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 a popup, trailer toyhauler, and three fifth wheels, a gas MH and a DP. We would have probably still have the last fiver we had, but problems were many with the unit so we decided for a change. We went to a Tiffin gasser. It was great staying in, however, the driving part was less than exhilarating. We made a mistake and drove a DP. We purchased a Newmar Ventana and it was outstanding. You can't beat air brakes and air ride.
However, the issues we found with our situation and getting a DP. I am retired Air Force, but my wife is a teacher so we really were only able to use the DP during the summer with occasional weekend trips. The costs associated for annual maintenance didn't justify us keeping it. It cost us about $1100 for annual maintenance compared to our Tiffin gasser or previous Dodge dually which was about $150-200 a year.
So now we are in search for the right Fiver again and will make a purchase in about 2-3 years.
With our experience of having MHs and Fivers, here are our pros and cons for the MHs and Fivers:
Pros DP: Smooth and quiet ride; can stop on a dime; excellent down hill stability with exhaust brake; being able to eat while still driving and don't have to get out in the elements to take a restroom break; able to tow our sports cars on trailer or larger vehicle with the 10k towing capacity; don't have to get out in the elements to level and put out slides (if raining can run genny and wait to plug into shore); always cool in summer/warm in winter when getting to camp site; maneuverability in tight situations (can turn on a dime with the 55 degree steering); easy access to water/waste tanks if problems occur; being able to fill up in truck lane at truck stop; fuel mileage is better and don't have to fill up as often with 100+ fuel capacity; able to use pull in sites taking advantage of huge front window; living area all on one level; easier in and out of rig since can be lowered; excellent visibility while driving since have side and rear cameras; don't have to have a big vehicle (toad) to drive around in busy places
Cons DP: Costs to maintain (initial costs also); backing with a toad (can't do it); interior space not quite as good as fiver (also depends on size of rig); handling on curvy roads (has body roll)
Gas MH Pros: Annual maintenance costs are good (not much more than a standard pickup); Being able to eat while still driving and don't have to get out in the elements to take a restroom break; don't have to get out in the elements to level and put out slides (if raining can run genny and wait to plug into shore); always cool in summer/warm in winter when getting to camp site; maneuverability in tight situations (not as good as DP but still good with the 50 degree steering); easy access to water/waste tanks if problems occur; able to use pull in sites taking advantage of huge front window; living area all on one level; excellent visibility while driving since have side and rear cameras; don't have to have a big vehicle (toad) to drive around in busy places
Gas HM Cons: Ride (rough, but not terrible); handling (lots of body roll); brakes aren't as strong as would have liked; limited towing capacity (5K); since engine is up front can be very noisy when RPMs are high; engine braking down hills isn't as good as DP exhaust brake; have to fight with cars at a gas station when filling up
Fiver Pros: Cheap maintenance; easy to maintain; better handling on curvy roads; more floor plan options; don't have cab area taking up living space; more interior storage (depends on size); high end models will have similar amenities of high end MH for a lot less money; having a truck with exhaust brake for stable downhill braking; don't feel as guilty for it sitting extended time since didn't cost as much as MH; able to use truck lanes to fill up diesel
Fiver Cons: Ride can be harsh (bucking/chucking); have to have help backing up (most of the time); can't get into snobby Class A only resorts (wasn't for us)
Once the wife retires, we might go back to a DP, but until then a fiver is our best option.
However, the issues we found with our situation and getting a DP. I am retired Air Force, but my wife is a teacher so we really were only able to use the DP during the summer with occasional weekend trips. The costs associated for annual maintenance didn't justify us keeping it. It cost us about $1100 for annual maintenance compared to our Tiffin gasser or previous Dodge dually which was about $150-200 a year.
So now we are in search for the right Fiver again and will make a purchase in about 2-3 years.
With our experience of having MHs and Fivers, here are our pros and cons for the MHs and Fivers:
Pros DP: Smooth and quiet ride; can stop on a dime; excellent down hill stability with exhaust brake; being able to eat while still driving and don't have to get out in the elements to take a restroom break; able to tow our sports cars on trailer or larger vehicle with the 10k towing capacity; don't have to get out in the elements to level and put out slides (if raining can run genny and wait to plug into shore); always cool in summer/warm in winter when getting to camp site; maneuverability in tight situations (can turn on a dime with the 55 degree steering); easy access to water/waste tanks if problems occur; being able to fill up in truck lane at truck stop; fuel mileage is better and don't have to fill up as often with 100+ fuel capacity; able to use pull in sites taking advantage of huge front window; living area all on one level; easier in and out of rig since can be lowered; excellent visibility while driving since have side and rear cameras; don't have to have a big vehicle (toad) to drive around in busy places
Cons DP: Costs to maintain (initial costs also); backing with a toad (can't do it); interior space not quite as good as fiver (also depends on size of rig); handling on curvy roads (has body roll)
Gas MH Pros: Annual maintenance costs are good (not much more than a standard pickup); Being able to eat while still driving and don't have to get out in the elements to take a restroom break; don't have to get out in the elements to level and put out slides (if raining can run genny and wait to plug into shore); always cool in summer/warm in winter when getting to camp site; maneuverability in tight situations (not as good as DP but still good with the 50 degree steering); easy access to water/waste tanks if problems occur; able to use pull in sites taking advantage of huge front window; living area all on one level; excellent visibility while driving since have side and rear cameras; don't have to have a big vehicle (toad) to drive around in busy places
Gas HM Cons: Ride (rough, but not terrible); handling (lots of body roll); brakes aren't as strong as would have liked; limited towing capacity (5K); since engine is up front can be very noisy when RPMs are high; engine braking down hills isn't as good as DP exhaust brake; have to fight with cars at a gas station when filling up
Fiver Pros: Cheap maintenance; easy to maintain; better handling on curvy roads; more floor plan options; don't have cab area taking up living space; more interior storage (depends on size); high end models will have similar amenities of high end MH for a lot less money; having a truck with exhaust brake for stable downhill braking; don't feel as guilty for it sitting extended time since didn't cost as much as MH; able to use truck lanes to fill up diesel
Fiver Cons: Ride can be harsh (bucking/chucking); have to have help backing up (most of the time); can't get into snobby Class A only resorts (wasn't for us)
Once the wife retires, we might go back to a DP, but until then a fiver is our best option.
