Keystone RV Forums - View Single Post

Liza Powell · 08-16-2018, 02:34 PM

My husband is recovering from a compression fracture in his lumbar spine and is not entirely comfortable driving or riding in our truck yet. So I asked this question recently on my favorite Facebook group. I was bombarded by similar responses to those that I see here. I did a little research online about 5th wheel crash/fatality statistics and found nothing to warrant such hysteria. Yes, different states have different laws about it. But no, I’m not convinced that riding in the 5th wheel is any more dangerous than riding in a truck hauling a 5th wheel.

1) It appears that there are significantly less fatalities in RV accidents than in ordinary vehicle accidents.
2) Most of the 5th wheel accidents I read about and viewed online involved trucks tipping over or being crushed beneath tractor trailers, and it appears to be quite uncommon for 5th wheel hitches to fail.
3) Most trailer accidents appear to be extremely preventable. (Incorrect weight/towing capacity ratios).
4) Consider the fact that Class A motorhomes are not crash rated, have no protection in front end collisions and a multitude of potential projectiles present in the event of a crash. And yet nobody questions the wisdom of riding in them.

I decided to try it out today. My husband drove while I rode, laying down on the bed in the nose of the trailer. Having read so many posts by people who claimed to have done it and would “never do it again” I was absolutely amazed at how comfortable I was. We traveled about 10 miles on a very familiar route which includes many hills, curves and rough road. Absolutely delightful! I could have easily fallen asleep.

Am I going to do this routinely? No. Am I going to try it out on an interstate? Maybe. Am I annoyed by all the folks who are so adamant about the dangers and discomfort of doing this? Hell yes!

08-16-2018, 02:34 PM	#23
Liza Powell Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Hobe Sound Posts: 16	I just tried it in our Raptor My husband is recovering from a compression fracture in his lumbar spine and is not entirely comfortable driving or riding in our truck yet. So I asked this question recently on my favorite Facebook group. I was bombarded by similar responses to those that I see here. I did a little research online about 5th wheel crash/fatality statistics and found nothing to warrant such hysteria. Yes, different states have different laws about it. But no, I’m not convinced that riding in the 5th wheel is any more dangerous than riding in a truck hauling a 5th wheel. 1) It appears that there are significantly less fatalities in RV accidents than in ordinary vehicle accidents. 2) Most of the 5th wheel accidents I read about and viewed online involved trucks tipping over or being crushed beneath tractor trailers, and it appears to be quite uncommon for 5th wheel hitches to fail. 3) Most trailer accidents appear to be extremely preventable. (Incorrect weight/towing capacity ratios). 4) Consider the fact that Class A motorhomes are not crash rated, have no protection in front end collisions and a multitude of potential projectiles present in the event of a crash. And yet nobody questions the wisdom of riding in them. I decided to try it out today. My husband drove while I rode, laying down on the bed in the nose of the trailer. Having read so many posts by people who claimed to have done it and would “never do it again” I was absolutely amazed at how comfortable I was. We traveled about 10 miles on a very familiar route which includes many hills, curves and rough road. Absolutely delightful! I could have easily fallen asleep. Am I going to do this routinely? No. Am I going to try it out on an interstate? Maybe. Am I annoyed by all the folks who are so adamant about the dangers and discomfort of doing this? Hell yes!