which is better? a full size camper or 5er?

[andrewkoperdak]

slide in camper

Can someone give me some guidance? I am looking at getting a slide-in. I read all the pro's and con's that were posted about 5th wheel vs slide-ins. I was left wondering (I have never owned a camper) can't the slide-in be slid out and left set up at the camp site? I thought that was one of their selling features. I live in SoCal and venture to the Sierras often. Most of the roads I have been on say that trailers are not advised. I have had many miles of curvy roads where I could only go about 8 mph and constantly steering from lock to lock. I am trying to say that a camper looks like the only thing I could get up So this is the reason I want a slide-in but maybe I should reconsider if I can't leave it at my camp site and drive 8 - 10 miles to a trail-head. Comments!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

A few random thoughts. . .

I don't know how easy it is to r&r the camper at RV parks, or how stable it is up on those "stilts"--look into it. I suspect it isn't real practical.



4x4 Rams sit high and not all 5th wheels have enough clearance to the bed rails; reversing the trailer axles helps but hurts stability by raising center of gravity.



Airstream and other travel trailers with independent suspension tow easier. Shock absorbers help too but are rarely seen.



You can write off trailers and 5ers if self contained on your taxes as a second home. Can't do that with campers.



Wind resistance is important for mpg and most campers are bad for that, also high 5th wheels.

 

[Bill Stockard]

AKoperdak,



Check out the Lance Owners of America web site. There are some on that site who do the same thing you are talking about trying.



http://www.lanceowners.com/



Bill

 

[Cobra]

camper or 5er

I have a Coachman slidein. I'm not real happy with the Coachman but I love the slidein feature. I also pull a mc trailer some of the time which is why I got the slidein to begin with and I'm glad I did.



My slidein provides enough room for two people even for an extended time. IMHO



I should state that I never have had a 5er but did have a bumper pull trailer. I think the 5er is much nicer but I still prefer the slidein.

 

[Cobra]

slidein vs 5er

Akoperdak



I do believe that Lance states in their ads that the camper can be removed and lived in. I have a Coachman and that was discussed with the sales person prior to purchase. After reading the manual thoroughly, I found places in it that stated not to do that.



After confronting the sales person it was determined that that was a CYA liability thing for the manufacturer. I wasn't happy about it but I have used my off the truck and it worked great.



Let the buyer beware. I've heard that said.

 

[JSoloman]

I've had both. I loved the camper, but it can get a bit tight for room, esp if the weather is nasty and you want to stretch out.



With my 2-four legged boys, the 5th wheel really became the only way to go. Easy to tow, easy to drop and go and lots of room.

 

[dewdo]

I have both a fiver (34') and the 11. 5 Arctic Fox slide in camper with a large slide out. Which one to choose depends on what you plan to use it for. We go to AZ in the winters and have always taken the fiver. Plenty of room with the slide out and has washer and dryer.



The camper we use for short trips around the local area with some extended ones. We are leaving in a couple of weeks for an extended trip back to the east coast, and will be taking the camper (slide in) because it allows us to get into areas where we can't with the fiver. We made the trip a couple of years ago with the camper and enjoyed it a lot. Didn't have to worry about what size the campgrounds would take. We could camp in tent sites if larger sites were full. Camper has everything the fiver does except washer & dryer. (also has generator) We have been thinking of selling the fiver and just using the camper since we can take out boat along as well.



If you are going to stay in one place for more than just a few days then a fiver should be considered.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[PRout]

We found that sliding the camper on & off gets to be a real inconvenience. Theres more to it than meets the eye. Especially if you use the compartments in the sides of the bed for storage (which you need every bit of room available in there), you have to empty them out, undo the turnbuckles, etc. Then getting it centered on re installing it. It doesnt sound like much now, but after you do it a few times, youll see. Been there done that.



Also, take a look in campgrounds and see how many people are removing their campers. . not many.

 

[jthorpe]

I personally like the 5ver. Like what's been said, I find it much nicer towing, backing etc. I also like the design.



Here's a pic.



#ad

 

[Cummins Corvette]

jthorpe- What kind of mileage do you get with that setup? What is your average speed?

 

[jthorpe]

Originally posted by CAnderson

jthorpe- What kind of mileage do you get with that setup? What is your average speed?

Well, I'm 4x2, auto, 4. 10. All stock for now except the transmission. Seems to work well. The trailer is 8500lbs. I usually drive around 65mph or less. Mileage is about 12. 5-14. 0. Truck pulls great but I still kinda wish I had the 6spd. I'm about to put an EZ on the truck so that should help some more.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Thanks

 

[Bill Stockard]

dewdo,



We did what you are thinking about. The Hitchhiker 31' 2 slide-out 5th wheel set in my storage building for over a year while we were taking the Lance slide-in on all of our trips. We traded the 5th wheel and our '94 Lance 990 for a new Lance(and got cash on the difference) and haven't missed the 5th wheel at all . We have owned a travel trailer or 5th wheel since 1970.



After we leave home, the Lance is never unloaded until we get back home. We can drive and park anywhere--in towns in regular parking lots, in RV parks without worrying about getting in a site, in the state and national parks the bigger rigs pass up, and my wife never has to use public toilets. With the on board generator, we can stop to eat in the cool air conditioned camper and use the microwave anywhere we want. The Lance cools down much faster in the hot weather and warms up in the cool weather more quickly than the 5th wheel.



The truck-Lance combination is 10,000 lbs lighter than the truck-5th wheel combination. I get better fuel mileage since we aren't dragging a heavy trailer around anymore. I take all the back roads and those scenic roads outlined with the green dots on the map without worrying about steep grades and short switch-backs with all the weight behind me.



If we full timed, which we won't do in a RV, I would have to have the 5th wheel. I'm afraid the slide-in would be too small. We lived in a 35' 5th wheel while we sold our house and were building for our retirement home for about 7 months and that was enough for us to decide never to full time in a RV.



Bill