[A/S] Biased Opinion Concerning Comparison of an Airstream vs. a 5th Wheel Trailer

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Barry,

I can't offer you an unbiased opinion, I only have a biased opinion.  It is
worth exactly what you are going to pay for it so feel free to reject it
absolutely.

First, let me acknowledge that I haven't owned or used a 5th wheel.  The
only experience I have with 5th wheels is that I've walked around in and
looked at many of them on dealer's lots and once, with my A/S just backed
into a narrow slot to spend the night in a truck stop, a woman walked over
and asked if I would back her husband's pickup and their 5th wheel into a
similar narrow slot.  I did.

On the other hand I have owned travel trailers for many years and Airstreams
for almost 8 years and I have become a faithful owner and promoter of the
product.

I admire several things about 5th wheel trailers.  One, they are very
spacious on the inside.  2) I like the inherent traction advantage that
results from placing the "tongue" weight directly over the rear axle of the
tow vehicle, and 3) I appreciate the fact that the driver can turn the tow
vehicle 90 degrees or more from the center line of the trailer for backing
maneuvers in tight spots.

I don't like the fact that a 5th wheel is 40 feet tall (maybe exaggerating a
little) and presents an enormous frontal area which consumes power,
generates additional engine and drive-train strain and heat, and requires
much more fuel to move it, particularly against a strong wind.  It is also
much more susceptible to having a novice or a tired but experienced  owner
pull it under a fuel stop overhang or a low tree branch that it won't clear.

Fifth wheel trailers also tend to be larger, heavier, and, with one or more
slide-outs, are more complex and more prone to leaking and mechanical
failure.  Much of the interior space offered in a 5th wheel is lost to the
slide-outs when they are cranked in for travel.  This is an inconvenience
for quick rest room stops, lunch snacks, and other times when the owner
wants to use the trailer while enroute.  Another factor that is often
overlooked, that may or may not be a consideration depending on how you will
use your trailer, is that in an Airstream you can easily stop overnight in
highway rest stops where permitted, truck stops, city parks, Wal-Mart
parking lots, and various other public spots and you will not require two
side by side parking spaces or attract much attention.  With the 5th wheel
trailer, you will have to extend your slide-outs in order to use your bed or
living-dining room and when extended, a 5th wheel won't fit in a parking
space.  The roads and parking areas in some federal, state, or county parks
in primitive areas are simply not large enough for a typical modern 5th
wheel trailer to navigate.  And many privately owned RV parks don't offer
spaces sufficiently wide to permit extension of the slide-outs.  In summary,
while offering spacious interiors, 5th wheel trailers also carry a penalty
for the additional space.

Airstreams require some adjustment because on entry, or for someone
accustomed to larger units, they may feel somewhat confining.  But if you
study an A/S you will realize that although containing far fewer cubic feet
of interior space than a modern 5th wheel, the A/S offers an incredible
amount of storage and usable space.  After all, although a 5th wheel gives
the eyes and mind a sense of spaciousness, how much of the overhead airspace
of a 5th wheel can you actually occupy?  And that "spaciousness" requires a
lot more liquefied petroleum to heat and much more electricity to cool.
A/Ss are noted for the stability offered by their carefully engineered
balance, fore and aft and side to side, their very low center of gravity,
their relatively light weight for their size, and their superior
aerodynamics.  This is a guess not a scientific fact, but towing an A/S
probably requires 25% - 30% less torque and consumes 25% - 30% less fuel
than a 5th wheel because of the additional weight and frontal area.
Although not perfect, they do have their flaws, an A/S is constructed of
better materials using better methods than most, possibly all, 5th wheels.
There is no comparison between an all-aluminum A/S and a stick-built (i.e.
wood framed) travel trailer.

What I have said here is only my opinion, others will disagree strongly and
possibly with good reason.  I have offered  a number of factors for you to
consider, but ultimately only you and your family can decide what is best
for you.  Your needs will depend on the duration and frequency of your
planned trips, the weather during which you will travel, the types of
activities you enjoy, your inclination to spend more time outside in the
woods or inside the trailer playing cards, reading, etc, your budget, the
length of time you plan to own the trailer of your choice, and the
compatibility of the three of you for long periods of time in relatively
confining space.  Maybe some of the younger couples with children on this or
the VACList will offer additional opinions about RVing with children.  There
are a number of Vintage Airstream Club members with children who, for
reasons of personal preference, own and travel extensively with vintage
Airstream trailers in 16' to 24' lengths.  Those folks can tell you about
sharing small spaces with children.

Good luck on your choice.  The RV lifestyle is great regardless of your
choice of equipment.

Harvey Barlow