Wheel Estate, Part 2

In a previous post I discussed the fifth wheel we planned on getting: a Keystone Mountaineer (click for floor plan). For a while, it seemed like a great choice, but we started having second thoughts. As much as Elias loves the loft, we can't really get up there with him. We won't be able to snuggle, get him down if he's sick (or defiant...), or even make the bed with any sort of ease. And inevitably, he will, at some point, choose to jump down from the top.

We also wondered if it was too long, at about 38 feet. I worry about maneuverability and merging into traffic. Steve worries about being turned away from campgrounds with length restrictions.

So we zeroed in on a Cougar High Country. It's shorter, at about 32 feet. The reduction in length comes with a reduction in overall space, of course. Most important, there's not a lot of room for kids to play. We have pretty much decided that this one is too small for full-timing. (It also had some incredibly gaudy wood trim that we just couldn't get past.)

Then someone on my car seat message board posted a link to a Cedar Creek fifth wheel. Steve and I were both intrigued and couldn't wait to see one. The only snag: The model we want does not exist west of the Rockies. The closest unit is in Texas.

We did, however, find a dealer in San Diego that has other models in the same line. We figured we'd go look just to get an idea of the quality of the materials and construction, check the fabric options, see the storage space, etc.

Verdict: We LOVE it! Granted, we haven't seen the model we want in person, but based on the models we did see, coupled with numerous photos other dealers have posted online, it seems perfect. It has everything we want and more--including several things I had crossed off my wish list in defeat.

It has a desk! The TV sits across from the couch! There's counter space! There's a stainless steel sink with a pull-out nozzle! Joy!

It even has things I didn't know I wanted, like a fireplace (fake, but it does emit heat, supposedly) and retractable dog bowls under the fridge.

It has an outdoor kitchen (little sink, little stove, mini-fridge, some counter space) which could come in very handy for snacking/cooking while outdoors. If we decide we don't want the outdoor kitchen, we might be able to get a larger wardrobe for the kids instead.

There is only one pull-down bunk over a couch, but that's actually a good thing. We would ditch the couch and put in a toddler bed for Anna. I bought an extremely comfortable (and rather expensive) crib mattress before she was born, and I'd love to get some use out of it. By doing that, we might even create enough room to bring along the play kitchen.

Possibly best of all: There's room for a stackable washer-dryer. Some of the other units we've seen have room for a combination washer/dryer, but they take forever to do one load. I had resigned myself to making regular trips to laundry rooms/laundromats, but I'd like to avoid that as much as possible, especially since Anna is in cloth diapers, which I refuse to give up.

The only drawback: It's 41 feet long--three feet longer than the one I already thought was too long. It also has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 15,500, and in California if you have a fifth wheel over 15,000 pounds, you need a Class A license. That requires Steve to go take a test similar to what big-rig operators take. He has to maneuver the trailer into a parking space, go over safety inspections, etc. I'm sure he'll have no problem passing, but it's one more thing to do.

We are still going back and forth about whether this is really the one we should get. If the size weren't so intimidating, it would be a no-brainer. We need to make up our minds soon, though: The house goes on the market in a month!