The Prime Time RV Sanibel 3952FBWB fifth wheel is an enormous fifth wheel that is very well suited to larger families. By design, it is packed with some truly unusual features to accommodate lots of people.
For starters, the Sanibel 3952FBWB’s floorplan is like nothing I’ve seen before, and I imagine it would serve a family quite well, including families who take to the road full-time. While some RVs are more price-focused, the Prime Time RV Sanibel 3952FBWB has different focus: delivering premium features and build quality. Speaking with Spencer from Prime Time RV, he noted that the aluminum structure under the trailer is fully welded rather than spot welded, a common industry practice. This is part of what the company calls their Eternabond build. (Not to be confused with Eternabond tape, a common product used in RVs.)
Other build quality features include a PVC roof with a lifetime guarantee and a Dexter EZ Flex suspension system (something I really liked). This suspension system helps to minimize shocks transmitted into the trailer itself, which can reduce wear over the long haul. It also rides on Hankook Vantra trailer tires — not the usual off-brand tire. Further, there’s a tire pressure monitoring system included, which I feel is an important safety detail. Stacking these up, you get an idea what the Sanibel 3952FBWB is about — even before you step inside.
At a Glance: Sanibel 3952FBWB
Without question this RV gets five stars in my book — for a number of reasons. The build quality and features are there. But this also really scores on the areas they focused on which is the upper bunk room with the office and the lower bedroom and living space. This will absolutely not be the fifth wheel for everybody but, for those who might be able to take advantage of this unique floor plan, it’s going to be a home run.
Check the Specs
- Sleeping capacity: 8
- Hitch weight: 2,362 pounds
- UVW: 12, 875 pounds
- CCC: 3,487 pounds.
- Exterior length: 46 feet 2 inches
- Exterior height 13 feet 1 inch
- Exterior width: 8 feet 4 inches
- Fresh/Gray/Black: 54/78/78 gallons
- Awnings: 12 feet and 18 feet
Benefits
- Rare combo of sleeping space (8) and living space
- High build quality and premium features
Challenges
- Long, large, and heavy fifth wheel for towing
- High occupancy could strain water capacity off-grid
Best For
- Use as a home base for group/family adventures
- Large full-time families looking for a major upgrade
The RV Trader Process
RV Trader asked RV shoppers what was most important to them in their RV buying process. Potential buyers — like you — helped us to identify a list of six key areas that camping and travel enthusiasts always look at when they’re searching for the perfect RV: sleeping space, bathroom, living area, four-season capabilities, and storage space.
The RV Trader team then got to work providing you with an honest and unbiased evaluations. And that’s where I come in. I’m Tony Barthel, RV expert and enthusiast. I provide an honest look at RVs from RV industry insider perspective. That way, you can learn the good, the bad, and the intriguing about any RVs I review. I inspect each RV with the buyer’s perspective at the forefront. And I always evaluate those six key areas that buyers have told us that they have in mind.
So, that said, let’s take a closer look at the 2024 Prime Time RV Sanibel 3952FBWB.
Sleeping Space
Many bunkhouse RVs — including most of the larger fifth wheels that I’ve seen — put the bunk room in the back. And honestly, this creates a second-class type of feel to them. Not that they’re bad, but the occupants of the bunk room won’t be expecting room service to include caviar. In seriousness, it can make the person sleeping in the bunk space feel like an afterthought.
What you have here is different. The bunks are located over the pin box in the nose of this fifth wheel. There are four bunks on two levels in an L shape, along the road-side wall and nose cap of this rig. Below these is a storage space which would be great with totes. But there are even better surprises than that.
Behind the bunk is an actual proper desk with drawers. So, if you are home schooling (or just need a place to get some RV reviews written), this would be a good place to do so. There’s also a camp-side slide room with a wall of drawers and cabinets and a center cutout that leaves space for a TV. I was told that this space was really designed to support a video game station.
The whole upstairs really has a very spacious feel. With the bunks in an “L” shape you could easily accommodate even taller adults on two of the bunks so it may not be limited to just youthful travelers. In fact, if you have two younger travelers and, perhaps, grandparents along for the journey this space could easily accommodate them.
Don’t Forget Who Pays the Bills
While the upstairs bunk room is unlike anything I’ve seen before the main bedroom in this fifth wheel is very much like a hotel suite. Those who drive the truck that pulls this rig and pay the bills that support this rig are treated to a very nice space indeed.
There’s a large 72-inch by 80-inch king- bed in a slide room which faces a closet with a good number of drawers and hanging space.
Bathroom
The very back of this rig harbors a rather substantial bathroom. There’s a vanity that features two vessel-style sinks. There’s a large shower. And the space around the porcelain foot-flush toilet is almost big enough to hold a small dance party. (Not that you’d want to, mind you, but you could.) There’s also a linen closet back here which is outfitted with hook-ups for a stackable washer and dryer.
On the opposite side of the cabin, in the bunk area, there’s also a half bath up with a sink and porcelain foot flush toilet.
Living Area
As unusual as the rest of this floorplan is, you might think that the main living space would stay traditional. But the Sanibel 3952FBWB is keeps it untraditional trend going. Along the camp side is a large slide room with a long sofa that is comprised of five reclining positions. No, seriously. I said five. I meant it.
Also, in the middle of this whole space is an island. And that island features a flip-up countertop on the camp side — with four bar-style seats. Why is this so pleasantly unusual? Typically, RVs with lots of sleeping space don’t always have a seat for everyone. The Sanibel 3952FBWB has more than enough places to sit.
Kitchen
Someone who enjoys cooking will likely enjoy doing so here with a very large four-burner range and a huge oven. To heat things up, there’s also a large residential-style microwave overhead. To keep things chilled, there’s a very capable 16-cubic-foot, 12-volt refrigerator. And to keep things stored, there’s also a decent pantry.
Counter space is not only good on the island, but there’s also a coffee bar near the entrance. I was told that Prime Time RV, which makes the Sanibel line, hired a professional interior designer to give their products a nicer look. All I can say is that based on just this model, I think she did a great job. I don’t normally like to comment on style, but this model really is attractive.
Four-Season Capabilities
I’m not sure that a fifth wheel this large is going to be doing a lot of boondocking. Sure, it provides a lot of sleeping capacity, but I would imagine you could blow through the 54-gallon freshwater tank in no time. (Particularly if some of the occupants are teenagers.)
But if you have hook-ups, you could comfortably spend time in some pretty chilly places with this. The underbelly of this camper is enclosed and heated. Plus there are 12-volt heating pads on all the tanks. Further, I was told that forthcoming models will even have heated elbows on the tanks, and the knife valves for the holding tanks are also enclosed in the underbelly.
Storage Space
Like most fifth wheels this has a good-sized storage bay at the front and in a large passthrough. As mentioned earlier, inside in that unusual bunk room there is a slide room that has cabinets and drawers for storage plus there are some drawers in the desk as well. But the space under the lower bunks could easily be used for totes and storage and there is a lot of space underneath there. Few RVs with bunks are going to provide that much capability for stuff.
On the main deck, the kitchen has a large pantry, and there is room for stuff on either side of the stove in closets and there are more drawers and cabinets under the counter in the island. There’s even a closet in the downstairs main bedroom plus storage in the bathroom. Storage is absolutely a strong suit in this RV.
Closing Notes on the Sanibel 3952FBWB
This is one of the best bunkhouse floorplans I’ve come across, and I’ve seen a lot of RVs. I could see this easily accommodating a family who live full-time on the road giving the younger members of the family a great space to do their homework — but also get some time away from homework.
The parents, too, get an almost spa-like feel to their space. And the joint space is very well suited for everyone to come together and enjoy a meal prepared in a very capable kitchen.
There are often times I see RVs where they’re intended for large groups but miss the mark in something pretty critical. This is not one of those at all.
However, it’s worth noting that at 46 feet 2 inches in length and with a dry weight of 12,875 pounds, this is not an RV to be taken lightly. Accommodating something this large and heavy is going to take an above-average amount of forethought.
Still, quite honestly, if you park this at a base camp that can accommodate very large rigs, you now have a really nice home base from which to plan your adventures. With all the seating and desk space in here there’s certainly a place to make those plans. It’s pretty rare that I find an RV where there’s no big negative, so this one gets both thumbs up from me.
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