What to Know About Buying a Fifth Wheel RV

If you’re getting ready to embark on the exciting journey to buy your first RV, or if you’re just ready for something a little more sophisticated than a pop-up trailer for your weekend getaways, there are plenty of great options to choose from. One popular choice is a fifth wheel RV.

What is a Fifth Wheel?

At first glance, a fifth wheel and a travel trailer appear to be very similar. The difference revolves around how the unit is towed. A travel trailer normally connects to a ball hitch on the rear of the tow vehicle. With a fifth wheel, the hitch is actually inside the truck’s bed, providing greater stability while towing, especially at high speeds or in windy conditions.

Advantages of a Fifth Wheel

• With greater towing stability comes the ability to tow a larger unit. Longer units can provide more of the space you want, depending on how you plan to use your fifth wheel. For those planning to use it for longer trips, extra room can mean more amenities, as well as more room for guests if people plan to join you along the way or if you want to set up a dedicated spot for a “home” office. Extra room also means more storage space, depending on what you plan to take with you.
• Because of the hitch configuration, fifth wheels are easier to maneuver and have a tighter turning radius. This is especially beneficial to people who are just starting out and haven’t had a lot of time to practice backing a trailer into a camping space.
• Once you’ve found a good place to stop for the evening, weekend, or extended stay, you can detach your truck from the front to have a vehicle for running errands or taking day trips. This is also true for travel trailers, but not for Class A RVs/motorhomes.
• Because of the different lengths available, fifth wheels can be as remarkably equipped as many motorhomes. However, since there is no powerplant or drivetrain attached to the trailer, fifth wheels are often far more affordable than similarly equipped motorhomes. Of course, you still need the truck to tow it.

Disadvantages of a Fifth Wheel

• Some people prefer a vehicle smaller than a pickup truck for running errands once the trailer is parked, especially if your RV requires a heavy-duty pickup. If you’re comfortable with driving your pickup already, this isn’t a big deal. In addition, much of the bed space in the truck will be occupied by the towing attachment. If you’re not planning to use your pickup for much more than towing your fifth wheel, that might not be a problem either.
• You can’t tow another vehicle off the back of your fifth wheel. While being able to tow another vehicle behind a Class A RV is possible, you won’t have the same luxury with your fifth wheel. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t store a couple of dirt bikes or eBikes for short treks around your designated camping area.
• Connecting a fifth wheel is more complicated and time consuming than hooking up a trailer. It takes a lot of time and patience, but it does get easier over time. Many fifth wheel owners have said that having backup cameras to help is a huge benefit.

Things To Consider

So, now that you have a few pros and cons to think about, what else do you need to know before going all in with your purchase? 

• How often will you use it? Fifth wheels can vary from 25 to 45 feet, although most average in the middle around 35 feet. As previously mentioned, if you only plan to use your fifth wheel for short trips and weekend excursions, you can reduce your initial investment by looking at shorter units. Keep in mind that some campgrounds also have length limits, and larger units might not be welcome. You’ll also want to keep length in mind when considering where you might store your fifth wheel when you’re not using it.
• Is your truck powerful enough? Some larger fifth wheels can weigh up to 14,000-15,000 pounds. That’s not including the added weight of water, propane, and whatever gear you plan to bring. If you can get by with a shorter unit, you may not have to buy a pickup truck to pull it. Check your truck’s towing capacity, and keep that in mind while shopping.
• New or used? If you’re new to RVing and haven’t had much experience with fifth wheels, or if you only plan to use it on the weekends, you might want to start with a used unit to save some money. 
• Have you done a walk-through? Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for, stop by an RV dealership to tour a few units. Being able to physically experience the available space, layout, and amenities can help you decide on a particular manufacturer or model when doing your final search.

When you’re ready to start your full-throttle search, check out RV Trader. You’ll find more than 200,000 listings of new and used RVs available across the United States. Simply type in your search criteria, and you’ll be off and running with a variety of listings to meet your specific needs.

By Barrett Baker