Many people’s idea of a fun, relaxing holiday involves their family and friends. Camping with a fifth-wheel trailer and some camping supplies, at a beautiful camping spot, may be just what the doctor ordered!

You can hit the road, set up your “house on wheels” next to a river or lake, and spend time with your loved ones while getting a much-deserved break. Ah yes, the camper’s life can be a blissful one!

However, if you’re new to the camping scene, a fifth wheel trailer may present a few challenges. The complete fifth-wheel trailer camping guide below provides all that information and more! 

Understanding A Fifth-Wheel Trailer 

Maybe you’ve been used to car camping, using items like ARB car camping gear, or other products, any other way of camping can take a while to learn.

Fifth-wheel trailers are no exception. They are travel trailers that are popular among RVers who desire stable and easy towing. They are also much larger than many other camper trailer types, making them desirable for families who wish to take extended camping holidays.

Fifth-wheel camper trailers typically boast boondock-friendly features like generators, holding tanks, solar power, and water filtration systems. They also have significant exterior storage and great towing stability due to the hitch of the trailer being over the towing vehicle’s rear axle.

Inside, campers using fifth-wheel trailers can’t help but feel like they have everything they need for long-term camping in the wilderness. Many of the best fifth-wheel trailers have multiple slide outs to provide more living space. They also have high-quality appliances, a great deal of storage, and at least one or two bedroom areas.

You won’t find too many fifth wheel trailers without well-established bathrooms and kitchens for a comfortable and convenient camping experience. You can still keep all your car camping gear for the various types of camping, but you can also enjoy a few upgrades when you invest in a fifth-wheel trailer. 

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Why Is It Called A Fifth Wheel Trailer?

You might be wondering, “why is it called a fifth wheel trailer anyway?”

Fifth wheel refers to a hitch that allows for attachment of a trailer or other cargo to the back of a truck, tractor or other large vehicle. So, because you’re attaching your camping trailer to the fifth wheel, it’s called a “fifth wheel trailer!”

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Write a List of Supplies

The beauty of camping with a fifth-wheel trailer is that you rarely have a long list of items to pack.

You can typically leave most camping supplies in your trailer each time you travel. However, being a new camper means you may still need to get everything you need for your first comfortable and fun fifht wheel camping trip. As a result, some items on this essential camping list below might be considerations for your own must-pack list: 

• Food 
• Kitchen staples – cutting boards, utensils, garbage bags, can opener 
• Device chargers
• Blankets, sleeping bags, and seasonal bedding 
• Pillows
• Electrical adaptors
• Extension cords
• Toilet chemicals
• RV-friendly toilet paper
• Motor oil and transmission fluid
• Fire extinguisher 
• Water pressure regulator
• Tire pressure gauge
• Emergency road kit 
• Shovel 
• Clothing
• Personal items and toiletries
• Outdoor fun gear – binoculars, playing cards, sports equipment, fishing gear 

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Choose Your Fifth Wheel Trailer Campsite 

Some people traveling on a budget take advantage of the policies of businesses like Walmart that regularly offer free RV parking in their lots overnight. Otherwise, you may opt for the helpful amenities, services, attractions of dedicated RV campgrounds.

Depending on where you are, RV campers may also be able to enter national parks, such as the Acadia National Park in Maine and the Arches National Park in Utah.

If you have a national park near you, research camping site options and see if they’re RV-friendly. 

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Learn Road Rules and Etiquette

Traveling with a fifth-wheel trailer often requires a different approach than traveling in a car or pickup truck without a trailer.

You now have a long trailer behind you and may need to travel at a lower speed. Your get-ready checklist can also be much longer when you’re setting off for an extended road trip. Get into the habit of taking these actions when traveling with a fifth-wheel trailer: 

• Stay out of the fast lane unless you’re passing a much slower vehicle
• Chock your wheel when you arrive at a campground 
• Balance and level your camper – this is important for a good night’s rest! 
• Triple-check all your hookups for safety
• Batten down windows and hatches before traveling 

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Understanding Fifth Wheel Trailer Towing Weight Limits

Pay attention to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross axle weight rating (GAWR), and the carrying capacity, also known as the payload. The GVWR is the maximum weight a truck can weigh once the fifth-wheel trailer has been hitched onto it, with its full load, including passengers. The GAWR (gross axle weight rating) refers to how much weight each axle is rated for. There is always a front and rear axle rating, with your fully loaded truck weighing less than each number. 

Finally, the payload or carrying capacity is the weight you can put into or on your towing vehicle before it reaches the gross vehicle weight rating. This works out to be the GVWR minus the truck’s curb weight.

If you’re unsure whether your vehicle will be suitable for your new fifth-wheel trailer, ask your local automotive experts for help. They can help you determine your towing weight limitations.  

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Camping Accessories to Consider

While most fifth-wheel trailers come with nearly everything you need for comfortable and convenient camping, there are a few additional accessories you may like to buy to enhance the experience. Sometimes, it can take a few camping trips to realize what these are. However, you may like to research some of the following pieces of camping gear for fifth-wheel trailers: 

• Leveling blocks and jacks for perfect leveling on all camping sites
• Wheel chocks to stop your trailer from rolling once unhooked
• Surge protector for campground power units
• Drinking water hose for clean drinking water at campgrounds
• Sewer hookup hoses for convenient sewer connections and dumping
• Bike trailer hitches for fun outdoor activities and transport 

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Final Thoughts On Fifth Wheel Trailer Camping

Camping with a fifth-wheel trailer can be a learn-as-you-go experience. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t be well-informed before you hit the road. So, take note of these tips above to enjoy a more confident first fifth wheel camping trip!

Many want to try camping but also need to find ways to save money while doing it.

After all, while experiencing the outdoors is definitely worth your time and money, it’s also nice to be able to do it economically when needed, right?

In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can make your camping adventure affordable, even if you’re doing it for the first time.

We’ll share hacks from experienced people so that you too can be a budget camper (you might even be able to write an essay about traveling yourself when your done!)

Pricing Varies By Season

Remember that when you’re trying to camp on a budget, the season when you go camping directly correlates to the price you will pay for your activities.

For example, picking summer means picking the peak camping season. Because lots of people camp during this time of year, campground costs will increase for sure. And in turn, a byproduct of having a full campground is that the environment can get not only crowded, but messy as well.

So, one of the great ways to save money when camping is to look for offered discounts during shoulder seasons (the months between the peak season and the off-season.)

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Choose Your Campground Wisely

Another way to save money when camping on a budget is to stay at locations like county parks or state campgrounds, as fees can be lower here than in novelty camping locations. (You can be sure that selecting private campgrounds will cost much more than staying at county parks!)

If your goal is to stay on budget, compare prices before deciding on a location. Private campgrounds usually charge funds for unnecessary luxury items you may not even use. However, those items are often not optional and are included in the overall camping package price.

So, always be sure to check any applicable fees before making a reservation. (This is even true when camping at some county parks, so read the fine print!)

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Borrow gear for camping

It may seem simple, but another (easy) way to save money when camping is to avoid buying the required gear.

Wait, what?

That’s right, try borrowing camping gear from your friends or family. This will potentially save you massive amounts of money!

So, if you are fortunate to know fellow campers that own camping gear that you don’t currently own, try asking if they’d be willing to let you borrow it. It will not only save you money, but could also provide you with some great instruction on new gear if they’re also willing to show you how to use it.

If you like the gear you borrow, then you’ve gotten a free trial on what you could spend your money on in the future. If you don’t like it, then you won’t have spent your hard-earned money on something that just didn’t work for you!

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Stick Close To Home Sweet Home

Staying close to your home is a great life hack for those who want to camp frugally. By doing so, you won’t have to rent or purchase a massive recreational vehicle or a car to go camping.

Minimize your budget by prioritizing activities that are close to your camping location. Remember, the best camping trips are always about memories. Instead of spending money on tons of off-site activities, you can make priceless memories with friends and family!

Research campgrounds that are closest to your home and give them a try. You may find the hidden gem that will become your favorite place for camping for years ahead right in “your backyard.”

And speaking of back yards, you could even try camping literally in your own back yard!

If you are so lucky to have a friend or neighbor that has a camper or other recreational vehicle, you could even park that in your yard and use it as your “home away from home” camping adventure!

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Consider Tent Camping

One of the most affordable ways to enjoy the camping experience is to go tent camping.

Not only is this an inexpensive way to camp and have shelter at the same time, but with proper care, you’ll be able to use your tent for years to come.

And, you can sometimes camp at campgrounds for less on a tent site than at locations where people camp in recreational vehicles.

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BYOM (Bring Your Own Meals)

If you’re wanting to save more money, this one might seem obvious, but… don’t eat out!

Of course, It’s fun to try new food experiences, but it can also be painful to the wallet.

In addition, cooking over a fire or grill with the family is an activity that everyone can participate in, enjoy, and make memories doing.

You can make a list recipes ahead of time as well as the kitchenware/utensils you’ll need. And, don’t forget to think about and prepare for where you’ll store your food.

Ask your friends for recommendations of food they cooked during their camping activities, or surf the internet to find exciting and delicious recipes.

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Final Thoughts On Budget Camping

Camping can certainly provide a wealth of memories, and it doesn’t have to be expensive! So, remember to focus on off-season pricing when choosing a campground. You can also camp close to home, borrow camping gear from friends, tent camp, and pack your own food to save money!

We hope you found his article useful and have a great time enjoying the outdoors!