You’ve decided to fulfill your heart’s content by exploring the world and being constantly on the move. Nothing could serve you better on the road than a fifth wheel. They’re spacious, durable, easy to tow, and have state-of-the-art features so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything! For buyers like you, RVingPlanet has made our list of the top 5 best fifth wheels for full time RVing. Read on to find out!
What puts an RV on the list: There’s obviously a huge difference between RVing once in a while and RVing full time. To make sure you get the closest feeling of living in a home we’ve hand picked the ones with a good mix of bunkhouse and regular floorplans. The author has also made sure they have enough 40 feet+ length floorplans since space can be a concern when RVing full time. After a few spec comparisons it all boiled down to the ones which had the best reviews. Here are the Top 5 Best Fifth Wheels For Full Time Living.
Contents
#1. Coachmen Chaparral Fifth Wheel
Diverse Luxury!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9575-12694 lbs | 4-11 | 33-41 feet |
There are few fifth wheels which can offer the level of flexibility within 11 floorplans as the Coachmen Chaparral can. If tow weight is an issue for you due to fifth wheels being on the heavier side, the Chaparral 298RLS has got you covered. This RV weighs 9575 pounds (dry weight) which is actually quite impressive. Of course, if weight isn’t an issue and you’re having a lot of people living in the same RV, the Chaparral 371MBRB spans 41 feet and can house 11 people in it. Like we said, flexibility!
To make it feel just like home, Coachmen has also added numerous storage options and features such as a modern entertainment center made for a 50-55 inch TV, motion sensor lights, USB charging ports, 8 cubic foot refrigerator, 30-inch microwave, 21-inch oven, a ducted furnace. Of course, if you need even more out of your RV, there’s a lot of options that upgrade these features and add new ones.
Key Features:
- 11 different floor plans available
- Exterior Back-up camera prep
- Solid hardwood slide fascia
- Solid lumber core cabinet stiles
- Oversized under bed storage
- Dual pane windows
>> You may also like: Best 5th Wheel Hitch Reviews <<
#2. Jayco North Point Fifth Wheel
Truly Heavy Duty!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 12405-14200 lbs | 4-9 | 38-43 feet |
Among the bulkier versions of the fifth wheels from Jayco RVs are the North point series which are roughly between 12000 and 14000 pounds heavy. This does mean, however, that this RV is really stable and are quite durable. It can hold 4 to 9 people and span from 38 feet on the North Point 315RLTS to the 43 feet on the North Point 387RDFS.
Whether you’re camping down South where the sun always shines or places where it’s cold, the RV air conditioner and the insulated underbelly plus furnace should keep your RV running at a comfortable temperature. If you’re thinking of doing a little tailgating along when on the move, there are exterior speakers, outdoor kitchen support with refrigerator and cooktop range, a wide awning and even an option for an outdoor grill. All in all, while the Jayco North point serves more purposes than one, it’s definitely a solid choice if you’re looking at fifth wheels for full-time living.
Key Features:
- 9 different floor plans available!
- Wide-stance front landing gear
- Dual exterior marine-grade speakers
- Free standing table with 2 dinette chairs and 2 folding chairs
- One-piece, fiberglass shower with glass doors
- Oversized folding exterior grab handle
#3. Heartland Sundance Fifth Wheel
One of the Cozier Fifth Wheels Out There!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 8307-12896 lbs | 2-9 | 30-42 feet |
When it comes to looking for something truly lightweight but spacious, few fifth wheels can offer a dry weight of a mere 8307 pounds and be 30 feet long (view the Sundance 269TS). This itself makes it a perfect camper for couples looking for fifth wheels for full time living as it can only have 2 people. Of course, if you’re interested in the larger ones, floorplans such as the Sundance 3700RLB and the Sundance 3710MB are available as well!
The Sundance is also quite impressive in terms of features. You have at least 3 sideouts in every floorplan, meaning a lot of additional space along with copious amounts of baggage space with a slam latch doors. You also have a dual-ducted air conditioner and a 8 cubic feet refrigerator that can be upgraded to a 15,000 BTU AC and a residential style refrigerator. In a nutshell, the Heartland Sundance is a good choice to consider if you’re RVing full-time.
Key Features:
- 11 different floor plans available
- LED interior lighting
- Tri-fold sofa bed
- Back-up camera prep
- Dual ducted AC
- Painted fiberglass front cap
#4. Jayco Eagle Fifth Wheel
The Affordable Family Camper!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 10310-12335 lbs | 4-7 | 35-42 feet |
If budget is something you’re also concerned about when choosing between fifth wheels for full-time living, then we highly recommend the Jacyo Eagle. While it’s MSRP is nearly the same as some of the others, it’s actual sale price is lower, and it offers the same amount of features and versatility of a good fifth wheel. For example, the Eagle 293RKDS offers has a very good build, weighing 10310 pounds and being 35 feet and at the same time they also have the Eagle 347BHOK which is 40 feet long and weighs pounds!
Feature-wise you’ll find that the Eagle has a lot of appreciable features. A ‘whisper quiet’ 15,000 BTU Air Conditioner and an electric patio awning with LED. Jayco has also added a ‘luxury package’ to this camper by default which adds a sound bar, frameless windows, handcrafted maple cabinet doors among other things too. If you wish to take it up a notch, there are over a dozen expansions and optimizations available, which truly makes this a best-in-class fifth wheel!
Key Features:
- 9 different floor plans
- Electric patio awning with integrated LED lights
- Frameless windows
- Exterior marine-grade speakers
- Rear electric stabilizer jacks
- Central command center with built-in tank monitoring
>> Read more: Fifth Wheel Vs Travel Trailer: The Complete Comparison <<
#5. Forest River Wildcat Fifth Wheel
The Perfectly Stable and Roomy 5er!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 7466-13170 lbs | 4-10 | 31-42 feet |
If you need something even lighter but more spacious than Sundance’s offering then something like the Wildcat 27RL should be right up your alley. It tips the scales at 7466 pounds and has a 31 feet footprint. As with our other choices, there are roomier and heavier options available such as the Wildcat 35WB available too, 23 to be exact. This alone makes the Wildcat worth checking out but it’s features are just as noteworthy too!
The Wildcat also has you covered in the features department, having some pretty impressive offerings ranging from a booth dinette to dual marine-grade outdoor stereo speakers. Of course, all of these are just the ones present in the vanilla version. Those looking to change a few features here and there can consider a myriad of upgrade options available such as a 2nd 13,500 BTU air conditioner and a king size bed!
Key Features:
- 23 different floor plans available
- Residential brushed chrome door and drawer hardware
- Solid hardwood glazed slide-out fascia
- 15,000 BTU ducted AC
- 4,600 BTU electric fireplace
- Residential soundbar with bluetooth
Living full-time in an RV, even when its something as spacious and comfortable as a fifth wheel, should be done right. Hopefully our top 5 list here should help you narrow the list of your favorites! You can also find out a lot of RV tips and reviews here.
[Via: Raza Vakil – RVingPlanet]
Last Updated on October 13, 2018
