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ttechnology · 05-25-2020, 09:28 AM

I have searched some but may not have the right terms. If there is an existing thread, please point me to it.

I am currently looking for a sub-30 foot (hitch to bumper) fifth wheel for my wife and I. There is such focus on small fifth wheels being 1/2 ton towable that quality and features seem to be the trade-off. Weight is (essentially) not an issue for me. (F-450) But I want something that is high quality, full featured, all season - yet will easily fit in national and state parks. In other words, I want a Lexus or Audi - not a Hyundai or Kia. (Nothing wrong with those, just not what I am looking for.) Are there any premium, small fifth wheels that would rise to the level of a Pinnacle, Montana, etc? My only gauge, so far, seems to be warranty support for full timing. (My thinking is that if they support full timing in the RV, they must have some faith in their build quality.)

Would adding 2 feet to the spec make a difference? If yes, what would be the expected impact to state and national park use?

Scott

consolenut · 05-25-2020, 10:20 AM

They make an artic fox 27-5 i think will fit your needs. small high quality and heavy.

RickLight · 05-25-2020, 12:03 PM

We looked at the same set. Northwood as above an their Mountain Fox. Outdoor RV has a very similar line. Both built in a small Oregon town tells of a story somewhere.

We settled on GD more over floorplan and cost.

keymastr · 05-26-2020, 05:42 PM

My Outdoors RV is close to that. Mine is The Titanium version and while mine is a little longer than you were talking about they do make a smaller one That is about 30' bumper to pin. Not light though, you will be glad you have a 450. None of them are half ton towable by any stretch and they boast ability to use them in temps well into single digits without doing anything special. Lots of extras included, great customer service.

Varago · 05-28-2020, 09:48 AM

WE just bought a Grand Design 240RL 29'11". We had the 230RL and were happy with it, till we looked at the 240RL, it comes with self-leveling, 50 amp service, Good Year Endurance tires not any China bombs plus it has twice the storage as our 230RL. Some of the specs are in my sig. One thing that was on our list was you can reach the bath room and bed room with the slide in, not all small RV's can do this

mrgrayaz · 06-01-2020, 03:57 PM

They do exist. Our Alfa is 31' end to end, is over 13k empty, and has a 16200lbs GVWR.

Alfa is also out of business. But - check out Arctic Fox - they have a few nice models, the 27 and 29.....they seem very "Alfa" like to me. Your going to be way overkill on a F-450 on those weights, but it will certainly do the job.

jdpm · 06-02-2020, 07:47 AM

I'd even look at the Jayco Eagle HT line. They have heavier axles, MorRyde equalizers, shock mounts, MorRyde pin box option, 16" GY Endurance tires, etc. They seem to be a bit more robust compared to other brands of similar floor plans.
https://www.jayco.com/products/fifth-wheels/2020-eagle-ht-fifth-wheel/standards-and-options/

Rickeoni · 06-02-2020, 10:46 AM

We have a ORV 30 footer and tow with a F450. Not light by any means but heavy is good in the RV world. We purchased for the same reasons, easy to fit into smaller sites. Triple slides are nice and make it spacious.

Old-Biscuit · 06-02-2020, 11:48 AM

We FTd in a 34' for 7 yrs all over the USA

Like you we wanted a 5vr that was supported by MFG for FT

34" 5th wheel and 20' Long bed truck....never had issues with length
Some sites we had to park truck sideways across site but rig fit w/o issues

Some sites were 'tight' getting into only due to obstacles (trees/boulders etc) at front of site
Heck some CG roads were tight due to layout...not because of our length

Artic Fox, Grand Design, OutdoorsRV, North American RV (custom built), SpaceCraft MFG (Custom built), HorizonsRV (Custom Built)