As you’re determining the RV that will best suit your next adventure, you may want to consider a 5th wheel trailer. Many people choose 5th wheel trailers because they are affordable, they handle well on the road, and they offer plenty of storage. The smallest fifth wheel trailers are easier for a new RVer to tow, and you may find the smallest 5th wheel trailer can fit into more camping spots than a longer travel trailer.
Small fifth wheel trailers also offer a surprising amount of storage. Thanks to the split level design of these trailers, often they have a lot more storage which makes them great for long RV trips or full-time living.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of the smallest 5th wheel RVs in 2023.
What are the smallest 5th wheel RVs?
Here are a few small 5th wheel trailers that still pack a big punch!
1.) Keystone Montana 3121RL
Specifications:
- Sleeps 4
- Weight: 11,999 lbs
- Length: 35 ft
- Vehicle req: 3/4 ton truck
- Fresh Water Tank (gallons): 66
- Black Water Tank (gallons): 49
- Gray Water Tank (gallons): 88
- 35,000 BTU furnace and 30,000 BTU air conditioner
- 3 slideouts
- Basic 12-month warranty, 36-month structure warranty, 12-year roof warranty
Price: The starting price is $122,318 (2023 model)
2.) Forest River Rockwood Ultra Lite 5th Wheel Trailer
Specifications:
- Sleeps 4-7
- Weight: 7,630 lbs
- Length: 28 ft
- Vehicle req: 1/2 ton truck
- Fresh Water Tank (gallons): 54
- Black Water Tank (gallons): 40
- Gray Water Tank (gallons): 40
- 35,000 BTU floor ducted furnace, 13,500 BTU ducted A/C
- 4 slideouts
Price: The starting price is $69,999 (2022 model)
3.) Dutchmen Astoria 3173RLP
Specifications:
- Sleeps 3-4
- Weight: 9,909 lbs
- Length: 35 ft, 11 in.
- Vehicle req: 3/4 ton truck
- Fresh Water Tank (gallons): 52
- Black Water Tank (gallons): 39
- Gray Water Tank (gallons): 78
- 35,000 BTU heater with a 15,000 BTU air conditioning system
- 3 slideouts
Price: The starting price is $72,000
4.) Winnebago Minnie Plus 5th Wheel Trailer
Specifications:
- Sleeps 4-7
- Weight: 7,220 – 9,700 lbs
- Length: 27 ft, 3 in – 33 ft., 9 in
- Fresh Water Tank (gallons): 50
- Black Water Tank (gallons): 25-41
- Gray Water Tank (gallons): 41-82
- 30,000 BTU heater
Price: The starting price is $43,094
5.) Coachmen Chaparral 298RLS
Specifications:
- Sleeps 4
- Weight: 9.575 lbs
- Length: 33 ft.
- Fresh Water Tank (gallons): 48
- Black Water Tank (gallons): 45
- Gray Water Tank (gallons): 90
- 30,000 BTU heater with a 15,000 BTU air conditioning system
- 3 slideouts
- 15 ft. power retractable awning
Price: The starting price is $45,801
Shortest Fifth Wheel Campers
Before buying or renting a small fifth wheel trailer, you’ll want to think about a few things. Here are some factors to consider before securing yourself a small lightweight fifth wheel camper.
Tow vehicle capacity:
You’ll want to make sure that once you have your small 5th wheel trailer, you have a way to actually tow it around! Make sure to take note of the truck you plan to use so you can check that your 5th wheel trailer is compatible. While some smaller fifth wheels can be towed by a 1/2 ton truck, it’s more common for a 5th wheel trailer to require a 3/4 ton truck for towing. You can usually check how much weight your vehicle is capable of towing by checking your owner’s manual, then compare that to the weight of the trailer you’re considering.
Have a tow hitch:
You need a 5th wheel towing hitch to tow a fifth wheel trailer. Check to see if your vehicle already has a 5th wheel tow hitch – you may not need to purchase one. However, if your vehicle does not have one you’ll need to purchase and install that before you can use your small 5th wheel trailer. (Check out our tow guide for more information.)
Consider the price:
As with most purchases, the more you pay, the better the quality and more features you can have. A reliable brand of small 5th wheel trailers is going to be more expensive than one with a lower quality product. One way to test out various small 5th wheels is to rent one from RVshare and take it out for a trip to see how you like it! You’ll get hands-on experience with exactly what you like – or maybe what you don’t – about the trailer.
Ease to drive:
Smaller 5th wheel trailers are great for new RVers, because their smaller size means they’re easier to handle on the road. If you’re not used to towing a lot, this could be the perfect solution for your camping needs! It also helps to check reviews and talk to RV dealers to see how easily the trailer you’re interested in handles on the road. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions about how to maneuver the 5th wheel and how easy (or hard!) it is for drivers to tow. If you are new to towing, don’t hesitate to tell them! Dealers can make suggestions on what trailer might be right for you.
Reliability:
Check reviews on the trailer you like to see if people have problems with repairs, or breakdowns in any part of the 5th wheel trailer. As we mentioned, reliable trailer brands may cost more, but that initial cost could be offset by the number of repairs you could have to pay for on a lower-quality trailer, and by the lifespan of your trailer. A more expensive trailer could end up being cheaper in the long run!
Rent a Small 5th Wheel on RVshare
If you’re interested in trying out a small 5th wheel travel trailer, you can rent one from RVshare! When you rent with RVshare, there are thousands of motorhomes, RVs, travel trailers, and more to choose from. You can narrow your search based on the type of RV or camper you’d like to rent, or by the location where you want to rent it. You also get free 24/7 roadside assistance for your entire trip, as well as RV rental insurance.
Renting a small 5th wheel trailer through RVshare is a great way to try it out and see if you want to make that your permanent RV for all of your adventures!
