Class A v 5th wheel

Lantley wrote:
I don't mind driving my dually and drive it daily . Rural areas and Suburbia driving a crew cab dually is not an issue,however when in a true Urban area like downtown in a major city having a dually can be a challenge/pain when it comes time to find a parking space.

Like you, I had rather drive my truck than about anything else.

I don't mind driving my dually and drive it daily . Rural areas and Suburbia driving a crew cab dually is not an issue,however when in a true Urban area like downtown in a major city having a dually can be a challenge/pain when it comes time to find a parking space.

sidney wrote:

ScottG wrote:
If money were no object I would go with the class A easy. The idea of not having to drive a big p/u truck everywhere is the main reason.

Really?

One of the best things about owning a 5th wheel is having a great big 1 ton truck to drive. I love cruising in my 2013 Ram... It's the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. Owning a great big 5er is the best excuse ever to buy a beautiful new truck to tow it with!

;)

X2. Have the truck, hope to have a 5er soon.

ScottG wrote:
If money were no object I would go with the class A easy. The idea of not having to drive a big p/u truck everywhere is the main reason.

Really?

One of the best things about owning a 5th wheel is having a great big 1 ton truck to drive. I love cruising in my 2013 Ram... It's the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. Owning a great big 5er is the best excuse ever to buy a beautiful new truck to tow it with!

;)

RustyJC wrote:

Lantley wrote:
The toad is self propelled. The class A driver can disconnect the toad at any point. The class A driver often disconnects the toad at the CG office and drives it to the site. Try that with a 5'er!

You miss my point. Regardless of where the toad is hitched and unhitched, that's time spent that's directly comparable to the time spent hitching and unhitching the 5th wheel.

Lantley wrote:
The class A has Sanicon sewer connections and powered 50 amp cord reels and other conveniences that most 5'ers just don't have.

Such as?? My post stated that I have a powered 50 amp cord reel as well. Sewer connections? Ummm, okay, I guess....

Lantley wrote:
I think the class A is just more convenient.....Did I mention the ability for the crew to move around while underway.

That's fine - your money and your choice, but the 5th wheel and the MH each have their advantages and disadvantages as has been pointed out in this thread. Until someone else is willing to write the check for my RVs, I'll weigh all the factors, run a cost/benefit analysis and vote with my wallet just like everyone else will.

Rusty

We've had both. If you like paying $5,000 for tires, $300 for an oil change, and being at the mercy of heavy truck repair shops then get a DP. We have every amenity the DP had, but the advantage of easy repair or replacement of the rig's "prime mover".

The fifth wheel has more headroom, deeper slides, and more "homey" feel. The DP was smoother on the road (air suspension, engine in rear, no trailer chucking).

Also, unless you have a Bluebird or Prevost the DP has no NHTSA crash rating. My pickup does have a safety rating, along with dual airbags.

JTrac wrote:

Lantley wrote:
For me the equation/discussion boils down to convenience vs. cost. A nice diesel pusher is much easier to use and set up than any 5'er.
Yes fiver's can be just as luxurious but they will never have the push button convenience of a class A.
However a class A will always be more expensive than a comparable fiver. In many cases a lot more expensive. Are you willing to pay for class A convenience? Do you need class A convenience?
Priorities and budgets are different for everyone. In the end there is no one size fits all response.

I know this subject gets beat to death and generally changes no one's mind (not that it should) but I thought about what you said. Our traveling friends have a late model Entegra with all the bells and whistles. He still has to go outside to hook up his electric, sewer and water, just like me. He has to go outside to unhook his car, which I must say sometimes takes longer than it does for me to unhook the truck. The really big difference is in leveling. He has auto level and gets to stay inside and push his button. On the other hand I have to go outside to push the button on ours. :(

X2

The freedom to move around in a class A has been mentioned a lot but safety hasn't. Some don't care or even think about it and that's fine but I am not one that appreciated that part of the experience. I much preferred my wife in her seat and buckled when we had our class A. A friend of ours learned that the hard way this past year. His wife was up getting something to eat when he had to make an emergency stop. She was thrown into the dining table and it took 6 stitches to sew her up. She was lucky it wasn't worse.

Also, I am not sure there are any safety standards for Class A's. I would much rather take my chances with my truck and all the safety features it comes with. It may be different on some but our Holiday Rambler Ambassador had little in the front to offer any protection. Just some fiberglass and pieces of angle iron.

Lantley wrote:
Connecting a toad to a class a is easier simply because the toad is self propelled. A Class A never has to back in with a trailer attached.
Suddenly the Class A is shorter with no trailer attached when it comes time to back into that tight spot. If I could shorten my 5'er combo by 8' things could be a lot easier at crunch time
Likewise the Class A can pull out and the car can pull up to the RV and hitch up.
Since I've never seen a self propelled fiver or a class A back in with a toad, I'm convinced a Class A is easier to hook up/detach and and set up.
Add the fact that a Class A combo can simultaneously be manipulated/maneuvered by 2 drivers and the Class A gets even easier.
Yes both types require time to hitch up but the Class A certainly has more options and flexibilty, particularly in tight situations.
In the end they will both get the job done. The fiver combo is usually more bang for the buck. The Class A will have more convenience features,larger payloads and cost more to use and maintain.

Class A will not bend around corners in the middle and how can two drivers manipulate if they are still hooked together? I can put my 5er in places I could not get the A and it is just as easy for me to hook and unhook the 5er as it was my toad. Just curious if you have owned a Class A. Other than that I agree with you.

Connecting a toad to a class a is easier simply because the toad is self propelled. A Class A never has to back in with a trailer attached.
Suddenly the Class A is shorter with no trailer attached when it comes time to back into that tight spot. If I could shorten my 5'er combo by 8' things could be a lot easier at crunch time
Likewise the Class A can pull out and the car can pull up to the RV and hitch up.
Since I've never seen a self propelled fiver or a class A back in with a toad, I'm convinced a Class A is easier to hook up/detach and and set up.
Add the fact that a Class A combo can simultaneously be manipulated/maneuvered by 2 drivers and the Class A gets even easier.
Yes both types require time to hitch up but the Class A certainly has more options and flexibilty, particularly in tight situations.
In the end they will both get the job done. The fiver combo is usually more bang for the buck. The Class A will have more convenience features,larger payloads and cost more to use and maintain.

Ok, MHO, first, the floor plan and how it fits your needs is number one consideration! Now as a past owner of a Class A DP, part of that floor plan is dedicated to steering the rig. As far as maintenance/repairs your house is in the shop, and very few places would allow you to live in their shop. Also with the Class A you need a toad to get around after setting up at a camp site, which can be a pain, but I will settle on an added thing to deal with. TT or 5th wheel you are driving the "toad"! And no additional vehicle is required. Set up is a wash, with auto level on either, you still have to connect the hoses, electric etc on either. One advantage to Class A, DW can walk back to the fridge and get a sandwich and a cold drink while driving down the road. Other than that, back to floor plan and personal preferences! There always folks that enjoy the journey as much or more than the destination!