The more I learn, the more I realize what I don't know

So still on the fence about a FW vs MH and shopping continues. having owned 2 Class A's that's my comfort zone. But Since I need a new truck and FW's have a lot more space for the buck, I am leaning that way. However, the more I shop and learn, the more I realize I how much more I need to learn. You folks have graciously answered all my questions so far, but I have more.

First, one of the biggest hangups is frankly intimidation. Backing a FW into a tight camp site is intimidating. So is fueling up. Sure practice, practice etc. I've never really been great at backing trailers or boats. Now either of my Class A's I could put within inches of where I wanted to be. Will practice really overcome this - maybe some of you had this same feeling?

In shopping brands I have NO CLUE, what I am looking at in terms of brand hierarchy. I can tell you down to the nuts and bolts of every newer Class A out there but literally know nothing of FW's. Our budget is going to put us at 40-50k. No idea what brands/features or pitfalls to look for in that range. I also know some of this is clouded in personal opinion- and that's Ok. Opinions come from experience.

Generators - do most FW's really have no generator? Seems that way in my price range. We used our Genset a lot in our MH but of course we were in it at the time.

Stopping and using things - on long travel days I assume you can use the FW for a snack/lunch/bathroom etc. I assume either elec or lp fridge can stay on during travel, but many floorplans don't allow access to the fridge with slides in. Do you bump them out at a rest stop? I assume AC is out of the question. If you wanted to overnight and dry camp, seems without a generator you have pretty limited power via batts right? Provided you are fairly level, can you use the FW - slides out etc - , while hooked up to the truck?

Build quality - I was told (don't shoot the messenger) that despite price range, most FW's are built pretty much the same. That most of the extra price is in better appointments (cabinets, furniture, trim - this is largely true for MH's). I did see that some of the frames and suspension might be beefier on bigger ones. I was also told that tires on a cheaper FW can only last 5-10k miles? Is this true?

Maintenance - I don't want to assume, but seems like a FW is a lot less maintenance than a MH - mainly there is no engine, genset or transmission. Just regular maintenance - seals, plumbing, roof, batts etc. Am I right? I see a lot of noise about packing bearings etc, no clue what that's about.

Hooking up - again, looks intimidating. I see some come with electric, adjustable pins, sliding receivers, auto leveling to help some of this. But I wouldn't know a good FW receiver from a stick. Just how hard is hooking up? What does a decent receiver cost?

Seems like FW's in my price range don't come with a lot. They may have W/D hookups, but you have to buy the appliances. You have to buy the TV's, solar prep but no panels, etc. Just seems like there is more to buy to "finish" out the camper than a MH. Maybe it's just my price range and perhaps that's why my price range exists.

Pricing, I know what the %off MSRP is on MH's. It usually hovers around 26-30%. Does the same math apply for FW's. Will they throw in a hitch, or W/D, extras. I know this is negotiation (we are looking at new) but generally speaking.

As always I am probably over thinking most of this, but I want to have almost zero reliance on a salesmen. They have an agenda. I would like to actually know what I am talking about.

Thanks again for all your help in schooling me. I remember taking 5 years to pick our first MH. I really want to make a decision by fall on this one.

33 Replies

Michelle_S
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2020
Then you and your family are probably in the minority, because just about anytime there is a MH vs 5er, the folks are always talking about the wife making lunch while hubby is driving down the highway.
Then of course there is always the story of the Driver setting the cruise control and getting up to go to the bathroom.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jun 20, 2020
Michelle.S wrote:
I'll add a couple of thoughts: You mention about the wife and son wandering around in the MH while traveling, have you ever thought what would happen if someone cut in front of you and you had to lock the brakes?? They become missiles, enough said.

Should have put my flame retardant suit on. Yes we were always very careful, only moving around when in slow traffic or stopped etc. seatbelts on otherwise.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2020
I'll add a couple of thoughts: You mention about the wife and son wandering around in the MH while traveling, have you ever thought what would happen if someone cut in front of you and you had to lock the brakes?? They become missiles, enough said.
Now to setup and tear down: We traveled all one summer with our 5er and friends in their 40' DP with Toad. We have hydraulic levers so setup and tear downs were pretty much equal between us, as we both had to hookup sewer, water, and electric, we had to unhook the TV they had to unhook their toad. The only real difference we have an onboard propane genny which will burn through a 40 pound tank in approx 10 hours under heavy load, their onboard diesel genny can run until they get down to approx 1/4 tank of fuel.
Only you can make the decision what's best for you and yours.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 20, 2020
theoldwizard1 wrote:

As for generator, get a portable, remote start unit. The problem with portables is that you need about 3500W to run a big A/C or two smaller ones. I know I don't want to try putting a 3500W generator in and out of a truck bed (I guess you could just leave it there but you need to secure it to the bed). A pair of 2000W generators makes sense, but make sure the parallel kit has a 30A outlet (Honda Companion does, but it is a twist lock, not a TT30, so you need an adapter. The Champion parallel kit have a TT30.)

We have a portable in the truck bed. It's chained to the 5er hitch. If I don't want to mess with it, I can just open the tailgate and point the exhaust out the back.

Alternatively, I've seen a rack built on top of the pin box to hold the generator. Really slick and the pin box is plenty strong enough.
tomman58
Explorer
Jun 20, 2020
One other thing about a TT vs 5er, you have a pick up with a cap and with the Jayco Eagle I have it is as large as most 5er and then some. I admit that the Dmax pu makes you forget the TT is even behind the truck. We and several other folks here travel the US a lot and we spend 5 months in our TT a year and then some. So many campers only can camp for a few weeks a year and they are a far different bunch as their units just are not used.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jun 20, 2020
TimnJo wrote:
The only thing I have to add to the conversation is that I like the security of traveling in a truck with multiple airbags, a stout frame and OnStar should anything go 'sideways'.
I've seen pictures of motorhomes post-collision and it isn't pretty.

This point isn't lost on me and something I've thought a lot about. Not only is a truck safer, but compared to the entry level gas MH's we've owned, a tuck rides MUCH nicer. I thought for sure the wife and son would miss being able to lay in bed, watch a movie, make a snack, use the bathroom, all while travelling, but surprisingly they both agreed that a truck and FW would be fine. Gas MH's are loud and rough.

Thanks all for your responses, very helpful!

I feel like I am on the right track,
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 20, 2020
Lots of good comments. You are correct ultimately a motorhome is more convenient and more costly. I have a 5'er because I already have the need for a big pick up.
I did step up to a dually for RV'ing reason vs. a SRW but the price between dually and SRW is negligible.
Convenience,ease of set up,ease of travel,ease of departure,motor home always wins. For space and "bang for the buck" 5'er wins.
I also opted to get a built in genset for reasons you mentioned.
We stop for lunch, we overnight, we back yard camp, we marina camp and boondock.
Wherever we are we have convenient push button electric that can run both A/C units. There is no hauling genset,no storing genset,no set up,no gas cans,no planning, just push button convenience. I have become accustomed to having an on board genset and would not be without one.
But much like the DP vs. the 5'er, A portable genset can also get the job done: after you haul it, set it up, put it away, deal with gas cans etc. In much the same way the portable will always give you the best "bang for the buck vs. a built in genset. But a portable will never be quite as convenient.
TimnJo
Explorer
Jun 20, 2020
The only thing I have to add to the conversation is that I like the security of traveling in a truck with multiple airbags, a stout frame and OnStar should anything go 'sideways'.
I've seen pictures of motorhomes post-collision and it isn't pretty.
8ntw8tn
Explorer
Jun 19, 2020
A lot of good advice here. One thing I would add about learning to back up: I learned several years ago to have my hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and that if the rear of the trailer needs to go to the left then I push the bottom of the steering wheel to the left; just the opposite if the rear of the trailer needs to go to the right. DW and I have tried several methods of communication when backing up; usually with very poor results. What has finally worked for us is using our cell phones and having mine connected to the hands-free bluetooth in the truck. I have no reference for you regarding SRW trucks. I've been pulling a 5er with a dually for the last 17 years. We spend the winters in the Texas Hill Country (9years) and the dually is our daily driver. It's a bit inconvenient in tight spaces occasionally but we've learned to adapt. Hitching up is really pretty simple, IF you can see the hitch. I've always been able to do that until I recently purchased the truck in my signature. The side rails are higher and the low profile tool box obscures the hitch. I'm on the lookout for a portable rear view camera/monitor as an aid. Good luck with your search. Hope this helps.
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 19, 2020
way2roll wrote:
In shopping brands I have NO CLUE, what I am looking at in terms of brand hierarchy. I can tell you down to the nuts and bolts of every newer Class A out there but literally know nothing of FW's. Our budget is going to put us at 40-50k. No idea what brands/features or pitfalls to look for in that range. I also know some of this is clouded in personal opinion- and that's Ok. Opinions come from experience.

Manufacturer website is best for this.

Generators - do most FW's really have no generator? Seems that way in my price range. We used our Genset a lot in our MH but of course we were in it at the time.

Yes generator is extra based on what you need. Some use a small portable, some a pair in parallel, loud construction generators, some go with built in. You need to get built in if that is the convenience you expect.

Stopping and using things - on long travel days I assume you can use the FW for a snack/lunch/bathroom etc. I assume either elec or lp fridge can stay on during travel, but many floorplans don't allow access to the fridge with slides in. Do you bump them out at a rest stop? I assume AC is out of the question. If you wanted to overnight and dry camp, seems without a generator you have pretty limited power via batts right? Provided you are fairly level, can you use the FW - slides out etc - , while hooked up to the truck?

Mine is cramped but usable with the slide in. Verify this by having the salesman move the slide in before you make an offer. Don not take the salesman's word for anything. Or you pop it out and we do if needed and have space.

Maintenance - I don't want to assume, but seems like a FW is a lot less maintenance than a MH - mainly there is no engine, genset or transmission. Just regular maintenance - seals, plumbing, roof, batts etc. Am I right? I see a lot of noise about packing bearings etc, no clue what that's about.

Yes there is some suspension maintenance. A shop can do this for you.

Hooking up - again, looks intimidating. I see some come with electric, adjustable pins, sliding receivers, auto leveling to help some of this. But I wouldn't know a good FW receiver from a stick. Just how hard is hooking up? What does a decent receiver cost?

Generally hooking up or unhooking is fairly easy. Do need to step through the process safely.

Seems like FW's in my price range don't come with a lot. They may have W/D hookups, but you have to buy the appliances. You have to buy the TV's, solar prep but no panels, etc. Just seems like there is more to buy to "finish" out the camper than a MH. Maybe it's just my price range and perhaps that's why my price range exists.

Yes a lot of roll your own depending on what you want. This way you only pay for what you want and need. You can have the selling dealer add stuff and roll it into the purchase loan or get the minimum and install what you need as you go.