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10-01-2023, 10:36 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 56
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5th Wheel recommendations
Hello All!
We are currently full time RVers in a 44 foot class A (Dutch Star). We are thinking about swapping to a 5th wheel. We are looking for something around 40 foot so that we can get it into more spots for camping. Probably a toy hauler so we can drag some stuff around with us and have the extra storage space.
Who is making the 5th wheels that seem solid these days? Been doing some online research, but it all reads the same bouncing thru the websites....our stuff is awesome! Just kind of looking to get some opinions on what brands folks are finding to be good quality and which ones to avoid.
Thanks, Robert and Lynn.
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10-02-2023, 08:23 AM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 7,645
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You will get a lot of opinions and recommendations on this site. Do a search on this forum to find many threads on this subject. Also suggest talking to your fifth wheel trailer camping neighbors about their experience. I have owned 4 fifth wheel trailers, 3 Keystone (Everest and Montana) and now a Jayco (Pinnacle).....all have been good quaility builds.
__________________
2025 Riverstone 39RKFB Legacy / 2024 Ford F-350 XLT DRW 4x4 6.7L diesel crew cab long bed
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10-02-2023, 08:35 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by canaddar
Hello All!
We are currently full time RVers in a 44 foot class A (Dutch Star). We are thinking about swapping to a 5th wheel. We are looking for something around 40 foot so that we can get it into more spots for camping. Probably a toy hauler so we can drag some stuff around with us and have the extra storage space.
Who is making the 5th wheels that seem solid these days? Been doing some online research, but it all reads the same bouncing thru the websites....our stuff is awesome! Just kind of looking to get some opinions on what brands folks are finding to be good quality and which ones to avoid.
Thanks, Robert and Lynn.
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I am trying to wrap my head around the idea that a 40 foot 5er (and a toy hauler no less) can get in to spots that a 44 foot Class A can not. What's your thinking on this?
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10-02-2023, 08:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 788
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And I am sure more knowledgeable help will come along with brand descriptions ...
but apart from the top lines of the big names (e.g. Pinnacle by Jayco) the top tier seem to be DRV, New Horizons, Luxe, and is Spacecraft still a thing? Some of those lean toward customs and some have toy hauler options.
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10-02-2023, 12:11 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack Klompus
I am trying to wrap my head around the idea that a 40 foot 5er (and a toy hauler no less) can get in to spots that a 44 foot Class A can not. What's your thinking on this?
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It's not so much a size thing as it is a what kind of road you can drive on thing. I can pull a fifth wheel down just about any road as long as I can make turns. My class A however is never going to drive down a road that doesn't have pavement. I am from Montana and we enjoy camping. So my thinking is that a fifth wheel is going to get me into a lot of places that I would never even consider taking my class A.
We've also had a fifth wheel before. We had a 39 ft cedar Creek Creek. Then we went to the class A and have had that for about 6 years now. A class A is just not designed to drive on a road with potholes and slopes and that sort of thing. There's also the weight to be concerned with. My class A weighs around 48,000 lb. That adds a lot of limitations for back roads bridges.
Initially I'm looking at about a 40 ft fifth wheel because we are full timers. We are open to other sizes, but that's a starting point for us. We have a lot of junk for our hobbies, so storage space is a big thing for us. I worry that if I go too small, we just won't be able to fit our stuff into the RV....lol
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10-02-2023, 06:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by canaddar
It's not so much a size thing as it is a what kind of road you can drive on thing. I can pull a fifth wheel down just about any road as long as I can make turns. My class A however is never going to drive down a road that doesn't have pavement. I am from Montana and we enjoy camping. So my thinking is that a fifth wheel is going to get me into a lot of places that I would never even consider taking my class A.
We've also had a fifth wheel before. We had a 39 ft cedar Creek Creek. Then we went to the class A and have had that for about 6 years now. A class A is just not designed to drive on a road with potholes and slopes and that sort of thing. There's also the weight to be concerned with. My class A weighs around 48,000 lb. That adds a lot of limitations for back roads bridges.
Initially I'm looking at about a 40 ft fifth wheel because we are full timers. We are open to other sizes, but that's a starting point for us. We have a lot of junk for our hobbies, so storage space is a big thing for us. I worry that if I go too small, we just won't be able to fit our stuff into the RV....lol
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Explanation makes sense. I just think 40 feet is a lot to be driving on the poorer quality FS roads. And changing grades with a fiver can be an issue, plus departure angles for the long ones ... just not sure the bang for the buck is there.
We pull a 30 foot fifth wheel, and I think when we do decide to go longer (and we will - just not sure what form factor) then we will probably stick to tamer roads.
In any case - it's always fun thinking about the next new idea and the next adventure!
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10-03-2023, 12:11 AM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 73
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We love our 2019 Grand Design Solitude. Their toy hauler is the Momentum. We've had very few problems and customer support has been great.
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TravelsWithTudee
2019 Grand Design Solitude 310GK
2016 RAM 3500 Diesel Dually
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10-03-2023, 05:55 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 452
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i dont trust my lippert frame off a paved road. do a google search on spring hangers. the indiana brands arent meant to leave the pavement.
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10-03-2023, 07:28 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 32
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I know some very happy Momentum and Fuzion owners, but if I was in the market for a new toy hauler, the first one I’d look at would be the new Brinkley. Our local dealer is handling the new Brinkley’s and they look pretty good. Haven’t seen the toy hauler in person yet, but I wouldn’t buy sob until I did, and I think they are going to have the nicer amenities and fit and finish you are more accustomed to coming from the Dutch Star. Their model 3500 is 40’
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10-03-2023, 04:46 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,500
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You are not going to come close to the quality you have in a Dutch Star with most 5th wheels . Luxe makes a top end toy hauler as does new horizons . It is all about the money you want to spend . Also the TV will not be cheap hauling these around . Bouncing around in a Dually truck is going to be tough after a full air ride suspension . Most 5th wheels aren’t made to go down rough roads and the height will also be a concern with tree limbs . Good Luck .
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10-03-2023, 07:56 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,075
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Check out Aluminum Trailer Company (ATC). Their toy hauler units have high carrying capacities and their quality is severe as everything, including the frame and cabinets, are welded aluminum. I would describe the interiors as functional austere.
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2004.5 Ram 3500 2WD DRW
2008 Carriage, tows at 10k#
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10-03-2023, 10:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 3,092
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacknife
You are not going to come close to the quality you have in a Dutch Star with most 5th wheels . Luxe makes a top end toy hauler as does new horizons . It is all about the money you want to spend . Also the TV will not be cheap hauling these around . Bouncing around in a Dually truck is going to be tough after a full air ride suspension . Most 5th wheels aren’t made to go down rough roads and the height will also be a concern with tree limbs . Good Luck .
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I guess it depends on the dually? My old 2011 will bounce if i drive very fast over washboard roads, but that's mostly due to massive unsprung weight. It's pretty smooth to me with a long wheelbase, although it's probably much shorter than any class A wheelbase.
I've gone up and down mountain goat trails but our 5er is 32' OAL.
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2011 GMC Sierra 3500HD gas 6.0 dually
1994 K1500 Suburban shop mule and plow truck
2006 Lakota 29RKT 5th wheel
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10-03-2023, 11:10 PM
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#13
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 42,501
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How old do you want to go? Back in the day, Newmar made high quality 5th wheels. They're still out there used.
Before I went the Class A route, Newmar, HitchHiker & DRV were my top 3.
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Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member | My iRV2 Photo Albums
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S, 2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
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10-04-2023, 04:22 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
KZ RV Club
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 552
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KZ Venom are considered "Luxury" THs. I have no clue on how they compare to the Durango Gold, which is their top of the line FW, though. The 2 shortest are 40'10" and 40'11". Quality wise, I'd put the Durango Gold ahead of the Jayco Pinnacle.
Lyle
__________________
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4 6.5' Bed, B&W Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
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