The Quantum 5 Contempo Fifth Wheel Fiberglass Trailer
While looking around, I found this tiny article in Popular Science – March 1981
It reads:
Compact, 17-ft. Quantum 5 fifth-wheel trailer from Contempo (left) is designed for towing by small pickups. It sleeps four and has fully galley and bath. Price is $9,200.
When you account for inflation, $9,200 in 1981 is the same as $22,410 today, which seems incredibly pricey for a trailer that can barely sleep four. Despite its initial cost, it looks like a cute and efficient design.
Here is a photo of one that was for sale on the Fiberglass RV Forums:
It sold within two days and was gone so quickly that the connoisseurs at Fiberglass RV didn’t get a chance to bid on it.
crm112, however, owns one and has posted several pictures of it on Fiberglass RV’s website.
Here is an interior shot of the dinette.
This one shows the bed and door to the trailer.
Here is his complete rig hooked up to a 1988 Jeep Comanche.
And THIS is what I love to see. Here is the trailer in a campsite with its new awning.
The lightweight fiberglass and small design is what makes this tiny fifth wheel trailer ideal for towing with a tiny pickup truck. Unfortunately, their high price limited sales and they only made approximately 500 of them. If you are lucky enough to see one for sale, snatch it up, because a small and efficiently designed trailer like the Quantum 5 is worth it!
Update 03-26-13:
Mike shared photos of his old rig with us here:
They are filled with awesome retro goodness!
I was the original owner of the Quantum fifth wheel that you show at the top of this article. I know it was my rig because of the awning and sewer hose on the rear and the metal band where the seam is on the side of the rig. These were not original and I added them over the twenty two and a half years we owned the rig. We purchased it in 1980 in Fullerton, CA and originally used a 1978 Toyota SR5 pick up to tow it. I traded up to a 1984 Chevy El Camino when it was new and towed it with that veh. until 2002 when I traded it in on a new motor home. WOW, to see that someone else got the rig and enjoyed it after we did is just great! It was a neat small aerodynamic camper that my wife and I used with great joy for many years. It is good to see they are still appreciated.
Comment by Mike Webb — March 10, 2013 @ 5:01 pm
Mike!
I’m so glad you found this site! If you have any other pictures of your old rig, I would love to see them and post them here!
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing these old trailers. I think they’re awesome!
Laura
Comment by Laura Moncur — March 11, 2013 @ 9:41 am
I purchased a 1980 Quantum 5 trailer that has been lifted, and is now being towed with a Ford F250. =) Don’t even know it’s back there, but its perfect for me, the miss and our two dogs!
Adam
Comment by Adam Perez — April 30, 2013 @ 10:21 pm
had looked at the toyota sunrader but never liked the idea of packing up for a trip to the store So i’m now on the hunt for a quantum 5 just big enough for the gradson and I to make trips in the summer. looking for leads.
Comment by joe culkin — October 25, 2013 @ 6:45 pm
I have a 1980 quantum fifth wheel for sale. Asking $4500. Give me a call on my cell at 7272547151 if interested and I can send pics.
Comment by Mike sullivan — January 18, 2014 @ 8:12 pm
Where can a person purchase one of these do they still make them?
Comment by Jackie — May 20, 2014 @ 6:58 pm
I am the owner of the Jeep and Quantum combo and still use it alot, just used this past 4th of July. Nice to see the pics on here.
Comment by Charles Murphy — August 6, 2014 @ 7:27 am
Mr Charles Murphy I think its about time for you to upgrade your camper and if you think about it I would love to have your quantum 5
Comment by JOE CULKIN — April 2, 2018 @ 11:34 pm