Dutchmen Astoria Fifth Wheel 3553MBP vs Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS
2026 Fifth Wheel comparison · side-by-side specs, verdict, and who each is best for.
Quick verdict
These two Fifth Wheel rigs land within $700 of each other but solve different problems. The Dutchmen Astoria 3553MBP is the higher-occupancy bunkroom plan, packing sleeps-10 into 40.7 ft with a 14,000 lb GVWR and a 1,954 lb hitch weight that stays inside most one-ton pickup ranges. Cargo capacity is 2,114 lb on a 11,886 lb dry weight.
The Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS is built for longer stays. It carries a 200W solar panel, a 1,800W inverter, a four-season insulation package, and theater seating plus a fireplace, none of which appear on the Astoria. It also runs an 81-gal fresh tank versus the Astoria's 44 gal and a 15,400 lb GVWR with 2,275 lb of cargo. Tradeoffs: it's 1,239 lb heavier dry, 581 lb heavier at the hitch, and only sleeps 8.
For large families chasing weekend headcount the Astoria 3553MBP wins on bed count and lighter tow. For boondock-leaning couples or four with off-grid ambitions, the Roamer 35MRQS's solar, inverter, and 81-gal fresh tank carry the day.
Side-by-side specs
| Dutchmen Astoria Fifth Wheel 3553MBP | Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS | |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $88,256 | $87,555 |
| Length | 40'8" | 42'1" |
| Dry weight | 11,886 lbs | 13,125 lbs |
| GVWR | 14,000 lbs | 15,400 lbs |
| Sleeps | 10 | 8 |
| Slides | — | — |
| Fresh tank | 44 gal | 81 gal |
| Grey tank | 78 gal | 94 gal |
| Black tank | 39 gal | 50 gal |
| LP | — | — |
| Solar | — | 200W |
| Inverter | — | 1800W |
| Generator | — | — |
| Bath | — | — |
| Bed | — | king |
| 4-season | No | Yes |
| Off-road | No | No |
| Outdoor kitchen | No | No |
| Washer/dryer | none | prep |
| Residential fridge | No | No |
Where Dutchmen Astoria Fifth Wheel 3553MBP wins
- Sleeps 10 vs Roamer's 8
- 11,886 lb dry weight is 1,239 lb lighter than Roamer
- 1,954 lb hitch weight is 581 lb lower than Roamer's 2,535 lb
- Lower 14,000 lb GVWR fits a wider range of trucks
- $701 cheaper MSRP at $88,256
Where Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS wins
- 81-gal fresh tank vs Astoria's 44 gal (84% more)
- 200W solar panel and 1,800W inverter standard
- Four-season insulation package included
- Theater seating and fireplace built in
- 2,275 lb cargo capacity vs Astoria's 2,114 lb
Pick the Dutchmen Astoria Fifth Wheel 3553MBP if…
Pick the Dutchmen Astoria 3553MBP if you need to sleep up to 10 people regularly and want the lower hitch weight and GVWR for a 3/4-ton or one-ton single-rear-wheel pickup. The 40.7 ft length and 14,000 lb GVWR keep tow planning simpler, and the 1,954 lb hitch weight gives you more headroom on payload. Best fit: multi-generation families doing summer-park trips on hookups where the missing solar, four-season package, and inverter don't matter and bunkroom capacity does.
Pick the Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS if…
Pick the Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS if you boondock often, plan shoulder-season camping, or want a turnkey couples-plus-grandkids layout with theater seating and a fireplace. The 81-gal fresh tank, 200W solar, 1,800W inverter, and four-season build mean fewer cold-weather and off-grid compromises out of the box. Best fit: a couple or family of four who plan to camp without hookups for multi-day stretches and don't need the Astoria's 10-person sleep count.
Frequently asked
Which Fifth Wheel is heavier to tow?
The Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS is heavier dry by 1,239 lb (13,125 vs 11,886 lb) and runs a 15,400 lb GVWR versus 14,000 lb on the Astoria. Its 2,535 lb hitch weight is 581 lb higher than the Astoria's 1,954 lb.
Can the Dutchmen Astoria 3553MBP sleep more people?
Yes, the Astoria 3553MBP is rated for sleeps 10 while the Roamer 35MRQS is rated for sleeps 8, a two-person gap from the Astoria's bunkroom layout.
Does either come with solar?
Only the Highland Ridge Roamer 35MRQS includes a 200W solar panel and 1,800W inverter as listed. The Dutchmen Astoria 3553MBP shows no solar or inverter in its 2026 spec sheet.