Hello,I'm retiring next year and want to hit the road. I've done a lot of RVing in my life, but always as the passenger in someone else's rig. This time I want to go solo. I'm a 50 year female.I've got two priorities:*I want to have a vehicle I'd be comfortable driving in urban areas. *I want a real mattress - not a chunk of foam - to sleep on. Even if it is just a twin, even if it has to fold up into the wall during the day like a murphy bed. I was thinking about a 19' Sprinter Van conversion, but I just don't think they have enough room - I haven't seen one yet that had a "bed" I think I could sleep on.So now I am thinking about trailers, so that I can unhitch the pickup truck and use it for exploring the area.I've never used a 5th wheel in my life, but I've been told they are the way to go. So, please, folks on this forum: do you agree that 5th wheels are easier to operate and tow?And, very importantly: are they practical for a solo traveler who wants to hitch and unhitch weekly? Or is that a two-person job?And finally: since I'll be traveling on my own, I don't need a huge amount of space. So it seems obvious to me that I should start by looking at the shortest trailers out there. But I want to ask: is there any counterintuitive reason why sometimes a bigger is easier to handle?

Might take a quick look at the Jayco HT line. They have a HT 23.5 that is about 26' long in total and very light so you could tow it with a one-half ton pickup that would be easy to navigate around town or country when un-hitched. Has a slide with a front bedroom with a queen bed and enclosed bathroom. Only thing is, when the slide is in, the bathroom is not accessible since it's in the rear of the FW. This might be a start of your search though.

For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.

donn0128 wrote:For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.You surprise me. I've always thought the MH+Toad combination looked like the more difficult setup in terms of maneuverability. Am I wrong? I will say that I could happily get by with a tiny little toad, like a Smart Car.

donn0128 wrote:For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.Do not underestimate an woman's capability. After a 30 year break from camping I started with a slide in truck camper, then a 28 foot jayco 5th wheel in, an a few days ago a 33 foot Alumalite in less than 3 years. I am sure that with my bum back and 2 bad knees there are a lot of woman that are in better physical shape than I am and I do well hooking up and towing on my own.the 5th wheels are probably the easiest to hook up because the "V" guides the pin into the jaws.I taught myself how to tow and back up 30 years ago but if I were to do it over I would take some kind of driving / towing lessons.

I taught myself how to tow and back up 30 years ago but if I were to do it over I would take some kind of driving / towing lessons.Thanks for mentioning that, I probably should have said in my intro that no matter what I end up buying, I'm planning on hiring that company that sends out a guy to your house to show you how to drive it!

Would you recommend a 5th wheel for me? | Good Sam Community

OnTaMove
Explorer
May 04, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
if I were single and no traveling companions who could make sure I did not back into things I would go for a MH.

I guess I am a bit clueless, but...why do you need someone to help you avoid backing into things with a 5th wheel but you do not need the same with a MH+toad?
donn0128
Explorer II
May 04, 2013
Glad I surprised you LOL.
Yes, personally I have a fifth wheel, but if I were single and no traveling companions who could make sure I did not back into things I would go for a MH. Then I would look for a decent used Jeep Wrangler and go have a ball. Things like a smart car are nice for in town running around, but there is no way in heck I would consider something like that to run to the store 50 miles away down the highway. I like to geocache and fish, lots of places are off the beaten path, places where commuter is not advisable. A MH is probably going to cost you more money up front, but for a single person IMHO it is the smart move. Besides, if you pull in someplace late at night, there is no unhooking in the dark. simply pull in and park.
Dayle1
Explorer II
May 04, 2013
Fifth wheel hookup is a single person operation, have done it for 25 yrs. However, backing a TT or fiver is always better with a spotter, especially on the blind side, since the rear of the trailer quickly gets out of view in the mirrors.

Backing a MH is easier since the rear of the unit is always visible in the mirrors. However, you can't practically back up with the toad attached, so avoiding dead ends or tight gas stations, etc becomes important. Hooking up a toad is not difficult with today's tow bars and brake buddies.

Forest River probably has the largest selection of lite fivers in the Rockwood and Flagstaff lines that would be fine for a single person.
deleted-2
Explorer
May 04, 2013
Retiring in the 50's!...lucky, lucky lady!

Maybe a 28 to 31 foot C-Class slider with a scooter sittin' on the back.
With a motorhome you'll always have AC power built right in.
Not to mention rear cameras, low steps and easy handling.

MH's are great for quick get-a-ways and short overniters.
OnTaMove
Explorer
May 04, 2013
I taught myself how to tow and back up 30 years ago but if I were to do it over I would take some kind of driving / towing lessons.

Thanks for mentioning that, I probably should have said in my intro that no matter what I end up buying, I'm planning on hiring that company that sends out a guy to your house to show you how to drive it!
silvercorvette
Explorer
May 04, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.

Do not underestimate an woman's capability. After a 30 year break from camping I started with a slide in truck camper, then a 28 foot jayco 5th wheel in, an a few days ago a 33 foot Alumalite in less than 3 years. I am sure that with my bum back and 2 bad knees there are a lot of woman that are in better physical shape than I am and I do well hooking up and towing on my own.

the 5th wheels are probably the easiest to hook up because the "V" guides the pin into the jaws.

I taught myself how to tow and back up 30 years ago but if I were to do it over I would take some kind of driving / towing lessons.
OnTaMove
Explorer
May 04, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.

You surprise me. I've always thought the MH+Toad combination looked like the more difficult setup in terms of maneuverability. Am I wrong? I will say that I could happily get by with a tiny little toad, like a Smart Car.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 04, 2013
For a single person, especially a female person I would suggest a motor home and a small toad. The motor home would be easier to back in without the aid of a spotter and a suitable toad would give you a economical vehicle to run around in. Class A, Class C is your choice.
jalichty
Explorer
May 04, 2013
Might take a quick look at the Jayco HT line. They have a HT 23.5 that is about 26' long in total and very light so you could tow it with a one-half ton pickup that would be easy to navigate around town or country when un-hitched. Has a slide with a front bedroom with a queen bed and enclosed bathroom. Only thing is, when the slide is in, the bathroom is not accessible since it's in the rear of the FW. This might be a start of your search though.

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