Awesome Family Living In A 5th Wheel Full Time RV

We are a family of 3 plus 2 big dogs that has been living in a 5th wheel full time for over a year now. We are a full time RV family and we love it! It has allowed us to see so much of this beautiful country and have awesome good times. We have never felt cramped and have always had enough room. Both of us have a small business where we can do remote work for.

Full time RV living has its own vibrant community of other full time families from all walks of life who share a passion for life on the road. When you’re on the road, you become part of this community, building long-lasting friendships. Full time RV living constantly introduces your children to new environments, people, cultures, and experiences. 

One of the best things about RV living in a 5th wheel is that we can go anywhere we want, whenever we want (as long as we make reservations way ahead of time, I’ll discuss more of this later.). We can pull our fifth wheel RV into an RV park and call it home. It’s great to have the freedom and flexibility!

The picture above is us free camping near Moab, Utah. We had solar panels installed there and stayed for a week for free in BLM land. Usually you are able to dry camp in national forests and BLM land for free for 14 days.

Another great thing about living in a 5th wheel is that we can take our home with us wherever we go. If we feel like going on an adventure, we just hook up our rig and hit the road. We don’t have to worry about leaving our belongings behind or finding a place to store them. Or finding a pet sitter for our dogs, they go everywhere we go.

Living in a 5th wheel has been an amazing experience for our family we have all the living space we need and we would recommend it to anyone who is considering it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! We would be happy to help you get started on your own full time RV life.

Is living in a fifth wheel trailer worth it?

For our family, living in a fifth wheel has been an amazing experience. We love the freedom and flexibility that it gives us. It is definitely worth it for us but there are several factors to consider before.

-The cost of full time RV lifestyle

-Pickup truck, your tow vehicle (the truck you get will depend on the gross vehicle weight rating of the fifth wheel trailers). This is important to have a safety tow vehicle.

-Insurance Premiums for RV and truck

-Monthly RV site price

-Propane costs

-Electric costs (some RV parks charge for electric usage some are included in the price).

-RV repairs or upgrades

Cost Comparison Example: Our Cost Monthly Before RV Living (price not including cost of house and cars, just monthly costs). This will vary depending on your own situation.

$4,200 rent/mortgage for house + $200 car insurance + $250 Utilities =$4,650 total

$1,000 RV spot + $ 250 truck & RV insurance + $30 propane + $150 electric (if charged) = $1,430 plus what you will spend in gas/diesel pulling it if you are traveling and not stationary ($100 – $200 at currently $5/gallon for diesel).

Note this price will be higher if you are financing an RV and or Truck. We sold one car and now only have a tow truck.

Can you live in a 5th wheel long term?

Yes, absolutely. Living in a 5th wheel full time is a great way to see the country. You have the freedom to go anywhere you want, whenever you want.

Who makes the most reliable 5th wheel RV?

There are a lot of different options out there when it comes to 5th wheels. We have had good luck with our Momentum Grand Design fifth wheel RV and would recommend it to others.

What size 5th wheel RV do I need?

The size of the 5th wheel you need will depend on how many people you are trying to accommodate. We have a 45 footer and it has been plenty of space for our family of three plus two dogs.

Is it better to live in a travel trailer or 5th wheel?

There are pros and cons to both travel trailers and 5th wheels. It really depends on what you are looking for in an RV.

Some people prefer travel trailers because they are easier to tow and can be more maneuverable. They are also typically less expensive than 5th wheels.

Fifth wheels tend to be more spacious like a tiny home, have more room and have more pass through storage underneath than travel trailers. Fifth wheels have higher ceilings, more interior living space and often have an island or more counter space, they also have a nice size master bedroom. The fridge is not as big as my previous home fridge but it is a good size and I only need to go food shopping once a week. A lot of times I also do meal planning.

If you’re planning to work remotely while on the road, balancing work life can also be a big challenge. 5th wheel RV’s also require a larger vehicle to tow them (can be more costly).

Can you live in a 5th wheel full time?

Yes, you can live in a 5th wheel full time. This is a great way to see the country and have the freedom to go anywhere you want and live the American dream.

How much does it cost to live in a 5th wheel?

The cost of living in a 5th wheel will vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the RV, the location you are parked, and whether or not you are hooking up to utilities. See my example above.

Is it cheaper to live in a 5th wheel?

Generally speaking, it is less expensive to live in a fifth wheel than it is to live in a house or apartment.

What is the lifespan of a fifth wheel?

The lifespan of a fifth wheel trailer will vary depending on the make and model, but they typically last around 10-15 years. Some of the RV resorts require RV’s to be 10 years or younger especially the more upscale ones.

Why are 5th wheels more expensive than travel trailers?

Fifth wheels are more expensive than travel trailers because they are larger, have more amenities, and are typically made with better quality materials.

Can you live in a 5th wheel in the winter?

Yes, you can live in a 5th wheel in the winter. However, you will need to take precautions to keep your RV and pipes from freezing. This winter we stayed in Durango, Colorado with 7 inches of snow.

How do I set up a 5th wheel to live in?

Setting up a 5th wheel to live in is not difficult, but it does require some preparation. You will need to make sure you have the proper hitch (that goes in your truck bed) and that your RV is properly leveled. Then you will need to connect your electricity, water and sewer to the RV parks utilities (for full hook-ups).

Do 5th wheels hold their value?

Fifth wheels hold their value well because they are a quality RV. If you decide to sell your fifth wheel, you can expect to get most of your money back. Currently, we have seen people selling the same RV model for more than we bought ours for.

Making RV Park Booking Reservations

This is how I do it but of course you can do it they way you like it.

I start out by figuring out what places I want to visit. Then I do the research, google maps reviews, RV facebook groups. Then I call ahead (as soon as I know where I want to go usually 6 months – 1 year ahead of time) and make reservations. State parks have specific rules and regulations where reservations open up either 6 months before arrival time (they book up super fast). Each state have different rules for booking, so make sure you check specific ones for their rules.

Then I do the same thing with the next place I want to go and so on.

I keep a spreadsheet of all the places we are going and I also save them in my phone calendar.

It has been harder and harder to find places to stay because more and more people are RVing. More people are full time living. So make your reservations as early as you can.

In conclusion, a fifth wheel is a great option for great family time with full-time living. They are spacious, have plenty of amenities, and last a long time. You can save money by living in one instead of renting an apartment or house.

As you can see, there are many pros to living and 5th wheel rving full time. If you are thinking about making the switch, that’s a question only you and your family can answer together, do your research and talk to other RVers to get their perspectives.

We highly recommend giving it a try – you won’t regret it!

You may also enjoy reading: The Best Free Camping Near Mexican Hat, Utah.