Traveling fulltime: Your choice of rig?
Hello Fulltime Travelers One of the reasons I signed up here at RV.net was our long time scheming about doing a year or two traveling around North America. The site's been a real education ( in mo...
Forum Discussion
Hi there! Hope you are having a good week.
We are not full timers till next March, but have had every Class of RV available in the last 22 years, except for a B.
This list is our own personal experience of Pros and Cons. Mind you, this is only from 3 day trips to 2 weeks max.
Pros of a DP.....
Easy acess to bathroom, getting a drink, sandwich, etc. while driving.
Better view ( in a DP ) windshield is bigger and you sit up higher than a regular truck.
Easier set up and break down... Unhook toad, drive in, push a button to level and set!
Pulling a toad of choice to run around, sightsee, grocery store, etc instead of a big truck.
Cons....
You cannot change your rig as easy as a 5r. It is easier to trade up, than trade down.
Different availability of floor plans with a 5th wheel.... Rear kitchen, center kitchen, front living, etc. Not too many differences in motorhome floor plans.
In case of mechanical or drive train failure, you are stuck at a hotel if " home" is broken down.
Insurance is more expensive.
Registration is more expensive.
You have 2 vehicles ( with engines ) to maintain
More expensive maintenance, though not as often. Tires, filters, etc
No matter how big, not as roomy as a 5r.
Adverse weather conditions effect you more than in a truck... Wind mostly.
One advantage of a shorter coach, smaller Class C, small Class A, is being able to park almost anywhere. When you get up there in size, like a 42 foot tag axel DP, you only have airbags to level ( on most ) so you have to pick your Rv parks a little better.
The main reason we chose a truck and 5th wheel was for monetary reasons. We plan on moving ALOT when we start next year, but figured we would give the 5th wheel a shot. Never know what life is going to throw at you, so we figured go as small and inexpensive as possible and still fill our needs... King bed, washer/ dryer. We also, do not have any kids or animals, where your situation will be different.
Best of luck on your decision. See ya on the road for that bottle of wine.
Cheryl
We are not full timers till next March, but have had every Class of RV available in the last 22 years, except for a B.
This list is our own personal experience of Pros and Cons. Mind you, this is only from 3 day trips to 2 weeks max.
Pros of a DP.....
Easy acess to bathroom, getting a drink, sandwich, etc. while driving.
Better view ( in a DP ) windshield is bigger and you sit up higher than a regular truck.
Easier set up and break down... Unhook toad, drive in, push a button to level and set!
Pulling a toad of choice to run around, sightsee, grocery store, etc instead of a big truck.
Cons....
You cannot change your rig as easy as a 5r. It is easier to trade up, than trade down.
Different availability of floor plans with a 5th wheel.... Rear kitchen, center kitchen, front living, etc. Not too many differences in motorhome floor plans.
In case of mechanical or drive train failure, you are stuck at a hotel if " home" is broken down.
Insurance is more expensive.
Registration is more expensive.
You have 2 vehicles ( with engines ) to maintain
More expensive maintenance, though not as often. Tires, filters, etc
No matter how big, not as roomy as a 5r.
Adverse weather conditions effect you more than in a truck... Wind mostly.
One advantage of a shorter coach, smaller Class C, small Class A, is being able to park almost anywhere. When you get up there in size, like a 42 foot tag axel DP, you only have airbags to level ( on most ) so you have to pick your Rv parks a little better.
The main reason we chose a truck and 5th wheel was for monetary reasons. We plan on moving ALOT when we start next year, but figured we would give the 5th wheel a shot. Never know what life is going to throw at you, so we figured go as small and inexpensive as possible and still fill our needs... King bed, washer/ dryer. We also, do not have any kids or animals, where your situation will be different.
Best of luck on your decision. See ya on the road for that bottle of wine.
Cheryl
