At Recycle My Camper, we specialize in responsibly recycling Fleetwood Fifth Wheel campers — one of the most iconic and durable RV models on the road. Whether your Fleetwood fifth wheel has seen its last adventure or is simply ready for a new chapter, we handle the entire process from haul-away to full material recovery. Learn the rich history behind these campers, the groundbreaking invention that made them possible, and exactly how we recycle and repurpose every valuable component.

The Invention of the Fifth Wheel: A 1915 Revolution

The fifth-wheel hitch that powers today’s Fleetwood fifth wheels wasn’t invented for recreation — it was born in the trucking industry to solve a real-world hauling challenge.

In 1915, engineer Herman Farr designed the revolutionary “rocking” fifth wheel, a round, hinged coupling that allowed trailers to pivot smoothly over rough roads. His partner Charles H. Martin commercialized the design through the Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. The patent (U.S. Patent No. 1,169,717) was granted in 1916, and the Martin Rocking Fifth Wheel quickly became the industry standard.

This simple yet brilliant mechanism — a flat circular plate on the truck that locks with a kingpin on the trailer — created the secure, stable connection we still use today. Without Farr and Martin’s 1915 innovation, the modern fifth-wheel camper would never have existed. Fleetwood took that proven hitch design and turned it into comfortable, road-ready homes on wheels.

Fleetwood’s Legacy: From Window Blinds to Fifth-Wheel Icon

Fleetwood RV traces its roots to 1950, when John C. Crean founded Coach Specialties Company in Southern California. Originally making window blinds and aluminum siding for travel trailers, Crean renamed the company Fleetwood Trailer Company in 1953 (inspired by the luxury Cadillac Fleetwood body style).By the mid-1960s, after acquiring Terry Coach Industries, Fleetwood began producing its own line of fifth-wheel trailers designed specifically for larger pickup trucks. The company quickly became one of America’s largest and most trusted RV manufacturers, known for quality construction, spacious floorplans, and long-lasting durability. Today, Fleetwood fifth wheels remain a favorite among RVers for their rugged frames and comfortable living spaces — exactly the qualities that make them perfect candidates for high-value recycling.

What We Recycle & Repurpose from Fleetwood Fifth Wheels

Fleetwood fifth wheels are built with premium materials engineered to last decades. When they reach the end of their road life, we carefully dismantle and divert up to 85% of the camper from landfills. Here’s what we recover and how it gets a second life:

• Metals (40–50% of total weight)
  Aluminum siding, steel chassis and frame rails, copper wiring, and aluminum trim are sorted and sent to scrap yards. These metals are melted down and reused in new vehicles, construction materials, and consumer products — reducing the need for virgin mining.
• Fiberglass & Plastics (20–30%)
  The durable fiberglass exterior shells and composite panels are mechanically ground into fine particles. The recycled fiberglass becomes filler for cement, asphalt roads, artificial wood composites, and new manufacturing materials.
• Wood & Interior Components (15–20%)
  Cabinets, flooring, walls, and plywood are repurposed into mulch, particleboard, biomass energy, or upcycled into rustic furniture and home décor projects.
• Additional Valuable Items
  Appliances (refrigerators, stoves, furnaces), batteries, tires, holding tanks, and electrical systems are removed first and either refurbished for resale or sent to specialized recyclers.

Every Fleetwood fifth wheel we recycle keeps thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills, conserves natural resources, and often puts money back in your pocket through scrap-value credits.

Ready to Recycle Your Fleetwood Fifth Wheel?

Give your Fleetwood fifth wheel a responsible, eco-friendly send-off. Our team provides free towing, transparent pricing, and full documentation that every pound of material is handled sustainably.

Contact Recycle My Camper today for a fast quote on your Fleetwood fifth wheel. Turn history on wheels into a greener future — one recycled camper at a time.Serving Fleetwood owners nationwide. Eco-friendly RV recycling you can trust.