Riding in a 5th wheel...Really!

[Steve 716]

I believe that this is illegal in most states and stupid in all of them.

[BOSTONBERNIE]

I would rather have A-sharp stick in my eye

[freestyle_freddy]

I rode in our 34 ft 5er once while my wife drove, so I could check for some possible problems. It scared the hell out of me!!!! It's a much rougher ride in a 5er than a class A or class C. Don't even consider it. With kids, it's an accident waiting to happen.

[Igeaux]

As stupid as the thought of a person, pet or other living thing riding in a towed trailer is, the 1st thought that goes through my mind is Lucy trying to cook dinner while Desi drives.

Think I was 5 years old the first time I saw Long, long trailer.

[pasedo123]

Just from a practical point of view, I have a Montana 5th wheel with 5 slides; when they are in you can't move around at all.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by efstewart

Well, I decided to pose this same question to the nice rv salesman today while I was looking at some Glacier Peak 5th wheels, (F26RKS, and F27MKS).

He did not want to answer, but said that he thought it wasn't allowed. I did not press the issue. It has been fun just discussing the topic, and wondering why some people resort to less than thoughtful comments about my mental stability!

I think it is a good question, given the fact some states allow it. Some states allow skydiving also, but I choose not to participate. I think I will call some people I know that are well versed on state vehicle code laws and see if they know what the reasoning is for allowing it!

Those of you that are over 65 like me, ever wonder how you survived childhood without filtered water, helmets, seatbelts, air bags, and face masks?

2 days ago
Page #3
Post #41
You posted you would 'inquire' WHY?

Page 6
Posts up to #75
You haven't replied back with 'the answer'?

*I really do hope you have reconsidered that your family should not be inside the 5th wheel or travel trailer for that matter while traveling

[horsecollect]

Originally Posted by efstewart

Yes, we live in a dangerous world!

Of course I would add a seatbelt, of course I would have parents present. As someone in the news recently said (who I don't care for..) "come on, man"!

Please assume that I have thought this thing out, and will not do it if is not safe, but some of your casual remarks are rather cruel and not well thought out!

Can anyone give me some facts, that a Class C or A with passengers is safer that a 5th wheel? I am not talking about a travel trailer.

Anyone out there that can give me some good positive advice?

Not sure this is what you're hoping for but ..... a l-o-n-g time ago my husband needed to be transported from our home to a specialist hospital 200 miles away for an operation. The cost of a one way ambulance ride was prohibitive, so my parents came up with an alternate. At the time they owned a Shadow trailer by Harmon Industries. It was sort of a 5th wheel, but the hitch was on the roof of a car. You could not jack-knife the rig! Here's a link to an article about Shadow trailers: https://rvshare.com/blog/harmon-shadow-trailer/ And here's a better picture: https://www.motor1.com/news/446241/s...ar-rv-trailer/

With help, my husband managed to crawl up to the overhang bed and that is where he stayed until we delivered him to the hospital. Plus I got to stay in the trailer in a parking lot belonging to the hospital for free.

Was it safe? Probably not, but it was a lot cheaper for a young couple with no savings for long distance ambulance rides.

[Skilletface]

Originally Posted by efstewart

I know that the idea of riding in the back of a 5th wheel stirs up strong emotions but, how about some fact based advice!

This would be maybe 2 to 3 times a year with the kids and grandkids, and we are not full-time but more like the snowbird type.



Thanks for your advice!

Hopefully, you will take this as positive advice!
If your need to travel with with family occurs 2 or 3 times a year why not have them in a chase vehicle? Assuming your reference to kids are your children with the grandkids.

No need to make room for their things in your 5ver other than sleeping arrangements. The chase vehicle would provide all the safety features required for human transportation in every state.

Also, I would do those upgrades to your suspension regardless of what you decide.

[JIMNLIN]

I rode in our 34 ft 5er once while my wife drove, so I could check for some possible problems. It scared the hell out of me!!!! It's a much rougher ride in a 5er than a class A or class C.

LOL....yeah our trailers that ride on std leaf spring suspension have very short 26-28" long leaf springs that have very short compression and rebound strokes and a very rough ride.

Of course a truck camper sits on a truck with std leaf springs 68" -76" long or even air bag suspensions with a much softer ride.

Motor homes..... most suspensions ride like a Caddy.

Having worked in rv/mobilhome rescue years ago getting storm blown overs or units that were laid over and weren't totaled back on their wheels there is no way in hellz I would let my kids or any person ride in my rv trailer.
Being the young guys on the job we were the ones that had to climb into the unit and sit objects back up so no more damage when the unit was rolled back up on its wheels.
Its surprising how much interior damage the fridge or the oven causes as its thrown around or even one can of pork and beans can do.

[WyoFree]

There seems to be a trend developing of fifth wheels riding rougher then a lumber wagon. I’ve seen videos of folks making a video in their Coach while underway. Some would shake-rattle & roll. While others were very smooth. Obviously some 5ers are set up better than others by the manufacturer. Much it seems has to do with the hitch and pin box? Possible a poor pulling position as well? But my heavens don’t owners check out their coaches?

Forget about riding someone in the coach… Anyone’s 5’er that vibrates like that can’t be good for anything in it or the body of the Coach itself. You must feel it in the truck as well so why the heck don’t you do something about it? It sounds like a danger to you, your family amd those on the road around you.

I don’t mean to make anyone mad but my gosh! Hey Old-Biscut, you may want to jump in here less you become fresh.

[Danny Salas]

Originally Posted by efstewart

… why do nearly half of the 50 states allow it, (California with stipulations)?
… good, solid, safer, newer 5th wheels.?

Bestiality is legal in some states.

There are no “good, solid , safer”, because NONE of them is designed for riding. Just like off-roading is not a concern for airplanes.

[JIMNLIN]

Anyone’s 5’er that vibrates like that can’t be good for anything in it or the body of the Coach itself. You must feel it in the truck as well so why the heck don’t you do something about it?

Whats felt while riding in the trailer isn't felt when riding in the truck.
Apples vs oranges.

Their isn't a trailer brand built that some one hasn't had something shook loose or bounced out some where regardless of its suspension type.

Trailers aren't designed or mfg for a soft ride like we get in our trucks/vans/suv tow vehicles.

[johnmontgome]

Sounds like you only want encouragement to do something you should not. It only takes one single thing to go wrong for disaster to strike and no second chances.
Someone cuts you off. Not your fault.
Blown tire. Not your fault.
Rear ended. Not your fault.
Another driver falls asleep and crosses the centerline. Not your fault.
People can do everything perfect and still face a deadly crash.
I’d never do it unless i was trying to get rid of my loved ones.

[WyoFree]

Hey Danny, A little rough for the forum!