Class A versus Fifth Wheel - which is best for boondocking?

If you like to be off the beaten path, you might consider solar power. This will help you maintain your batteries while boon docking. I know that you can't run an A/C on solar power, but you can camp in higher elevations during the summer months and camp in the southern states during winter. This will cut down on the need for a generator. A Honda 3000 generator will run one A/C unit at one time, witch is very good on gas. I own a 36 foot Mobile Suite and a 4x4 F 350 and Pland to add solar power for my future travels. I think that you can find some great good used units out there.

You might want to consider a NEW super C like a Nexus Ghost. A diesel powered RV on a truck chassis for about a $150,000. Add a brand new jeep, and you are good to go within budget. And it is all new and under warranty.

That is how I would spend my $200,000, and maybe have a few dollars (not many) left over.

I use my 5th wheel 95% of the time in the desert, and something to consider is the size of the fresh water and holding tanks. My 5th wheel can hold 150 gallons of fresh water and the black/grey tanks hold 50 gallons each. Most (but not all) Class A's have MUCH smaller tanks which limits how long you can stay before you have togo find a dump station. Just something else to consider...

I also have an inverter and I use a Honda 2000 genny to charge 4 6V batteries.

From your description, neither MH or fiver will really get you to the most scenic spots. But either will work as a base camp for day trips or overnight trips to those spots. MH with a jeep may be the best, but a 4wd truck and fiver may also work. If you do park the camper w/o hookups, one difference is refueling. Propane tanks on a MH are not removable and of course, neither is the fuel tank, so when either gets low, you have to 'break camp'.

Both are good as long as you have the proper equipment. Batteries/generator/water capacity.

joelc wrote:
Both are good as long as you have the proper equipment. Batteries/generator/water capacity.

Finally, the most important things for living off grid. Water capacity & battery capacity.

No matter the vehicle you are not going anywhere for more than a couple of days without at least a couple hundred amp hours of battery capacity & 80gal fresh water.

A class A is more likely to have both of these necessities but there are 5ers around which do too.

Combine the water & battery with an inverter for the small loads & a genny to charge the battery bank when needed & you are good to be off grid for at least a week, in comfort. The fresh water will be the limiting item.

looks like these will take you anywhere:

global expedition I saw on one of the extreme rv shows

I am not affiliated with Nexus, but you really might want to check out all of the info available on their super C on the internet.

There are a number of U-tube videos that, while promoting their product, they are still full of useful information no matter what you buy. It is always good to be an informed shopper.

Their sales are factory direct so the price is what it is. I had no idea how the logistics would work for you coming from across the pond. But factory direct will probably save you $25,000 to $50,000 without doing endless shopping. They also have a good comparison between a Class A and a Class C. I found that very interesting in terms of the serviceability advantage of a Class C. The hood tilts forward giving full access to the engine compartment. Any truck stop in the country could service this type of setup.

Much better mileage with a super C versus a Class A.

For what it's worth, fresh water on a Nexus Super C Ghost is 100 gallons, gray and black are each 50 gallons, fuel is 80 gallons (2 forties), 2 A/C units and a built in generator (appears to be a Cummins diesel). You can also get automatic leveling. For me, a super C would be a pretty good choice for boondocking.

Good luck in your quest.

Your requirement is very similar to ours. We decided to get a high-end 5th wheel along with lots of solar power - 1000w worth of panels and around 1000Ah of batteries. We will go with propane generator, along with two 40lb tanks and a spare tank.

The idea is to find where ever this trailer will fit that isn't resort-like, and travel around for places to hike. We won't need fully serviced sites. With this much solar power, we should be able to camp off the grid two weeks at a time. With careful water usage, holding tanks should last about two weeks as well. And if during those few occasions where I need more power (AC or heat), I can use the propane generator. Our trailer will be around 37ft, so we won't be able to fit ours into small camp grounds but at least this setup will give us more options to go remote.

Just like you, I am considering a dually 3500 series diesel pickup and possibly a 37ft DRV.

For drycamping in comfort, we take the fifth wheel.

For the narrow little goat trails and boondocking in comfort, the camper gets loaded. Much more comfy than a tent and I don't fret about bears strolling by.

With either, we can disappear into the bush for a week without resupplying.

No TV or radio in our area ... Mother Nature is the entertainment.