Hi folks, and sorry for the long write up...I am trying to decide which route I should go.The C class MH vs Travel Trailer.We are a family of four, two adults, two small growing kids.Couple of considerations:I have rented C-class on multiple occasions, so I have that experience setting up camp. Hooking up the lines, dumping, etc.Rentals do not have levels, so that part I am not experienced in (leveling)What I do NOT have experience with is towing anything behind a truck. I never owned a truck. I never owned a travel trailer.I understand a general idea of towing, gvwr, tongue weight and cargo capacity, and basic understanding of hitches, and anti sway setups (extra additional $$$ to get the right anti sway I guess)Is there a steep learning curve to connecting and hooking up a trailer? What about driving with one?I remember that rental ford-based C-class i drove felt boxy and wobbly at times. Was that normal and to be expected? I guess, the bottom line is - which one is easier to operate? Or are they completely different animals all together?I know that length is one thing to consider.A 25ft C-class VS 25foot trailer + truck Any thoughts?. Thank you.

Advantages of class C: Big one is that I can get in it and just go! A couple minutes I'm on the road. No hookup, no weight distribution bars, no lining up the ball with the coupler... etc. Second is easier to back into campsite without assistance. Backup camera, shorter length etc. Great when tired at end of day. Great when campsites are picked over later in day and there's a few short inconvenient ones left. C just goes right in-and no disconnect/connect. Parking enroute is easier-street or parking lot. Last, I can hear all the tires, all the wheel bearings when I'm driving. In a trailer bad stuff can happen without immediate notice in the truck cab.Trailer advantages: I found trailer best for trips where I stayed somewhere for a while. I could disconnect truck and sightsee. The hookup/disconnect hassle was minimized considering the lenth of stay.Trailer and existing truck (already owned for other reasons) is often cheaper than a class C motorhome less depreciation, insurance.Road handling: I had a 25' Airstream and Toyota Tundra 5.7 and the handling precision was much better than my Ford E450 Class C. It was very stable on the road, wind didn't affect it as much, and very quiet. Power was equal and fuel economy was better on the truck/trailer. This probably does not apply to all truck/trailer combos.Overall give me the class C anyday...the turn key and go is a huge advantage to me. Hookup wasn't hard, maybe 15-20 min but it was hassle, could be hot and uncomfortable, rainy etc.

They are different animals. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. For most it boils down to personal preference. As far as setup goes, you've already got an understanding of 90% of what you need. Hookups are the same. Leveling a trailer is not a big deal. Backing up with a trailer takes some practice but is not that hard with a spotter. You will not have a wobbly ride towing a trailer. Properly set up and having an adequate tow vehicle, you will have a great towing experience. I won't say it's as easy a driving without a trailer, but it's not hard either. We have 2 major reasons for towing a trailer vs. a drivable RV. 1) You don't have to drive it every where you go. Unless you get a large Class C or a Class A that can tow a car, every time you want to go somewhere you have to break camp and drive the beast everywhere. 2) A trailer is very easy and generally inexpensive to maintain. No motor to maintain, no worries about how long it sits without running the engine, etc.3) I said 2? Anyway, I can and do drive the truck daily and use it for more than just the trailer. A class C will just sit when not being used.

tpi wrote:Advantages of class C: Big one is that I can get in it and just go! A couple minutes I'm on the road. No hookup, no weight distribution bars, no lining up the ball with the coupler... etc. Second is easier to back into campsite without assistance. Backup camera, shorter length etc. Great when tired at end of day. Great when campsites are picked over later in day and there's a few short inconvenient ones left. C just goes right in-and no disconnect/connect. Parking enroute is easier-street or parking lot. Last, I can hear all the tires, all the wheel bearings when I'm driving. In a trailer bad stuff can happen without immediate notice in the truck cab.Trailer advantages: I found trailer best for trips where I stayed somewhere for a while. I could disconnect truck and sightsee. The hookup/disconnect hassle was minimized considering the lenth of stay.Trailer and existing truck (already owned for other reasons) is often cheaper than a class C motorhome less depreciation, insurance.Road handling: I had a 25' Airstream and Toyota Tundra 5.7 and the handling precision was much better than my Ford E450 Class C. It was very stable on the road, wind didn't affect it as much, and very quiet. Power was equal and fuel economy was better on the truck/trailer. This probably does not apply to all truck/trailer combos.Overall give me the class C anyday...the turn key and go is a huge advantage to me. Hookup wasn't hard, maybe 15-20 min but it was hassle, could be hot and uncomfortable, rainy etc.So you went from Airstream to Class C?I was looking at Airstreams for a while, but cannot justify the cost for 25+...but resale value is pretty good on them.

In the old days a MH was easier to setup than a TT. The TT setup would take an extra half hour or so when compared to a MH.Now days, it's pretty much an even playing field... If you get a TT equipped with auto levelers.Hitching and unhitching is easier now with the electric tongue jack.As far as electric, water and sewer connections the MH & TT are the same.So the only real difference is the hitching and unhitching time wise. An extra 10 minutes for the TT.Towing can be learned and becomes second nature with practice. There are towing classes available; do an online search or attend a large RV show. I take my new trailers to a big empty parking lot and practice, including parking in tight spots (use boxes or cones to mark the space) and panic stops.A 25ft TT with a crewcab pickup, suburban type truck or fullsized van would be a perfect combination for your family. Once you get camp setup you have the tow vehicle to use for getting around/ sight seeing.

Campfire Time wrote:They are different animals. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. For most it boils down to personal preference. As far as setup goes, you've already got an understanding of 90% of what you need. Hookups are the same. Leveling a trailer is not a big deal. Backing up with a trailer takes some practice but is not that hard with a spotter. You will not have a wobbly ride towing a trailer. Properly set up and having an adequate tow vehicle, you will have a great towing experience. I won't say it's as easy a driving without a trailer, but it's not hard either. We have 2 major reasons for towing a trailer vs. a drivable RV. 1) You don't have to drive it every where you go. Unless you get a large Class C or a Class A that can tow a car, every time you want to go somewhere you have to break camp and drive the beast everywhere. 2) A trailer is very easy and generally inexpensive to maintain. No motor to maintain, no worries about how long it sits without running the engine, etc.3) I said 2? Anyway, I can and do drive the truck daily and use it for more than just the trailer. A class C will just sit when not being used.Whats what we did in Florida.We camped at Disney and then went to the Gulf.Everytime we wanted to go to a different beach that was not walking distance from rv park, we had to pack, and drive in C.Same for groceries.Having said all that, powering up a generator on the parking lot, and taking a quick shower after a swim - was pricless.In TT, unless I have external generator, there is no A/C while boondocking.

Class C vs TT: driving and setting up camp..(long)

44 Replies

wbwood
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
intheburbs wrote:
wbwood wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:

7) Except for the 10 sec it takes to walk back to the trailer, you can do the same. How many times per year do you really use this feature? I can only think of a couple times where we ran into this problem. - But you have to get out of your truck to get in your trailer. If the trailer is locked, then you need to get the key out, figure which one it is and unlock it. Often you will also need to pull out your stairs too. Tell you what, I will race you. You back your trailer in or pull in to a site and I will do the same with the motorhome. We will do it when it's rainign. Let's see who is sitting on the sofa the quickest and who is the dryest...hmmmm

8) We like to enjoy the trip. We usually travel only a couple hours and stop for lunch. Never liked the idea of handling sharp knives while doing 65mph. - so you really have nothing for that one...ok..

wbood - you seem to be awfully defensive. Either that, or you think a C is the answer for everyone. The two responses above exhibit a level of butthurt.

Some people prefer a TT, some prefer a C. I stated my reasons why a TT was the best choice for my family. You proceeded to respond to each one as if you'd taken offense, and now you've done it again to Valhalla.

Relax. Have a glass of your favorite adult beverage.

Neither rig is better. They're different. OP has asked for opinions, and they were given.

Go back to Page 3 and read my original posting. "Valhalla" is the one that started the rebuttal...I did state it was about personal preference...go back and read it...
The_Logans
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
This is just a discussion, not a war... there are no right or wrong answers, just opinions.

For us, after 4 TT's, it just became a matter of our physical abilities, and security. There is just plain less to do with setting up a C, and we don't have to get out at a rest stop, which makes us feel more secure.

The operative word in this "discussion" is US! It's just a matter of personal preference. Everybody just back away from the RV, and smile! :-)
intheburbs
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
wbwood wrote:
valhalla360 wrote:

7) Except for the 10 sec it takes to walk back to the trailer, you can do the same. How many times per year do you really use this feature? I can only think of a couple times where we ran into this problem. - But you have to get out of your truck to get in your trailer. If the trailer is locked, then you need to get the key out, figure which one it is and unlock it. Often you will also need to pull out your stairs too. Tell you what, I will race you. You back your trailer in or pull in to a site and I will do the same with the motorhome. We will do it when it's rainign. Let's see who is sitting on the sofa the quickest and who is the dryest...hmmmm

8) We like to enjoy the trip. We usually travel only a couple hours and stop for lunch. Never liked the idea of handling sharp knives while doing 65mph. - so you really have nothing for that one...ok..

wbood - you seem to be awfully defensive. Either that, or you think a C is the answer for everyone. The two responses above exhibit a level of butthurt.

Some people prefer a TT, some prefer a C. I stated my reasons why a TT was the best choice for my family. You proceeded to respond to each one as if you'd taken offense, and now you've done it again to Valhalla.

Relax. Have a glass of your favorite adult beverage.

Neither rig is better. They're different. OP has asked for opinions, and they were given.
wbwood
Explorer
Apr 06, 2015
valhalla360 wrote:
Not a big deal just make sure to block the wheels. - No...We have a steep decline to the house. We do block the tires of the motorhome, but we also have the emergency brake and transmission in park. No way would I put the travel trailer there and just block the wheels. It would end up being a part of out house.

3) Incorrect. Let a drivetrain just sit and it rots and rusts without a single mile added. - it doesn't sit there...it's used. Used just as much as the truck that we had that was dedicated to pull the motorhome.

4) Unless you are doing an incredible amount of driving, there isn't much savings. In fact when I hear the MPG people state for MH's compared to trailers, anything you save it likely eaten up driving the MH to the campsite. - We can easily put several hundred miles of driving on it in a week on our trip. But even if you did 50 miles a trip, 10 trips a year, it's still a savings.

5) It's not a big deal to backup a trailer and you can get cameras for them if it makes you feel better, though a good spotter is better in my opinion for either type. - I didn't say it was a big deal. I said it's a lot easier. I very rarely will even have my wife spot me with the MH. It's like backing up a car...a big car. No pivot point to worry about.

7) Except for the 10 sec it takes to walk back to the trailer, you can do the same. How many times per year do you really use this feature? I can only think of a couple times where we ran into this problem. - But you have to get out of your truck to get in your trailer. If the trailer is locked, then you need to get the key out, figure which one it is and unlock it. Often you will also need to pull out your stairs too. Tell you what, I will race you. You back your trailer in or pull in to a site and I will do the same with the motorhome. We will do it when it's rainign. Let's see who is sitting on the sofa the quickest and who is the dryest...hmmmm

8) We like to enjoy the trip. We usually travel only a couple hours and stop for lunch. Never liked the idea of handling sharp knives while doing 65mph. - so you really have nothing for that one...ok..

9) We get 3.5 to 4.0 hrs out of a tank. We rarely go that far in a day and we certainly are ready to get out and stretch by the time we hit 3hrs. - Like I said, some trucks (bigger ones) have bigger tanks. No argument there. 3 hours? you must be getting old...lol

10) That generator was an add on just like you can get a generator in a trailer. In both cases, you have to get one appropriate to the loads you are powering. No, it came with it built in. Our Onan 4000 powers everything for our 30amp motorhome. It wasn't an option we added or ask for. Matter of fact here, we have not seen a motorhome come without a generator. Maybe in some parts of the country, but not here. At least we have not seen one.
pnichols
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2015
JaxDad wrote:
I don't know how long your rig is but, my 24' unit stays more than cool enough with the dash A/C since it's far more powerful than the rooftop unit.

It's nice not having to hear the noise or burn the extra gas running the rooftop unit for nothing.

The same with our 24 foot Class C. The Ford cab air conditioning system has been superb. We rarely need it turned up to full power for very long to get and keep both the cab and back coach area comfortable when traveling in extreme heat.

Sometimes when returning to the RV after it has been drycamp parked in the sun in warmer weather and we aren't going to drive it at that time, for a short while we will idle the main engine and run the cab air on full power plus use the built-in generator to run the coach air on full power .... for a fast coach cool down when getting ready to eat, nap, or otherwise relax in comfortable temperatures.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2015
snowdance wrote:
Having a generator built in means you can keep it the same temp inside all the time so you are not going to the bathroom or having lunch in 105+ temps.

I don't know how long your rig is but, my 24' unit stays more than cool enough with the dash A/C since it's far more powerful than the rooftop unit.

It's nice not having to hear the noise or burn the extra gas running the rooftop unit for nothing.
j-d
Explorer II
Apr 05, 2015
There's been a "shake-out" in RV's in recent years. I've seen the same thing in boats. Years ago everybody in FL had a boat. Most sat under a tree somewhere a lot of the year and came out around now. And many fell apart or broke down. Recently, most boats are relatively late model. I'm talking 10-years old vs. 30-years.
Same with RV's. Not ten years ago I'd see a substantial portion of old RV's. I'd also see a lot of rolled-over RV's. Most of these were old TT's. Good sized ones, up toward 30-ft and people tried to tow them with a half-ton, often an older half-ton. Maybe little to no weight distribution or anti-sway. I don't know about that, but if there was an RV mishap on the interstate, almost always a long TT and a half-ton.
The hands who are saying:
1. You must have an adequate TRUCK, and...
2. You must have a good WD hitch and Sway Control...
are absolutely RIGHT.
The Fifth Wheel crowd seems to default toward 3/4- and 1-ton trucks, many with diesel engines. Those provide proper support and control for the trailer. The TT crowd, not as consistently. Be very careful about this.
Hensley Arrow is a good TT hitch for control. There are probably others. I hear of Curt, and even BlueOx, but Hensley is the one I know by name.
snowdance
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
I grew up on a farm and have pulled trailers from when I was 13 so no problem pulling for me. We have had 3 popups. Love them can take them most any were. Several TTs one was a 25 foot Airstream we had for near 20 years. Also lived 10 years on sail boats. We are open water sailors and one Class C that we have now. We have loved all of them but our little Class C is the easiest to handle of them all. We share the driving. Also share the setup and unhook so only takes a couple min. We do not tow.

Having a generator built in means you can keep it the same temp inside all the time so you are not going to the bathroom or having lunch in 105+ temps. Its just a home away from home. We also use it for going shopping. It gives us a base to meet at. If wife is a bit late I just watch TV or fix my self a snack in comfort.

However I feel you should get what you really want.
burlmart
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
dcason wrote:
We started out with travel trailer and now have a Jayco class c 25 foot. Hubby and I find it so much more convenient (no unhooking, hooking). Breakdown time is minimal as we do not carry a lot of camping "accessories" that have to be put away.

We use ours as a roaming hotel and stop when the day is done. Boon docking or dry camping/free camping is what we like.
Oh, also all our "stuff" is just right there. If hubby wants a really quick snack I can quickly go get it.

WE don't do a toad now either...we may change that in the future for some trips.

all this and note that onboatd microwave and AC powered by genset make for cool, easy reststops on long travel days in hot summer. lf no dogs, you never have to open the door - nice if u park in long truck pull thru strips at interstate rest areas is nice.
dcason
Explorer
Apr 05, 2015
We started out with travel trailer and now have a Jayco class c 25 foot. Hubby and I find it so much more convenient (no unhooking, hooking). Breakdown time is minimal as we do not carry a lot of camping "accessories" that have to be put away.

We use ours as a roaming hotel and stop when the day is done. Boon docking or dry camping/free camping is what we like.
Oh, also all our "stuff" is just right there. If hubby wants a really quick snack I can quickly go get it.

WE don't do a toad now either...we may change that in the future for some trips.