Is this the era of the destination trailer?

They're more residential than ever. Is America finally waking up to the allure of the destination trailer and fifth wheel?

Last Updated: October 13, 2024

Is this the era of the destination trailer?

In the past decade, we've seen a surge in popularity in alternate forms of living. Van life and tiny homes have been all the rage in online communities and even TV shows.

This was amplified in 2020 when the entire world shut down, but has been a growing trend in large part due to the high cost of renting or buying a home.

Now with two recent hurricanes that have displaced thousands of families, the need for a long-term housing solution that still feels like home has grown more than ever.

The awkward step child in the tiny home living genre has always been the destination trailer. While they've been around for a couple decades, they just don't seem to have picked up in terms of popularity. Until now...

Destination fifth wheels?!

At the 2024 Hershey RV show, some of the most popular units were destination trailers. And on top of that, there's a new entrant into the market: the destination fifth wheel.

I spoke to Jeff Plummer, a Regional Sales Manager for Forest River, who had a hand in the new destination fifth wheel trailers under the Salem brand, like the Salem Hemisphere ROOST43.

Salem Hemisphere ROOST43

Jeff explained that traditional bumper pull destination trailers are classified as park models, and thus limited in overall square footage as they're regulated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These are limited to a maximum of 399 square feet.

But with this new fifth wheel format, there is no such regulation, allowing for a larger canvas to work with. And the result is a 530 square foot floor plan – unlike anything I've ever seen before.

ROOST43 photos

Rear living area

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Kitchen leading to bathroom and front hall

Washer/dryer and laundry area in full bath

Entertainment center and fireplace in front bedroom

Mid-loft with shutters that open to kitchen below

Rear entertainment area with stairs leading to rear loft

Explore the ROOST43

Stunning new destination trailers

If you don't need that much space, check out new destination trailers that are shipping with more gorgeous interiors than ever.

Take the Forest River Ibex RVS3, for example. If you didn't know you were in a house on wheels, you might think you were in a high-end tiny home.

It offers a rear bedroom with a patio, a loft above the bathroom, a living area with an L-couch, and a kitchen with an island that doubles as the dinette.

Ibex RVS3 photos

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Living area from stairs leading to front loft

Dinette on kitchen island with L-couch living area behind

Facing forward toward kitchen from living area

An odd choice of no mirrors in front of vanities

Explore the Ibex RVS3

These are just two of the new 2025 destination trailers on offer.

With so many people looking for alternate medium-term housing, especially in the wake of two hurricanes, destination trailers should be on anyone's checklist that's interested in parking stationary for an extended period of time.

If you missed our full rundown from the 2024 Hershey RV Show, be sure to check it out.

Top RV floorplans from the 2024 Hershey RV Show

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