Comparing Class A Cost To Travel Trailers

sushidog wrote:
That video of the trailer flipping was interesting. It didn't look like it was swaying, or that the driver was going very fast, just that it was too light for the high wind conditions. There are some high quality zero sway hitches that will prevent wind gusts from inducing sway, but I don't think they would have helped in this case. The only thing that I think would have helped in this rare scenario would be a heavier or lower profile trailer - or simply choosing not to drive in very high cross winds.

I never thought of putting a pair of motorbikes on the back - I guess between the Class A and the toad. I've seen some Class A's towing a utility trailer, which could contain a toad and a pair of motorbikes inside. However the more you add, the greater the expense. My 5 yr old diesel truck was only $11k. I'm looking at a 4-5 yr old TT in the 15k price range (which would have sold for around $25-30k new). My 2, 125cc motorbikes were about $1,100 ea, brand new. Add a $500 hitch and mt rig's total cost will be under $29k. What kind of Class A, toad, car trailer (or hitch and motorcycle carrier) and 2 motorcycles can I get for a combined purchase price of less than $29K? I'd be hard pressed to find just a decent used (less than 5 yr old) gas model Class A for under $29k, let alone all the other goodies.

Realistically a good used under 5 yr old Class A MH typically sells in the $45-50k+ range. Plus around $8-10k for a good, used flat towable toad, $2,200 for the identical bikes, and at least $1,000 for the dual bike cycle carrier, tow bar, light and brake set-up for the toad. This brings the total to around $60k. Plus one needs to consider the additional maintenance costs of a class A and toad, the higher registration, insurance and tax costs, the poorer fuel economy of the Class A, etc. I think an equivalent Class A/toad will be at least twice the cost to own and operate than my planned truck/TT rig, which is the crux of the OP's originally inquiry. Of course one could spend much more for either rig, but for a low cost, practical FTing solution, considering the typical usage patterns of a full-timer, the truck/trailer combo is hard to beat from a cost/value perspective.

Chip

I respectively disagree sir. As a family that made the switch from a TT / truck combination to a MH we have carefully looked at the costs. I take major issues with your numbers. We priced out a replacement new equivalent truck to our old truck and trailer. A new equivalent truck is well over $65k a new trailer with equivalent CCC to a MH is about $30k. Plus $3000 for a Hensley Hitch which is a true no sway hitch. Quality generator and mount for the TT $4,500. Quality inverter and additional batteries $4,000. Total cost about $106,500! Add to this most trucks on the road towing trailers or fifth wheels are overloaded. It is very easy to overload a truck especially if you use the bed of the truck like I did. We had the truck primarily to tow the TT complete with the dual battery setup and additional inverter for the truck. The first new MH we purchased cost about $80k including setting up our Tahoe for flat towing had we been willing to go down to a lower model it would have been about $50k. I wanted nav, XM, in motion satellite, and other goodies. As to used I had a coworker that purchased a used late model used MH for $10k. Deals can be had if you look. Our quality of travel is no comparison. Also keep in mind that 99% of the TTs out there are not constructed with anywhere near the durability that motorhomes are. Most are stick and tin and even the glass wall units are still mostly 2" x 2" or 2" x 1" wood construction. Most motorhomes are now made of steel or at least aluminum framing.