Hi,I have had three class A motorhomes over the years. My present one is a 38 footer. I feel very confident with my motorhome, and knock on wood; I have never had any issues. My wife on the other hand has become uncomfortable traveling in the motorhome, mostly due to winds. Sometimes I will try to sedate her with Benadryl when I know we will be hitting winds. So, on our last trip we talked about this and I suggested looking into a 5th wheel. I have heard that 5’ers don’t feel the wind as much as a motorhome, and the ride in a pickup truck would be smoother, quieter, and stabiler. If I did get a 5’er I believe I would want at least a 38 footer or longer.I have so many questions, but I will just ask a general question. What should I consider going from a class A to a 5’er, and is the information I heard about 5’ers true that I mentioned in the above paragraph? Thanks in advance for your information.

If she likes ridin' in a pick-up truck better . . . You had better get her a truck ?Happy wife = happy life !Red, *<(:{)-

We currently have a fifth wheel and we love it. Yes, with the right setup - tow vehicle and hitch, you will hardly feel it back there. With the wrong set-up, it will push you around, enough that it's unsettling. Before we bought our rig, we test drove a Class A and I didn't like the feeling. I thought for sure that I was going to get motion sick each time - it rocked and rolled. I'm sure we could've installed stabilizers to prevent it but that was more money. We opted to not buy the Class A because of the lack of storage space. Other things to consider it the hitching and backing. - it's going to be a learning curve and sometimes a challenge. You will not always find a pull through site. I've always thought that as we get older, a move to a Class C or Class A would be the choice for us for ease in getting in and out of sites for me, when my DH couldn't do it.

I have had many 5th wheels and have test drove a few motorhomes and each time come out saying I love my truck. Do you know of anyone the has a 5th wheel that you can ride along with and then drive? Nothing like getting some seat time to feel the differences for yourself. For me I like the quiet of the truck and not hearing squeaks of walls and general body flex of motor homes. Randy

Randu wrote:I have had many 5th wheels and have test drove a few motorhomes and each time come out saying I love my truck. Do you know of anyone the has a 5th wheel that you can ride along with and then drive? Nothing like getting some seat time to feel the differences for yourself. For me I like the quiet of the truck and not hearing squeaks of walls and general body flex of motor homes. RandyGood idea Randy.

I switched from MH's to a 5er and like the feel of it much better.

From a class A to a 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

Red_
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
If she likes ridin' in a pick-up truck better . . .

You had better get her a truck ?

Happy wife = happy life !

Red, *<(:{)-
ReneeG
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
We currently have a fifth wheel and we love it. Yes, with the right setup - tow vehicle and hitch, you will hardly feel it back there. With the wrong set-up, it will push you around, enough that it's unsettling. Before we bought our rig, we test drove a Class A and I didn't like the feeling. I thought for sure that I was going to get motion sick each time - it rocked and rolled. I'm sure we could've installed stabilizers to prevent it but that was more money. We opted to not buy the Class A because of the lack of storage space. Other things to consider it the hitching and backing. - it's going to be a learning curve and sometimes a challenge. You will not always find a pull through site. I've always thought that as we get older, a move to a Class C or Class A would be the choice for us for ease in getting in and out of sites for me, when my DH couldn't do it.
Randu
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
I have had many 5th wheels and have test drove a few motorhomes and each time come out saying I love my truck. Do you know of anyone the has a 5th wheel that you can ride along with and then drive? Nothing like getting some seat time to feel the differences for yourself. For me I like the quiet of the truck and not hearing squeaks of walls and general body flex of motor homes. Randy
ReneeG
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
Randu wrote:
I have had many 5th wheels and have test drove a few motorhomes and each time come out saying I love my truck. Do you know of anyone the has a 5th wheel that you can ride along with and then drive? Nothing like getting some seat time to feel the differences for yourself. For me I like the quiet of the truck and not hearing squeaks of walls and general body flex of motor homes. Randy

Good idea Randy.
Bird_Freak
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2013
I switched from MH's to a 5er and like the feel of it much better.
phillyg
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2013
We went from a 36' Class A gasser to the FW. The gasser was noisy and the ride was rough, and got lousy mileage. Riding in the TV is quieter, smoother, etc., but anything can be affected by high winds. Overall I find the FW better.
Jerry_B
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
We just switched from a Class A to a FW. The jury is out since we haven't really towed the FW yet. So far we really love our Mobile Suites.
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
My first Rv was a 5th wheel because an Rver I worked with who owned a class c said I should get a 5th wheel for the stability. 3 upgrades later I still tow a 5th wheel and love it.
Vette_Racer
Explorer
Jun 04, 2013
I think the answer is "depends". We had a gasser MH that drove like ???? and was noisy, leaked air badly and all that stuff. Since then we've been in the 5th wheel class but, just drove a 2011 Georgetown that a friend bought, brought back all the feelings of why I didn't like a MH, bottom line is that you can still have problems with a truck and trailer getting it to ride and tow well, just as you can have problems with a MH. Good luck with your choice!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 04, 2013
Traveled with friends that have a 38' MH we were in 55 mph winds coming in from the side and we were rock solid with rig in sig below and they were all over the road.

Bottom line get a dually with that length of RV.

Forum Discussion

From a class A to a 5th wheel

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

5th Wheel or Toter or Class A (Diesel)

Trading in a Fifth Wheel for a Class A

5th Wheel or Toter or Class A (Diesel)

Wheels

Class C