Why did you choose a 5th wheel
I've spent some time reading thru the pages, and like many here the DW and I plan to retire by the end of next year and are planning to travel three to four months at a time. We're looking at Class A...
Forum Discussion
We have had 3 5th wheels and on this last purchase we came close to getting a Class C. Then I realized that I must pull a TOAD so we could have the ability to run around and sight see, shop and so forth. Then I realized that I would still be pulling a trailer behind the motor home. If trying to get away from pulling a trailer this would not work!! My research led me to find out my insurance would double on a motorhome. It would be worthless to me when not traveling. A pickup gives you a great vehicle for doing practically anything. It would be hard to go to Lowes and get my mulch and supplies and then load it in the motorhome. Long periods of not running a motorhome may be harmful to the engine and transmission so I would have this to contend with. Many Class C's have this awful problem with leaking around the cab over bunk. Look at any Class C under the mattress and you will see water stains!
A fifth wheel has more livable space and storage. The truck I pull it with is used very frequently to pull my boat, haul anything the wife buys, gives us a usable 2nd vehicle in the driveway. If someday we decide to quit traveling and get a permanent campsite somewhere, the fifth wheel is perfect to put down permanently. I was already set up to pull a fifth wheel and had the right truck with a hitch. I was very experienced at pulling and backing trailers so there was no intimidation factor. I did not need a heavy truck with the Cummins diesel if I was not pulling a heavy trailer. Thus I would be selling it and the hitch and taking a big hit on depreciation, then looking for another truck.
Then I would have three vehicles in the driveway, a car, pickup and motorhome.
Motorhomes are very expensive and once they get to be a few years old nobody wants to buy it from you. I have a neighbor who has a 1991 34' Class A he can't give away. It only has 39,000 miles on the odometer!!
Ended up being a no brainer for us. Other than the joy of driving down the interstate in a big motor home I could see no other advantage. Once I got off the highway and parked in a campground then what? I would have to rent a car or pull something to drive.......still pulling something.
A fifth wheel has more livable space and storage. The truck I pull it with is used very frequently to pull my boat, haul anything the wife buys, gives us a usable 2nd vehicle in the driveway. If someday we decide to quit traveling and get a permanent campsite somewhere, the fifth wheel is perfect to put down permanently. I was already set up to pull a fifth wheel and had the right truck with a hitch. I was very experienced at pulling and backing trailers so there was no intimidation factor. I did not need a heavy truck with the Cummins diesel if I was not pulling a heavy trailer. Thus I would be selling it and the hitch and taking a big hit on depreciation, then looking for another truck.
Then I would have three vehicles in the driveway, a car, pickup and motorhome.
Motorhomes are very expensive and once they get to be a few years old nobody wants to buy it from you. I have a neighbor who has a 1991 34' Class A he can't give away. It only has 39,000 miles on the odometer!!
Ended up being a no brainer for us. Other than the joy of driving down the interstate in a big motor home I could see no other advantage. Once I got off the highway and parked in a campground then what? I would have to rent a car or pull something to drive.......still pulling something.
