Is This "normal" for people that have 5th wheel/bumper set-up?

coachmac9 · September 2, 2016

Saw a story this past weekend with pics (or I would not have believed it)...Several family members (including at least one child) and pets were riding in a 5th wheel while being pulled down the highway...not just around the corner, but literally going a long distance at highway speeds...and they had an accident. Bad accident that totaled the truck and trailer!!! Miraculously nobody was injured in the truck or riding in the 5th wheel!!!!! I seriously could not believe that anyone would do this...is this done on a regular basis??? I just couldn't imagine allowing my child or pet to ride in a trailer being pulled at highway speeds...I know there a lot of 5th wheel owners that are on this forum...what do you guys think????

mptjelgin · September 2, 2016

I know that it is legal in some states to have people in a fifth wheel trailer going down the road, and I occasionally read of folks who do so. As for me, never. Ever. Too dangerous and just no reason to risk it.

Chalkie · September 2, 2016

It is legal in many states, including California which seems to have rules for everything. My in-laws used to keep their cats in the fiver when they traveled.

Having said that, I personally would not do it. I am not sure that riding in a fiver would be any more dangerous than riding in a motor home as long as there were provisions for seat belts. My biggest concern would be heat. I just can't imagine leaving a person or pet in the fiver when the outside temp is above 75 even.

skp51443 · September 2, 2016

We kept a remote thermometer in our fiver so we'd be able to keep track of how warm our cats were. It never got much above the outside temp inside, only thing we'd do is close the window blinds to keep the sun out. Cats were happy to travel in the fiver, hated the truck, so we went with what kept them happy. Our cats were used to warmer temps though, we spent a good bit of time boondocking when it would get above 90 degrees outside.

I rode in our fiver a few times (making sure it was legal in the state we were in) initially to try and locate a problem with driving at highway speeds sucking our sink traps dry. A couple times to keep an eye on the cats when we first tried letting them travel back there and once when we started seeing diesel exhaust deposits in the kitchen cupboards. Wife drove each time and we used our FRS radios to keep in contact.

It wasn't much fun back there as you had no clue to when the trailer was going to change speeds or turn so keeping on your feet was iffy. Noise and temp weren't issues nor was CO level aside from the time we saw the exhaust deposits, that came from a failed seam seal behind the fridge. Cats on the other hand got under the pillows on the bed and napped for the whole trip, we would open the door and call them down if we were stopping so they could drink and use the litter box if the urge struck.

Pappy Yokum · September 2, 2016

Once you see what is left of *any* trailer in an accident - you would not want any persons (or animals) riding in same.

A search of RV net will show the "results" of a couple of 5h wheels which were completely

destroyed by "blow-overs".

Not much left to salvage - and any person inside would have been very lucky to be alive!

BTW - "Chalkie" - CA vehicle code (ref sec: 21712, "g") prohibits passengers riding in trailers.

However, passengers may ride in 5th wheel trailers .(meeting certain requirements - sub section "i")

"Many states" also have rules ("for almost everything") prohibiting same for *all* trailers

.

Big Greg · September 2, 2016

We know of no one who has passengers in their 5W. If they did I imagine it would be very similar to someone walking around inside a MH when moving. Neither is very wise. We do let our cat travel in the 5W as she has told us several times she doesn't enjoy riding in the truck. She spends her time on the bed. Greg

Grassy · September 2, 2016

Walking in a 5th or class a while underway..no diff...

gjhunter01 · September 2, 2016

We had 2 cats that always rode in the fifth wheel and they were fine. If we ever would have had a accident like a roll over, I would much rather have the cats in the camper. I'm sure the cats would survive much better than most people give them credit for. I would not want to experience a truck roll over with cats and claws flying around.

Greg

richfaa · September 3, 2016

I tried it once just to see how it was...With all the slides in the only place that was comfortable was the bedroom bed. It was not that bad but all I could reach was the bathroom and the fridge. Going to the bathroom it a 5th wheel careening down the highway was a trip.

theeyres · September 3, 2016

I would never let a person ride in ours but way back when we did have a dog who refused to ride in the truck but would leap into the pull trailer or fiver or truck camper, depending on which we had at the time. He'd hop on the bed and stay there the whole trip.

oscarvan · September 3, 2016

State by state..... accuracy not guaranteed. In my fiver not just no, hell no. In the truck with seat belts on.

http://www.rvtripwizard.com/rv-info/state-road-laws.html

Kirk W · September 4, 2016

Nobody rides in my travel trailer at any time, for any reason.

Chalkie · September 4, 2016

BTW - "Chalkie" - CA vehicle code (ref sec: 21712, "g") prohibits passengers riding in trailers.

However, passengers may ride in 5th wheel trailers .(meeting certain requirements - sub section "i")

.

Which is precisely why I used CA as an example. Yes, there are stipulations. It still boggles my mind that it would be allowed ANYWHERE.

mhs4771 · September 4, 2016

No one rides in ours, not even our Cats. We removed the back seat in the TV and installed a large cage that's fastened down and not moving. That way there in climated controlled comfort with food, water, and litter.

MrSeas · September 4, 2016

So it's ok to ride or move around in a motor home going down the highway but not in a 5er? Seems a bit of a double standard

Chalkie · September 4, 2016

So it's ok to ride or move around in a motor home going down the highway but not in a 5er? Seems a bit of a double standard

It may be OK, but is it smart? That is the question at the heart of this discussion, I think.

57becky · September 5, 2016

It may also be a good idea to check the owners manual for your rig, as the manufacturer has to cover themselves legally in at least saying what the trailer is capable of. In the case of Keystone, 5er or travel trailer, this is stated in their owners manual: "Do not allow passengers to ride in the trailer during travel. The trailer does not have seat belts and is not designed to
carry passengers. This may also be prohibited by state law."

Ray,IN · September 8, 2016

Walking in a 5th or class a while underway..no diff...

I've been saying that for many years. I know from experience what can happen to an unbuckled person when the driver has to make a panic stop. My first wife would never use a seat belt. Driving through Indianapolis one night (surface streets) a man ran a red light, I jammed on the brakes attempting to stop (broadsided him anyway), wife came flying down the center and was suddenly stopped by the MH dash. Wife's injuries were moderate, MH damage slight, as that old 1977 Allegro had a 2"X8" angle iron bumper, other car was severely damaged.

Indiana permits riding in a 5er, but not a bumper-pull; logical thinking_????? Yet, if you disable auto air bags or seat belts that provide human protection you get to pay a fine.