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9 5th Wheels That Offer Great Value For Money
Buying a fifth wheel can be costly – and you don’t always get what you want.
Finding that perfect camper that is worth the money can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be!
We’ve compiled a list of 9 different 5th wheels that offer great value for the cost:
9 5th Wheels that Offer Great Value:
1. Winnebago Micro Minnie
Starting $35,888 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Height (w/ AC) | Width | Interior height | Dry weight | GVWR |
| 2405BH | 26’9” | 11’5” | 7’ | 7’ | 5,740lbs | 7,700lbs |
| 2405RG | 5,780lbs | |||||
| 2405RL | 5,640lbs |
Key features:
- Very light and compact design.
- Three-burner cooktop.
- 13,500BTU AC.
- 18,000BTU furnace.
- Pull-out outdoor kitchen in some floorplans.
First is the Micro Minnie fifth wheel line by Winnebago.
Although not the most comfortable and luxurious line on the list, it does offer a few interesting things nonetheless.
The Micro Minnie series has five floorplans, but we included only three in our chart since Winnebago provides no specs for the other two.
The floorplans in the Micro Minnie line are very similar to each other in terms of build. There’s only a slight difference in weights, which shouldn’t play that big of a role for most people. What instead differs between the floorplans is their layout.
You are getting a basic bedroom, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and dining amenities with all the floorplans. However, for example, some floorplans are limited to just the two sleeping spots in the bedroom, while others have two additional spots in bunk beds.
Aside from that, what differs between the floorplans is the layout and location of the bathroom. Furthermore, the upcoming 2405BHDB floorplan will feature two toilets, though its main bathroom compartment will be smaller than the others.
Additionally, some of the floorplans in this series offer pull-out outdoor kitchens, a nice feature for those who like to dine outdoors.
The Micro Minnie fifth wheel trailers aren’t the most comfortable on our list, but their inexpensiveness, compactness, and lightness make them a great value.
2. Jayco North Point
Starting $106,500 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Width | Interior height | UVW | GVWR |
| 315RLTS | 38’3” | 96” | 107-1/4” | 12,430lbs | 15,250lbs |
| 375BHFS | 42’10” | 14,120lbs | 16,500lbs | ||
| 377RLBH | 42’8” | 14,040lbs | 16,750lbs | ||
| 379DBFS | 43’1” | 14,250lbs | 16,995lbs | ||
| 381DLQS | 40’9” | 13,275lbs | 16,500lbs | ||
| 381FLWS | 43’ | 13,905lbs | 16,750lbs | ||
| 383FKWS | 43’5” | 106-7/8” | 13,700lbs | 16,500lbs | |
| 385THWS | 44’11” | 107-1/4” | 15,530lbs | 19,000lbs | |
| 387RDFS | 42’11” | 14,035lbs | 16,500lbs |
Key features:
- Exterior kitchen with a TV, cooktop range, sink, and refrigerator in a few floorplans.
- 50-amp service.
- 21 cubic feet residential refrigerator.
- Ceiling fan in some floorplans.
- 15,000BTU quiet AC.
- 15,000BTU bedroom AC.
- Underfloor garage in the 385THWS floorplan.
The Jayco North Point fifth wheel series vividly speaks luxury with its fibers.
Ranging from 38 feet 3 inches to 44 feet 11 inches in length, the Jayco North Point fifth wheels are packed with conveniences.
Even better is that you have a wide array of layouts and floorplans to choose from. Every floorplan available boasts excellent comfort, but some offer more than others.
For example, the 385THWS, which is the longest floorplan in this line, features an underfloor garage beneath the bedroom, so it is a toy hauler.
It won’t be able to take in large vehicles, but bikes or kayaks should be no problem. To allow you to take toys with you safely, the GVWR of this floorplan is 19,000 pounds, much more than in the other floorplans.
Some floorplans’ amenities are two toilets, loft areas with additional sleeping space, outdoor kitchens/entertainment centers, two AC units, ceiling fans, and many other things.
Yeah, you are also getting a huge 21 cubic feet residential-style refrigerator and 50-amp service in these fifth wheels.
For people who have the budget, the Jayco North Point delivers an amount of comfort unparalleled by many other fifth wheels.
3. Jayco Eagle HTX
Starting $60,825 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Height | Width | Interior height | UVW | GVWR |
| 26RLX | 31’6” | 145-1/2” | 96” | 95” | 7,915lbs | 9,995lbs |
| 26BHX | 31’6” | 151-3/4” | 7,355lbs | |||
| 27SGX | 31’ | – | 8,100lbs | |||
| 28RSX | 32’10” | 8,640lbs |
Key features:
- 8 cubic feet gas/electric refrigerator.
- 15,000BTU whisper quiet AC.
- Additional double bunks in some floorplans.
- 7 sleeping spots in the 26BHX floorplan.
The Jayco Eagle HTX line is much more down-to-earth than the North Point.
These fifth wheels aren’t as bulky and heavy as North Point models, so they are more suitable for campers with limited towing capacity. Aside from that – which is arguably the most important difference – the models in this line cost nearly two times cheaper.
Still not exactly a budget-friendly line, the Eagle HTX has remarkable comfort to offer. There are just 4 floorplans available in this series, but they deliver a good variety for buyers.
For example, for those who need some extra sleeping space, there is the 26BHX with its queen bed plus double bunks and a tri-fold sofa, which amounts to 7 sleeping spots.
If you want to have a more kitchen-focused fifth wheel, then the 28RSX kitchen area with a kitchen island has a good surface area to work with.
In conclusion, while the Eagle HTX line doesn’t have some of the fancy features of the North Point series, it does offer what you would expect for the money.
4. Starcraft Telluride
Starting $67,793 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Height (w/ AC) | Width | Interior height | UVW | GVWR | Sleeping capacity |
| 251RES | 29’3” | 151” | 97” | 92” | 7,360lbs | 9,995lbs | 2-4 |
| 292RLS | 31’11” | 149” | 7,950lbs | 4 | |||
| 296BHS | 34’9” | 150” | 96” | 7,830lbs | 8 | ||
| 289RKS | 30’7” | 149” | 7,415lbs | 9,760lbs | 4 | ||
| 338MBH | 37’3” | 95” | 9,275lbs | 11,500lbs | 8 |
Key features:
- 15,000BTU AC.
- A good number of sleeping spots.
- 50-amp service.
- 8 cubic feet refrigerator.
- Three-burner range/oven.
- Outdoor kitchen.
Starcraft RVs are particularly renowned for the amount of sleeping space they provide to their occupants.
8 and even 10 spots are common in their recreational vehicles, with the Telluride fifth wheel line being no exception. You aren’t getting 10 sleeping spots from this line, but 8 is a very good number.
First of all, the Telluride line offers quite a good range of RV floorplans. Whether you want comfort or are more worried about weight, Telluride fifth wheels should be able to satisfy you.
These fifth wheels are pretty comparable to other similarly priced RV lines in terms of amenities. They have a very decent kitchen (both indoor and outdoor), a roomy full bathroom, and plenty of sleeping space.
Interestingly, Starcraft has equipped the Telluride RVs with 50-amp service, which isn’t something that you always see in fifth wheels.
On the other hand, being quite an inexpensive line, this RV line won’t offer extra-fancy features like the ones in the Jayco North Point fifth wheels.
However, what’s more, important is that this RV has all the basics to make your traveling experience more enjoyable for not so much money.
5. Coachmen Chaparral Lite
Starting price is based on size
| Floorplan | Length | Height | Width | UVW | GVWR |
| 25MKS | 29’3” | 11’10” | 96” | 7,549lbs | 9,800lbs |
| 285RLS | 33’7” | 9,167lbs | 11,000lbs | ||
| 295BHS | 34’7” | 8,843lbs | |||
| 29BH | 35’4” | 9,113lbs | 11,300lbs | ||
| 30BHS | 36’5” | 9,535lbs | 11,500lbs | ||
| 30RLS | 33’7” | 11’8” | 8,981lbs | 11,000lbs | |
| 28RLS | 30’4” | 8,028lbs | |||
| 29RLS | 34’3” | 8,870lbs |
Key features:
- Good amount of comfort.
- 50-amp service.
- 13,500BTU ducted AC.
- 8 cubic feet stainless steel refrigerator.
- Outside kitchen in some floorplans.
The Coachmen Chaparral Lite fifth wheel line isn’t as compact and light as the Starcraft Telluride series, but it isn’t as heavy as something like Jayco North Point RVs.
Right in the middle of the spectrum, it is a nice option for those campers who aren’t limited in their towing capacity but don’t need anything exceptional.
The Chaparral Lite series offers quite a few floorplans to choose from. These plans differ from each other by size, weight, as well as the general layout of things.
Particularly notable in the Chaparral Lite fifth wheel trailers is the kitchen area. It varies from floorplan to floorplan quite significantly, but each is designed to ensure a more convenient cooking process.
A few floorplans come with more or less basic kitchens. Some have an additional kitchen island, while a few even have an outside kitchen with a grill.
The same goes for sleeping space. While most floorplans feature a single queen bed and tri-fold sofa setup. You also have the option of floorplans with an additional flip-up bunk, double bed bunks, or twin bunks.
The Chaparral Lite fifth wheel trailers also come with a 50-amp service by default, which means that there are no limits to the number and wattage of the appliances you could use inside the RV.
The Chaparral Lite isn’t as spectacular as pricier fifth wheel models in terms of amenities. It doesn’t come with an RV generator, a huge refrigerator, or two ACs.
Given that you can get this RV for around $35-45,000 (we are using 2020 Chaparral Lites), the value is great.
6. KZ Durango Half-Ton
| Floorplan | Length | Height (w/ AC) | Width | UVW | GVWR |
| D250RES | 28’11” | 12’1” | 96” | 7,260lbs | 9,000lbs |
| D256RKT | 33’2” | 9,170lbs | 10,500lbs | ||
| D259RLS | 29’5” | 7,150lbs | 9,000lbs | ||
| D271RLD | 33’10” | 8,520lbs | 10,500lbs | ||
| D283RLT | 8,750lbs | ||||
| D286BHD | 33’7” | 12’ | 8,800lbs | ||
| D291BHT | 37’4” | 12’1” | 9,670lbs | 11,500lbs |
Key features:
- Cozy and comfortable interior.
- 15,000BTU ducted AC.
- 35,000BTU furnace.
- 8 cubic feet refrigerator.
- Outside kitchen and grill in some floorplans.
- Two bathrooms in the D291BHT floorplan.
When you read the phrase “lightweight luxury” on the Durango Half-Ton fifth wheel line’s webpage, you think that this is some luxury RV with an astronomical price.
In reality, this RV costs around as much as fifth wheels like the Starcraft Telluride RVs, though it does have a cozy and maybe a little luxurious-y interior, mainly thanks to the plentitude of wooden elements.
We’d say that Durango Half-Ton RVs are very similar to the Coachmen Chaparral Lite RVs. However, there are still some notable differences here and there.
Perhaps the most important difference between the two fifth wheel lines is that the Durango fifth wheels come with a 30-amp service by default, though a 50-amp service is available as an option.
While we feel that 50-amp service is better since it provides more power room for appliances, there are undeniably people who would prefer to have 30-amp service.
Another, a little bit more minor difference is the 15,000BTU AC. Since the Chaparral Lite fifth wheels have only 13,500BTU AC units preinstalled, you are getting better cooling capacity with Durango fifth wheels.
The Durango fifth wheels are also better in heating since they come with a 35,000BTU furnace, while Chaparral Lite RVs seem to come with none.
7. Gulf Stream Coach Sedona
| Floorplan | Length | Height | Width | Interior height | Dry weight | Carrying capacity |
| 26FRKW | 29’1” | 12’1” | 96” | 6’2” | 7,550lbs | 2,290lbs |
| 27FLRD | 29’11” | 11’9” | 9,900lbs | 2,239lbs | ||
| 28CBF | 31’6” | 11’7” | 7,500lbs | – |
Key features:
- Light, compact, and not too expensive.
- 30,000BTU furnace.
- Three-burner range.
- 6 cubic feet refrigerator.
The Gulf Stream Sedona is a nice option for those looking for a not too expensive fifth wheel and those who don’t want to wrap their heads around a dozen floorplans.
Sedona fifth wheels come prewired and prepped for roof or ducted AC units, but they seem not to come with any air conditioners. Instead, they are available as options for additional money.
At least, Gulf Stream Coach lists 13,500BTU and 15,000BTU roof ACs as options, and it seems that they aren’t mandatory.
Aside from that, Sedona fifth wheels come with a 30-amp service preinstalled, with a 50-amp service being available as an option.
Other than those, you are getting a very familiar set of features and layouts with the Sedona floorplans. Around 30 feet of length is still a lot, so even demanding campers should feel at home in these RVs.
8. Dutchmen Astoria
Starting $72,969 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Height (w/ AC) | Carrying capacity | Average shipping weight | Sleeping capacity |
| 2503REF | 30’ | 12’5” | 2,070lbs | 7,880lbs | 2-4 |
| 2513RLF | 29’6” | 12’11” | 2,247lbs | 7,703lbs | 3-4 |
| 2953RLF | 33’4” | 12’3” | 1,664lbs | 8,896lbs | 4-6 |
| 3003LRF | 34’4” | 12’8” | 2,745lbs | 9,255lbs | |
| 3123BHF | 35’4” | 12’3” | 1,464lbs | 9,096lbs | 6-8 |
| 3273MBF | 36’ | 12’10” | 2,200lbs | 9,800lbs | 8-10 |
Key features:
- 13,500BTU ducted AC.
- 35,000BTU furnace.
- 8 cubic foot double-door refrigerator.
- Three-burner range.
- 50-amp service.
- iN-Command RV management system.
- Automatic leveling system.
- Outdoor kitchen/entertainment center in some floorplans.
We’ve overviewed a couple of around $50,000 fifth wheel trailers. Again priced around $50K, the Dutchmen Astoria offers the owner many new and unique things.
The most remarkable feature in the Astoria fifth wheel trailers is the iN Command RV management system.
This system turns the RV into a smart home, allowing you to remotely control the lights, tank levels, slide-outs, awnings, and other RV components.
Another very interesting feature is the automatic leveling system. As the name suggests, this system is designed to help you level when parked, allowing you to avoid doing manual measurements with levelers or whatnot.
The main features of Astoria fifth wheels are the auto-leveling system and the iN Command RV Management system, which makes it a good choice for people who want to automatize their RV as much as possible.
9. Dutchmen Voltage
Starting $153,000 MSRP
| Floorplan | Length | Height (w/ AC) | Carrying capacity | Average shipping weight | Sleeping capacity |
| 3615 | 38’11” | 13’3” | 3,055lbs | 13,745lbs | 5-7 |
| 3655 | 39’4” | 13’4” | 3,204lbs | 13,596lbs | |
| 3705 | 39’ | 13’3” | 3,657lbs | 13,113lbs | |
| 3915 | 42’11” | 4,990lbs | 15,010lbs | ||
| 4115 | 43’10” | 4,544lbs | 15,456lbs | ||
| 4185 | 44’5” | 4,611lbs | 15,389lbs | ||
| 4205 | 43’9” | 13’4” | 3,953lbs | 16,047lbs | 8-10 |
Key features:
- Toy hauler design.
- The iN-Command RV management system.
- 18 cubic foot refrigerator.
- 5.5KW gas generator.
- Two ducted AC units.
- 50-amp service.
- Excellent sleeping capacity.
- Outside kitchen & entertainment centers in some floorplans.
The Dutchmen Voltage line, being the priciest fifth wheel line on our list, offers a couple of exceptionally interesting features.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Voltage fifth wheels is their toy hauler design.
All of the floorplans in this series have a garage compartment in the rear, which is an excellent feature for campers intending to occasionally bring along toys.
The size of the garage area in the Voltage line varies from 10.5 feet to 18 feet, so no matter what toys you have, you should be able to find the right model for you.
Even in the smaller floorplans, you are provided with 5-7 sleeping spots, depending on whether the garage is occupied. You get an amazing 8-10 sleeping spots in the largest floorplans.
A unique thing about this fifth wheel trailer line is that Dutchmen includes a 5.5KW generator, which is enough to safely run all the included appliances, albeit not simultaneously.
If necessary, you could easily get a beefier generator – the 50-amp service in this line will readily accept it.
What is a Fifth Wheel Hitch?
Towable RVs are usually equipped with rear receiver hitches.
On the other hand, Fifth wheels are equipped with fifth wheel hitches. A fifth wheel hitch consists of a large horseshoe-shaped plate attached to the bed of pickup trucks via metal rails.
These rails are directly connected to the pickup frame, which allows for increased strength and stability. A fifth wheel trailer also has hitch plates that connect to the horseshoe socket via the so-called kingpin.
Fifth wheel hitches have quite a complex design, but knowing the above is enough for this material.
Due to the specifics of their design, fifth wheel hitches have some advantages and disadvantages over standard receiver hitches:
Advantages:
Increased Towing Capacity
The number one benefit of fifth wheel hitches is their increased towing capacity.
Attached directly to a truck’s bed, fifth wheel hitches can carry much heavier loads than receiver hitches. Plus, the hitch itself has a durable design, which, combined with the strong mounting, allows for the support of up to 30,000 pounds of load.
This is well beyond the typical weights of fifth wheels. You may come across a few fifth wheels that weigh half this amount but probably no more.
This means that in your truck-hitch-trailer system, the hitch is the link that is the least likely to break.
Fifth wheel trailers can carry heavier loads than similarly-sized travel trailers due to the increased towing capacity delivered by fifth wheel hitches.
For example, the 38 feet 3 inches long Jayco North Point 315RLTS has a GVWR of over 15,000 pounds, while the 39 feet 4 inches long Jayco Eagle 338RETS has a GVWR of 11,700 pounds.
Due to their higher load capacity, fifth wheels can carry much more stuff. So at the same size, a fifth wheel trailer will likely be better equipped than a travel trailer.
Increased Stability & Maneuverability
Another crucial advantage of fifth wheel hitches is increased stability and maneuverability.
That’s because a fifth wheel hitch brings the RV forward closer to the vehicle and makes it hang over the truck’s rear axle.
In addition, the position of a fifth wheel hitch over the truck’s rear axle isn’t fixed and can be adjusted.
Thus, fifth wheel hitches allow you to control the stability and maneuverability of your RV to some extent.
Smoother Ride
Modern fifth wheel hitches tilt across multiple axes, which allows for increased comfort, aside from increased maneuverability.
Overall, fifth wheel hitches are good at alleviating shocks from the road, making the ride more comfortable for both the driver and passengers in the RV.
An air-ride pin box upgrade can further improve the smoothness of fifth wheel hitches.
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Fifth wheel hitches are rather expensive, priced from several hundred dollars to around $3,000.
Well, that’s the price you have to pay for the increased complexity of fifth wheel hitches and the comfort they deliver. The expensiveness of fifth wheels is an important thing to be mindful of if you don’t have a fifth wheel hitch installed in your pickup.
Aside from the hitch itself, fifth wheel trailers tend to be quite expensive – usually, around 1.5-2 times more expensive than regular travel trailers of comparable size.
This most likely is due to the larger variety of equipment included in fifth wheel trailers.
Occupy Room In The Truck Bed
Since fifth wheel hitch horseshoe sockets are installed in the truck bed, they occupy a considerable amount of truck room that you could use for other purposes.
Thus, consider your storage needs when deciding to mount a fifth wheel hitch receptacle in your truck.
If you aren’t dependent on the truck’s room or the fifth wheel hitch socket’s size is just right, feel free to go for it.
Increased RV Weight
Fifth wheel hitches allow trailers to get bigger and more comfortable and carry more useful appliances and items in them.
On the other hand, the increased capacity of fifth wheels means that fifth wheel trailers tend to weigh much more than regular travel trailers.
We can’t say that the increase in weight by itself is bad.
After all, even towing a 5,000-pound RV will be a challenge for some people. However, there are probably fewer people who own trucks capable of carrying 15,000 pounds.
On the other hand, the heavier weight is the tradeoff for the increased level of comfort.
This isn’t necessarily bad since some people will be completely alright with the heaviness of fifth wheels, while others will prefer to stick to lighter travel trailers.
Should You Get A Fifth Wheel Trailer?
If you don’t have a truck or a fifth wheel hitch and are planning to get them, you would need to consider the cost of the RV itself and the cost of the truck or the fifth wheel hitch.
No less important than your capabilities is understanding what you need. Fifth wheels offer plenty of advantages over regular travel trailers, but does this mean you must choose a fifth wheel?
While fifth wheels feature better comfort, higher carrying capacities, and smoother rides, regular travel trailers are better in some other fields.
They are lighter, less expensive, and don’t require special hitch receptacles.
If you find that you need a fifth wheel, you will need to prepare a hefty budget for it. If the benefits of fifth wheels aren’t that appealing for you, you should go for a regular travel trailer.
