Is 38 feet too big for a 5th wheel? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

Is 38 feet too big for a 5th wheel?

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Depends.. what kind of camping spots are you wanting to favor? Commercial RV Parks? 'Off the Beaten Path' public campgrounds?

Yes, the larger you go - there is a (slight) decrease in availability of campsites for you. And the older the park, the less likely they are to have as many big rig sites. But many with larger rigs than that have had no trouble finding places to stay. But I can say, there have been a number of times where our smaller size has given us a benefit of a wider selection of site to choose from.

- Cherie

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thank you so much for your quick reply. Kathy

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 38 ft 5th wheel and have never had a problem finding a spot.

That being said, I do research where we plan to go and locate campgrounds/RV Parks that are big rig friendly. One of the websites we use is www.rvparksreview.com

An example is Sequoia Natl Park. We stayed outside the park in Three Rivers at a really nice campground (Sequoia RV Ranch) and drove into the park each day to sight see.

Having nearly 400 square feet of living space comes in handy when you're stuck in bad weather for several days. Or if your significant other is getting on your nerves. There's lots of room to get away in if needed.

Edit by moderator: Activated link. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 15th of October 2012 02:48:17 PM

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

OMG! I got a good laugh out of that! We LOVE Three Rivers and have many memories there so you have touch a warm place in my heart. Thank you so much for your reply. Hope to see you there some day. We are newbies and are still deciding on this beast of a 5th wheel.

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 40 Ft 5er and research online at the parks website and also use online park review websites to make sure we will fit and not have a problem.
If we are staying at a State Park or similar and are not sure we will call ahead and make sure there will not be a problem.

So far we have not had a issue with the length but sure do love the "Room to Roam" inside.

It took some adjustment when we got our current 5er since our last 5th Wheel was just under 30 Feet, but no regrets.

-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Tuesday 16th of October 2012 03:42:47 AM

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

So nice of you to reply. That is good news. Do you think our 2500 ram 4x4 is sufficient to pull this 40 ft Destiny. GVW = 15,500

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

malibou wrote:
So nice of you to reply. That is good news. Do you think our 2500 ram 4x4 is sufficient to pull this 40 ft Destiny. GVW = 15,500

I don't honestly think it is.I pulled one that size with a Dodge 3500 Dually and felt I was pretty much maxed out.

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Pinnacle has a GVW of 15,950 lbs and yes we pulled it with a Chevy 2500HD.

Did it pull it, yes, the GM 2500HD series trucks have the same engine and transmission as the 3500HD series trucks.

All you have to do is ride down the interstate anywhere in the USA you will see people pulling tandem & triple axle 5th Wheels and Toy Haulers up to 18,000 + Lb GVW, does that make it right?

The first problem with these big 5th Wheels is going to be the Pin Weight, our Pin Weight was actually weighted at 3,450 lbs which on any single rear wheel truck is a lot of weight. When we calculated the numbers we were about 250 lbs over the Max Weight Rating on each of the Truck's rear tires when inflated at the max pressure of 80 PSI. (Our Rear Axle weight was about 7,300 lbs which means I needed tires that had a max rating of at least 3,650 lbs each with no margin.) Our 5th Wheel loaded with our Fulltime Living items has a Pin Weight of about 1000 lbs higher than what the manufacturer shows in their literature, do no be fooled this is pretty typical of 5th Wheel pin weights when the 5ers are loaded.

Also the 3500HD trucks have larger brakes than the 2500HD trucks, now that we have moved up to the 3500HD stopping is much better as it never fails people will pull out in front of you and then you have to make a quick stop. Having to make a panic stop in a 2500HD series truck with a 15,000 lb trailer is difficult.

We were also about 1,000 lbs over the GVW Rating of the Truck with the 5er hitched up.

The only number we were ok on was the GM's GVCW rating the 2500HD of 15,300 on our Truck due to the fact our 2500HD was a 4x2.

Our first long pull was Florida to Texas when we went to the RV Dreams Spring Rally, most of the pull was flat and was OK, but as we got into Western Louisiana and Texas and we encountered the typical crosswinds you could feel the 2500HD Truck / 5er Combo being pushed around quite a bit.

In the end are we glad we now have truck payments agian for a couple of years, NO !!!. Are we glad we made the change to the 3500HD DRW, YES !!!.

If we were still part time and only made a few trips a year close to a S&B Home, we might have toughed it out with the 2500HD, but being Fulltime and wanting to travel more and longer distance the change simply made sense to us.

The 3500HD is much more stable pulling the 5th Wheel, stops much better and has a more comfortable ride when towing and most of all No More "White Knuckles" driving.

-- Edited by Rob_Fla on Wednesday 17th of October 2012 06:11:57 AM

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey, Bill.

30 mph winds are just a breeze here in Oklahoma.

However, in answer to the original poster's question, I certainly hope that 38 1/2 feet isn't too long as that is the length of ours. While I like having all the comforts of full hookups, I'm pretty sure I will want to be in some places that are less accessible.

However, I was thinking that Howard and Linda's coach is about that long as well, and they've not spoken of very many places that they can't go.

Also, I agree that a F350/3500 series truck would be far better than a F250/2500 truck for towing a 40' trailer. Back in April of last year, we towed our 38 1/2 ft unit about 100 miles in a very strong side wind from near Tuttle, Oklahoma to Hinton, Oklahoma. The winds were strong enough that while the truck's driver side wheels were very near the center line, the passenger side trailer wheels were on the white line at the edge of the road. Even though the wind was that strong, I couldn't sense any issues with our Ford dually. Even though it is an F450, I don't know that it weighs that much more than a Ford F350 dually.

As some of us former professional truck drivers say, "you can never have too much truck, but it is awfully easy to have too much trailer for one's truck."

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 17th of October 2012 09:53:45 PM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey Rob:

You guys sound like your having fun.

You know the Escalade behind our 3500HD. We just came through north Texas into OK with 30+ cross and quartering headwinds. Never a shimmy with the DRW truck. Your right, huge difference from single rear wheels.

Sometime I will have to tell you the rest of the story about the truck and some 8-9% extended grades we “enjoyed” this past month. All very good results indeed.

As George correctly said and I’ll put another way – it isn’t the pulling that is the issue most of the time – it is the stopping and control of the trailer.

Enjoy the ride.

Bill

PS: 38 feet is not too big. Never has been for us for a lot of years - if you have the correct truck to pull and control it.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
Hey, Bill.
30 mph winds are just a breeze here in Oklahoma.
Also, I agree that a F350/3500 series truck would be far better than a F250/2500 truck for towing a 40' trailerTerry

I agree, Terry, but you should have seen the guy with the big 5er with the single rear wheels that was all over the place. Last year I came through with 45 MPH winds and some gusts beyond that. It does get breezy out here – doesn’t it.

Also remember, they make 350/3500 series trucks with single rear wheels. It is the duals that are part of the package if you want the stability, capacity and the safety that the extra tires certainly afford.

Bill

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

Big thank you to all that have replied. Pin weight and dual rear tires. Im learning a lot. Im going to go back to the manufacturer and get these facts before we make a decision. Will reach out again when I get the info. All the best!

Rob_Fla · RV-Dreams Family Member

According to the MVP Destiny website the three 5th Wheels specs shown have pin weights of 2,750, 2,590 & 2,790.
I will assure you your true "Loaded" Pin weight will be at least 600 lbs to 800 lbs higher which will put you in the 3,200 to 3,400 Lb plus pin weight range.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I only find a 38 footer to be to long .......if its your first time backing up with a blindside swing and your mate is trying to give directions!!!!!!........(RV Dreams becomes RV Nitemare!!)

really........you will adjust on your own as to making sure before arrival that you know what is available for your unit......sometimes there will be surprises but it all works out in the end.

more and more sites adjust each year to accommodate the larger rigs ........they have no choice , If they dont adjust there customer base just moves on to there competition that will ........please note......rigs are getting lighter and larger each year.......The Baby boomer generation is becoming The largest Mobile retirement movement in history , Economically the industry is growing in that direction!!!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:

There are just two backing instructions to be given by the spotter regardless of the length of the rig and both to be given with hand signals:

Come on back and Stop. All else is just confusion and just entertains the rest of the campground. Linda is very good with both.

Bill

Bill, How right you are.That exact method worked perfect for My Linda and Me.

Why o why can I not see those misspelled words before I submit smile

-- Edited by Racerguy on Thursday 18th of October 2012 03:54:02 PM

Dreamers · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 38 footer and love it. You just need to be sure your truck is big enough for the weight. We have a Ford 350 duelly and it pulls like a dream. We never know the RV is back there. And, we've always been able to find a place to park. Although sometimes you may have to go with your second choice. But, we haven't found this to be a problem.

By the way, mine is For Sale due to my husbands health. We'll cry when it leaves but the doctor has numbered his days and say there is nothing more they can do for him. We have it listed on this site.

Judy

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
I only find a 38 footer to be to long .......if its your first time backing up with a blindside swing and your mate is trying to give directions!!!!!!........(RV Dreams becomes RV Nitemare!!)

Oh Mike, how right you are.

There are just two backing instructions to be given by the spotter regardless of the length of the rig and both to be given with hand signals:

Come on back and Stop. All else is just confusion and just entertains the rest of the campground. Linda is very good with both.

Bill

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

I love all of your humor. Still giggling! Ok Everyone. So whats your take on a MVP Destiny for full-timing? Quality... etc... 2nd if the added pin weight averages 600 to 800 lbs more cant you reduce that significantly by riding without a full tank of water ?

malibou · RV-Dreams Community Member

Judy, Consider yourself hugged. I have recently faced a similar situation. There are times in our lives when our journey is much harder than we ever expected. Remember to make time for yourself to keep yourself healthy in mind and body. This way you can be there for your loved one. When it is convenient, send me photos of your coach and the options. We have not decided on this Destiny yet. I do like the Montana as well. Thank you.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

malibou wrote:
I love all of your humor. Still giggling! Ok Everyone. So whats your take on a MVP Destiny for full-timing? Quality... etc... 2nd if the added pin weight averages 600 to 800 lbs more cant you reduce that significantly by riding without a full tank of water ?

Kathy,

I'm still perusing the website, so I couldn't give a complete review of it. I do have a few thoughts. While the insulation "R" numbers look pretty good, I'm concerned that their optional 2nd air conditioner is a 13.5K btu unit. On our 38' Mobile Suites with similar "R" numbers, I would never go with a 2nd a/c less than a 15K unit. However, keep in mind that we are living full time in Oklahoma City, so we don't have the option of traveling to cooler or warmer climates.

They offer the tankless water heater. While I don't know a lot about them, I am concerned that to heat water as it flows to faucets, it would seem to need a lot of flame to be able to heat the water fast enough to be "endless" hot water. If I am right about that, I would think that a tankless hot water heater would use up a lot of LP.

To compare to our Mobile Suites which is 38', our unit has 17.5" wheels and higher range rated tires than what the Destiny seems to have. Unless I missed something, their wheels are 16", but I'm uncertain of what the tire rating is. Keep in mind that our 38' trailer has a GVWR of 18,500 lbs. If the Destiny is significantly less in weight, then the 16" wheels may not be a problem. However, if the 38' Destiny is less in weight, I'm beginning to wonder about the quality of the unit, especially when considering one will full-time in it.

I would suggest getting the brochures for different brands/models that would compare in price with the Destiny and see what standard features and options are available. As I mentioned earlier, pay attention to the "foundation" as you could be in this unit for some time and putting on a number of miles. Those miles on all kinds of roads, rough and otherwise, is equivalent to putting the trailer through "earthquake" conditions.

Good luck.

Terry

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kathy......I would consider a full tank of water in my base(dry) weight before loading my unit.....its there , even if its empty, better to use the weight factor as a safety rather than an oops!!!...overload. Besides 100 gallons of water is roughly 700 #.........if you to start at the back of a coach and work your way to the front pin and remove all the over comfort items and i might needs........you could pull 6- 700# out.

We all do it. in my coach I know that water jug with change in it is probably putting 300# on my right rear tires!!!!!

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 19th of October 2012 09:11:30 AM

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 19th of October 2012 03:32:26 PM

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
They offer the tankless water heater. While I don't know a lot about them, I am concerned that to heat water as it flows to faucets, it would seem to need a lot of flame to be able to heat the water fast enough to be "endless" hot water. If I am right about that, I would think that a tankless hot water heater would use up a lot of LP.

If someone had a conventional water heater, and they went sight-seeing one day for, say ten hours, how much propane would it use to keep 10-12 gallons of water hot for that ten hours?....and the 8 +/- hours sleeping at night? Might be a trade off, I don't know. Might be saving some propane. Maybe someone has researched it. At any rate, it sounds like a good selling point for the energy saving concientious.

Vance

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

True, Vance. But if one needs repairs, it might be a lot cheaper, and parts a lot more available, for a regular hot water heater. Also, with our coach, we can switch back and forth between gas or electric on the hot water heater or turn it off entirely if we would be gone for some period of time. Like I said, I haven't really researched the endless hot water units, but I would imagine that it has to run on propane to be really effective.

In my past employment, I've worked with hauling and delivering LPG to homes and businesses. As such, I occasionally had to work on some of them, so I'd be a lot more comfortable with working on a regular hot water heater than I would a tankless. Each of us has our own preferences, and I just wanted to point out something that might have not been considered.

Terry

VanMar · RV-Dreams Family Member

True. I bought our TT knowing it needed a new WH(first owner didn't drain it before winter). Cost for a six gallon gas/electric was $350(from PPL). I wonder how much it would cost if someone forgot to drain a tankless unit!

Vance

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

malibou wrote:
Considering a 38 foot MVP Destiny 5th wheel. Concerned that we will have difficulty finding camping spots big enough for this rig. Anyone have experience with this or am I over-reacting?

Depends on a bunch of factors. Where you like to park (you will have some issues at many National Parks with one that large but there are usually non NP places to park nearby as well) is one of the biggies. Second biggie is whether you are full timing or not. We are and have a 39 foot New Horizons. I would hesitate to go much smaller…ours is actually a 37 foot floor plan with 2 extra feet in the bedroom to allow size for a king bed but we kept the standard queen size and got a nightstand on each side instead.

We have had exactly no problems finding places to park since we hit the road full time in June and most of that time has been spent in the New England area which typically is thought of as having space/size issues at parks.