We thought last year that we had just purchased our perfect dream fifth wheel. We were doing seasonal camping at one campground and traveling very little. The bigger the better was our thoughts. It turns out now that we are bored of being at the same campground all season and we want to travel more. While I find towing our 40' trailer is no big deal the prospect of backing into and sometimes leaving a site causes me to lie awake in a cold sweat. Just because the campground advertises that it has a site to fit our big rig does not mean that you can easily maneuver into and out of that site without asking your camping neighbors across the way to move there trucks out of the way. Thats not always convenient at 6am.
So here we are with a one year old trailer trying to work a deal with our dealer to help us move down to a 30ft to 33ft rig. I guess were not the only ones who have done this but now I am feeling pretty dumb for making such a big mistake and choosing such a large trailer when I should have known better. I lost site of what camping is all about and got caught up in the bigger and the fancier the better. Oh well. Live and learn.
2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 CTD SRW, Pullrite Superglide 18k.
2012 Komfort 3530fbh 5th wheel with Ground Control
Cummins12V98 wrote: Well at least if you down size to a 33' it will be a lot safer RV to tow with your single rear wheel truck.
That to...... but with that said we have several thousand miles towed with this combo and our Ram 3500 tows, stops and handles very well with our current trailer. Would it be safer with a lighter smaller trailer.... of course.
It's easy to play the game "keeping up with the Jones". But since that, now you "ARE" the Jones's, why not use the opportunity to really learn how to use your current rig and really enjoy it! All you have to do is practice a little in an open parking lot backing, turning, and maneuvering around until you feel more comfortable towing and parking the bigger rig.
About campsites. Yes, because you are longer, you'll need to be a bit more selective of the campsite you choose in the first place, and sometimes that takes a little bit of research, phone calling, or even visiting a campground before you schedule a visit. And once you're there, keep a journal, or lots of photos of other campsites that you like and will accommodate your needs in the event you decide to go back at a later date. (we do this almost every new campground we visit, no matter where it's at).
With a little practice, and overcoming your paranoia, in a short while, you should become very seasoned maneuvering your rig into some of the most (seemingly) impossible sites!
And... by the way ... if someone is parked which blocks you from entering your own campsite, don't be shy to ask anyone to move their vehicles. Sometimes people just don't think, or if a site is empty, thinks the site will be unoccupied and they use it for extended parking or camping. They shouldn't, but many do anyway. So if it's your site for a few days, feel free to ask anyone to move their "stuff". If they don't, get the campground management to intervene for you.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
I know shorter is easier to park. But I would not take the hit over 7'. If the site is big enough I have always managed to get my rig parked. Occaisionaly I have asked some one to move there truck but for the most part parking is not a problem.
07'Duramax dually,12'Open Range 399BHS
Hawkshead TPMS,Hensley BD3,Killerbee exhaust brake
Blue Ox Bedsaver,air bags w/compressor
Arvika pin box bike rack,Bak Flip tonneau cover
5500 Onan LP,EMS-HW-50
14'Porta Bote w/8.0 Nissan
Vu Cube 2000,Splendide 2000S
^^ All good thoughts guys, thanks. I have had a CDL for 20 years now and feel pretty confident in my driving skills but I guess sometimes my confidence does suffer a little. I have never not gotten into a site I guess. Maybe I do need to step back and reconsider.
Lantley wrote: I know shorter is easier to park. But I would not take the hit over 7'. If the site is big enough I have always managed to get my rig parked. Occaisionaly I have asked some one to move there truck but for the most part parking is not a problem.
x2.. that would be a big hit to the wallet for not a huge relief.. but I'm cheap
We're only 4' shorter and are doing fine. I'd hate to see you take it the shorts and then miss the extra room, especially since it sounds like you're full timing.
Your choice of course and you need to be enjoying what you're doing, but maybe give it a little more time to see if you can't master maneuvering the 40 footer?
Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
2000 Ram 2500 SLT/Laramie 24V CTD 2WD QCSB PacBrake, Smarty
2011 Colorado 320BS-FW 36'
EZ Flex + wet bolt
Curt E5 with R5 slider, Prodigy P3
Air Lift 5000's, Load Controller II
I went from a 33' to a 40'and have not had any problems backing into a site but we don't do state parks which around here we won't fit anyways.Might have to go back and forth a few times but manage to get it in and would not want to trade the space to go smaller.
2011 F350 Lariat 4x4 CC DRW Powerstroke 3:73,LineX,Duraflaps on all four corners,BAK Flip F1.
2011 Keystone Alpine 3640RL
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