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

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.

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.

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.

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.