I lived in an Alpenlite 5th wheel while working nuclear power plant shutdowns during 2001 to 2002. Working on the road in a 5th wheel was much better than trying to find a hotel or rental to live in for weeks or months on end. My partner kept the 5th wheel, I left the road, bought a house and worked at one nuclear plant for 10 years now; but I have been restless and yearning to get back to that traveling work lifestyle!
2 months ago I started searching 5th wheel floor plans online and I am floored by all the options out there. For now I am in research mode and I am glad I found this forum. Lots of info here from other full and parttimers. As I make my requirements list of what I will need and want to live in I will be reading posts here and doing more research while performing 5th wheel walk thrus (which I have already started...) I will need a four season 5th wheel as some outages are in winter states such as Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin (which is where I am from). Also many outages in southern states such as Florida to South Carolina.
Next month I'm putting my house up for sale, going to live in my Dad's 40' Prevo until I find the 5th wheel and HD Dodge to pull it. I'm a dodge truck girl, I drive a 2011 1500 hemi right now. I will be traveling with my 2 fur dobiemix kids and my motorcycle.
I really appreciate all the information shared on this site, it will help make my transition back easier and less stressful with no blinders on!!!
Soaking it all in,
Michelle
Terry and Jo said
08:11 PM Oct 21, 2012
Michelle,
Welcome to the forums at RV Dreams. You will find this a place full of friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable folks. In addition to the answers to questions, you are likely to get "other options" as well. Everyone seems to have a zest for trying to help others, and offering alternative ideas is a part of that.
I fully agree that you need to do your research. Since you've mentioned the need to perhaps be in cold climates, be sure and pay attention to the insulation "R" ratings of the various fifth wheels. There are also other amenities that make the living in a fifth wheel easier. As an example, our fifth wheel has 3 1/4" walls with a higher than normal "R" rating, but they also offer what is called a "Canadian Package," which includes two 30,000 btu furnaces and extra protection for elbows in the plumbing for the grey and black tanks. A lot of RV's simply come with a single 40,000 btu furnace.
Of course, additional tank heaters are also available on many of the fifth wheels for all three types of tanks.
Many here, myself included, will advise you to choose your fifth wheel before you choose your truck. One does not want to buy a truck and then find that the trailer they bought is too heavy to be safely handled by their truck.
Feel free to ask questions, use the search function of the forums for finding certain topics, and just simply read all that you can. There is knowledge around every corner of these forums. Oh, there is also a bit of humor and sarcasm and kidding around. Glad to have you as part of the "family."
Terry
Nuclear Roadie said
06:47 AM Oct 22, 2012
Hi Terry,
I just ran across the mobile suites last week when I googled "full time 5th wheel floor plans" they look very nice. I am 6'1" and ceiling height matters too. Also they had a ton more cabinet space inside. Insulation is a big factor, we stayed in the alpenlite in Minnesota in Jan to Feb and to keep the enclosed under body and pipes from freezing we put 3/4" foam board around the bottom and stuck a small heater under it. It worked but it was alot of set up work that I would like to avoid in the future...I never thought about a second furnace. Do the shorter ones have that option too? I want to stay mid range around 34'-36'. I will start researching the campgrounds around the nuclear plants to see what their length limits are then maybe I could go with a 40 footer.
I definitely plan to buy the 5th wheel first so I have the right truck to tow it. Once I have the GVWR I will match the truck. I don't like the dually look but I'm going to test drive one to see how they drive...you are so right in the safety factor of the truck and proper hauling so I may have to get over my dislike of the look of the dually too...
I'm glad I joined this site for all the info. I also told my dad to check it out too.
Looking forward to getting to know people on here...
Michelle
Terry and Jo said
02:03 PM Oct 22, 2012
MIchelle,
I do believe the Canadian Package is available for all length of models. When one looks at the "order sheet," they list the various models in one area and then all the options elsewhere. I don't recall there being any disclaimer that the Canadian Package was not available for a 32' or 34' unit. Most of the DRV Suites models are either 36 or 38 with two 32' models. The 32-footers may actually be a foot or so longer than 32'.
As for your 6'1" height, I don't think that will be an issue, but then at 5'8", I don't bump into very many things. Well, there is the corner of the cabinet over the desk in the 38TKSB3.
If you can, regardless of which brand you are interested in, you might want to try to go to the factory where each brand is built. That way you may be able to see uncompleted units to get an idea of how they look "under the skin."
Good luck with the research and planning.
Terry
Lucky Mike said
10:46 PM Oct 22, 2012
Welcome to the family Michelle...........ask away!! Some of the most dedicated Friends are found here.....and the knowledge base , both professional and life experiences between all of them is humbling !!!!!!!!
Again welcome!!!!!!
Pete G said
02:39 PM Oct 24, 2012
Hi Michelle,
Welcome , You seem to be doing the same thing as my husband and I are retired and take our bike were ever we go now. We had a 21' forest river toy hauler
and we are looking to go bigger to a 5th wheel being that we will be living in it . Our house is up for sale to . Please feel free to write to Pete on anything
you have questions about. We have been looking at Gmc trucks we are a Gmc truck family.
As my husband told me to tell you JUST DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!
I lived in an Alpenlite 5th wheel while working nuclear power plant shutdowns during 2001 to 2002. Working on the road in a 5th wheel was much better than trying to find a hotel or rental to live in for weeks or months on end. My partner kept the 5th wheel, I left the road, bought a house and worked at one nuclear plant for 10 years now; but I have been restless and yearning to get back to that traveling work lifestyle!
2 months ago I started searching 5th wheel floor plans online and I am floored by all the options out there. For now I am in research mode and I am glad I found this forum. Lots of info here from other full and parttimers. As I make my requirements list of what I will need and want to live in I will be reading posts here and doing more research while performing 5th wheel walk thrus (which I have already started...) I will need a four season 5th wheel as some outages are in winter states such as Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin (which is where I am from). Also many outages in southern states such as Florida to South Carolina.
Next month I'm putting my house up for sale, going to live in my Dad's 40' Prevo until I find the 5th wheel and HD Dodge to pull it. I'm a dodge truck girl, I drive a 2011 1500 hemi right now. I will be traveling with my 2 fur dobiemix kids and my motorcycle.
I really appreciate all the information shared on this site, it will help make my transition back easier and less stressful with no blinders on!!!
Soaking it all in,
Michelle
Michelle,
Welcome to the forums at RV Dreams. You will find this a place full of friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable folks. In addition to the answers to questions, you are likely to get "other options" as well. Everyone seems to have a zest for trying to help others, and offering alternative ideas is a part of that.
I fully agree that you need to do your research. Since you've mentioned the need to perhaps be in cold climates, be sure and pay attention to the insulation "R" ratings of the various fifth wheels. There are also other amenities that make the living in a fifth wheel easier. As an example, our fifth wheel has 3 1/4" walls with a higher than normal "R" rating, but they also offer what is called a "Canadian Package," which includes two 30,000 btu furnaces and extra protection for elbows in the plumbing for the grey and black tanks. A lot of RV's simply come with a single 40,000 btu furnace.
Of course, additional tank heaters are also available on many of the fifth wheels for all three types of tanks.
Many here, myself included, will advise you to choose your fifth wheel before you choose your truck. One does not want to buy a truck and then find that the trailer they bought is too heavy to be safely handled by their truck.
Feel free to ask questions, use the search function of the forums for finding certain topics, and just simply read all that you can. There is knowledge around every corner of these forums. Oh, there is also a bit of humor and sarcasm and kidding around. Glad to have you as part of the "family."
Terry
Hi Terry,
I just ran across the mobile suites last week when I googled "full time 5th wheel floor plans" they look very nice. I am 6'1" and ceiling height matters too. Also they had a ton more cabinet space inside. Insulation is a big factor, we stayed in the alpenlite in Minnesota in Jan to Feb and to keep the enclosed under body and pipes from freezing we put 3/4" foam board around the bottom and stuck a small heater under it. It worked but it was alot of set up work that I would like to avoid in the future...I never thought about a second furnace. Do the shorter ones have that option too? I want to stay mid range around 34'-36'. I will start researching the campgrounds around the nuclear plants to see what their length limits are then maybe I could go with a 40 footer.
I definitely plan to buy the 5th wheel first so I have the right truck to tow it. Once I have the GVWR I will match the truck. I don't like the dually look but I'm going to test drive one to see how they drive...you are so right in the safety factor of the truck and proper hauling so I may have to get over my dislike of the look of the dually too...
I'm glad I joined this site for all the info. I also told my dad to check it out too.
Looking forward to getting to know people on here...
Michelle
MIchelle,
I do believe the Canadian Package is available for all length of models. When one looks at the "order sheet," they list the various models in one area and then all the options elsewhere. I don't recall there being any disclaimer that the Canadian Package was not available for a 32' or 34' unit. Most of the DRV Suites models are either 36 or 38 with two 32' models. The 32-footers may actually be a foot or so longer than 32'.
As for your 6'1" height, I don't think that will be an issue, but then at 5'8", I don't bump into very many things. Well, there is the corner of the cabinet over the desk in the 38TKSB3.
If you can, regardless of which brand you are interested in, you might want to try to go to the factory where each brand is built. That way you may be able to see uncompleted units to get an idea of how they look "under the skin."
Good luck with the research and planning.
Terry
Again welcome!!!!!!
Hi Michelle,
Welcome , You seem to be doing the same thing as my husband and I are retired and take our bike were ever we go now. We had a 21' forest river toy hauler
and we are looking to go bigger to a 5th wheel being that we will be living in it . Our house is up for sale to . Please feel free to write to Pete on anything
you have questions about. We have been looking at Gmc trucks we are a Gmc truck family.
As my husband told me to tell you JUST DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!
Claudia