Class A vs 5th wheel

"Since you mentioned your small fixed income and small emergency savings, I would consider the following before you invest in an RV"

One of the risks in rehabbing an almost 30 year old Winnebago.

It really doesn't matter a larg diesel truck and a large fifth wheel or a DP class A you still have repairs and maintenance. As others have said if you can do things for yourself you will save a lot of money. You have everything in a normal house plus, tanks and a generator. I routinely use the internet to find out how to do something I have never done. I just fixed a water leak in our S&B house. The gains from RVing come from possibly lower costs for parking & water if you boondock a lot. You also get to experience and see a lot. It isn't for everyone.

> Is it possible to buy a good dependable class A pusher that's 10 years old and wont completely drain my SMALL emergency savings in a couple years on the road?

I love RVing, and am currently fixing up a 1988 Winnebago Chieftain that I picked up for a song (for good reason), and I'm a firm motorhome addict. But I have to point out there are very real financial risks in RVing. You could pick up an RV, of any kind, that looks good, a qualified mechanic checks it out and doesn't find any problems, the price is reasonable, you buy it and before you make it home something breaks. Or you can use it for a decade and have almost no repair costs. There is just no way to predict. Since you mentioned your small fixed income and small emergency savings, I would consider the following before you invest in an RV:

- Where is the money coming from to purchase an RV? If savings, will that leave you an adequate cushion? If from selling your primary residence, where will you live if something happens to the RV and/or if one of you becomes unable to travel? If you intend to finance it, how much will you have left to live on after the RV payment? If the RV payment will be "instead of" a house payment, remember an RV will not hold its value like a house will in most cases, so you won't be able to get back when you paid for it.

- Just like a house, there are maintenance costs for all types of RV. How much can you do yourself? You may have had friends or neighbors at home who would help with house repair issues, but you won't in a strange location. RVers are a friendly group and you can probably find someone willing to show you how to do a repair or even to help doing it, but the only people (that I know of) who would be willing to help with a big job are those who expect to be paid.

- There will also be maintenance costs for whatever vehicle you wind up with, whether a truck pulling something or a smaller car behind a MH.

- Finally, are you and your spouse both in good health, or do you have known medical problems? How would new or existing problems affect your fulltimming lifestyle? Getting medication refills can be problematic on the road, plus medical expenses would be a further drain on your limited resources.

Many, many retired seniors do fulltime quite happily, but your concern about repair costs makes me think you should consider worst-case as well as best-case scenarios before making a large financial commitment. These aren't questions that need to be answered here (or anywhere publicly) but I think you would be wise to consider them. An RV lifestyle isn't for everyone. Maybe your travel desires would be better met by short term trips, housesitting, or other ways to see the world without risking your retirement savings.

Licreek wrote:
Wow ypu guys have really given me a lot of insite into making my decision on 5er or MH. I just finished reading the blog of asked questions for class A buyers and I think I might be overwhelmed by the repair and maintenance costs of a class A. We will be RVing on my wife and my social security incomes only, so I think my MAIN decision will need to be COST of living in a 5er vs class A. Am I correct in my reading that there is no question that it is less expensive to repair and maintain a 5er and tow vehicle over a class A?? Is it possible to buy a good dependable class A pusher that's 10 years old and wont completely drain my SMALL emergency savings in a couple years on the road?

We bought last year at 9yrs old and now 10. This is the only way we buy and because we demand some quality and stay within our budget.
Could have bought and almost new entry level model for what we paid, but there's no way and no comparison, to even discuss, other than newness. Ours had 33K miles, looked like new, in and out and DW swears that a lot of it inside, has never been used. Now it's at 42K and better than it's ever been with my mods and tinkering. Did a few repairs, but nothing major and one of which, was not necessary. Not a complete loss though, as I now carry a complete and perfectly good CAT OEM starter around in my parts bay.
For most things, one will encounter, doing it yourself saves a bundle and if you might be so inclined. With new, you spend all your repair money up front, whether anything ever goes wrong with it or not and then lose it all rapidly in depreciation. All the while, many talk about fuel mileage as a factor in the overall cost of ownership, rather than the depreciation per mile of travel.
Just my 2 cents and for free, as well :)

If I were full timing and would be spending 6 or more months at any given location it seems a 5th wheel would be more desirable as the ones I've looked at seem to have more living space than a class A.

However if were on the road more and not spending any more than 2 or 3 months at any given location I would choose a class A which is what we have now.

Good luck with your choice and safe travels..:)

Licreek wrote:
Wow ypu guys have really given me a lot of insite into making my decision on 5er or MH. I just finished reading the blog of asked questions for class A buyers and I think I might be overwhelmed by the repair and maintenance costs of a class A. We will be RVing on my wife and my social security incomes only, so I think my MAIN decision will need to be COST of living in a 5er vs class A. Am I correct in my reading that there is no question that it is less expensive to repair and maintain a 5er and tow vehicle over a class A?? Is it possible to buy a good dependable class A pusher that's 10 years old and wont completely drain my SMALL emergency savings in a couple years on the road?

Possible? Sure. But at 10 years old lots of stuff is going to start failing. Not just the drive train. Stuff like refer, water heater, furnace. A newer fifth wheel will have the same appliances, so you can figure a few trouble free years out or a decent fiver. Heck 800 dollars for new tires under a fiver will likely get you two MH tires. Again, where will you live while the MH is in the shop for some semi major repairs? A fiver, if you bought a decent used one, and had the entire suspension and axles redone with something like a MorRide and disc brakes would set you back maybe 5 grand, but will last as long as you travel. Truck? A 70K brand new dually will go 150K miles easily before you should have to spend much of anything in repairs. A new diesel is maybe 15K a rebuilt transmission maybe 5K. An auto for a DP will likely be north of 10K motor work? 20K easily.
This is not a light decision, and cost does need to play into it. But livability, comfort, and what you want also play a big part of the deal. Remember, what ever you wind up with is a huge depreciating asset. And as such will be worth far less 5 minues after you drive off the lot thst what you pay for it. RVs like boats and airplanes can be a money pit. And unless you have the resources to support your intended lifestyle rethink it.

Licreek wrote:
I am getting ready to full time rv. I have sold most my stuff and just have the home to sell. It will be me and my wife. My question is what is the preference of most full timers? Class A and a towed or 5th wheel? Thanks for any feedback.

Some full timers sit in one place for 6 mons at a time and in which case, a fiver might be the ticket. Others are constantly on the move and the convenience surrounding that, can't compare with a Class A and seeing America out a big windshield, with bathroom and galley facilities available while you travel. Besides, who wants a monster truck for a dinghy?

Any diesel will be expensive to repair, be it in a pickup or a MH.

With that said, the last time we spent a lot of $$$ on repairs was went we owned our 1990 Fleetwood Flair.

Since then we've owned a 2000 Newmar Dutchstar gasser, a 2003 Newmar Kountry Star DP, and a 2008 Newmar Kountry Star DP. Other than normal maintenance (oil and filters) - and I hate to even say this as I'll jinx ourselves, we have spent exactly $0.00 on any kind of chassis repair, and close to that number on house repairs. The 2 big ones on the house were a cooling unit in the refrigerator and we currently need a new AC. Obviously neither of those are DP specific and could happen to any make, model, or type of RV at any time.

Wow ypu guys have really given me a lot of insite into making my decision on 5er or MH. I just finished reading the blog of asked questions for class A buyers and I think I might be overwhelmed by the repair and maintenance costs of a class A. We will be RVing on my wife and my social security incomes only, so I think my MAIN decision will need to be COST of living in a 5er vs class A. Am I correct in my reading that there is no question that it is less expensive to repair and maintain a 5er and tow vehicle over a class A?? Is it possible to buy a good dependable class A pusher that's 10 years old and wont completely drain my SMALL emergency savings in a couple years on the road?

msturtz wrote:

stickdog wrote:

msturtz wrote:
The logical way to approach this question is how you plan on traveling.if you plan on spending weeks on the road boondocking then a motorhome is vastly more convenient. If you plan on traveling short distance and then parking at a full hookup resort then a fifth wheel can be a great choice. Keep in mind that the tow rating on consumer trucks is very optimistic and considers occasional use at or near GCWR not full time use. A 1 ton dual rear wheel truck may be rated to tow a 15,000# 5th wheel but you have limited margin. Frequently people move up to the 2 or 3 ton units (F450,F550, 4500, 5500). Don't let a salesperson con you into using a 3/4 ton or SRW 1 ton for a large 5th wheel. Also keep in mind driving a large truck around for day trips is no picnic. I'd rather have a small SUV or toad.

Been a while since you have checked out 350- 1 ton trucks Please don't dribble out 10 year old specs. You're just showing you lack of knowledge of the capasities of these vehicles. Kind of like spreading fake news.

Okay, now for what the OP asked for. If you plan on being a road warrior and plan on covering ground and running up mileage then a MH is for you. If you like to stop and smell the roses, explore the surroundings, spend a couple weeks or months in one place then a 5er may better suit your travel plans.

We have towed our 15,000 lb 5th wheel 50,000 miles in the last 7 1/2 years with a 1 ton truck from Florida to Alaska and several crossings of the continental divide coast to coast with no problems. I'm not going to knock MH's we could have as easily gone that way but the DW did not want a steering wheel in the living room. To each their own.

I am not quoting 10 year old specs I have a CDL and have had one for more than 20 years. I don't like seeing what I see on the road whether it is massively overloaded motorhomes or vastly more common overloaded consumer pickup trucks. I see overloaded pickups blasting down the road trailer swaying like crazy. In addition, I work for a large heavy truck manufacturing company. The light trucks that the big three put out are not made for the regular harsh conditions that commercial trucks are. I pulled a towable behind my one ton truck for years before we moved to a motorhome. I know how to do it safely. It was a lot of work and expense. Just the hitch I used was $3,000 not including installation. I can't tell you how many times I hear "my truck can pull xxx!".

As long as we're comparing credentials, I too have a CDL and work as a driver for a major RV dealer so I get to drive everything on the lot. My dually has 5,000 lb payload and is rated to tow a 22,500 5th wheel. My toy hauler grosses at 19,000. I've scaled it and am not over weight nor am I near the capacity for my truck.

My vote goes for a Class A DP. I get real tired going up and down the steps to the bedroom in my TH. I like the roominess of driving the Class A and the overall roominess when the slides are open. The airbag ride of the A is the best ride in town. The cab of my truck feels small at times and the ride is terrible compounded by the trailer jostling the truck. The Th seems cheaply made while the DP seems stouter. For now the TH suits our needs but we'll someday move up to a DP.