I'm amazed about some people saying that rving isn't really camping. I started with two different tent trailers and now I"m in a 25 foot fifth and really unless you are in a tent I think the expirence is the same. I do the same things when I am camping, hikes, fishing, camp fires, the tent trailer, Travel trailer, fifth, or motor home is just a place to sleep. You can still cook on a camp stove, you can do all the nature stuff you want. So go out and find a trailer you want and will fit your truck and enjoy camping.
MIke
Mike and Char
2002 Chev 2500HD CC SB 6.0 4.10 4x4
2002 Arctic Fox 245n
We started with tent and popups on an occasional basis. Lucky if we could string together more than 2 days at a time a few times a year.
When we retired I did some research and decided on a 5ver. We wound up with a very nice 4 year old American Star with one slide and is 30+ feet long. We have found that for us it is too large. We are travelers, we hike, we bike, sight see. We need enough room to sleep, eat and relax after the day. We rarely spend more than a few days at a site and like being able to setup and breakdown in 30 to 45 minutes or less.
Another reason we will go to a smaller one is to tow a small boat or trailer. All states have some length restrictions. Here in Wis it is 65 ft, MN is 70 ft. Our rig would be 69 ft as configured now.
Some state and national parks will have a bit less selection with 5vers in the 30+ length, we were in one which had just 3 or 4 big enough for us and there were 140 sites there.
Check www.rvtraderonline.com or some similar sites for the size 5ver you want. You can select year, length, model and put in price restrictions too.
Two years ago we went from a pop-up that we enjoyed for a number of years to a small light 5th wheel that we tow with a 06 F150 supercab / 5.4 L / 3.73 rear / with tow package. We have spent approximately 8 months in it. It is a 24 foot 05 Trail Cruiser TC524 with a small dining slide. We have traveled for up to two months with just us, traveled a week at a time with another couple, and have on numerous occasions had grand kids and daughter-in-law and/or son-in-laws at beach and mountains.
We wouldn't want to go back to the pop-up. The 5er is much easier to travel in; you can just pull into a parking spot, leave the unit hooked up if just staying overnight(can you say no setup or breakdown in the rain). We are set up with 300 AmpHr batteries, so we can dry-camp for up to 4 days(being conservative with lights and water). We spend most of the time outdoors, and see no reason to even think about anything larger.
Good Luck in your search,
Doug
PS: we still have a tent and use it occasionally(can you say its raining again).
* This post was
edited 04/08/08 03:31pm by doughere *
MrD wrote: I'm amazed about some people saying that rving isn't really camping. I started with two different tent trailers and now I"m in a 25 foot fifth and really unless you are in a tent I think the expirence is the same. I do the same things when I am camping, hikes, fishing, camp fires, the tent trailer, Travel trailer, fifth, or motor home is just a place to sleep. You can still cook on a camp stove, you can do all the nature stuff you want. So go out and find a trailer you want and will fit your truck and enjoy camping.
MIke
I agree. We have a 28 foot fiver. My favorite trip each year is Cades Cove in October. No hookups of any kind in campground. We use the fiver for sleeping and storage. Cooking is done outside. Campfire in the evening, hiking and various trips all day each day. Our first trip to Cades Cove was in a tent. Each time we left camp we had to load all the food into the truck because of bears. A real pain! Now we just lock the door and go. Still camping, but better.
Little by little, one travels far - J.R.R. Tolkien
There ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. - Mark Twain
We were in a similar situation. 2 1/2 years ago we went from a 6 person tent to a 34' 5er. It was the best move we could have made. Has work very well for us. I already had the F-350 so the tv was not the limiting factor. Still have the same 5er and have looked to upgrade, but cannot find a model that we like better.
05 F-350 SRW Crewcab 4x4 PSD Long Bed, Torque shift with 3.73 drive, 57 gallon trans-flow fuel tank(replaced stock)
04 Sierra 32 bhbs 5er ( Sold )
09 XLR 385x12 Toy Hauler
07 40' GN triple axle Millennium Trailer
I hope it isn't money wasted because if that is so I wasted a pile of money mines only 26'. For us it's DW myself and two small dogs mostly. Sometimes another couple so it's cozy didn't want anything too big.
Welcome to the forum....
2006 F250 Extended Cab, Long Bed, 6.0 PSD, Tow Package
2006 Keystone Springdale 242
I own both. A small 5er and a pop-up. The 5er has been used in the last year. The pop up hasn't. In our opinion (wife and my own) the 5er is better. No worries about someone slitting the fabric and coming in while we are gone, limited set up time with the 5er compared to the pop-up and more actual room for those unexpected rainy days.
With the 1/2 ton truck you are limited on 5ers due to pin weight and GVWR on the truck. You would do better looking at travel trailers and a good hitch like a Reese Dual Cam HP.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
We went from a 10' pop-up to a 28' 5ver. We pulled the pop-up with a Ford Ranger, and had to get a TV that could handle the 5ver, found a used F-250 that handles the weight well, wish I had a bigger engine (don't we all?).
You can 'camp' in any thing, and you can 'RV' just as well.
There is getting to be quite a few light weight 5vers in the market, just watch the pin weight and GVWR and you'll do fine.
94 F250 Flatbed
RBW Lil Rocker 15K
08 Flagstaff 8526 RLS
02 Sierra RKSS
1 Ferret
X2 on the travel trailer comment..... not telling you it's the only way to go but check them out. If you can handle the added weight try to get at least one slide. I just went from a 26 ft travel trailer with no slides to a 30 ft 5th w/ 2 slides and it's not even in the same galaxy. Slides make it so you can walk by one another without bumping.... that was fun when I was first married but now I'm just trying to get to the bathroom
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