Why I Switched from a Luxury Fifth Wheel RV to a Basic Travel Trailer (Pinnacle vs Imagine XLS)

How do you go from a top-of-the-line luxury fifth wheel to an entry-level travel trailer? This has by far been the most frequent question I've gotten over the last year. After RVing for about 10 years I share why I sold my 2021 Jayco Pinnacle 37MDQS and bought a 2024 Grand Design Imagine XLS 21BHE.

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[patrickclark]

I completely understand. We now have a small but very comfortable travel trailer with all the amenities . Plus a “Tiny Wood Stove”. Every time we see all those huge fifth wheels and class A’s I always “Very happy that is yours and I hope you are enjoying it.” We are never going back to those days.

[thestinsons]

We did the exact same. Started small, kept going bigger (37’ 4 slide 5th wheel) and now have a similar layout, no slide, bunk house with Murphy bed. Simplicity and smaller size is so easy to travel with.

[clintongarrett]

I’m also a big truck and RV guy and find your videos very informative and well done. I’m looking forward to watching the rest of your content. Keep up the good work!

[chrisschmidt]

Stumbled upon your page. I am starting my journey into HD trucks and RVs. So your channel has helped me out a lot! I'm brand new so I am in the research phase. Looking at a GMC HD (still debating diesel or gas) and looking at full time RVing (my wife is a remote worker). It would abnd has been an adventure trying to find the right HD truck and RV for 2 dogs, 2 kids (working on our 3rd), 2 dogs and 2 cats! Keep up the content and the good work

[carltuckerson]

I completely agree. You’re not doing bad with the Grand Design either. We found 30’ and an HD truck is about what works for us. But definitely have the slides and have a Grand Design as well. It is about outside. We really don’t hang out in ours except at bedtime.

[jimcurry]

Your scenario makes sense for moving out of the fifth wheel. I’m on my fifth RV but my path is a little different. My latest was a move up to a 36 foot fifth wheel.

It made sense for us because we retired last year so our weekend warrior days were over. We took our 30 foot travel trailer on a 2 month snowbird trip but the lack of room in the bedroom and minuscule closet space just didn’t work. We traded up to the fifth wheel and took it to Southern California for 3 months.
A great trip and for us, the extra room, big front closet and higher ceilings were awesome.

I enjoy your videos, they are always very well organized and packed with information.

[peterkunka]

My conundrum. We are on our 5th camper, Ford F150 and Cougar 22MLSWE travel trailer. Aspirations of Super Duty truck and 38' 5th wheel for more space and comfort... but, hesitation comes in when thinking of planning and parking. I think we'll be fine being half-tonners keeping cash in our pockets for more frequent trips whenever we want to get away. Good topic for a video and lots to think about for owners. Cheers! Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL

[shfd]

I understand fully the downsizing. We had a 36ft Open Range Light 305BHS fifth wheel. It had all the space we wanted but it was big. Towing and parking could be frustrating as well it was so much more to maintain.

Sold it and have rented a few smaller ones and actually settled on the same Imagine XLS you have now. No slide to worry about and has as much livability as some larger models.Easier to tow and park and fits us better.

[cjg]

We (my wife and I) went from a 20’ TT with 1 slide to a 8’ 11” slide in truck camper with zero slides. We love being compact and mobile. We will spend a month in it in the summers and lived in it for 3 months thru a winter while our new house was being finished. I do understand.

[jacknobles]

We sold our 38ft. Montana and we're going to do exactly what you did but ended up with a 27rl Half Ton 5th wheel. Is only 31 ft. And 4000lbs lighter. We have towed it from Middle Ga to California and up to lake Superior 2 times and we love the size of it. We couldn't have gotten in some of the National Parks if we had the larger 5th wheel. Great job on the video's

[jhr]

I really appreciate this video because it's reinforcing my decision to do the same thing. I'm on my third RV, this one a Jayco super c Diesel 40 ft long. The amount of maintenance and prep is ridiculous so I'm selling it and looking at that same model or similar travel trailer you have, to be pulled with the yet to be released Toyota 4Runner. I like the idea of the simplicity and quick setup you went over. Thanks for the help confirming my thoughts.

[jamesmccarter]

I appreciate you making this video it makes since as I want to make the change back to travel trailer in the spring

[jerry-]

I bought my first camper (a pop up) in 94 and been camping in travel trailers since. I completely understand the simplicity aspect. The other aspect I struggle with is the truck required to haul a large RV. We currently have a 38’ travel trailer that requires a 3/4 ton minimum. The only reason I have a HD truck is to pull our camper.

[ND-tuww]

Agree 100%. Currently have 40ft toy hauler fifth and looking for 30ft or under toy hauler TT. Want no slides, low clearance and being able to pull with smaller truck. Currently have f450 just for pulling fifth. Hate having two vehicles. It’s great when family goes but majority of the time I’m by myself doing motorcycle trips. Just don’t need the huge rv. Everyone has their own needs but I’ve learned sometimes bigger is not always better.

[t-n-tew]

We went from a 26 ft KZ with one slide to a 37 ft mid-bunk 5th wheel and are back to a bumper pull 29 ft rear bunk for the same reasons.

[nathanlewis]

We did the same thing! This is camper #4 for us, and we love out 19mbh. We had a 40" and it's just not camping!

[ourvlife]

You nailed it!! I have that same floor plan less the bunks.

[jerryabouelnasr]

Great insights! Hopefully more come across your video before they buy.

[tombesaw]

I found your channel because I bought a new 32 rlts full body paint pinnacle.it was a beautiful rv but a lot of moving parts! Also extremely tall and hard to get around with. I sold it and ordered a new Alaskan truck camper. You can say we went from one extreme to another. But we are travelers and not campers, if that makes sense. We plan to tow an enclosed trailer with a motorcycle and have more storage. Im looking forward to the simplicity.

[macrichardson]

We are looking at doing the very same thing. We own a very $$$ luxury Newmar Dutch Star diesel pusher that is a condo on wheels. It's gorgeous. I would just like something simpler with
less maintenance and concerns. I would not feel comfortable leaving out coach at a campground for any length of time unattended. Winterizing would be easier, etc etc. I can lose some creature comforts in place of Simplicity. So im there with ya !!