# 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? **Author:** Cory Watilo · **Published:** 2024-10-13 · **Updated:** 2026-07-08 · **Collection:** Posts **Canonical:** https://rvenvy.com/destination-trailer-era ![Is this the era of the destination trailer?](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/80166e40-28d8-4fb6-42f4-373266d52a00/desktop1080) --- 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](https://rvenvy.com/fifth-wheel-trailers/forest-river/salem-hemisphere/roost43). ![Salem Hemisphere ROOST43](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/50a3a027-571b-4175-e460-a41b7c66cf00/desktop1080) *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](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/05293e67-ed07-412d-d187-e601e6076900/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/30b11253-70d8-42d6-3acb-e3443669f300/desktop1080) ![Living area with L-couch](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/c1dec97e-cb5f-4983-81d9-9e4ce73d7400/desktop1080) ![Dinette built into kitchen island](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/7039dd60-32d9-41c3-e29c-68f588611e00/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/5252fd0d-6bbc-46c6-36ff-33c3cd08f900/desktop1080) ![Kitchen leading to bathroom and front hall](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/6e20c5d7-155a-4b07-4628-526dcf582d00/desktop1080) ![Shower](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/a98ab6f0-ddfe-438e-2621-dd311cf18e00/desktop1080) ![Toilet in full bath](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/1bbcfb63-a0f9-4942-dceb-054270f02e00/desktop1080) ![Vanity in full bath](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/7cdb2517-dbee-4f29-56b6-004bb3ad1300/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/cb235170-94c4-4659-bb7c-c48704996f00/desktop1080) ![Washer/dryer and laundry area in full bath](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/c4df1f2a-27ea-4d90-f390-cba2d5e47500/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/429ad8ed-5d83-45e6-5538-f2cdbc69bc00/desktop1080) ![Entertainment center and fireplace in front bedroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/0dccca1f-0ece-43b0-1148-5feed44e3700/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/a6dd5f49-c590-4731-14d7-841938729000/desktop1080) ![Front King bed](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/3f78a413-b42f-4cfc-45f4-fa6c82a0d400/desktop1080) ![Front bedroom with desk or vanity](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/ac18148a-df02-42e3-83a2-f58586e26100/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/58408a64-3cdb-4253-6d0d-cffacc009400/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/42c6eeab-91f9-4169-565c-fa815d958100/desktop1080) ![Half bath in front bedroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/b9d0d592-1032-471d-fe42-ce3d9f591500/desktop1080) ![Hall leading to front bedroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/62508832-3c90-47ae-64f8-139805f61400/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/e3512253-3692-44f0-45bc-4122175ad500/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/fa7030d8-e325-4b79-94d9-16bc7af35100/desktop1080) ![Mid-loft with shutters that open to kitchen below](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/34865264-df4b-41b5-fa01-83c291c03600/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/3cabfb1c-0fd0-4f35-bcfc-7eaa2f52b300/desktop1080) ![Rear entertainment area with stairs leading to rear loft](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/cc8e9d04-d1fd-4ace-e030-7dc9f2555700/desktop1080) ![Rear loft above living area](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/bfaf5567-7f31-406f-04ec-6463314efd00/desktop1080) ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/2b87fb36-0dee-4aa5-505a-791c89227300/desktop1080) ![Stairs leading to rear loft](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/ecbb9528-d109-4d83-3fa7-c37df418e300/desktop1080) ### Explore the ROOST43 - [Forest River Salem Hemisphere ROOST43](https://rvenvy.com/fifth-wheel-trailers/forest-river/salem-hemisphere/roost43): 43 ft 9 in, sleeps 8, 17,995 lbs GVWR ## 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](https://rvenvy.com/travel-trailers/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 ![](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/77acd672-e2ec-494d-08dc-f31ab06f5f00/desktop1080) ![Rear patio off bedroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/0f8a160a-e9a7-433c-b835-d730a0becf00/desktop1080) ![Sliding glass entry door](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/2e34524f-9559-4f60-7cb9-0ddbcf01b500/desktop1080) ![Living area from stairs leading to front loft](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/f2754899-2827-472d-67fc-bb8a7277ff00/desktop1080) ![Dinette on kitchen island with L-couch living area behind](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/3764a051-97d0-4056-b798-04496ca4f300/desktop1080) ![Rear bedroom from living area](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/c960f52c-392a-4916-1d5a-3892cab01100/desktop1080) ![Facing forward from rear bedroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/8974d749-f6bb-46ca-a659-43bdf3386d00/desktop1080) ![Facing forward toward kitchen from living area](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/fd7c1bba-6ec8-4d6d-e99a-714f3e7d1400/desktop1080) ![Retro kitchen styling](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/9c21c178-c9d7-45f0-dfc8-4d1f468dae00/desktop1080) ![An odd choice of no mirrors in front of vanities](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/80895b0c-737d-4de5-b8de-83be224e3b00/desktop1080) ![Full-length mirror in bathroom](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/3246b6cf-252c-4471-95e0-c885c120ba00/desktop1080) ![Facing rear from front bath](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/ef3a5810-4a61-46de-0388-b2b0e4d06c00/desktop1080) ![Loft above front bath](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/07c96163-4393-4daa-8e32-3a4d0f959a00/desktop1080) ![Voice command by PWR Pro](https://imagedelivery.net/Jf9DRitYJ6pR6Mj8hCRBSg/0ab11db2-2cd1-44bb-29b3-90a83da08900/desktop1080) ## Explore the Ibex RVS3 - [Forest River IBEX RVS3](https://rvenvy.com/travel-trailers/forest-river/ibex/rvs3): 40 ft, sleeps 6, 11,700 lbs GVWR --- 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. ## Read more 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](https://rvenvy.com/top-rv-floor-plans-2025-hershey-show) --- ## More from Posts - [24 new RV floor plans for 2024](https://rvenvy.com/top-rv-floor-plans-2024): Our 24 favorite new RV floor plans and features introduced for the 2024 model year - [Highlights from the 2024 Tampa Summer RV Show](https://rvenvy.com/tampa-summer-show-2024): It was very, very hot. But we found some cool RVs. - [25 hot new RV floor plans for 2025](https://rvenvy.com/top-rv-floor-plans-2025-hershey-show): Everything we loved at the 2024 Hershey RV show --- Cite the canonical HTML URL (no `.md` suffix): https://rvenvy.com/destination-trailer-era. Full URL grammar for every RV Envy markdown mirror: https://rvenvy.com/docs/for-agents.md