In this roundup, you’ll find six of the best 4-season 5th-wheel campers you can buy today. These rigs are purposely designed to handle the harsh winter conditions and still provide all the comforts of home. You’ll find each camper’s dimensions, weight ratings, sleep capacity, holding tank capacity, and price, as well as their standout winter camping features.
We will also reveal the essential features to look for when shopping for a four-season RV, plus a few winter camping tips. Let’s roll.
What is a True 4-Season 5th Wheel Camper?
First, a 5th wheel is a large RV trailer that tows using a hitch mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. Unlike regular 5th wheels, a four-season fifth wheel is built from the ground up to provide comfort throughout the year, even in extreme winter and summer conditions. It can withstand snow, wind, ice, and subzero temperatures with relative ease and keep the occupants toasty warm.
RV Top Tip: Not all RVs that are marketed as four-season are capable of camping in a cold climate. Many manufacturers add a sticker that says “Polar Pak”, “Arctic Pak” and “4-season rated” and call it Four-Season. But in reality, such a camper may not have all the necessary features you need to camp comfortably in the brutal winter cold and summer heat. So, what are the features of a true 4-season fifth wheel?
Features of a True 4 Season Fifth Wheel Trailer
The number one feature of a true 4 season camper is superior construction. Manufacturers put care into ensuring good insulation and an overall durable structure to withstand the elements. Here’s what to look for when searching for a four-season fifth wheel:
- Thicker walls (at least 3 inches) with multiple insulation layers to prevent heat from escaping and cold air from entering.
- High insulation value in roof, floor, and walls: R-value of 15+.
- Heated and enclosed underbelly to prevent water lines from freezing up.
- Dual furnaces with high BTU output (30k+) to efficiently produce hot air.
- Ducted heating as it allows for an even distribution of heat throughout your rig.
- Dual pane or thermopane windows to keep the draft out.
- Tank heating pads to prevent the holding tanks from freezing and cracking.
- Attic vents to allow moisture and excess heat pressure/build to get out of the RV.
- Large propane tanks (two 40-lb tanks) as you’ll use up a lot of propane during the winter.
- Larger tanks so you can dump waste or refill fresh water fewer times during colder periods.
- Other features include a fireplace, heated water hose, and self-heating batteries.
Even with these features, you still need to protect your pipes and tanks from potential freezing. Take precautions like installing RV skirting, heating your RV’s basement, and using a portable electric space heater in the cabin.
Best 4-Season Fifth Wheel for Extreme Winters: Outdoors RV Glacier Peak Mountain Series F27MKS
- RVInsider Rating: 4.3 stars out of 94 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 32′0”X8’X12’11″
- Dry Weight: 9,875 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
- Holding Tanks: 80 gals Fresh, 80 gals Gray, 50 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 60 lbs
- Furnace BTU: 35,000
- Standout Features: Middle kitchen, residential sofa, swing-out 40″ TV, and a fridge that operates in temperatures below 0° Fahrenheit.
- MSRP: $108,000
Designed for Mountain States and Western Canada, the ORV Glacier Peak F27MKS has all the features you need to camp in extreme conditions. Expect thermal pane windows, a triple-layer roof, 2 layers of R-7 fiberglass insulation, and bonded aluminum frame walls. The underbelly is fully enclosed, heated, and insulated. All doors, including baggage doors, have insulation.
Freshen up in the central bathroom with a thermal insulated skylight and enjoy a good night’s rest at the front queen bed. Prep meals at the mid-kitchen, serve at the 45″x 84″ dinette, and lounge on the residential sofa. Other nice highlights include a 40″ TV, an extra large furnace, a 10-gallon water heater, loads of exterior storage, and off-road suspensions.
Best Small 4-Season 5th Wheel: Northwood Arctic Fox Mountain 235RLS
- RVInsider Rating: 4.1 stars out of 99 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 27′10”X8’X12’9″
- Dry Weight: 8,761 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Holding Tanks: 59 gals Fresh, 42 gals Gray, 36 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 60 lbs
- Furnace BTU: 30,000
- Standout Features: Rugged off-road chassis, fully welded aluminum construction, jackknife sofa, and huge pantry.
- MSRP: $70,000
The Arctic Fox Mountain 235RLS ticks all the boxes of a four-season camper. To keep you warm, it has high-density block foam insulation, frameless thermal pane windows, R-18 ceiling, R-15 reflective foil insulation in the slide-outs, and laminated multi-layered substrate walls and floor. The tanks are also heated, and the ducted furnace is rated at 30k BTU. It’s a smaller rig, so heating the interior isn’t a problem.
Indeed, this camper doesn’t disappoint in comfort. At the front is a private bedroom with a queen bed, nightstand, and wardrobe. You’ll also find a large bath with a glass shower enclosure and a garden tub. The rear features a large living area with a jackknife sofa, a convertible dinette in slide, and a modern kitchen.
Best 4-Season 5th Wheel for a Family: DRV Mobile Suites MS Orlando
- RVInsider Rating: 3.8 stars out of 62 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 46′0”X8’5”X13’3″
- Dry Weight: 20,860 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Holding Tanks: 100 gals Fresh, 125 gals Gray, 100 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 80 lbs
- Furnace BTU: 40,000
- Standout Features: 6 slides, private bunkhouse, full bath and a half, king bed, and rigid custom-engineered frame.
- MSRP: $274,048
DRV Mobile Suites MS Orlando is a winter-ready camper that boasts upscale comforts and superior construction. It excels in colder climates with a 3″ thick floor, 3 1/4″ thick walls, 1/4″ thick fiberglass, and a residential 5-duct heating system. A Water-resistant Fome-Cor Vapor Barrier allows interior moisture to escape without building up in the walls. The interior has a higher R-value of 16.
With an impressive 6 slide-outs, your entire crew will be blown away by the acres of interior space. The main living area feels like home thanks to the residential theater seating, hide-a-bed sofa, and a fireplace. Kids will love the front bunk room with double bunks, a desk, and a half bath. Parents will have a separate bedroom with a king-size bed and a large bath. The family chef will appreciate the gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a kitchen island.
Best 4-Season Fifth Wheel for Full-Time Living: Heartland Big Horn 3205RL
- RVInsider Rating: 3.8 stars out of 93 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 36′1”X8’X13’3″
- Dry Weight: 12,000 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 3
- Holding Tanks: 65 gals Fresh Water Tank, 90 gals Gray, 45 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 60
- Furnace BTU: 35,000
- Standout Features: 4 slides, separate rooms, rear entertainment center, a huge king bedroom, 3-sided spacious basement storage, and double-welded aircraft quality construction.
- MSRP: $130,000
If you’re looking to camp year-round, the Heartland Big Horn 3205RL will impress you with its livability. This feature-packed RV beats the winter chill by providing climate-ready protection. Anticipate 4-layer walls with a high insulation value and excellent strength at half the weight of wood. It also has 3″ floors, a heated and enclosed underbelly, optional dual pane windows, dual 15K ACs with heat pumps, plus insulated holding tanks with heat pads.
It delivers pampered living in the rear with three sofas, an entertainment center with a pop-up TV, and an oversized fireplace. In the middle is a fully-equipped 5-star kitchen with a pantry, a wine closet, 3 workspaces, and a dinette. The exterior is built for tough adventures, with Goodyear endurance tires and spare, upgraded suspensions, a rugged shock-absorbing king box, heavy-duty axles, tow assist, and sway control.
Best Luxury 4-Season 5th Wheel Trailer: Redwood RV 4200FL
- RVInsider Rating: 3.8 stars out of 42 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 44′10”X8’X13’6″
- Dry Weight: 16,206 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 6
- Holding Tanks: 50 gals Fresh, 76 gals Gray, 38 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 60
- Furnace BTU: 41,000
- Standout Features: Six slides, 65″ TV, 5.1k BTU fireplace, 48″ shower with seat, and residential appliances.
- MSRP: $180,000
Searching for luxury fifth wheel campers that can handle the extreme cold? The Redwood RV 4200FL is a great option that delights owners with best-in-class winter features. Camping in the frigid winter months isn’t an issue thanks to the 41k BTU furnace, residential insulated heat ducts, heated underbelly, frameless dual pane windows, and insulated baggage doors. The rig sits on a custom chassis.
Premium features that will snag your attention include an entertainment center with 65″ TV, solid hardwood cabinets, a master bedroom gel-foam king-size bed with tilt, and a living room with 2 sleeper sofas and theatre seating. The kitchen has a dinette with buffet, a large island with sink, a 22 cu. ft. fridge, and solid-surface countertops. In the warmer months, cool off with the dual combined 30k BTU air conditioner.
Best Mid-Range 4-Season Fifth Wheel: Keystone Montana Legacy 3123RL
- RVInsider Rating: 4.1 stars out of 13 reviews
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 35′1”X8’X13’4″
- Dry Weight: 12,450 lbs.
- Sleeping Capacity: 4
- Holding Tanks: 70 gals Fresh, 88 gals Gray, 49 gals Black
- LPG Capacity: 60
- Furnace BTU: 35,000
- Standout Features: Kitchen island, floor-to-ceiling pantry, entertainment center with a 5k BTU fireplace heater and 50″ Smart TV, plus powerful but light chassis.
- MSRP: $120,000
Keystone Montana 3123RL is a perfect choice for road warriors who brave cold temperatures. It has one of the best Arctic packages in the RV industry and is tested and approved for 0° usage. It boasts thick, insulated, high-gloss fiberglass sidewalls, and an insulated underbelly that has forced hot air and 12v electric tank heaters. Other weather protection features include insulated slide floors and front cap, dual attic vents, and self-heating batteries.
The executive interior is outfitted with residential features. Gather your family or host your guests in the rear living area, complete with a hide-a-bed sofa, theater seating, a dinette, a fireplace, and a kitchen island. Take turns freshening up in the middle full bath with a shower seat, linen closet, sink, and cabinet. Sleep like royalty in the front master suite with a king bed in a slide, HDTV, and wardrobe.
Other Decent Fifth Wheels With Four Season Abilities:
Here are other new model 5th wheels that have adequate 4-season features:
- Luxe Fifth Wheels
- New Horizons
- Ice Castle Fish Houses 8′ x 32′ All Seasons Traveler 5th Wheel
- Grand Design Solitude
- KZ Durango Gold Line with 4-season, all-weather package
Tips for 4-Season Fifth Wheels
Here are some helpful tips on shopping for and camping in winter-ready fifth wheels:
- Pick a smaller size 4-season camper, as it will be easier to heat and cool.
- Get custom-made RV skirting to protect the underbelly from the cold and prevent heat loss.
- Make sure you have oversize propane tanks, as winter heating consumes a lot of LP gas in a short span.
- Get a dehumidifier to control moisture and keep ice off windows.
- Get a smaller portable electric heater for emergencies.
- Upgrade to lithium batteries designed to be charged below freezing.
- If you are connected to reliable shore power, consider installing the CheapHeat system that uses your furnace ducting to supply resistance heat. It’s more efficient than propane and regular electric heat.
- Make sure slide seals are in good shape.
- Set the thermostat and leave it alone all winter. If you set it low when you are gone, it won’t catch up on time when you’re back. It may take an entire night to get to the ideal temperature, leaving you cold.
- Consider adding more insulation in your fifth wheel, like a carpet and self-adhesive insulation to your windows.
- Cover water lines with heat tape.
- Generally, true 4-season fivers are on the heavier side because of the quality of construction and materials used. This also makes them more expensive compared to regular fifth wheels. Plus, you’ll need to budget for a more powerful truck.
FAQs 4 Season 5th Wheel Campers
Here are some frequently asked questions about four-season fifth wheels:
What’s the Most Affordable 4-Season 5th Wheel?
Northwood Arctic Fox Mountain 235RLS is the best budget-friendly fifth wheel capable of cold-weather camping. Despite its reasonable price, it’s extremely well-constructed and has an outstanding four-season package. It’s equipped with high-density block foam insulation, a fiberglass exterior, an R-18 ceiling, tank heaters, and a powerful auto-ignition furnace.
What are the Best Used True Four-Season Fifth-Wheel Trailers?
There are several older model fifth wheels that are no longer in production but are renowned for their unmatched 4-season capabilities. The top brands are Teton, Excel, NuWa, Newmar, Continental by Forks, and Dutchmen Komfort. These 5vers are extremely well made and handle colder temperatures way better than most units made today.
Is a 4-Season Fifth Wheel Worth It?
Yes, a four-season 5th wheel is a great investment if you plan to camp year-round, especially in cold regions. Apart from the ability to keep you comfortable in freezing winters and sweltering summers, they typically have a rugged chassis, a fully welded frame, weatherproof skin, off-road capabilities, and better-quality components throughout. These features help them last many more years compared to regular campers.
4 Season 5th Wheels: A Cozy Way to Camp in Winter
There you have it — six amazing 4-season 5th wheel campers. They have a higher R-value to keep the interior toasty warm in the cold winter months, plus the high-quality insulation will keep you cooler in the hot summers. This guide will definitely help you narrow down your search to only the best true 4-season rigs.
More From RV Top Tips:
Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.
The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.