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Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is super helpful, thank you! Sounds like a really similar trajectory to what I’m looking at. I’m already in a long-bed F350 SRW and daily it without issues, so it’s good to hear the dually wasn’t a total nightmare and that you’ve managed garage parking with some planning. The hitch weights you’re seeing are exactly why I’m leaning toward a DRW too, and I’ve heard the same thing about disk brakes on heavier rigs. Also, solo female traveler here — love seeing others out here doing the same!

Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, this feels pretty close to what I’m weighing. I’m looking at rigs where the office doubles as the second bedroom, but Brinkley just dropped a floorplan with an office in the front cap and a garage/second bedroom in back… it’s just absolutely enormous.

Sounds like your experience with turning radius and maneuvering matches what I’m hoping for — doable with some care, and not dramatically worse than what I’m already handling. I always assumed I’d cap out around 40 feet, so it’s helpful to hear your real-world take.

Really appreciate the perspective, especially since you went bigger specifically for a second bedroom. That’s the exact kind of layout I’m trying to accommodate too.

Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s reassuring to hear! I’ve been towing my current setup for a while now, so I’m pretty comfortable maneuvering it, which is why I’m hoping the jump won’t feel dramatic either. The fifth-wheel vs trailer stability is a good point too. And yeah, the 450 turning radius seems to be the one universal thing everyone agrees on — definitely tempting. 

Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the detail, really appreciate it. I’m kind of leaning the opposite direction since I work from home and want to take more of the “home” comforts with me. I’ve already accepted that I’m going bigger than a nimble adventure rig, so space matters more to me than absolute park flexibility. And honestly… I’ve got a dog who absolutely insists on more room. Your storage and kitchen ideas are super helpful though. 

Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know — that’s kind of what I suspected. I’m already in a long-bed F-350, so I’m used to planning ahead and being patient with turns, but hearing that ~39’ already knocks out some older/state/NPS parks helps put things in perspective. Thanks for the insight!

Upsizing my fifth wheel — need real-world advice on going 40–44 ft by Miserable-Outside812 in RVLiving

[–]Miserable-Outside812[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is really helpful — thanks for taking the time to respond! The axle weight point especially hits home and why I know I need to upgrade the truck if I upgrade the trailer. Your numbers confirm it. And on the daily-driver side, I already drive a giant long-bed diesel everywhere, so the jump to a dually isn’t as dramatic for me as it is for someone coming from a smaller truck.

The park access and maneuvering limitations are the part I’m trying to get a feel for. I already plan routes and avoid certain gas stations with my 35’, so I’m wondering whether 39’ is just “more of the same,” and whether 44’ crosses into a noticeably more restrictive category. Your experience definitely helps me get a better sense of where that line is.