Now first off we are full timers, living in a Class A and loving it -- no issues. We are however, considering upgrading to a newer Class A or a 5th wheel. I know all the arguments and the bottom line always comes out to be one of functionality: do you move a lot or stay in one place for a few months at a time? Well we fall in the middle -- so we decided to consider both RVs but my main question is one of overall storage. Which one as a general rule, has the most storage? I'm currently in a 38ft and would probably get a similar size Class A and considering the storage compartments underneath a similar size 5th wheel would be perhaps 35ft? Not sure, but bottom line is given a few feet either way, which one has the best storage availability?

I think it would depend upon the specific model which has more storage. When talking about storage, are you referring to storage inside the camper, or outside (basement)?A large MH would definitely have more outside storage (basement) than any 5er. A smaller one, would depend upon the specific model.Clear as mud, hum? Can you define what kind of storage you're referring to?

The two complaints I hear from folks who go to 5ers from a MH, which I'm sure you've heard, are (1) can't get up and go fix a sandwich while traveling, and (2) the difficulty of cutting back and reorganizing the outside storage.MH have several smaller compartments which help keep the right things together.5ers the folks complain - are harder to organize because of the mainly one big space - and those I've talked to say the 5er has less accessible outside storage than a MH.

Basically in a 5th wheel the storage compartment is the space from the front wall under the hitch area to just in front of the entry door. For comparison-In our 38ft 5th wheel the storage compartment is nearly 6X7 feet and 30 inches high. Access doors from the front and both sides. That would round out to about 42 square feet. It holds a lot. Based on most MHs I've seen ours has about the same amount of outside storage with the exception of the bus type MHs with the pass through storage compartments.Keep in mind you also will have the bed of the tow vehicle for storage. We have a across the bed tool box and usually carry a mobility scooter, 4 folding chairs, 2 folding 2X4ft folding tables, a 6 foot ladder and miscellaneous boxes of stuff in the bed. All of this stuff comes out when we setup camp.

We fulltimed for nine years and had more than enough storage in our 39' fiver and FL60. We even had empty cabinets.

DutchmenSport wrote:I think it would depend upon the specific model which has more storage. When talking about storage, are you referring to storage inside the camper, or outside (basement)?A large MH would definitely have more outside storage (basement) than any 5er. A smaller one, would depend upon the specific model.Clear as mud, hum? Can you define what kind of storage you're referring to?Well some of the "stuff" we have in our underneath storage compartments are pictures, filing paperwork, one bin designed particularly for seasonal decorating (inside and out) so out of the 10 bins, two of which connect through to each other I'd say four of them are things that otherwise could be carried inside in cabinets.

Full timer Class A v. 5er thoughts | Good Sam Community

45 Replies

Sprig
Explorer
Jan 22, 2014
Well, I have my 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that is probably going to be the last "car" I ever buy.

The phrase, "It's a Jeep thing...You wouldn't understand" comes to mind.

Since a Jeep can't pull a 5vr, and is so easy to become toad 4 down, ...

Well, I guess simply put, if you are a jeep person, there is only one logical choice.
Les_Balty
Explorer
Jan 21, 2014
I would like to be able to get the truck serviced without being out of my house. We have a 35' Travel trailer that we use for a guest house/man cave and short trips to places that the 40' DP won't fit. I would opt for a 5er but the DW still loves her MH. Having 2 RVs is fun. Some folks call us "RV Nuts" but we prefer the term "enthusiasts".
AuntSmurf
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
There are pluses and minuses to both. But, what it boiled down to for us was this: We have 4 "canine kids." If the motor goes out on our truck, we rent a car if we need to get around. And we still have our home. If the motor goes out on a motorhome, we have to find a motel that will take our entire clan! No-brainer for us.
TimnJo
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
I like having the safety of a full frame, airbags etc. of a full size truck around me. Have you ever seen pictures of a MH that's been in a collision - Yikes.
Jean_S
Explorer
Jan 06, 2014
We went fulltime for 4 years, 20 years ago, in a truck and trailer. We looked at 5'ers, but we had toys and were not willing to give up the storage space in the truck bed. We found Pull-Rite hitches, which give that same good towing experience with the TT as with a 5'er and we had the vehicle to use for running around.

This time out, we chose a MH and a flat tow. I would have gone back to a TT or a 5'er (not as many toys these days) as I love convenience of not loosing my home to the mechanic if work needs to be done on it, as well as the lower insurance costs of having only one vehicle to insure and maintain. I liked being able to run out and exchange a propane bottle without moving the whole rig. I liked having the portable wheeled tank in the back of the truck so I could walk waste water to a dump site and stay set up.

However, DH, who has health issues, did not want to have to do all the hitching and levelling and whatever and vetoed the trailer/5'er option. He also wanted a shorter rig to get into size-restricted areas. Personally, with the set-up we ended up with - 32-ft MH with motorcylce rack and flat tow car with bicycle rack - I think we may still have been better off with the truck and trailer/5'er.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
I have a 5er that I pull with an F350 diesel. I can't compare the inside storage to a motor home - all I know is that I have lots. Cabinets all around, closets and that big space under the bed. And the basement.

As far as setup goes - I have the auto level system and that takes all of about 30 seconds after I unhook and is also really cool to watch how it works. I have a built-in retractible reel for my 50 amp cord and I use those little clicky things to connect my water hose, water softener and filter system. There's another couple minutes.

I have a remote for the 3 slides and awning so I can stand outside to make sure there are no clearance issues. That's another minute or so.

I get about 12 mpg towing.

One of the bigger reasons that I got a 5er for full timing was because with a motor home, you're without a home if your rig is in the shop because of an engine/transmission problem (for example). All I need is a Ford dealer. Even oil changes or getting new tires are easier - I can go anywhere, and get it done while the 5er is set up somewhere.

In the end it all comes down to personal preference. I could be happy either way - both would work well. But I had to choose.
arnko37
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
It is true that class A MH usually have automatic leveling, steps and awnings etc. but that is the very reason I sold our 38 ft Newmar and bought a 5th wheel. Too many things to go wrong and too many big repair bills. I prefer a simpler vehicle that has less to go wrong and I am able to handle more of the things that do. Nothing will ever go wrong with a leveling board and I am able to change a tire on the trailer if needed.
BarbaraOK
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
Larryzv7 wrote:
I have often wondered why they call a Class-A Motor Home a “Diesel-Pusher?” Not all Class-A’s run on diesel. …...

They don't. Class As can be DPs or gassers.

Barb
Larryzv7
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
I have often wondered why they call a Class-A Motor Home a “Diesel-Pusher?” Not all Class-A’s run on diesel. I have a 2012 Heartland Prowler 5th Wheel which I tow with a 2012 Ford F-150 w/Echoboost, a 6-cylinder engine which does very well going over mountain passes, etc., and my towing gas mileage isn’t that bad either.
Trap
Explorer
Jan 02, 2014
As I stated earlier we have had both, while our preference is for the Class A DP, I can pretty much guarantee that we would enjoy doing this with a 5'er too. They both are nice and they both work and do the job.

My wife won't drive a dually truck to go shopping with, so we wanted a DP so she could drive the jeep Liberty. There are a bunch of reasons to go either way. Just get what you want and enjoy it.

The biggest benefit the Class A has for us is we find going down the road to be way more enjoyable. Once there and set up it's all about what works for you and what you want.

There really is no better choice other than ones personal preference.