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.
