We are still in the process of gathering information and data on the many manufacturers of Fifth Wheels out there....what things come standard with different units and what options are offered, etc...  
For those who don't know, my wife and I are researching for a fifth wheel for living in full time when we retire in just under three years.

 Over the last several days, I've heard some things from different sources about certain features of Fifth wheels, and becuase I have this great forum of people who know these things first-hand, I thought I'd ask...lol.

We do like the idea of a lot of windows in a potential fifth wheel (and learned a lot from a recent "thread" here), I've read some artcles lately stating that fifth wheels with a lot of large windows are very hard to heat and to cool?  One manufacturer's video I watched, stated that a single pane window(s) is rated
R1 and a double pane or thermopane window(s) is rated R2 (pretty low "R" ratings or insulation ratings).  I do know that at our current home, we live in an approx. 100 year old Victorian in Massachusetts....we have several large "Picture" windows that, although thermopane type, really allow the cold to come through (through "convection" I guess?)
Anyway, we don't plan on traveling in extremely cold temps during the winter months, but even seeing Howard and Linda's experiences in south Texas, have seen temps well down into the low 30's (Brrrrrrrrr).  Probably the ability to cool the unit will be more relevant in the climates we will be in...Texas, Florida, Arizona, etc....
Bottom line:  If you have a fifth wheel with a lot of windows, have you experienced any negatives regarding the ability to heat or cool your unit as a direct result of these large windows?  Would you do anything different? (i.e.  not buy a unit with large units.....with smaller windows, etc?)

In the same manufacturer's video, I was informed that a lot of fifth wheel manufacturers "scrimp" on or do not put adequate insulation in the walls and floors of "slide outs"....this particular manufacturer (Americana) boasted of  having the same "R" values in the walls and slide outs of their units.
So, like the first question, has anyone experienced any problems (mainly heating and cooling) as a result of having poorly insulated walls and or floors/roofs in their slide outs?  Would you do anything different or buy a different unit because of these problems?

Hopefully if I keep asking these questions, and get answers from those of you "in the know", we can figure out the best fifth wheel for our upcoming adventures, and avoid any problems before we have to experience them first-hand ourselves.

Thanks in advance for any info...opinions.

Rick and Debi
Gardner, Massachusetts
Future Full-Time RVers

We full timed in an Americamp, which as you know is very bottom line as far as insolation. We live here in Texas and it has been in the low 20s some times. As far as not being able to stay warm we have not been uncomfortable. I really do not believe that you need all that extra unless you plan on staying up north. Down here the extras that you can get on the Top End coaches is more than enough. As far as the insolated windows go you'll find that most are aluminum and they conduct the cold outside around the double pane glass. Not much help with the two panes of glass in that case. It sure wont hurt to get all you can affford. I would just tell you to stay where it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Isn't that what this is all about?

You definitely can get a trailer with large windows that is relatively easy to cool and heat in virtually any weather conditions, but you have to shop carefully.

The majority of trailers are made for occassional use in good weather and will not be satisfactory for full timinng.  This is going to be your home, and you not only want to be comfortable, but operate it as inexpensively as possible in any climate.

I would recommend that you invest in dual pane windows and additional "arctic insulation" if the manufacturer offers it. You wont be sorry.

We wanted to avoid the winter weather that we were so used to in Wisconsin, so went to New Mexico for a hot air balloon festival in November. We awoke to -7 degrees and the high didn't get to 30 for the whole weekend. Who knew???
We've experienced a number of nights below freezing this winter in the southwest.

Another problem with poorly insulated / single pane trailers is condensation and mold in cold weather, and potential freezing of holding tanks.

Look for a trailer thats advertised for full time, 4 season service.  Better safe than sorry!

Good luck,
Fred