RV Tour | Take A Look In Our 5th Wheel
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- #rvtour #campertour 5thwheeltour In this RV tour we take a look at our 5th wheel. Joan and I have really enjoyed our Heartland Gateway 5th wheel. Over the past 3 years we have made a number of changes, some simple mods, other a bit more extensive, yet all to make out RV more like home. We even added a kitty on-site. For this mod, I'm not sure who likes this one more, Joan and I or our kitties, Mink and Molly. So come with us and tour.
There are numerous RV sites from seasoned full-timers to wide ranging forums. Joan and I want to share a different perspective of RV living - where we started, where we’ve been and what we’ve done to make our RV life more enjoyable. We’ll take you from purchase to trips to those changes and additions to make our RV home. So welcome, stay awhile, share and we hope we’ll see you soon.
Music by: [No Copyright Music] ON AND ON - Nicolai Heidlas Music - • Video
Visit our website for more I Love RV Life travels and tips at ilovervlife.com
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! 💙 (& Joan is so lucky to have such a HANDY travel companion!)
Thanks so much. A wink from Joan.
.....Jerry, love the way you are so thoughtful toward your wife's preferences in the rv........the lighting and wood tones create a beautiful/elegant ambiance ........the champagne tones of the window treatment fabrics ........the upscale look of the kitchen .......an all together lovely home......the 'lit' fireplace in such an environment must be stunning.......ty for sharing......go with God....... \o/
Thanks so much Carla. Joan’s a sweetie. Always fun to do things to make her happy. The 5th wheel has become a very comfortable home. Since this video was created, we remodeled part of the kitchen. You may be interested in Part 8 of the series showing the results. Jerry...
Oh my heavens.... Your RV is perfect! Just exactly what I've been trying to design! But this..... Even better! Thank you for sharing your wonderful home/RV!
Thanks so much Dawn. Glad we could take you on the tour.
Now ladies, take note: that make-up build he did for his Joan - THAT'S what love looks like. Great video.
Oh, such a kind comment. I scored a bunch of points with this project. It’s Joan’s happy place.
Just beautiful. Love to see you relaxing and doing a typical day cooking etc. Just things that have to be done.
Man. That thing is nice! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. We have been pulling the 5’ver all over the place. Did a kitchen upgrade not long ago. Check this out th-cam.com/video/2HAp7f0Xrmc/w-d-xo.html
We had watched your previous video showing the installation of your kitchen faucet. We liked it so much that we went through your link to Amazon and bought one just like it in nickel finish and installed it in our fifth wheel and we absolutely love it. It is so much nicer and efficient than the one that came as stock. Thanks Jerry for your useful videos.
Wow Kala, that's awesome. I'm so glad the project worked well for you all and many thanks for using the Amazon link.
Great rv. Excellent tour. I love their kitchens. They really are well layed out and decorated to look like a cute kitchen. As for the awkward cabinets next to the refrigerator. This is so you can easily fit a wider counter depth electric only refrigerator or the 18cuft gas - electric four door rv refrigerator. Until then it's a great place to store cleaning supplies (broom, mop, extension poles, etc, etc..).Your kitty ensuite is awesome. Very creative.
Cheers from Seattle!
Hi Cameron. Thanks much for the kind words. Agree, with all RVs there's always a little give and take. Since this video, we've near completion of a partial kitchen remodel. Hope you get a chance to watch this upgrade. The island area is quite different. Jerry....
Nice size living rm / kitchen the whole 5th wheel enjoy
Thanks a bunch.
Beautiful Rig! I see why you both bought it! You are so sweet and kind to consider Joan’s important features. I would enjoy meeting her sometime in your Videos. I just watched your video on how to clean the awnings. That’s what I’m doing today. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and adventures with us. Wishing you both happy and safe travels.
Hi Latada. Thanks so much for the kind comment. Joan pops up on our travel videos and we'll have a bunch through October and November. Hope all works well with the cleaning. Safe travels. Jerry...
You could figure out a rolling pantry idea that would fit those cabinets.. IKEA maybe.. You got the cat pan figured out!! (Awesome idea, btw!!😉!!) the cat pan made me subscribe!👍👍👍
Appreciate the sub! Ah, the kitty on-suite. That’s become both a hit on TH-cam and with our Mike and Molly too. Still working out a solution for those cabinets. They are so narrow that I guess I’ll end up doing something custom. I don’t mind taking a hammer to things! th-cam.com/video/5-EvGXnbFf8/w-d-xo.html
Thank you again! Nice tour, good ideas! Great to see a couple not full time but traveling a lot and making it all work....including working some on the road. Could do now but we're too involved yet in church and volunteering and own rental properties and self-employed, but perhaps one day. Planning some trips for 4 weeks maybe longer, we'll see. Ohio winters are long! Would be nice to leave for a while!
Hi Dave. Thanks much. Understand the limits, we face similar issues. Our first year, we traveled a week here and there. I dropped one of my business verticals that freed me up to work on the road. I hear Spring is on the way to Ohio. We just returned from 2 months in KY and TN. Last 4 weeks we had snow every other day. So glad to be further south!
loved your video--we have a 33foot lightweigh passport that we bought 2 1/2 years ago- and are really enjoying it. but find we need to do some cosmetic upgrades,, our goal is to get a 5th wheel and travel when we retire...be looking forward to seeing your travels
Thanks so much Jo Ann. More travels coming very soon.
Really enjoying your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make them and post them. 😊
Hi Carma. Thanks much for the kind comment.
Very nice rig and setup!
Thanks Dennis
You have a nice camper
Thanks Dean
FYI: You might consider the wire pull out shelving for your pantry....it would make it much more useful....Beautiful RV....!!
Thanks much for the kind comment. Have you seeb the later videos where we remodeled the kitchen island and the cabinets next to the stove? We have been looking at wire shelves. Hoping to add in the near future. Jerry...
It’s funny I found your videos! I have this same RV...our layout is a bit different. Our tv is to the right on the slide out. We have the fireplace. I agree with the RV furniture we live in Florida and sticking to the furniture is awful so we got rid of ours too. We have a huge island with tons of storage and the same fridge!! I love that your sink is where it’s at mine is where your clock is in the nook. Our bathroom is exactly the same and I love it but we did switch to a compost toilet and took down the shower doors. We full time RV and we love our rig!! OMG I LOVE WHAT YOU DID WITH THE LAUNDRY AREA!! I never thought about that. Anyways happy travels to y’all
Thanks a bunch Stacey. Once the RV became home, it wasn’t hard to get the hammer out and make the modifications to fit our needs. This has been a relatively reliable 5th wheel with little trouble with the exception of normal wear and tear. And Joan’s make up area, that has been a hit! Living in 400 square feet, it gave a place to be her space. We’ll miss Florida this year with plans to head west for a change. Safe travels. Jerry...
Nice rv best On I’ve saw
Thanks Jordy.
Love love love your rig. We are currently looking for one. Will search for a Heartland Gateway. Blessings!
Hi Diana. Thanks much. We've put a bunch of miles on this one and still going. Not happy leaving anything stock, look at our channel where we remodled the kitchen last Spring. Jerry...
Love your RV! Great layout and I love the furniture you put in. Fabulous kitchen also.
Thanks much Joan. My Joan had a big hand in the overall look with the new furniture. Hope you have a chance to see the new episodes where I'm completing a remodel of the kitchen island and some of the cabinets. Jerry...
your "arm deep" skinny draws put in pull out slides with raised edges suitable for cans ,containers that you can store flour ,sugar etc :)
Hi Ann-Louise. Thanks for the idea. We have looked at several systems. Most won’t fit, but we found another line that may work.
A tub in an RV. That is the life. :)
Hi Timea. I see that you and Joan are kindred spirits!
Would love to see Joan and how she likes RV life.
We’re hitting the road very soon. She said she’ll gets some video time.
Very nice! Did you put the drawers in the steps?
Hi Crystal. Can’t claim that. That’s factory. We call them the ‘junk drawer’.
Just found you and subscribed, you share such good information.
Thanks much Linda. So glad we can share our ideas.
Just subbed from Quebec, Canada. You have a very beautiful RV and you seem like such a nice man and great husband, I just had to subscribe!! ;)
Hi Den. What a kind comment. So glad you joined the channel. Joan and I have great memories of our travels to beautiful Quebec. Jerry....
Beautiful rig Jerry. I'm interested in your battery set up. Do you have a generator to charge them. If so could you or have you done a video on hooking up and running your generator to charge them.
We have four 6 volt golf cart batteries that run our residential frig, lights, etc while we are on the road. Here's a blog from several years back before we started the TH-cam channel - ilovervlife.com/rv-12-volt-battery-box/ We rarely boondock and this set up has served us well for the occasional overnight (not summer) when we may not have an electrical hook up. These batteries will last around 60 hours until 50%. When we get to a campground, the charger tops them off again. We sold a 13 year old generator when running sound like a 747 taking off. Just wasn't practical for longer term camping needs. We have will be buying a new 4500 watt inverter generator soon for our trip west later this year. As soon as received and we have time to put it through the paces, we post a video.
@@iLoveRVlife Thanks so much for the info. O have been wondering about getting the golf cart batteries also. We joined Harvest Host and would like to be able to run off the batteries for one or two nights
Oh my god I cant show my wife you have a tub.....Ha...We’re looking at a 35 ft one. Has the seat in shower but not tub 🛀 ... Really almost the same layout. We looked at the 2019 315RLS Cougar and really like the layout. We plan to do the exact same thing. Travel for a month or two, what ever depends I guess on how its going but not 100 % of time. We do want to come home and do whatever in between. Fix Rv probably. LOL.... Love the channel...Can’t wait to see where you go off to. Then I can add more spots to my google maps.... ha...
Joan loves that tub. I know the Cougar set up. Very nice layout. Nice thing over our Gateway is the Cougar has larger tanks. Really helps if you plan to boondock. Joan likes a home base more than I. Of course she doesn’t cut the grass or trim the scrubs. But, it does give a place for the kids during holidays. A good compromise. Lots of places to share over the next weeks and months. Jerry....
How long is your 5W, are you happy with the size? If you bought a new one would you go bigger or smaller?
40 feet. We are happy with the size. You have to make sure the campground is big rig friendly before you travel. But, usually a visit to the web site or a phone call confirm. Smaller rigs are somewhat easier to park in tight areas. The big upside is when you are set up. Our stays are typically 1 to 2 weeks, we've even stretched to a month or 2 on occation. We like the apartment feel of the large living space and kitchen plus I have an office in the corner. For an RV, we have a spacious bathroom with tub, important for Joan. There are always times you wish your RV was larger or smaller, overall we're happy with our choice. We've grown accustomed to this livinng space. It would be difficult to go smaller. Jerry...
The only way that "pantriette" next to the fridge would be useful is if the shelves pulled out on slides.
I've looked at options. Maybe a trip to IKEA to find something that will fit.
Did you ever tell us the length of your Fifth Wheel? We want a small one for 2 people. I don’t think we’d need a 350 truck?
Hi Christine. It’s 40 feet. Don’t laugh. It’s a couples 5th wheel. We call it our apartment on wheels we drag behind a truck.
Great job on the videos Jerry! Keep up the great work! I wanted to ask you about your Wifi and your office setup, I too am in the IT industry and I am trying to research the best way to work on the go... Thanks in advance! Don
Thanks for the kind comment. Since we never know the quality of RV park wifi, we went the cellular route. Even using this as an option for Internet, it's hard to know if AT&T or Sprint or Verizon will provide a reasonable connection and bandwidth. I have plans that offer a reasonable priced unlimited plan for Sprint and AT&T and then whatever is needed if I have to bump Verizon for a month or so. For me, I really need to be able to use my phone for business while on the Internet so I have to resort to a cellular hotspot. When looking for best coverage, I'd rate the better carriers in this order - Verizon, AT&T then Sprint.
Very good practical video. You should put deep narrow sliding basket racks in your pantry to use and reach all stored items. How does your wife put on makeup with no mirror and fluorescent light? I wd rather have a small stacking washer dryer but I will have to put on my makeup in the bathroom or kitchen.
Hi Lauren. We so wish we could install the sliding baskets next to the frig. Unfortunately the space is so narrow the baskets won't fit. Joan has a large makeup mirror and there's a fluorescent light overhead. You saw the "packed for travel" mode before we left for our next trip. We looked into adding a washer and dryers for the space, but they were so small. We found taking an hour or two at the campground laundry knocked out the 3 or so loads, plus we get caught up on our reading.
I Love RV Life
Try reviewing the Best Choice washer spinner
About $100 with free shipping...i had a similar one years ago worked great. Im definitely looking at one for my coming rv venture. Amazon has plenty of reviews for you. Works great apparently.
If you put all your items on your pantry shelves in a long slim container then you can slide the container out then back in. Will work like a sliding surface.
How many slide outs do you have on your camper?
We have 3 Katy. 2 in the main living area and 1 in the bedroom.
how do you charge up the 4 batteries?
HI Colleen. The 5th wheel has a charger converter the provides power for lights and the other 12 volts systems and charges the batteries when we have AC power at the campground.
I am a newbie. Have enjoyed particularly the Electrical Kit on and kitty friendly litter boxes. On this video you mentioned that you have an F350 and your 5th wheel is about 40 feet. I was wondering if you needed an upgraded drivers license to account of weight should your Rig be in excess of GVW for the Trailer when combined with the truck if its over 26,000 pounds?
Hi Bob. Thanks for the kind comments. For most states, as long as your vehicle is under 26,000 pounds no CDL is required. Some states have over 45 foot length requirements or combined vehicle and trailer. For me, Georgia has a provision to exempt RVs. Check your state's DMV. Usually they have an online provisions or exempt section.
Is your truck a SRW or a DRW and how much does the trailer weigh.Looks real nice and comfy.
The 5th wheel is a Heartland Gateway. Fully loaded around 14,000 pounds. We have more truck than we need, but back in 2104 found a great deal on a repo with only 11,000 miles. It's a DRW F350 diesel. Very pleased. Pulls great in the mountains and handles the 40 foot 5th wheel even when its windy on the highway. The 5th wheel is very comfortable. We often spend 3 months or so at a time in it. Has all the things we need to make it home. Jerry...
Is you truck four wheel drive or two?
It a two wheel dually. We stay out of the soft stuff and haven't needed 4 wheel drive.
Two points that I need to ask about: 1. Can you put a handicap height stool in these 5th wheels? 2. If your unhappy with the king bed, my wife said that you could always give us the 5th wheel with the king bed and get another! 😅
For the stool, guessing one that's used in a shower? Maybe. Not in ours, we have a small tub and doubt it would fit. But other 5th wheels may have a larger walk-in shower where this could fit. When you shop for a camper, take a measuring tape along. Too funny about the bed! It's just one of those things I need to learn to manage 😁 Jerry...
Good tip about the measuring tape! No, I was referring to how tall the stool actually is. I would never buy an RV with the stool in the shower. That's just, well....wrong on too many levels!
I don't think Jerry realizes that by "stool" you mean "toilet". :)
Oops! Really? Sorry about that. It may be something lost in my southern translation. If I goofed, there are taller "stools". May want to check a local RV store. Jerry...
My wife found on-line that they are available. You just have to ask for them! Imagine that, you have to ask!😃
What's up with the cat hole?
Thanks for asking. Here's a video where we created a litter box area outside our living space. th-cam.com/video/5hq6F_cgdCE/w-d-xo.html A year later we made a few upgrades. Here's that video th-cam.com/video/5hq6F_cgdCE/w-d-xo.html
Tell Joan to check out some of the 2018 5th wheels. At the RV show in Milwaukee this past weekend there were 5ths with front bathrooms that have FULL soaker tubs!!! We hope to go full time in 4 yr
Hi Karin. I will or maybe this is my next RV mod! Good luck on your full-time plan. You'll have a blast.
I wannago with yall
0:26 Would you fulltime?
By the way, nice camper!
Thanks Austin. We would. Only point stopping us is Joan wants a place where family can visit durning the holidays.
@@iLoveRVlife Hi there! Loved the video. You seem like such a kind person and a happy guy! Would love to be in your shoes. Can't decide if I want a tiny house or RV. Think I'd like the RV but the prices for hookups/camp sites are crazy! Might as well pay a mtg! I'd love to do it off grid but not sure if that's possible. Tell Joan that full time RVing is her chance to get out of the holiday cooking and stress of hosting! Lol You can just go to their house and let them do all the work! Plus when someone says they can't make it for the holidays, u just tell them, "that's OK, we'll come to u! Lol Stay safe and enjoy the RV Life! : )
Hi Rosie. Thanks so much for the very kind comment. You’ve got the right formula on full time life. We maybe getting closer. We met a super sweet couple this week who have been full timing for 22 years. She and Joan really hit it off. We’ll see. Really not sure why we have a sticks and bricks. Only there a couple of months out of the year. RV vs tiny home. Both are great options for a nice place to live with lower overhead. Both still require a place to park, so space and utilities are part of the equation. But for the adventure, I’d suggest some type of RV may be the better option. There’s tons of reasonably priced options to consider. Boondocking is one, but COE, muni and state parks, Passport America, and others once you start laying out your travel plans and research. Take a look at the Allstays website. Play around with a route and you’ll see the tons of places to park an RV. Great to hear from you. Jerry....
That bigger than my apartment.
Joan and I often share with others the RV is our New York apartment we drag behind our ton truck.
I'm not Cindy, I'm Cindy's husband Bob.
If i have to see another basement anf the gesmo games o will never buy a rv or motor home. All the videos has just turned me off.