bigeking
Arlington, Texas
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With the kind of camping you want to do, a fiver in the 28' to 30' range would be the better size. You might look at the Titaniums, they have more of the front cabin over the cab of the truck, so it will tow like a smaller unit. They have a unit that I believe is 32' but it tows like a 28', and from the back of the trailer to the front the only extra space you would need on a lot is the length of the hood of your truck.
Everett & Jayne
2008 GMC Duramax-Allison Extended Cab Dually Locking 3:73 rear end
Line-x bedliner Pullrite hitch Retrax Bed Cover---2008 Nu Wa DA 339RSB
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cwit
new york
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Jeff I have camper in every state in new england with a 29 footer neve found a campsite that could not take me. I am going to stare traveling the lower 48 and Canada with this 5tf wheel camper. Rember a 30 ft 5er has only about 25 ft behind you the rest is in the box of the truck.
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jetboat
texas
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Joined: 12/08/2008
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We have a 35'5th wtih a f350 long bed super duty.With the additional bedroom air unit,its almost 14' tall.Weplan are stops around truck stops,so the turn around and fueling will not be a problem.
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jcrawford
Virginia
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Joined: 05/21/2007
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Jeff,
I read your OP, also your profile, & I think you & I have very similar requirements in RV's.
I researched for two years & basically it came down to a 30' triple slide Teton & a double slide 31.5' AutoMate.
Because the Teton wasn't really fully functional with the slides closed, I ended up going with the AutoMate as I too enjoy the road less traveled...as in state parks, parking area's while traveling to destinations... boondocking & back road travel away from the masses. 28 to 32 ft is plenty of room for one person or even a couple...& as you mentioned, most state parks aren't geared up for much more length than that. Second, as I mentioned, would be how functional the trailer is with the slides closed...is the TV hid behind the slide while it's in? Does the refrig. butt up against a kitchen counter unless the slide is out? My living room slide is 15ft long & 46in wide...it goes from the very back of the trailer to the wall w/the interior steps...which really opens up the living area. However, because of the slides width, I have to pay attention to location of trees, in state parks, that are close to the edge of the site. On more than one occasion, I've had to position the trailer so that a tree will be between the two slides.
So short & wide seem a good starting point for a single person who enjoys state parks. If anybody recommends anything much over 30'... they are not reading your needs correctly.
Also don't go much over 12' 6" in height. Because when travelling those back roads, getting under train trussels &/or old overpasses can become an issue. My AutoMate is 12' 6" while travelling, but with the air ride suspension on the trailer I can lower it enough to clear 12'...which sometime prevents having to do a u-turn & the ensuing dreaded detour.
Another consideration I would think important for you to keep in the back of your head while looking...is tank capacity. I have 100 gal. of fresh water, which can last a month, if only me. I have two grey's & a black with a capacity of 140 gallons. I can go about two weeks w/o dumping, again, if only me. This stuff matters in state parks & when boondocking, just because of the PITA factor.
As far as a tow vehicle...for me a four door short bed was a mistake & I will go with a extended cab long bed next time. It's not about wheel base, basically they are the same...it's more about having more bed to use & needing less cab space.
In this economy, there are plenty of "better made" used 5th wheels out there for sale. Would I buy new?...Sure I would, but not for the warranty...but only because it met my needs better than what I currently own. The trick is to do it right your first time so you don't have to worry about re-sell/trade in value. Finding a great deal is icing on the cake, but should be secondary...you don't want to feel your compromising your RVing experience or your trailer by not being able to safely tow it places you have always wanted to go...or stumble upon.
Let diesel go back up to 5 bucks a gal. & a well made 28-30 footer with 2-3 slides makes even more sense. Odds are that size range will retain more of it's value (if you were to have a change of heart) no matter how much you spend buying it.
* This post was
edited 11/01/09 07:08am by jcrawford *
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just me
Salt Lake City Utah USA
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JP; The forest camp grounds you are refereeing to was built when you was a kid (maybe) by the CCC, and designed at the time for the short vehicle of 24'. The newer camp grounds and some of the older ones are being built,renovated to accommodate the longer units and the slides that the newer trailers are coming out with. This is where your camping fees usually go, for these improvements. And yes they are slow, but so is the Highway system. Right now its just economics.
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dave17352
LINCOLN, NE
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Joined: 09/20/2004
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We have a 33 foot Fifth wheel and have never been to a campground we could not fit in. As far as parking lots go not a problem there either. When traveling I make a point of going shopping in areas that are on the edge of town with lots of room, but whos going to drive to the center of downtown if they don't have to. There has always been room to easily negotiate turns in the large parking lots. The one thing I did do which was a big plus for me is I put on a aux fuel tank of 50 gallons. Now I can go 700 miles until I find the right fuel station or shopping mall. Usually I am not even hooked up when I fuel up. Also backing my rig is easy and it would be for you once you got used to it. All the different rigs have their advantages and I have had TCers a class C and a Fifth which is now my preference. For fishing with boys TCer, for traveling with the kids Class C, for traveling with DW Fifth wheel. Thats how I see it.
JMHO
PS All though I wouldn't mind one of those great big gorgous Class A Diesel Pushers either!!!!
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captainjon
Kingston,Ontario
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Joined: 01/24/2004
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Hello Jeff: Your post is great as it is so reminiscent of whatI went through last year and am still going through as I stepped up to a Denali 31 fifth wheel last week. I started out 7 years ago with a used Roadtrek, then bought another used Trek. Great fun, tremendous freedom. Two large dogs kenneled. My goodness, get a bigger unit and take the dogs. Ok, now to a 2006 Class B Plus(C)27ft. Forest River Lexington. Absolutely wonderful, although limiting some things like no more pull through Tim Horton Coffee joints.( Popular in Canada) and tight parking in my drive, and no more visiting the "off the road Lighthouses in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia. Alas, comfort made up for it. NOW, SHE WHO """"""""",(you know the rest) is going to retire in Dec. 08 and wants to Go to GOD's Waiting Room. (Naples, Florida). Great says I, what now? Beautiful new Truck and used fifth wheel. 2007 2500 Chev Silverado Crew, Duramax, Allison. 360hp, 665 lbs.ft.torque and 28ft. Cardinal. I don't really like the idea of towing but I keep quiet and roll with it because I now have the Truck of a lifetime. Off to Florida. Second day, Dec. 13th, Virginia, gas station, the caution or smack pole at the end of the pumps won't move for me and I take out the aluminum undersiding on the trailer along with some accessories. I'm Sick but push on since no travel damage done. I don't bother with insurance cause I think it will be a hassle. Think I can do the repairs myself. Dear wife gets frustrated and finally calls insurance 6 months later. No problem. Fixed, nice job. To back up a little. I had to spend $1500 clearing a spot for the 28ft. fifth at end of driveway. Now getting ready for Florida again and she wants new flat screen TV. Weighs much less and good switch. On the way home stop into RV store. Oh no, come out with new 31 Denali 3 slides , great bargain huh. Can't get it into Driveway(actual size 34ft 7") Sh--! So I'm out there this morn, feezin my ass off clearing bush. Moral of this longwinded monologue! Trade for comfort. Keep for Sanity! Not matter what Enjoy, if the gas pumps don't get. ya the PIG flu will. Go Phillies/ Capt. Jon(Marine)
capjon
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John Bridge
Houston
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Joined: 11/05/2005
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Straight answer. We moved up and can no longer get into some of the places we like. Mt. Rainier in Washington is an example. The only campground you might have had a chance at washed out a couple years ago and will not be re-opened. There are, however, state and local parks that a 40 foot fiver will fit into, especially on the beaches and on lakes -- anywhere there is flat land, really. Just forget the mountains, though. In those areas you'll end up in a commercial park. 
Semi-"retarred" in 2006. :-) 2008 Newmar Cypress 5th wheel, 2008 Dodge diesel dually to pull it with.
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JeffPritchard
San Diego California
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Thanks everyone!
John, not willing to "just forget the mountains". That's not an option for me.
It is just me for now, and eventually me and a couple of dogs. I think one of the short 5th wheels not much more than 30 feet will work fine for me. The hard part will be finding short ones that have all the "all weather" and luxury type items I want. Probably have to buy it with some and then add the others.
What are your favorite (still surviving) "short" coach makers?
thanks,
jp
Jeff Pritchard in San Diego
2008 Lance 1191 on 2008 F-350 DRW 4X4
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bigeking
Arlington, Texas
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Try NuWa or Titanium, They both have some shorter coaches I think.
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