Fifth Wheel Camper vs. Travel Trailer: What’s the Difference?
So, you’re all geared up for this year’s family vacation, and you decide that you want to invest in family camping trips this year, and for years to come. The next logical step is purchasing a camper or RV for your camping vacations.
When researching different options, you’re likely to narrow it down to either a fifth wheel RV or a travel trailer – so you’ll need to know the difference between the two. Which one will be right for you and your family, and how will purchasing one option over the other affect your overall camping experience?
Although similar in purpose, fifth wheels and travel trailers do have some major differences. You should be familiar with these differences in order to choose the right one for your family camping vacations.
Fifth Wheel RVs
A fifth wheel RV will generally be much larger than a travel trailer, with lengths ranging from 25-45 feet. This makes a fifth wheel have more of a home feeling to it. These campers are much more spacious and can accommodate larger families.
The fifth wheel will have the luxury of more space, and a second floor is sometimes included as well as more modern conveniences like a dishwasher, full bathroom, and a washer/dryer. Some fifth wheel RVs even have a fireplace installed.
Taking a fifth wheel camper on vacation will surely make for a comfortable stay, but there is a downside. With the larger size comes more required towing power, and lower fuel efficiency. If you don’t have a large truck to tow your camper with, or if you’re worried about gas prices, then a fifth wheel might not be for you.
Fifth wheels are also much more difficult to drive on rough surfaces, and maneuvering on a winding road leading to an off-road campsite could prove difficult with such a large attachment to your vehicle.
Travel Trailers
A travel trailer is much better suited for a smaller family, and for those who want to use an SUV to haul your camper instead of a larger pickup truck. Travel trailers are typically less spacious, with an average length of 12-35 feet, but still have enough room to fit a family of four.
The travel trailer is better on gas mileage, easier to handle when driving around steep and rugged terrain, and perfect for a smaller space if you’re sharing land with other campers on your family campground vacation.
