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Short 5th Wheel with 4 Season/Fulltimer Quality


Loki

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I own a 2012 Montana 313RE I have travelled with over 40,000 miles. While it is a great 5th wheel with only minor flaws, it's not really suitable for longer stays in winter weather. I have added a few things that made 2 or 3 weeks managable under freezing conditions, but it wasn't too comfy, so I'm thinking about getting a new one with 4 season suitability, like with the quality level of a Mobile Suites or one of its siblings. Also, we weren't too happy with the length of the trailer; with its 36' it proved to be too long for quite a number of national or state park campgrounds, where we prefer to stay in.

So we started looking for a 5th wheel with a length of 32' or preferably shorter, but with all the whistles and bells that make an RV 4 season capable. And I couldn't find any! Closest I found were the Mobile Suites 32 RS3 or the Tradition 340 RES, but they are 33'8" or 34' long, respectively. I understand that most people who need 5th wheels with fulltiming capability would also want something that is more spacious, so most of them are in the 36' to 43' range. But nothing smaller than 32'? Or does anyone know something I couldn't find?

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We haven't owned a 5th wheel for 5 years but NuWa advertises its 5th wheels as "true" 4-season RVs. And they have made some models in the 30-ish- foot range. They don't come cheap, though.

 

Here is one in KS: http://www.kansasrvcenter.com/inventory/431290/Used-2007-NuWa-HitchHiker-II-LS-29.5-FKTG-.aspx

 

WDR

1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks

1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires

Raspberry Pi Coach Computer

Ham Radio

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Have you looked at Arctic Fox? Their shortest fifth wheel is 29'5" and is a 4-season rig:

 

http://www.northwoodmfg.com/index.php?page=makeindex&make=arctic&type=fifth

 

Excel also makes a 4-season rig that is guaranteed down to -10 degrees (IF it comes with double-pane windows and the furnace is run in order to heat the basement). However, their shortest rig is 32'11":

 

http://www.excelrvs.com/

LindaH
2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul

 

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Several years ago while staying in the SKP Park in Heiskell, TN we met a solo traveler that had a 19 ft fiver made by http://www.horizonsrv.com/ .

 

Here is a 2007 26ft model: http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2007-New-Horizons-Custom-5th-Wheel-113804208113804208_3thumb_770x574.jpg

 

We saw a Fox Mountain at an RV Show in Phoenix that was 23 ft and advertized as four season unit.

xmountain-235RLS.gif.pagespeed.ic.Udw_q8

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Everything I can find seems to confirm that NuWa 5ers, and the Hitchhiker emblem, are good 4-season RVs. I got curious and used Searchtempest to see how many under-30' NuWa trailers are out there for sale and it appears that there are quite a few; some dating back into the 1980s so they've been around a good long while. One 34' in the Spokane craigslist indicates that it's in Polson, Montana and has little corrugated custom covers for the slides. It gets a bit chilly in MT so if it can survive that....

 

Just to give you an idea:

 

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/4908686096.html ($7,950) (30')

 

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/rvs/4848930797.html ($8,000) (30')

 

http://salem.craigslist.org/rvd/4869228923.html ($12,860) (30')

 

http://bend.craigslist.org/rvd/4887601379.html ($10,995) (28')

 

Newer models seem to be bigger but I haven't looked at enough of them to tell. Owners often mention the cold weather ability and no leaks. We have a DP but I like these.

 

WDR

1993 Foretravel U225 with Pacbrake and 5.9 Cummins with Banks

1999 Jeep Wrangler, 4" lift and 33" tires

Raspberry Pi Coach Computer

Ham Radio

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Look at the Arctic Fox line and the HitchHikers built by Excel. Both well built 4 season trailers.

 

Ken

Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot

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I bought this carri lite last May. Four months prior, I didn't know what a fifth wheel was, so I've climbed a steep curve.

 

Thermal(dual glass) is a must. A well insulated underbelly is a must. Check on how the tanks are heated. I just screwed up this winter by running electric heaters, thinking I'd save LP. In my ignorance, I didn't realize the LP furnace heated the tanks below, so I froze my sewer line and destoyed one of my electric valves and froze my outdoor shower valve to boot. Oh well!

 

I you're looking used, best to buy an older, better built unit, than a newer, yet "fancier" unit; in my humble opinion.

 

PS: My trailer is 37'. I tried to find one the size you're after so I could get into small state parks and couldnt' find a match.

2011 F350 Lariat, 6.7L, 3.73, CC, DRW, 8' Bed, Reese Elite 25K, TST 507
2011 Carri Lite 36XTRM5, MORryde IS/ Pin Box, Hydraulic Jacks/ Brakes, 17.5" Wheels/ G114 Tires

Solar 960 watts, (2) 50amp controllers, 3,000 watt hybrid inverter/charger, 830 AH batt bank

WiFi Ranger Elite Pack; weboost Drive 4G-X

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  • 3 months later...

I just saw this post. We too want a shorter 5th wheel so that we can go to National Parks and other places that a larger one can't go. We drove to Denver a few months ago and went to 5 dealerships looking for a true 4-season. At the top of our list is the Glacier Peak made by Outdoor's RV Manufacturing. Go to their website and down at the bottom, in the green area, click on 4 season. It's a great video explaining their fully enclosed, front to back heated insulated underbelly and LOTS more features that make it a true 4 season.

 

We are about a year away from buying but so far this our first choice for full timing. We want to be able to go anywhere and everywhere in North America for a few years.... maybe more.

Good Luck!

Kathie

Kathie and Tom

Ambition 33QS (Honalee)

Augusta RV

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Check out the Triple E Topaz fifth wheel trailers. Very good quality Canadian built with an XL package that gives you heated and insulated tanks and dual pane windows. They start at 25 feet.

<p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well.

IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR.

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Loki, welcome to the Escapee forums!

 

Its interesting to me that you are not happy with your Montana for winter living as the Montana is one of the more popular brands that we see used as a full-time RV home. There is no doubt that they are not at the same standard of construction as many of those suggested in this thread but it is also important to look at the increase in weight which the suggested trailers will have as you may need to upgrade your tow truck as well if you change. The highest quality, best constructed, and best insulated fifth wheels will also be much heavier to tow. But they will also fare much better if used in serious cold weather and you will be more comfortable. Generally, as the quality of construction and materials in an RV increases, so too do both the RV's weight and the cost to buy one. In general, the best quality that a budget can afford is the best choice but make sure that you don't find yourself with too little truck for the trailer.

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

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We also are looking for a 30-32 foot all season. Love the Arctic Fox models, but tough to find a good used one here in SE Alabama. We'll have to check out a couple of the other recommendations, the Excel and Triple E.

 

Definite truck upgrade. 1 ton or maybe an MDT for towing.

 

Can you put a Smartfor2 on an MDT if you tow a smaller trailer?

 

Thanks for the topic.

Keith & Jodi
Fleetwood Expedition 34H

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We full time in a DRV 32TK3 which is actually 33'8". So far have not had any issues getting into or around older state parks or private parks. We can even get into park and sites that motor homes that are the same length cannot get into because of manuverability and the fact that at least 4' of our length is over the truck bed. My feeling is that as long as you stay under 35' in length, you will be fine. That is why we chose the length that we did and it still provides nice living space and more than adequate storage. DRV used to make a 31 RE3 that was actually about 32' in length but we found it actually too small for our liking in the living area and they are also hard to find since they were only made for 2 years and were not very popular so not many were produced either. In my opinion, DRV is one of the best constructed rigs out there for the money. If buying a used DRV, stay away from the 2012 -2013 models as there were allot of issues with the Schwintech slide on the bedroom and there are allot of these available because of that issue.

"Bloom where you are planted"
2006 F350 6.0 L Diesel, Lariet, Firestone air bags, Reese 20K Hitch
2006 DRV Mobile Suites 32TK3, MorRyde Pin Box, MorRyde I.S., Progressive Ind. EMS
Class of 2013 (12/21/2013)

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Triple E is not out of business.

 

Given that they aren't making towables anymore, for the intents of this conversation, they effectively are.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

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We full time in a DRV 32TK3 which is actually 33'8". So far have not had any issues getting into or around older state parks or private parks. We can even get into park and sites that motor homes that are the same length cannot get into because of manuverability and the fact that at least 4' of our length is over the truck bed. My feeling is that as long as you stay under 35' in length, you will be fine. That is why we chose the length that we did and it still provides nice living space and more than adequate storage. DRV used to make a 31 RE3 that was actually about 32' in length but we found it actually too small for our liking in the living area and they are also hard to find since they were only made for 2 years and were not very popular so not many were produced either. In my opinion, DRV is one of the best constructed rigs out there for the money. If buying a used DRV, stay away from the 2012 -2013 models as there were allot of issues with the Schwintech slide on the bedroom and there are allot of these available because of that issue.

 

Although there have been issues with the schwintec slide (yes, we have them) DRV has stood behind their product, and anyone that I know of, myself included, that had an issue, had it resolved to their satisfaction by DRV. Once fixed, we have had no issues.

 

Sue

Sue and Paul- fulltimed 2009 -2015 with Dozer, our Gray Tuxedo cat

 2012 DRV Mobile Suites 36TKSB4 pulled by a 2020 F350 Platinum

Our "vacation home" : 2018 Arctic Fox 1150 truck camper

RIP Dozey

http://soos-ontheroad.blogspot.com/

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I own a 2012 Montana 313RE I have travelled with over 40,000 miles. While it is a great 5th wheel with only minor flaws, it's not really suitable for longer stays in winter weather. I have added a few things that made 2 or 3 weeks managable under freezing conditions, but it wasn't too comfy, so I'm thinking about getting a new one with 4 season suitability, like with the quality level of a Mobile Suites or one of its siblings. Also, we weren't too happy with the length of the trailer; with its 36' it proved to be too long for quite a number of national or state park campgrounds, where we prefer to stay in.

So we started looking for a 5th wheel with a length of 32' or preferably shorter, but with all the whistles and bells that make an RV 4 season capable. And I couldn't find any! Closest I found were the Mobile Suites 32 RS3 or the Tradition 340 RES, but they are 33'8" or 34' long, respectively. I understand that most people who need 5th wheels with fulltiming capability would also want something that is more spacious, so most of them are in the 36' to 43' range. But nothing smaller than 32'? Or does anyone know something I couldn't find?

 

We have a 30.5 foot Carriage....that is good, but probably not totally 4 season. It does get us through hunting season and survived a 12 degree night in Benson, Arizona without freezing up.

 

That said....today we bought a 17 foot Casita, since we were tired of not being able to get into Forest Service and NPS campgrounds.

 

Anybody going through Dallas in September with a "free" hitch??

Vladimr Steblina

Retired Forester...exploring the public lands.

usbackroads.blogspot.com

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