Fifth Wheel Buying Tips

Not sure which fifth wheel camper to buy? The following buying guide can help! We cover key considerations to make in your search below.

For more buying tips or to explore 5th wheels for sale, visit Pete's RV PA. Our dealership is located in Mountville, Pennsylvania.

Consider Your Tow Vehicle

Before you can enjoy an RV vacation, you'll need to tow your fifth wheel to the campground. But not all vehicles can work as a tow vehicle.

5th wheels utilize a gooseneck hitch, which gets installed into a pickup truck bed. You won't be able to use other vehicles, such as an SUV or minivan, to tow a fifth wheel camper.

Beyond the truck bed requirement, you will also need to consider the tow vehicle's weight requirement.

Remember that this weight limitation includes the weight of passengers and cargo, not just the weight of the fifth wheel camper.

Consider Your Budget

Fifth wheels come at a wide range of price points. Think about how much you want to spend on your 5th wheel. This will allow you to instantly eliminate any models beyond that price point from your search...before you waste time researching them.

A new fifth wheel will usually cost between $35,000 and $100,000. The average cost of a new 5th wheel is around $75,000.

If you are on a tighter budget, think about getting a used fifth wheel. These models will be 20% to 30% lower than their original asking price.

When making your 5th wheel budget, remember to include the related costs. For example, you will need to buy a fifth wheel hitch. A hitch can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000.

Consider the Size

Another key consideration is the fifth wheel's size. 5th wheels are among the larger towable RVs, but they still come in a wide range of sizes.

For example, a fifth wheel tends to be 30-40 feet long, 8-10 feet wide, and 9-12 feet tall.

The right size for your family depends on multiple factors.

For example, how many people are in your group? You will need enough beds for everyone, but it doesn't hurt to have an extra space in case you or your child wants to bring a friend along.

It's also important to factor in your travel destinations. For example, will you be exploring narrow roads or visiting campgrounds with size restrictions? If so, be sure to get a small enough 5th wheel.

Want more information? Want to explore fifth wheels for sale? Whatever you need, the experts at Pete's RV PA are here to help. Reach out or contact our experts today. Our dealership is located in Mountville, Pennsylvania, and we also serve those in Hershey, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and York.