Class A vs 5th wheel

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.