Just curious why this class of 5er really exists?When you get to that weight of a 5er, you start seeing Heavy Duty cabs towing them with on-board Smart Cars. What is the allure of that size of 5er over a full size Class A?Combined price would be about the same. Square footage about the same.But dealing with the "toad" has to be a ton easier with the Class A, as well as the ability to have a larger toad (can't load up a Jeep on the back of an HD cab).I love doing online tours of these Luxe, DRV, and Landmark 5ers, but since they really are beyond the capability of a pickup, I wonder in what areas they really have an advantage over a full size Class A?

I think it depends how you are going to use the RV. If it will be stationary for long periods of time, the 5er makes more sense.If you move often, the Class A makes more sense.The size of the 5er or Class A is just a preference.That's my opinion and, we all know what it's worth. :B

Cost. A used HDT converted can still only cost around 50K. Less than a new decked out dually. Those luxury fivers run around 125K for 40 feet of living space. A 45 foot luxury pusher doesnt start till a half a mil.

In many states a "trailer" gets a permanent license plate for a couple hundred bucks one time fee. A motorized vehicle gets charged annually for plate fees based on weight and/or value. In michigan that is easily upwards of $500 to $1000, and why you see so many of these big rigs with Montana plates doing the remote llc thing.I've yet to see someone with a 5er taking along a smart car. Not saying its not true, but I'd say rare. No need for a toad when you have your truck.But I do agree. If I were using a Semi tractor for towing, then I may as well go the Class A route, because driving a tractor to the grocery store is a little over the top.

donn0128 wrote:Cost. A used HDT converted can still only cost around 50K. Less than a new decked out dually. Those luxury fivers run around 125K for 40 feet of living space. A 45 foot luxury pusher doesnt start till a half a mil.You could get a custom made New Horizons 5th wheel and tow it with a new F450 and have -- maybe 300K wrapped up in both.You won't need to tow a car behind the trailer or have a smart car on your HDT --- just unhook at the campground and go shopping.Enjoy the road. We do.bigdon68

djousma wrote:... I've yet to see someone with a 5er taking along a smart car. Not saying its not true, but I'd say rare. No need for a toad when you have your truck.Don't know where you've been hiding. We - and many other full-timers we know - have a small car in addition to the truck we use to tow the fiver. Many have medium or heavy duty trucks (i.e. the Freightliner SportsChassis/M2 or Volvo 740 or the like) and put the SmartCar behind the cab. I have seen and spoken with several, though, who double tow behind an MDT or HDT and a Mobile Suites (a Jeep, in one case). Others of us - probably the majority who have two vehicles - have the second person (usually the wife) follow in the car on travel days. In our case, my wife tags along in the Corolla and listens to her own music or books on CD. We communicate by two-way radio when needed. It works very well for us and she enjoys it. It also gives her the freedom to get out on her own when we're staying someplace for several weeks. With a brother-in-law in downtown Baltimore, commuting through the countryside to visit grandkids, finding space in crowded parking lots designed for tiny cars, etc., things are much easier with a smaller car than with a LWB DRW truck.Rob

24k+ GVW 5er vs Class A? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

djousma
Explorer
Nov 15, 2017
In many states a "trailer" gets a permanent license plate for a couple hundred bucks one time fee. A motorized vehicle gets charged annually for plate fees based on weight and/or value. In michigan that is easily upwards of $500 to $1000, and why you see so many of these big rigs with Montana plates doing the remote llc thing.

I've yet to see someone with a 5er taking along a smart car. Not saying its not true, but I'd say rare. No need for a toad when you have your truck.

But I do agree. If I were using a Semi tractor for towing, then I may as well go the Class A route, because driving a tractor to the grocery store is a little over the top.
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 15, 2017
Cost. A used HDT converted can still only cost around 50K. Less than a new decked out dually. Those luxury fivers run around 125K for 40 feet of living space. A 45 foot luxury pusher doesnt start till a half a mil.
gbopp
Explorer
Nov 15, 2017
I think it depends how you are going to use the RV. If it will be stationary for long periods of time, the 5er makes more sense.
If you move often, the Class A makes more sense.
The size of the 5er or Class A is just a preference.

That's my opinion and, we all know what it's worth. :B

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24k+ GVW 5er vs Class A?

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