With the winter nearing its end and the snow coming down, it definitely seems like a great time for camping. If you’re looking to camp full-time but are on a budget, you still have a lot of choices available. Let’s take a look at which are the best fifth wheel RVs for full time living that are priced under $50,000.
What puts an RV on the list: We’ve already covered fifth wheels for full time living. However, we’d like to help you out with a list of money saving options. We’ve filtered our choices and found models priced well under $50,000, went through their general ratings, and here we are!
The Top 5 Fifth Wheel RVs Under $50,000 For Full Time Living:
- Coachmen Chaparral Fifth Wheel
- Heartland Sundance Fifth Wheel
- Highland Ridge Open Range Fifth Wheel
- KZ Durango 2500 Fifth Wheel
- Forest River Cedar Creek Silverback Fifth Wheel
#1. Coachmen Chaparral Fifth Wheel
Puts the ‘Grand’ in Grandeur!
View All Coachmen Chaparral Fifth Wheel Floorplans!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9575-13031 lbs | 4-8 | 33-41 feet |
Why we recommend the Coachmen Chaparral fifth wheel: The inclusion of the Chaparral isn’t a surprise given how versatile this 5er is. Whether you need a cozy 33 footer or something more spacious with a ~40 feet footprint, it has a variety of floorplans available that are priced under 50 grand, and most – if not all – are solid choices for those looking for RVs under $50,000. We recommend checking out the Chaparral 27RKS and the Chaparral 298RLS floorplan.
On the outside, the Chaparral sports solid construction with a UV and corrosion resistant roof, 16-inch radial tires along with tailgating features such as exterior speakers, exterior TV mounting brackets and the good ol’ power awning. Head on inside and you’ll straightaway notice the modern entertainment center in the living room, dual USB charging ports, motion sensor lights in key areas and many other state-of-the-art features, definitely earning those 4.5 stars it currently has.
Key Features:
- 9 different floor plans available
- Exterior back-up camera prep
- Solid hardwood slide fascia
- Large privacy dome skylight
- Dual USB charging ports
- Dual zone thermostat/controller
Virtual Tour:
#2. Heartland Sundance Fifth Wheel
One of the Cozier Fifth Wheels Out There!
View All Heartland Sundance Fifth Wheel Floorplans!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 10010-12800 lbs | 4-8 | 34-42 feet |
Why we recommend Heartland Sundance fifth wheel: With a solid 4 star rating on our website and 4.1 star rating on others, the Sundance’s specifications and reviews definitely makes it live up to its reputation. Those looking for something easily towable can opt for a ~9000 pounder Sundance 302BH but if your towing vehicle can handle anything, we recommend going for the Sundance 2890CC for the kitchen island.
There are two variants with the Sundance fifth wheel: the full profile and the mid profile. Both of them have slightly different features but a lot of them are similar. These include but aren’t limited to solar prep, a universal docking center, an 8 cubic feet refrigerator, spring loaded hidden hinge cabinets, dual ducted AC and 50 AMP service. In a nutshell, the Heartland Sundance is a great choice if you’re on the lookout for sub-50,000-dollar fifth wheel RVs for full time living.
Key Features:
- 11 different floor plans available!
- LED interior lighting
- Painted fiberglass front cap
- Tri-fold sofa bed
- Universal docking center
- Solar srep
Video Overview:
#3. Highland Ridge Open Range Fifth Wheel
Travel In The Lap Of Luxury!
View All Highland Ridge Open Range Fifth Wheel Floorplans!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 10010-12800 lbs | 4-8 | 34-42 feet |
Why we recommend Highland Ridge Open Range fifth wheel: If you have a vehicle that can tow upwards of ~10,000 lbs, then the Open Range by Highland Ridge is definitely worth considering. There are 11 different layouts to choose from with a good range of length and sleeps. We really liked the Open Range OF337RLS and Open Range OF370RBS in particular.
Even if you’re living full time, the Open Range has enough options and features that can make it a great tailgating RV. Apart from that, it features frameless windows, solar prep, Stainless steel appliances, USB charging ports and just a slew of different options to expand its functionality. Those can make the Open Range truly one of a kind. Just take a look at the kitchen options on the RV features page to see what we’re talking about. After all, it’s not every day you see a fifth wheel that has a 23 cubic feet fridge.
Key Features:
- 11 different floor plans available
- Frameless windows
- Hardwood cabinet doors
- Outside kitchen TV
- Soundbar in living area
- Prepped for portable solar panels
Virtual Tour:
#4. KZ Durango 2500 Fifth Wheel
The Highly Affordable Full Time 5er!
View All KZ Durango 2500 Fifth Wheel Floorplans!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 10100-12440 lbs | 4-10 | 34-40 feet |
Why we recommend the KZ Durango 2500 fifth wheel: While the Durango 1500 is already a popular choice for fifth wheel, we found the 2500 to be particularly good for full time living thanks to a spacious layout plus having at least 3 slide outs on most of its floorplans such as the Durango 2500 D318RL and having as many as 5 slide outs on others such Durango 2500 D347BHF that only costs a little over $50,000, making it worth recommending if you’e a bit flexible with the budget!
The Durango is as sturdy on the outside as it is comfortable on the inside. With a 100% aluminum frame and R-11 block foam bonded sidewalls you can expect it to tank some bumps along the road and provide a decent amount of insulation too. You also have an All Weather insulation package which we definitely suggest trying out if you’re planning on living full time.
Key Features:
- 7 different floor plans available
- Fully-vented attic system
- Fully-finished, heated and sealed basement storage compartment
- Deluxe residential-style furniture
- Faux vinyl ceiling
- Motion light in bathroom
Video Overview:
#5. Forest River Cedar Creek Silverback Fifth Wheel
The Fifth Wheel With a Finish Like None Other!
View All Forest River Cedar Creek Silverback Fifth Wheel Floorplans!
| No. of Floorplans | Unloaded Weight | Sleeps | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 10689-13484 lbs | 4-6 | 33-42 feet |
Why we recommend the Forest River Cedar Creek Silverback fifth wheel: If space-to-sleep ratio is the priority, look no further than the Silverback edition fifth wheel by Forest River. These can sleep 6 people at most on a floorplan that’s 42 feet long (Cedar Creek Silverback 37MBH). That drastically increases the space to you and if that wasn’t enough, they have 4 slide outs, and the same goes for Cedar Creek Silverback 37FLK floorplan with the exception that it has 6 slide outs. This makes the Cedar Creek one of the few quality fifth wheel RVs for full time living.
With Dexter’s axles, brakes and suspension you can be sure that towing will feel like a breeze. They’ve also added extended warranties on their products since 2016, making it a no-brainer for those who are camping all across the country. Apart from the “under the hood” features, there are over 50 of them listed on the RV page, which we recommend checking out, since discussing those can take an entire post to complete!
Key Features:
- 7 different floor plans available
- Built-in 30,000 BTU furnace
- Oversized pass-thru storage
- Interior surround sound speakers
- 8 cubic foot refrigerator
- Tri-fold sleeper sofa
Virtual Tour:
Check out these similar RV reviews!
Top 5 Best Tailgate Fifth Wheel Campers
Top 5 Best Bunkhouse Fifth Wheel Campers For Large Families
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Budget fifth wheels are readily available, but making sure what would suit you best as a full timer can take some research, which won’t be much of a problem with this list to help you out!
BEFORE you head to a dealer to see these trailers, download your FREE RV Buyers Worksheet for help keeping track of:
- The feature must-haves that are important to you and your family
- Which brands or manufacturers you like
- Budgeting tools including a payment calculator resource
- Multiple well spaced pages with room for lots of your notes
- BONUS Resources: Trade-in values, tow vehicle ratings, and finance options
Share with us your favorite fifth wheel RVs under $50,000 for full time living in the comments below!