5th Wheel vs Class C

Traveling with your Fur Kids is easy. Just get an extended or crew cab TV. We removed the rear set in our TV and have a large UltraLite Cage mounted in the space. We travel with 4 Cats and they travel in style and are just a comfortable as we are.
We went from a 34' 2 slide 5er to a 41' 3 slide 5er because after a few months the 34'er just became too small.
If your Hubby is used to Semi's it's easy to fill up a large TV/RV combo using the same truck stops. We try and plan our fuel stops based on truck stop availability.

I think if you are a snowbird and stay for long periods of time the bigger the better, we have had them all Class A, Class C and a 5th wheel, they all have their props, if I was staying south for a period of time I would prefer a 5th wheel or a Class A, the more room the better for me. You can pickup a used 5th wheel for a good price these days with 3 or 4 slides.

I don't believe ANY mention was made of the pets riding in the trailer, she only mentioned that she travels WITH them. Please read the post and UNDERSTAND what the questions are, not what you think they are.

We switched from a 29' class C towing a CRV to an F350 towing a 36' 5th wheel. There is no question that we are far more comfortable in our 5th wheel. Bigger kitchen, bigger bathroom and a shower as large as the one in the house. We tend to go somewhere and stay for up to a week then move on to another spot. We're not full timers yet but spend a couple weeks a year in our rig and many long weekends away. I like the way the 5th wheel tows and I've found my truck to be more comfortable to drive as the slide in our C was right behind the drivers seat limiting its adjustability. If getting gas now is uncomfortable then the 5th wheel and truck won't be any easier unless you drive short distances and setup for the night and take the truck back out for fuel. The other option here would be to get a transfer flow tank that sits in the bed of the truck which would allow you to carry quite a bit more fuel reducing your need to stop as often. You can also fuel up at truck stops which have a lot more room.

In short we really like our current setup and it works well for us. If there are other full timers in your park check with them to see what they think. One other option would be going to an A.

Good luck.

We decided on a fifth wheel because:

1) The have a lot more room inside
2) They have a lot of basement storage space.
3) We did not need a toad, which means you only have one engine and other systems to maintain not two.

I'm guessing that a fifth wheel may be a bit harder to maneuver into tight spaces than a class C.

But as others have pointed out, you are going to have limited space in just about any RV compared to a house. There are really big fifth wheels tho, 45 feet long or longer, but I wouldn't even think of pulling one.

BuckBarker wrote:
No way, no how would I put my animals in any type of pull behind. Mine are right by me all the way.

That won't change anything if you roll any RV off of an interstate exit ramp. It will be nothing but balsa and insulation spread across the grass. The only exceptions are Bluebirds and others that are built on commercial bus chassis.

The advantage of the fifth wheel is that at least the tow vehicle has to meet NHTSA crash standards.

No way, no how would I put my animals in any type of pull behind. Mine are right by me all the way.

There are pros and cons to each design. If you sit out the winter instead of moving a lot the 5th wheel might be the better choice for space. If your snow birding now discuss with your neighbors what they like and dislike about their units. Since your husband has a cdl the 5er will be a more comfortable match to his experience.

For us the 5er was the better choice as we tend to stay put. Only you can determine what rig best meets your needs. Pickups or tow vehicles for the larger 5er's are not cheap. Since your husband has a cdl a converted semi might make a more cost efficient tow vehicle depending upon the size 5er you'd chose.

There's an option for everyone. Just have to find the one that fits. Good luck.

With a decent mattress our bed is really high and we are both over 6 feet tall. Bed height is just not going to change from one RV type to the next. Buying the wrong RV happens all the time with people that have not RV'd much if at all. People just don't realize how small an actual RV is until they live in them for an extended period of time. Changing from a MH to a fifth wheel is going to cost you a lot of money. First is the loss trying to sell your MH. Then there is the purchase of a suitable truck and then the trailer. Are you prepared for all that much outlay in money?