| are two main categories of recreational vehicles | | | | the fifth wheel, but that can be a cumbersome and |
| (RV's); motorized and towable. Towable RV's include | | | | time-consuming process. And, some people do not |
| fifth wheels, travel trailers, folding/tent/pop-up | | | | like the bi-level design with the extra steps, because |
| campers, toy haulers, and park models. In this article, | | | | the only steps they want to have to navigate are |
| part I, fifth wheel campers and travel trailers will be | | | | the ones to get in and out of the camper. |
| covered. Part II of this article will discuss folding/tent | | | | TRAVEL TRAILER |
| pop-up campers, toy haulers and park models. | | | | Travel trailers are the most popular towable camping |
| FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER | | | | trailer in the United States. They come in many |
| Fifth wheel campers are the most expensive of the | | | | different weights and lengths. Some are light enough |
| towable campers (with the exception of some park | | | | to be pulled by a van or SUV. A heavy duty truck |
| models). They have a gooseneck hitch that is hooked | | | | isn't always needed. Because they are hitched to and |
| up in the bed of the truck (a special package needs | | | | pulled by using a rear hitch, a travel trailer doesn't use |
| to be installed in the truck bed to accommodate the | | | | up truck bed space like a fifth wheel trailer does. |
| hitch). | | | | They are lighter than fifth wheels and aren't quite as |
| In addition to the spaciousness and many amenities | | | | long as fifth wheel trailers. And, depending on the size |
| of fifth wheels, they are a popular towable camper | | | | the trailer, they can be very spacious with lots of |
| because they are easier to tow than a travel trailer. | | | | great amenities including: nice-size kitchens, a |
| That is because the weight of the fifth wheel is | | | | bathroom, living and dining areas, and multiple sleeping |
| more centered and better distributed than with a | | | | areas. |
| travel trailer that is hooked up to the rear of the | | | | Travel trailers are less expensive than fifth wheel |
| towing vehicle. That makes a fifth wheel camper | | | | trailers but can have the same amenities as a fifth |
| more stable and much easier to control in windy | | | | wheel trailer which is probably the main reason they |
| conditions or when dealing with the back drafts from | | | | are the most popular towable travel trailer sold. They |
| semi trucks on the freeway. | | | | are also the oldest type of RV. Airstream has been |
| The distinctiveness of the fifth wheel trailer comes | | | | making travel trailers for over 70 years. |
| from its bi-level design. The raised section is often a | | | | Slide-outs are popular in today's travel trailers. But |
| master sleeping suite. A popular floor plan for families | | | | again, they add weight, set-up time and cost. |
| has the master suite on one end of the camper and | | | | When looking at travel trailers keep in mind that, in |
| a bunk bed sleeping area on the other end. Another | | | | many cases, a 30 foot trailer is a trailer that is 30 |
| popular floor plan, and my favorite, has a master | | | | feet when both the trailer itself and the front hitch |
| bedroom suite on the raised end and a relaxing area | | | | are measured together. A 30 foot trailer may only |
| with recliners and a full length window on the other | | | | have 27 feet of usable living space. Ask questions |
| end. | | | | and look at the printed specifications when doing |
| Fifth wheel campers usually have awesome kitchen | | | | your shopping so you know what you will be getting. |
| areas. Some common amenities in the kitchen area | | | | To be absolutely sure of the dimensions, take along |
| include full-size pantries; full-size refrigerators, stoves, | | | | a measuring tape and measure the length, width, and |
| ovens and microwaves; ample cabinets and | | | | height of the travel trailer yourself - especially if the |
| countertop space; and even snack bar areas for | | | | space in your driveway or storage area is limited. |
| casual dining. | | | | Because of the popularity of SUV's, many |
| Fifth wheel campers are popular with families and | | | | manufacturers now offer lightweight and ultra-light |
| people who do a lot of camping because they're | | | | travel trailers. They are attractive to many RV |
| very comfortable and roomy. | | | | purchasers because the majority of the trailers in |
| Almost all new fifth wheels made today have | | | | these categories can be pulled by SUV's, minivans, or |
| slide-out areas to give you even more room. When | | | | medium-sized trucks. Keep in mind though that |
| you walk through a fifth wheel camper with | | | | "lightweight" is a relative term. In the travel trailer |
| slide-outs you'll notice how spacious it feels because | | | | world, "lightweight" typically means a trailer that |
| of the extra interior width they give you. Keep in | | | | weighs less than 4,000 pounds. |
| mind though that every slide-out adds extra weight | | | | The biggest disadvantage of a travel trailer is how it |
| to the camper, adds to the cost, and adds to the | | | | tows. Because they are pulled using a rear hitch |
| setup time at the campsite. | | | | versus the truck bed hitch used with fifth wheels, |
| When looking at fifth wheel campers make sure the | | | | they are not as stable. Larger travel trailers can be |
| ones you are looking at are not too heavy for your | | | | difficult to control in windy conditions and hard to |
| truck to pull. | | | | maneuver into a campsite. If you have a large travel |
| One of the really nice things with having a towable | | | | trailer, such as one of the 35 foot models and your |
| camper such as a fifth wheel is that once you have | | | | towing vehicle is 15 feet long, you have 50 feet of |
| the camper situated in the campsite, you can unhook | | | | "vehicle" to maneuver from place to place. |
| the vehicle from the camper and go off and explore. | | | | That's not to say owning a travel trailer is going to |
| Hooking and unhooking a fifth wheel from a truck | | | | be a bad experience. Millions of people own travel |
| doesn't take that long to do either - usually only a | | | | trailers and are very happy with them. Just make |
| few minutes. It usually takes longer to hook the | | | | sure you have a vehicle capable of towing the travel |
| camper up to the water and electric facilities than it | | | | trailer, a good hitch, good side mirrors on your vehicle |
| does to hook or unhook the hitch. | | | | for unobstructed views, and have a willingness to |
| There are some disadvantages of fifth wheel | | | | learn how to adjust your driving habits to |
| campers. A heavy duty truck (think more expensive | | | | accommodate having a travel trailer hooked to your |
| truck) is needed to pull them, which adds to the | | | | vehicle. |
| expense of owning a fifth wheel. The hitch for the | | | | Please see part II of this article for discussion of |
| trailer is in the bed of the truck which limits the | | | | folding/tent/pop-up campers, toy haulers and park |
| functionality of the truck bed. Some people take the | | | | model towable campers. |
| hitch out of the truck bed when they're not using | | | | |