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Likes_to_tow's avatar
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Jul 07, 2014

New found appreciation for 5th wheels

Like everyone else, I get to thinking about a new RV from time to time. We've had two 5th wheels and 4 truck campers through the years. I will admit to thinking about a new Class A motor home. However I just had an experience with driving one and believe me there is no way I would trade now!!
Some relatives recently came in to put up in our yard until their campsite at the local state park became available. This park is 15 miles from our home and the access roads are very narrow, curvey and somewhat bumpy. This had never been an issue with our 5th wheel and Ram Cummins tow vehicle. They were new to RVing and my wife thought we should volunteer to drive them to the park and help with set up. I agreed to drive. However it was an unpleasant experience. This 34 foot Class A was a rough ridding, top heavy feeling monster that seemed 12 feet wide!! It rolled around on it's suspension like some of the truck campers we had, a feeling of a top heavy load!!

Now I have new respect and love for my 5th wheel. Our truck feels so solid and all the weaving and wallowing of the load is not transmitted to the truck. We get to where we are going, unhook and now can run around without renting a car. How good can it get.
  • missourijan's avatar
    missourijan
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    I agree with the original poster. Before purchasing we rented a large class A. We were living in Reno and drove to MT. On the way back between Salt Lake and Reno was a horrible drive, blown all over the road by the wind and big semi's. To each his own, that's why so many different rv's are made, we are on our 3rd 5'r and have no plans to change to anything else. We've been fulltime since 2006 and have driven our big dually tow vehicle on a daily basis, no big deal.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2014
    The driving difference between a gas powered Class A and a diesel powered (rear) is like night and day. I sure wouldn't make such a opinionated statement that the OP did when only having a single gas powered class A to compare. He makes no mention of the make, model, year of the 34' coach nor does he indicate if the coach is gas or diesel (odds are it's gas).

    He also mentions having to rent a car when having a Class A. Again, he is basing his opinion on only one experience. Obviously, the overwhelming Class A owners have a toad to drive around and I would much rather drive a toad around city streets than a large pickup.

    As for the person referring to TV locations. Obviously this person hasn't seen many Class A's.

    Ron
  • kennethwooster's avatar
    kennethwooster
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    I agree with original Post. Had 38 ft. Allegro Bay. Very nice unit but miserable to drive. Had a Work Horse engine and frame. Engine very powerful but very hungry. Biggest complaint was the ride. It wanted to act as very top heavy. I really believe the Workhorse frame needed some major work. Didn't take DW and myself long to go back to 5th.
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    I prefer our 34ft TT also. Our pickup also serves us well. Altho only an F150 CC EcoBoost, roomy comfortable and plenty of power for a V-6. JMHO
  • anitajeff's avatar
    anitajeff
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    We just purchased a 2014 Winnebago Sightseer 33C. Pick it up tomorrow. Very excited. We sold our 5th wheel and truck. When we are at home it's recliners and the TV is in front of us. We also wanted a king bed. The Sightseer has a queen sofa sleeper couch with auto recliners. It also comes with a regular recliner and the passenger seat turns around with a recliner. The TV is on the opposite side of the recliners. So no turning your head in an awkward position to see it. We found the older MHs all had the TV in the middle overhead in front. Such a awkward position to watch TV.
  • Nolan's avatar
    Nolan
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    We looked at motorhomes first when thinking of the RVing lifestyle, but I didn't like the location of the TV between the driver and passenger seat with no comfortable way to watch it. When at home in a sticks and bricks, how do you watch TV? We are in our recliners and the TV was in front of us across the room. Wasn't able to find a MH like that so started looking at 5th wheel trailers.

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