Which 5th wheel for full timing

[traveller333]

After full timing for 5 years in a 43 ft. Class A, (Newmar Ventana 4369), we took a couple of years off, but are now planning to go back to full timing in a 5th wheel.

I'm looking for a 40 ft. to 45 ft. 5th wheel, not a toy hauler, preferably with 2 patios, one at the rear and one on the side. 1 patio would work as well.

Questions:
Who manufactures 5th wheels with patios?
Are there disadvantages to having a patio?
Are there any structural issues caused by the patios?

I understand that personal preference and layout play a big role in choosing a 5th wheel, but I would love to hear opinions and experiences.

Thank you.

[MikenDebbie]

I got curious about your question. I knew about the Montana and the Brinkley.
Brinkley has a rear patio and the Montana has a side patio.
No opinion or experience with a patio unit.
I went to YouTube and searched PATIO FTFTH WHEEL and found the others. There may be more out there! I did not look for toy haulers with patios, but the Luxe came up. All of these probably will require a 1 ton dually or bigger to tow.

I would research FRAME FLEX issues with all of these units, especially rear patio units. I would not assume that any of these units are over-engineered…maybe the Luxe.

[jimfishes]

We have the Durango Gold 358RPQ. It’s the shorter version of what MikenDebbie shows. Rear patio. We love it. 22cuft residential fridge. Dishwasher. The larger one has the bunk room that could be an office, or just the extra space you want. After 15 months of pretty heavy use, we are very happy with our choice.

[jimfishes]

Oh, and washer/dryer prep, which we will likely never use. But it’s all there.

[traveller333]

Thank you MikenDebbie and thank you jimfishes for the great info.

Are there 5th wheel manufacturers that are known for better quality?

[MikenDebbie]

Originally Posted by traveller333

Are there 5th wheel manufacturers that are known for better quality?

Better quality? Hmmmm…it’s a bit subjective. My Montana has been good. With so many of the manufacturers it’s a crap shoot if you get a lemon or a good one (based on my reading and participating in the Montana Owners Forum since 2018). I can’t speak to quality for Jayco, KZ, Coachman, Grand Design, etc etc. I watch a YouTube channel from a guy that has a Sportrek, and I would want to know more about them. Of course Luxe and New Horizon are well beyond my pocket book, and I know nothing about their quality. It’s not like buying a car…you should be ready to start reattaching trim and fixing stuff yourself as soon as you get it to your driveway.

If you have been reading IRV2, you will know that even $700k motorhomes have quality issues. We bought our 2004 gasser motorhome a year ago and I am astounded at how well it was manufactured and designed. You need to set your expectations at an appropriate (low?) level. Both of our RVs have exceeded our expectations. I fix stuff myself. We have been lucky.

[coglesby]

One with a bunk room for makeup room for wife and additional storage.

[Triangle Drifter]

JMO, but I would be looking at other priorities besides patios.

First priority forfulltiming or multi-month travelling would be a functional galley having lots of counter space and a sink arrangement that makes sense. He or she that does most of the cooking will be spending far more time in the galley area than sitting on a patio.

Next priority is deciding how this thing will be used. Will it be used for travel or will it be sitting at a FH CG for months on end? If sitting for months then the monster 40-45'er is fine. If travelling is planned then the higher you go over the mid 30s the much more restrictions there are on where you can go.

Size really does matter.

Then there are the details. Builders seem to think that everyone does FH glamping. Tankage in most these days is miniscule. Domestic 120VAC fridges are the norm in the big rigs making them usuitable for dry camping and the whole world that dry camping offers.

Some day you will want to sell that 40-45' monster. Don't expect that to be an easy thing to do. The bigger they are the tougher they are to sell. Something to think about.

There is much more to it than how many slides, how many rooms, patios, how many TVs, the fabric of the furniture, the fireplace and all of the other glitz that the builders tempt you with.

[Ajhyman]

I would really look into Brinkley RV. Yes they are not cheap but Built completely different than other manufacturers. First they use a wire harness. No silicone on exterior around windows. Ect. Windows open up 6 inch Vs most other only three. The best part is their customer service. Also three Brinkley FB Forms. They do a great job. They do have back patio.

[traveller333]

Originally Posted by Triangle Drifter

JMO, but I would be looking at other priorities besides patios.

First priority forfulltiming or multi-month travelling would be a functional galley having lots of counter space and a sink arrangement that makes sense. He or she that does most of the cooking will be spending far more time in the galley area than sitting on a patio.

Next priority is deciding how this thing will be used. Will it be used for travel or will it be sitting at a FH CG for months on end? If sitting for months then the monster 40-45'er is fine. If travelling is planned then the higher you go over the mid 30s the much more restrictions there are on where you can go.

Size really does matter.

Then there are the details. Builders seem to think that everyone does FH glamping. Tankage in most these days is miniscule. Domestic 120VAC fridges are the norm in the big rigs making them usuitable for dry camping and the whole world that dry camping offers.

Some day you will want to sell that 40-45' monster. Don't expect that to be an easy thing to do. The bigger they are the tougher they are to sell. Something to think about.

There is much more to it than how many slides, how many rooms, patios, how many TVs, the fabric of the furniture, the fireplace and all of the other glitz that the builders tempt you with.

All good points. Thank you. We will be taking them all into account. We don't plan on staying in one spot. We will be traveling with the 5th wheel, perhaps move every 4 to 8 weeks between March and November and then staying in one spot between November and March. We don't plan on boondocking, mostly Full Hookup campgrounds.

The patio is going to be a deal breaker . . . no patio, no deal. The kitchen is certainly important, but relaxing on the patio, perhaps overlooking a beach, a lake or a stream, is just as important.

[traveller333]

Originally Posted by Ajhyman

I would really look into Brinkley RV. Yes they are not cheap but Built completely different than other manufacturers. First they use a wire harness. No silicone on exterior around windows. Ect. Windows open up 6 inch Vs most other only three. The best part is their customer service. Also three Brinkley FB Forms. They do a great job. They do have back patio.

I have looked at the Brinkley 5th wheels at the Tampa RV show last month. I like their quality. They are not the cheapest, but certainly not the most expensive.

[traveller333]

Coming from a 43 ft. Class A, I was able to handle most things that needed repair or replacement.

I would assume that a 5th wheel wouldn't be as demanding as a Class A when it comes to repairs.

I understand that although it doesn't have an engine, it still has slides, plumbing, electrical . . . etc., so I'm sure there would be things to do along the way. I'm good with that.

[jimfishes]

A patio was my first requirement. Sets the tone for the whole experience. Pup can run in and out. Easy for me to step out with morning coffee or evening cocktail. Perfect for our outside kitchen/bar setup including Magma gas grill mounted on rail, without dealing with steps (yes, we want an outdoor kitchen, so leave it be…). Slowly adding “stuff” to make it look like a tiki bar deck (again, our choice). Routinely get cudo’s. We boondock and back the residential refrigerator, etc, with a generator, solar, and 920ah lithium battery bank. Everyone has their priorities. Enjoy whatever you decide on!

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by traveller333

Questions:
Who manufactures 5th wheels with patios?
Are there disadvantages to having a patio?
Are there any structural issues caused by the patios?

Thank you.

Manufacturers have been covered pretty good in the thread.

Some issues with the patios, you have to add the extra length to your site. With a rear patio you need to add several feet. A 40' 5th wheel becomes a 48' 5th wheel. Same with the side patio. A side patio will add 6' to the width of your rig. In some parks, you may be within a couple of feet of your neighbor with the side patio out.
You may be limiting yourself in number of sites that will fit with the patio(s) out and extended.

Structural issues, yes, very well can be. Several years back Lippert had issues with their patios. The issue was getting water intrusion and the decking actually falling thru. Not just for loading/unloading vehicles, but also for people walking on the patio. Heartland stopped using their doors for their toyhaulers in 2017 and went to Challenger doors.
One good brand is Challenger doors but bought out by Lippert a couple of years ago. Make sure the ramp uses Azdel material instead of Luan wood.
We have coated our patios (rear and side) with a product known in the Navy as Non-Skid. It seals the patios really good.
https://www.durabakcompany.com/collections/all

But I will say if we are expecting rain, an inch or more, I close up both patios as a precaution.