Hi and thank you to all who welcomed me so kindly..
I thought I would start by asking an easy question. What is the difference between a "light" 5th wheel and a regular one? In order to get what we want and buy the largest RV that we can afford, (afterall this will be our only home) we want an RV that is 36-39ft and will probably be dry weight of 12,000 or so.
If they make light weight RVs is there something left off to make it lighter that we would find especially important? We are shopping for dual pane windows and high R rating so we are not using the heat and AC continously, and need to get a quality product (although not the most expensive) so we aren't replacing basic necessities all the time. We don't repair things ourselves due to not being 'handy'. We also are not concerned about the entire interior finish being real wood.
Thanks!
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
04:07 PM Feb 3, 2014
If you are looking for dual pane windows and a high R value, then "light weight" isn't going to be available. The 12k or so in a 36' 5'er is very doable. If your willing to add a little more weight say 13-14 dry then there's some great Full Time rated 5'ers out there.
The Bear II said
04:08 PM Feb 3, 2014
Lite is more of a marketing term than anything else.
Most manufacturers have gone to using light weight materials and building tecniques in at least one of their RV models/lines.
The quality units will have solid wood cabinets, good flooring and counter top materials, very few options (fully equipped), well insulated plus double paned windows...etc.
The lite units will have composite materials, aluminum framing, add on options, light weight counter top and flooring materials.
Depending on how you use, maintain and travel the lite units may work just as well as the higher end units. Our RVs have always been considered mid-quality units and each one has served us well for over 15 years of use. Our current 5th wheel is 19 years old and still going strong. We've only had to do the expected repairs, replacements and maintenance, nothing out of the ordinary.
DRV said
06:35 PM Feb 3, 2014
Most 5th wheels will have the minimum requirements to eat, sleep, shower, etc. It is the quality and comfort that adds weight to 5th wheels. When U walk thru RV's look at the quality of the shower tub surrounds, the thickness of the bed mattress, and if the sofa has hidden bed. The size of the frig, stove, and is there a microwave. Also the size of the propane tanks...and the size for grey and black water tanks. An extra 20 pounds for all the items soon adds up to serious weight. Also ask the question are you going to use the 5th wheel for full time or seasonal. Seasonal 5th wheels equipment will likely age quicker than a quality 5th wheel.
Sushidog said
07:57 PM Feb 3, 2014
Here's a nicely appointed lightweight rig in your size/weight range. Only 10,584 dry (14,600 gross.) EverGreen Bay Hill 320RS
The thing that makes RV trailers / 5ers light is simply the thickness and the amount of the materials used; such as the amount of steel in the frame and the overall quality of the running gear.Light RV will also have much thinner wood or laminates. Their frames will have less material and there will most likely be less insulation, etc.
This doesn’t make them bad or good as such.But the way you reduce weight is to leave stuff out including dual pane windows because they weigh a lot more as they have twice as much glass.Higher strength usually equals more weight.Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t select lighter. But be aware, with few exceptions they are not as strong and may or may not hold up as well if you travel a lot.Stationary? – It matters a lot less.
Hi and thank you to all who welcomed me so kindly..
I thought I would start by asking an easy question. What is the difference between a "light" 5th wheel and a regular one? In order to get what we want and buy the largest RV that we can afford, (afterall this will be our only home) we want an RV that is 36-39ft and will probably be dry weight of 12,000 or so.
If they make light weight RVs is there something left off to make it lighter that we would find especially important? We are shopping for dual pane windows and high R rating so we are not using the heat and AC continously, and need to get a quality product (although not the most expensive) so we aren't replacing basic necessities all the time. We don't repair things ourselves due to not being 'handy'. We also are not concerned about the entire interior finish being real wood.
Thanks!
Most manufacturers have gone to using light weight materials and building tecniques in at least one of their RV models/lines.
The quality units will have solid wood cabinets, good flooring and counter top materials, very few options (fully equipped), well insulated plus double paned windows...etc.
The lite units will have composite materials, aluminum framing, add on options, light weight counter top and flooring materials.
Depending on how you use, maintain and travel the lite units may work just as well as the higher end units. Our RVs have always been considered mid-quality units and each one has served us well for over 15 years of use. Our current 5th wheel is 19 years old and still going strong. We've only had to do the expected repairs, replacements and maintenance, nothing out of the ordinary.
Most 5th wheels will have the minimum requirements to eat, sleep, shower, etc. It is the quality and comfort that adds weight to 5th wheels. When U walk thru RV's look at the quality of the shower tub surrounds, the thickness of the bed mattress, and if the sofa has hidden bed. The size of the frig, stove, and is there a microwave. Also the size of the propane tanks...and the size for grey and black water tanks. An extra 20 pounds for all the items soon adds up to serious weight. Also ask the question are you going to use the 5th wheel for full time or seasonal. Seasonal 5th wheels equipment will likely age quicker than a quality 5th wheel.
www.hilmersonrv.com/rv/little+falls+mn/evergreen+fifthwheel/2768/evergreen+bay+hill+320rs
www.sierrarvsales.com/inventory/270236/New-2013-EverGreen-RV-Bay-Hill-320RS.aspx
Chip
The thing that makes RV trailers / 5ers light is simply the thickness and the amount of the materials used; such as the amount of steel in the frame and the overall quality of the running gear. Light RV will also have much thinner wood or laminates. Their frames will have less material and there will most likely be less insulation, etc.
This doesn’t make them bad or good as such. But the way you reduce weight is to leave stuff out including dual pane windows because they weigh a lot more as they have twice as much glass. Higher strength usually equals more weight. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t select lighter. But be aware, with few exceptions they are not as strong and may or may not hold up as well if you travel a lot. Stationary? – It matters a lot less.