We are so new at this; need information.

Yes, it can be very confusing. There are so many different models and choices. We have had several trailers, a 5th wheel and now a MH. We started by going to the RV trade shows and the the local dealers. For us the floorplan was important. There are many models out there without bunk beds. Have fun exploring.

Like any other type of RV there is a myrid of floor plans from lots of different manufacturers. IMHO of your shopping for shorter units a TT kight be a better fit for you. Fifth wheels really shine in lengths over about 30 feet for the on road length vs interior size. But larger fivers do require suitably large trucka to comfortably tow them.
You really need to start visiting dealers and start looking. BTW tell your wife small trucks are for small trailers.

What are the issues with finding a toad? There are lots of small cars that can be towed four down and can be picked up fairly inexpensively. Having watched many people setting up in campgrounds I think your current 30 ft mh and a toad will be a better choice in regards to ease of setup, but that's just my opinion.

wildtoad wrote:
What are the issues with finding a toad? There are lots of small cars that can be towed four down and can be picked up fairly inexpensively. Having watched many people setting up in campgrounds I think your current 30 ft mh and a toad will be a better choice in regards to ease of setup, but that's just my opinion.

X2
Also better for accessing bathroom, food, drink during transit.
Have you looked into Suzuki Grand Vitara's, Chevy Trackers, Saturns, Honda CRV's? All are under or right at 3k and should tow easily with your current set up.

The better built a fifth wheel is, usually the heavier it is, so you will be out of half ton territory, possibly into a one ton. Just something to think about also.

Hi, and thanks to everyone. We found few cars that would tow with a limit of 3500, and folks said it's better if the weight is somewhat under that. We do like the Focus some. We had thought we'd be looking at the CRV but DH says it's too heavy with that limit after he did whatever calculations seemed necessary. I guess we need to look at the list again. I need an automatic transmission on the toad because it will also be my everyday driver. I don't recall seeing Suzikis, Trackers, Saturns on the towable lists with an auto, but we'll look again.

We're also semi-retiring in 2015. Woo Hoo indeed! I'm thinking our current MH may be our best bet; after we get a few years of serious traveling with that we can think about a fifth wheel if it seems like a good idea.

MH is nice when traveling but everything else a 5ver is best IMHO.

I would spend some time looking at the Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Tow Guides. It gives weight of vehicle, if they are towable 4 down, etc. it's a great little resource and goes by vehicle year. The guides are all downloadable.
Do you know what your hitch rating is? That would be the first thing to find out.
Best of luck to you two!
Cheryl

Hi, Cheryl. We did download that, and that's pretty much how we came to the Focus and Sonic. We liked the Focus, but it has a terrible reliability rating with Consumer Reports. So then we started thinking about a fiver. (We lived in one for a year 32 years ago.) But that means buying a big truck, etc., etc. We had hoped to go on our dream trip in a little less than a month, but it's looking a little doubtful at this point. Thanks very much for your help, you and everybody.
Susan

susanka wrote:
I need an automatic transmission on the toad because it will also be my everyday driver. I don't recall seeing Suzikis, Trackers, Saturns on the towable lists with an auto, but we'll look again.

some saturns are towable 4 down. check the owner's manual. my 2005 Vue is.
bumpy

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I would never rely on Consumer Reports ratings for much of anything. FWIW I know a couple people with the Focus and they are happy with them.