marspec
West Virginia
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Joined: 04/13/2005
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I haven't been RV "shopping" for 7 years but then it seemed that 32 feet was a major "breaking" point in different floor plan availability and storage. I have been "looking" recently and it does seem that the 36-37 foot range is the new starting point.
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Here'n'There
Texas
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Joined: 10/09/2008
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Aransas Pass... one of our favorites when travelling E-W, W-E! First started staying across the ferry, but ended up in AP... stayed at "The Palms RV Park" right next to Wally World - grrrrrrrrrrreat folks.
Most any park that accepts a 37 foot 5th wheel will also take a 40 footer - least in my experience anyway.
I can't think of a single reason NOT to go with the longer 5ers when weight / size of truck to pull it are off the table. A 40 foot 5er with 4 or 5 slides? You could put a bowling alley in there!
I'll make ya a deal on a gently used 37 foot 2009 5er and 2008 diesel truck to pull it - PM me if interested.
Here'n'There
2009 Carri-Lite 36SBQ 5th Wheel
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab Long Bed Diesel Dually
On the road with Here'n'There
Role of the C133 in Viet Nam
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Robin'n'Marian
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Joined: 05/31/2011
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Redwood Residential Vehicles has a 31' (actually 34'4') if you are looking for a shorter high quality four-season full-time fiver. The rest are all bigger, though. It has all the amenities and luxuries you expect in a high end rig, too.
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Suzanne and Brad
Oregon
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Joined: 10/06/2008
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Our FW is 38' and occasionally it psoes a problem with finding a site (esp. state parks and the such). However, for us, it was more of a matter of being comfortable all the time and inconveniences occasionally than feeling cramped most of the time. Note, we're fulltimers, so space in the rig is an important issue for us.
Happy Travels!
Suzanne & Brad
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shadywriter
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 08/24/2010
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NuWa and Excel both make high-quality RVs in the 32-36 foot range. One thing you'll find is that the bed size will dictate how short the unit can be. We wanted a king-sized space (we have a queen bed but needed the extra walk-around room) and could not find one under 34-1/2 feet. We were told by one custom manufacturer that it wasn't possible to put a king-bed slide in a unit under 34-1/2 feet. But if you can't get a 34-footer in a given park, might as well go for the longer, more-comfortable units.
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jalichty
Lander, Wyoming 82520
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Joined: 09/18/2003
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I think you will find some very well-made fifth wheels less than 35 feet, if you look. Take a look at the Artic Fox line and look at KZ. Both of them make some high quality fifth-wheels around 30 feet. If, however, you mean something that can have a king-size bed, you probably are going to have to go over 35' or so. I'm not sure having a king-size bed means the fifth-wheel is high quality. Just as having two flat-screen television sets doesn't mean the fifth-wheel trailer is any higher quality than one having "just" one flat-screen television set.
John A. Lichty
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thecampingman
Wilmington, OH, USA
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Joined: 10/15/2004
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A 36' fifth wheel will often have the same square footsge as a 40 footer. You're just getting a longer floorplan, not more space.
'03 GMC 4500 Topkick with Duramax/Allison
'04 36' McKenzie Medallion triple slide
Cabover kayak racks w/18' touring kayaks.
Bicycle carrier on the front with a street bike & a mountain bike
Snowbird W/Ohio camper dock
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Ford Man
Tennessee
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Joined: 04/30/2005
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Just recently went from a 34 ft. Montana to a 2013 Landmark Grand Canyon which is 38 ft. and I can not tell a difference in towing.
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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Joined: 12/12/2010
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thecampingman wrote:A 36' fifth wheel will often have the same square footsge as a 40 footer. You're just getting a longer floorplan, not more space.
Uh, huh? Say what?
I was thinking there would be 32 sq/ft more in the 40'. I may need some remedial math.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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Kennedycamper
Algoa, Texas
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Joined: 05/24/2006
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The first 4 to 6 feet are drivers & passenger seats in a driver. And I would suggest NUWA also. Great trailer, and great people after the sale. Even after the warrenty is over.
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