Features for full-time FW

[TXiceman]

I disagree on the basement A/C. While quieter, they take up storage space and are difficult to get worked on.

Other must haves are a unit that is truly rated for 4-season and full-time use. These units are heavier and will require a larger truck.

Other niceties are:
dual pane windows,
Closed cell insulation
Radiant heat barrier
hydraulic jacks and auto leveling
HD brakes, oversized or disk
Mor/ryde IS suspension.
Demco Glide or Mor/ryde pin box
Residential electric frig with inverter
Solar panel.
Tires that are not from China
Washer-Drier
dishwasher
Wineguard Traveler satellite dish (Dish or Direct)
Wilson cell phone booster
WiFi booster
Convection microwave
TV viewing from straight across, not side ways.
Sufficient storage for panty items as well as cloths.


In the truck, Trailer Saver air ride hitch

These are the things that make our trailer suited for full time use.

Ken

[gtsum2]

Look very closely at the different rigs as not many are actually rated for full time use...those that are tend to be much heavier (and expensive) and will require a newer dually (at minimum) to tow

[glennwest]

Open cell foam has like holes in it. Dense foam such as the Blue Dow like Lowes sells is very dense. Lots more insulation value. NuWa used it. Teton used it. Not researched all of them. Our previous unit, DRV, has batten hung like is in a house. Our Teton has laminated dense foam walls, slideouts sides, floor roof. It is much cozier and quieter.

[gtsum2]

Luxe is an example of a full time fifth wheel imo. Very nice rigs.

[MtnTrek]

As you can see all the comforts of home, priceless. Now, "what's in your wallet"?

Seriously though. You mentioned that you're going to "travel around the US then move on". Being able to follow the ideal seasons helps. You'll have wheels under you, be in a nice climate.
Having no idea of your budget, So pardon me if your looking at a Continental Coach
You might focus on you initial investment having a sturdy frame, structure and quality running gear. Those items would seem more costly to retrofit. Quality suspension, brakes, tires, pin-box and leveling system. Then there is your DW's requirements.

Happy motoring.

[Helipilot]

First of all...Welcome to the forum and to fifth wheel travel. We spent about 10 years talking about it, then 5 years really investigating and finally found the ideal size for us. My wife and I and occasionally the grand kids.

The fifth wheel gives you the max room and amenities in a RV and we chose the DRV Mobile Suites, 36RSSB3 with vanity slide. Side by side washer and dryer, four door refrigerator, useable shower, convection microwave, stove and oven(ours cooks OK) One 13,500 BTU AC in bedroom and one 15,000 BTU heat pump in the main living area. Must have options were the fireplace that takes the chill off in the morning, side by side recliners across from the fireplace and TV that retracts for travel. Builtin vac, plenty of storage room and a generous basement.

Quote from TXiceman "Wineguard Traveler satellite dish (Dish or Direct), Wilson cell phone booster, WiFi booster" are excellent ideas.

The DRV is perfect for us and as stated above we looked for a long time and bought a gently used 4 year old unit for about 47% of new. Immediately removed the China bombs and replaced with light truck tires, new shocks, and new disc brake pads while we were in that area. The IS Mor-Ryde suspension and the B&W fifth wheel hitch is a very good system that leaves the bed of your truck "clean" with no hitch parts when you pull the hitch for other uses.

The DRV is, I believe and so does my DW, perfect for full time living and travel. Have not had any issues with the length of the unit in any of the parks we have stayed, state, COE, Forest Service, etc. We have pulled it through the Colorado Rockies, the Million Dollar Highway, and down to the four corners without issue. We used engine braking(jake brake) on the long downhills and had no engine heating issues on the long uphill pulls.

This is a great forum with a lot of smart people on it. Good Luck and have Fun!

[FaithBowls]

Search for "residential fifth wheel." Residential units like Lifestyle and Mobile Suites have much heavier construction, better quality materials, better equipment, larger tanks, fridge, water heater - many stronger, bigger, nicer features.

[donnandon]

Originally Posted by FaithBowls

Search for "residential fifth wheel." Residential units like Lifestyle and Mobile Suites have much heavier construction, better quality materials, better equipment, larger tanks, fridge, water heater - many stronger, bigger, nicer features.

Lifestyle has recently gone out of business so you might find one cheap, but no factory support. I would suggest you take a look at Augusta RV. The Luxe is the high end and the Ambition is mid range but with a lot of the amenities of the Luxe. Both are made in a small factory that produces maybe 100 units a year. Both well made by hourly employees, not like most other manufacturers.

[Cummins12V98]

MORryde IS suspension!

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

I disagree on the basement A/C. While quieter, they take up storage space and are difficult to get worked on.

Other must haves are a unit that is truly rated for 4-season and full-time use. These units are heavier and will require a larger truck.

Other niceties are:
dual pane windows,
Closed cell insulation
Radiant heat barrier
hydraulic jacks and auto leveling
HD brakes, oversized or disk
Mor/ryde IS suspension.
Demco Glide or Mor/ryde pin box
Residential electric frig with inverter
Solar panel.
Tires that are not from China
Washer-Drier
dishwasher
Wineguard Traveler satellite dish (Dish or Direct)
Wilson cell phone booster
WiFi booster
Convection microwave
TV viewing from straight across, not side ways.
Sufficient storage for panty items as well as cloths.


In the truck, Trailer Saver air ride hitch

These are the things that make our trailer suited for full time use.

Ken

Okay, I gotta ask . . . . ???