Choosing the Right Fifth Wheel RV: Seasonal and Year-Round Living Features & Storage Solutions

The features you choose for your new fifth-wheel RV depend on how you plan to use it. These are some decisions you're going to have to make, based on your needs and preferences:

Seasonal vs. Year-Round

If you only enjoy traveling during the summertime, your main concern is keeping a cool temperature inside your RV and letting fresh air in. This means you need a capable air conditioning unit and good ventilation through windows and roof vents. You're also going to spend lots of time outdoors near your fifth-wheel RV, so you may want to choose one with a large awning that you can use to enjoy the warm weather while avoiding direct sunlight.

If you plan on using your fifth-wheel RV all year round, you must equip it accordingly. First of all, this means you need better insulation to keep the cold from entering your RV. This also helps keep its interior cool in the summertime. You also need a capable heating system and larger tanks, as the bad weather may prevent you from refilling and dumping liquids. Water freezes in cold temperatures and may damage your lines and pipes, so your fifth-wheel RV should also feature bypass valves to help you replace water with antifreeze.

Living Features and Storage Solutions

Another major choice involves deciding on a floor plan that optimally divides living and storage space based on your particular needs. Luckily, fifth-wheel RVs are highly versatile and you can choose from a wide variety of floor plans when looking for one that suits you and your family. Some common floor plans include:

• Front kitchen: Placing your kitchen in the overhang at the front of your fifth-wheel RV increases the available living space. You can place the living room in the center and have the bedroom at the back of your RV for increased privacy.
• Rear kitchen: This places the kitchen at the back and is well-suited for travelers who enjoy cooking in their RVs. You can still have a large living area in the center, and place the bedroom and bathroom in the overhang.
• Center kitchen: You can also place the kitchen right in the center. Then, depending on which you use the most, you can either place the living room at the back and the bedroom in the overhang or do it the other way around.
• Bunkhouse: If you need more sleeping space this floor plan includes bunkbeds, which are usually placed near the rear of the RV. 
• Toy hauler: Travelers who enjoy taking various "toys" along with them on their trips, including ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles, can choose this floorplan, which uses the space at the back as a garage. 

What Are Some of the Main Benefits of Choosing a Fifth-Wheel RV?

Fifth-wheel RVs come with a distinct set of advantages over other camper types. Some of the most essential are:

• They're very comfortable. Having plenty of interior space and the option of configuring it however you please make fifth-wheel RV excellent for families of any size. 
• Detachable towing increases mobility. Motorhomes and other types of motorized RVs aren't easy to drive on rough off-road terrains and crowded city streets. When traveling in a fifth-wheel RV, you can simply park, detach it, and use your pickup truck to drive around town or explore the wilderness.
• They require less maintenance. Motorized RVs require all the maintenance that a regular vehicle needs. While fifth-wheel ones require some maintenance, it's usually less costly and time-consuming.

Fifth-Wheel RV Choosing Tips

Consider these tips when choosing your fifth-wheel RV:

• Determine the right size. The size of your fifth wheel depends on how you plan on using it. If you only plan on taking short trips, a smaller model may be just fine, as long as it has enough beds for everyone. If you want to spend lots of time out in nature, you'll probably feel better with some extra space.
• Consider its weight. Remember that your pickup truck has a maximum tow rating that you should consider when choosing your RV. When determining the maximum weight, also consider everything else inside, including people, cargo, and liquids.
• Analyze your budget. Fifth-wheel RVs are usually more expensive than classic travel trailers but less expensive than motorhomes. Choose one based on your available budget and remember you also need a capable pickup truck to tow it.

Fifth-wheel RV Towing Guidance

Getting used to towing such a large load can take a while, but it gets easier with a little practice. The main thing you must remember is to always stay below your weight limit. It may help to practice hitching your fifth-wheel RV to your pickup truck and maneuvering it around. Test it out in an empty parking lot. 

Find the Ideal Fifth-Wheel RV for You in Bretz RV & Marine's Inventory

Fifth-wheel RVs are comfy, luxurious, relatively easy to maintain, and can go almost everywhere your pickup truck can. If you're looking for a wide variety to choose from, including models from famous brands like Grand Design, Forest River Rockwood, and Crossroads Volante, come visit us at Bretz RV & Marine. Our sales professionals will answer all your questions and work with you to help you find the most appropriate fifth-wheel RV for you and your family. Contact us today or stop by to check out our inventory.