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Fifth Wheel Buying Guide

Apr. 28 2022 Buying Guide By JR Motors

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Looking to buy a fifth wheel? Ask yourself the following questions to make the shopping process easier. Then visit JR Motors to shop for fifth wheels for sale. Our dealership is located in Lake Havasu City and Parker, Arizona.

What Can My Tow Vehicle Accommodate?

Fifth wheels are towable RVs, which means a vehicle is required to haul them to the destination. These RVs use a hitch that gets installed into a truck bed. This limits the tow vehicle options, but the towing experience is much more stable.

Look up your truck's towing weight limitations. Remember that this includes the weight of passengers and cargo, not just the RV. Avoid buying too heavy of a fifth wheel and being limited on what you can bring on your vacation.

What's My Budget?

The price of a fifth wheel depends on many factors, such as:

  • The camper's size.
  • The quality of materials that went into the RV's construction.
  • The floorplan.
  • The manufacturer.
  • The time of year of the purchase.
  • The included features.

New fifth wheels tend to cost between $35,000 and $100,000. The average cost of a new fifth wheel is around $75,000. 

Used fifth wheels tend to cost around 20-30% less than their original sticker price.

Think about how much you want to spend on a fifth wheel. Don't forget to factor in other RV-related costs. For example, you'll need a hitch. Fifth wheel hitches tend to cost between $150 and $1,000. The hitch price is influenced by different factors, such as the quality and the weight that it can accommodate.

What Size Should I Get?

Fifth wheels come in a range of sizes.

For example:

  • The length tends to be between 30 and 40 feet.
  • The width tends to be between 8 and 10 feet.
  • The height tends to be between 9 and 12 feet.

When choosing the right fifth wheel size, keep in mind:

  • The size that suits your passenger number.
  • The size that suits your comfort needs.
  • The size that your tow vehicle can accommodate.
  • The size that suits your travel destinations, such as a campground's RV size restrictions.

Which Brand Should I Choose?

There are many different fifth wheel brands. The various companies focus on various priorities.

For example:

  • Forest River fifth wheels are often built with fiberglass walls and designed to be easy to use.
  • Dutchmen® fifth wheels are designed with comfort in mind.
  • Keystone® fifth wheels are known for their spacious layout and the company is the top RV manufacturer in North America.

Think about your priorities and choose a compatible RV manufacturer.

Ready to explore fifth wheels for sale? Check out the selection at JR Motors. See our models online or at our dealership. We are located in Lake Havasu City and Parker, Arizona, and also serve those in Blythe.