Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Having trouble deciding on length of fifth wheel


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:
Having trouble deciding on length of fifth wheel


This has been a struggle...we want to travel to visit all the parks and camp in them, but want enough room to full-time, if we decide to.  Is there any advice that you can give on this ?

Thanks in advance!

 

T4TR



-- Edited by two 4 the road on Sunday 20th of October 2013 08:08:40 PM



-- Edited by two 4 the road on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 06:16:28 PM

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5399
Date:

Depending on whether you want to boondock (camping without hookups), stay in state or Corp of Engineers campgrounds, or stay in places with full hookups, then those must be considered.  If you are a FHU (full hook up) type of person, then most places would fit even a 38 foot or 40 foot trailer and tow vehicle.  If you are the more "rugged" camper then you might want to stay at 36 foot or shorter.  However, even some of those rugged camping spaces will still allow for longer vehicles.  When you go to traveling and booking sites, that is when you would need to pay close attention to the length of campsites/rv sites.

Good luck with your research and planning.

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1337
Date:

I Agree with Terry.

We have a 38 foot 5th wheel and have always been able to find a space for it. Keep in mind, we are willing to drive into a national or state park to see the sights while staying outside the park if our 5th wheel is too long for any of the inside the park spots. In addition we don't mind driving a few miles to go from the campground we stay in, to get to the national park to sight see daily. There are always lots of RV resorts and campgrounds located near the national and state parks.

__________________

"Small House, Big Yard "

"May the FOREST be with you"
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Thank you!

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 403
Date:

I agree with Terry also, he sums it up well.

We kept our unit at 29 feet to make easier to fit into the older and smaller campsites often found in National Forests and some state parks.

We have three adults aboard and it has worked out well.



-- Edited by Dog Folks on Tuesday 22nd of October 2013 04:02:15 PM

__________________

RIG:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS
Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix.
Full Time since June 2006



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

I am having a SUPER hard time considering LIVING in a camper (even if it is 40'), when I am used to a 5,000 sq.' house. I may do alright, but it kind of scares me!



__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 505
Date:

two 4 the road: What part scares you? Have you ever stayed in an RV at all? Have you been to many dealerships to actually look and get a feel for the space? Do you have an issue with claustrophobia? For two years, myself, my husband and our 75 lb dog stayed in a 24 foot travel trailer. I can be highly organized and we decided we could do it so we had sold everything and drove to the east coast where our older son was stationed at an Army Base, my husband did have a good job waiting. We had, however, stayed for 5 1/2 months in a pop-up, nice one, while looking for a house when we moved from KS to the desert in the 90's. Are you bothered by the thought of not having a stationary house? Getting rid of a lot of things? We love adventure, been moving for over 30 years and it appears we are hopelessly addicted or at least I am, and I can't sit still for more than two years without feeling like my world is coming to an end. Figure out what scares you and work from there.

__________________

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

I think that being confined to one room without having anywhere to retreat to my own space is troublesome to me. I have my own office currently, where I do my work for our business.

Maybe some "stuff"....I want to have my guitar, my desktop computer...printer, scanner, shipping supplies...I don't want everything lying out everywhere, so that I feel like I am living in my office...

I don't know...I can't put my finger on it...maybe I just need to buy a rig and take a few trips in it to see what I really need, but I don't really even know WHAT type of rig I need...so many things to think about...

Here are some struggles:

1. I want the view out of the rear living window

2. However, I need more space than the one living room

3. Bunkhouses make the living space feel dark, due to the lack of window on the end....and so do toy haulers.

So....I am in a dilemma. I wish that they built offices up in the front area, so that we could still have the light coming in the window at the back.

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Yes...I have seen quite a few 5ers and none of them so far, have felt like "home." I keep wishing that there was another room! Still waiting to find that right one.

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 505
Date:

Are you set on a 5er? Have you looked online at the bus-type homes like Prevost, Wanderlodge and others? If not, I would consider looking since they can have "residential" appliances, really nice storage and I have seen more than a couple that have a nice office space. I've been looking at them online for a few days now and they are awesome looking and appear more "homey" at least in my idea of what that is. From simple to extremely elegant. Even a travel trailer might give you that "extra" room if you have the 2 bedroom which are becoming more popular.

__________________

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 5399
Date:

Not to be a downer, but you might want to go to different dealers and spend some time in the largest RV's you can find.  From what you are saying here, the smaller size of an RV might be an issue for you.  In our case, we lived in two homes that were 2300 square feet and 2250 square feet on anything from 3/4 to 5 acres.  In our case, we actually prefer living in something with less than 400 square feet.

If you feel you have to have your own space, an RV is likely to be a problem for you because even with a bunkhouse model, you will still not be very far from your spouse/family.

Terry



__________________

Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 2950
Date:

you could always look into an extreme RV.......some of these units need a tour guide and hired staff just to get by!!!

www.examiner.com/slideshow/travel-channel-to-premiere-3-extreme-rv-shows-on-january-29

__________________

 1998 ...Harney Renegade DP  class A

rers1@mail.com

 

My Service dog and life partner " Nikki"......Klee Kia Miniature Husky....(she Runs the ship!!)

We are not lost in the Woods.....Just Extreme boondocking!!!!!!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Terry and Jo wrote:

Not to be a downer, but you might want to go to different dealers and spend some time in the largest RV's you can find.  From what you are saying here, the smaller size of an RV might be an issue for you.  In our case, we lived in two homes that were 2300 square feet and 2250 square feet on anything from 3/4 to 5 acres.  In our case, we actually prefer living in something with less than 400 square feet.

If you feel you have to have your own space, an RV is likely to be a problem for you because even with a bunkhouse model, you will still not be very far from your spouse/family.

Terry


 I did not say that correctly....I don't really need to retreat....I don't need to get away from my spouse...I would like to have a room to go in, spread out, and concentrate on my work.  I cannot try to work in the same room while my DH is watching TV or cooking, etc.  I don't really need my own space, but my DH is the one who loves to have his own space. 

We are living in a 5,000 sq' house on 35 acres with no neighbors in sight.  So, I do wonder about the confinement.



__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Lucky Mike wrote:

you could always look into an extreme RV.......some of these units need a tour guide and hired staff just to get by!!!

www.examiner.com/slideshow/travel-channel-to-premiere-3-extreme-rv-shows-on-january-29


Haha... Now, THAT is a HOUSE on wheels!!  I would probably love that, but waaaay out of our budget!!!



__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

Two 4 The Road, we are looking at a bunkhouse also as one of our options as we want an office space. If that is the option we choose we will remove the bunks put in a desk and chair. On the opposite wall of the one we looked at it had a 1/2 bath. we have no need for, so that would turn into a wonderful extra storage space, once the toliet is capped and removed. It has a door two windows so there is your private space if needed. My hubby and I do fine without private space, but just want an office. Although we are in the infancy of our looking right now and our desires will probably change 100 different times before we actually buy.

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

Not so much a private space, as I am not a neat-nut, and do not want to have to be forced to put everything away all the time. I would just want it out of sight.

I do struggle with the loss of view our of the picture window at the end and all the light that it would bring into the unit. We are thinking of getting a rear living unit with a deep slide on the driver's side (maybe an entertainment center with desk - rip it out), and putting into that space, a computer cabinet to hide all my work.

__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 72
Date:

Check out the toyhaulers again, we are looking at those now as we have 14 grandkids and two on the way. (Heck I just turned 62 how did that happen?) We want to use the garage as a separate living room (plus extra cots if the grands visit) and I am having trouble finding one we want that doesn't have too many windows in the garage! Our last fiver would have crowds lined up in Canada when we went to park as they never see trailers that big up north! We carry a electric tree trimmer just the clear the 13' 6" height needed. We love all our room.

__________________

Jim & Peggy Hormann

website landyachty.com

2009 Dodge 3500

2006 Sunnybrook TITAN toy Hauler

2002 Polaris 500

10 Ft. Porta-Bote

J & P sitting on the side awaiting the next great adventure!



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

LandYachty wrote:

Check out the toyhaulers again, we are looking at those now as we have 14 grandkids and two on the way. (Heck I just turned 62 how did that happen?) We want to use the garage as a separate living room (plus extra cots if the grands visit) and I am having trouble finding one we want that doesn't have too many windows in the garage! Our last fiver would have crowds lined up in Canada when we went to park as they never see trailers that big up north! We carry a electric tree trimmer just the clear the 13' 6" height needed. We love all our room.


You want one WITHOUT a lot of windows in the garage?  I was shying away from Toy haulers because there were NOT  ENOUGH windows...especially the fact that there is no window at the end of the rig.  I really need a lot of light to be happy!



__________________


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1756
Date:

Can I ask why you are set on the big picture window in the back? Yes, it is a nice to have feature and for this 2 week stay we are actually backed up somewhere to enjoy the view (pond behind our campsite). However, it seems like 60-70% of the time the view out the rear window is either trees, thick underbrush, another RV, a wall that surrounds an RV park or something equally as boring. Even the sites that have a new view, don't always have that view from the back window, we've camped many places where the nicest view was out the windows next to the dinette or behind the couch. That doesn't mean we won't use the rear window and even when we park somewhere without a view we open that blind at least partway or Tazzy Kat pushes on the blinds trying to see out.

We have lots of windows on one side of our trailer and when they are all open we have plenty of light in the salon area. In fact we attached sun screen fabric to our screen door as we found we were getting too much sunlight and therefore too much heat in some of the places we've stay.

Our last TT had a front bedroom and rear kitchen so all windows were on the 2 sides and we had plenty of light and ways to enjoy the view.

That being said, we do enjoy our rear picture window but even more important for us was just making sure we had an RV with enough windows to enjoy the view, encourage airflow, etc. For us having enough windows was more important than one specific picture window which did give us a lot more options when shopping.

__________________

FT - July 2013

 

2010 38TKSB3 DRV Mobile Suites

2012 Ford F450

 

Dale and Ruth Travelling with Tazzy Kat!

 

IMAG0142_zps070d30d8.jpg

 

 

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 149
Date:

NWescapee, thanks! That is good to know. I was advised by others that the rear picture window was where the views can be enjoyed.


__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us