knows that finding rentable fifth wheel travel trailers is no easy feat. Especially if you’re sticking with the large, nationwide franchise dealerships.
And it makes sense. For the average RV renter, motorhomes are much simpler. Even if you’ve never driven one before, it doesn’t take much more effort than sticking the key in the ignition and setting off. That makes self-contained, motorized Class A and Class C coaches an easier sell for big companies trying to do as much business as possible.
5th Wheel Truck Rental
When renting, you’re going to need a truck that can handle the weight of a fifth wheel. You’ll have to check with your dealership or the rental’s owner. But in general, you’ll want at least a 3/4 ton pickup truck. You may even consider a 1-ton truck to ensure the vehicle has a high enough payload for your packed and ready-to-go fifth wheel.
You can rent a fifth wheel truck at many car and truck rental dealerships, but not all of them. Enterprise Trucks, for instance, can only arrange for a fifth-wheel-capable truck if you arrange a long-term rental of six months or more. However, you can also consult moving companies. they may be able to rent heavy-duty equipment. Additionally, you should be sure to consult local listings for rental vehicles in your area. You could even consider putting out a “wanted” ad in your newspaper’s classifieds section!
5th Wheel Truck Rental Prices
The price of your fifth wheel truck rental will vary depending on where you rent the vehicle from. In addition, how long you keep it for, how far you’re driving and whether or not you take on any additional insurance policies through the rental company.
That said, it’s probably a good idea to budget about $100-$150 per day for your rental vehicle, if not more, and that’s before the expense of gas. It’s true that you might see rental trucks listed less expensively. However, these listings don’t usually include additional insurance policies, and some exclude mileage and additional towing fees. Overestimating provides a cushion should your actual expenses turn out to be lower. After all, it’s much better to have budgeted too much than too little!
Once you find an appropriate rental provider, be sure to check with your rental facility to get a full, complete price before planning your RV vacation. You can always rearrange your destinations or activities, but the cost of the vehicle itself is one of the least negotiable parts of the trip!
Fifth Wheel Hitch Rental
Fortunately, many of the rental facilities that offer trucks large enough to tow a fifth wheel include the fifth wheel hitch as a rental option. It’s harder to find the fifth wheel hitch for rent on its own.
The most convenient option is to find a truck rental with a 5th wheel hitch already included. You may need to call ahead to ensure that your rental facility has this kind of fifth wheel towing equipment rental available. Make sure when you ask for a tow hitch and you’re explicit about your intended purpose. Not all hitches are created equally. You need to ensure your vehicle will be compatible with, as well as capable of, towing your fifth wheel RV.
Fifth Wheel Hitch Rental Prices
You’ll have to check with your rental facility to see if they charge any additional fees for the fifth wheel hitch. You’ll need to attach your truck to your fifth wheel RV trailer.
That said, it is much more likely that the hitch itself will be rolled into the final price of your rental. In a pinch, you can buy your very own fifth wheel hitch for about $200 through Uhaul or other heavy-duty trucking suppliers. That way, you’ll be all set with your very own, trustworthy towing equipment. This means you’ll be well ahead of the game if you do decide to purchase your own fifth wheel trailer RV!
RVshare Renting
But when you rent through the peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, you’re renting a rig directly from its owner. This means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore different makes, models, and styles of vehicles you may not find elsewhere. (For example, it’s not hard to find vintage Airstream trailers, nifty little teardrop campers, and converted Volkswagen sleepervans in RVshare’s listings.)
Many RVshare owners also offer their fifth wheel travel trailers for rent, though you may have to provide your own tow vehicle. Not only will you score a better deal than you might if you managed to find a fifth wheel trailer for rent elsewhere, but you’ll also be riding around in a rig that’s actually vacationed in and loved by its owners. i.e., one with a whole lot more character than the fresh-off-the-lot vehicles so often offered at large rental dealerships.
Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Rentals
Although it might seem counterintuitive, used fifth wheels are often actually better than their brand-new brethren. That’s because sometimes, there are manufacturer defects and other little snags a vehicle is “born” with, so to speak. When they roll off the factory floor, there’s a breaking in period of several thousand miles during which you might find these little quirks and need to correct them. But when you rent from an owner who actually uses their RV for their own vacations, chances are it’s already going to be well seasoned. It will be ready to show you exactly how amazing this travel style can be in the long run.
No matter where you’re headed or what corner of the country you’re starting from, chances are there’s an RVshare vehicle out there to help you see the world in exactly the way you want. A vehicle with all the comforts and conveniences of home. To browse RVshare vehicles available in your area, click here. Select the filter for towable RVs to help you find fifth wheel campers specifically.
Purchasing Your Own Fifth Wheel
Already past the trial stage and ready to buy a fifth wheel of your very own? Exploring the wares at RV shows and expos is one of the best ways to see as many different vehicles as possible. You’ll also benefit from the competitive prices that come with a multi-dealership atmosphere. To explore upcoming opportunities near you, check out our archive of RV shows organized by state. And once you’re there, be sure to take your time with your walkthroughs and ask plenty of questions. Here are some specific things to keep an eye out for while you’re examining a potential rig. Here are some topics to bring up with your dealer.
Most importantly of all, and regardless of whether you’re in a rental vehicle or your very own home-away-from-home on wheels, have fun out there! Although, with such a capable and comfortable RV to hunker down in (and such a big, beautiful world to discover), we doubt that’ll be much of a challenge. We’ve also got tons of helpful content to make your trips as smooth and simple as possible. Here are a few to help you get started if you’re a total beginner.
- 7 Easy (But Exciting!) Road Trips for the First Time RVer
- Tips for your Renting your First RV
- Tips for Setting up the Perfect Campsite
- Avoid Overpacking: 5 Things NOT to Bring Along on your RV Trip
Happy camping!
