Comparing Class A Cost To Travel Trailers
I'm looking at going full-time in an RV and I have believed from the beginning that a Class A plus toad is much more expensive than a travel trailer plus tow vehicle, but I'm having trouble comparing ...
Forum Discussion
Its important (and difficult, as already said) when making this comparison, that you truly and as objectively as possible, compare 'apples to apples'.
Its very difficult to compare the two as a true apples to apples comparison, for the reasons already said.
One thing I see very often when making this comparison that completely fouls it up, is folks compare an entry level TT that costs maybe $15-20k brand new, to a $500k top of the line diesel pusher. This approach is why sooo many folks make the asssumption that a MH costs obscenely more than a TT or 5th wheel, when that is NOT necessarily true in all cases. There are some cases where the cost for a MH is not that much greater than what you'd pay for a similar level of quality in a TT and truck.
You must compare entry level with entry level, mid range to mid range, or top of the line to top of the line. New to new, or used to used. Mixing that up, quickly makes the comparison worthless.
As to what the OP specifically asked for, a MH to comparable to a Sprinter 319MKS: I think something like a Fleetwood Bounder, Forest River Georgetown, Thor Hurricane, or Coachmen Mirada model around 36-37' would be the closest you could get. Tough part would be finding a floorplan that is most comparable to that Sprinter 319MKS. The nature of a MH with the cab up front drastically changes the way a floorplan has to be done vs how it is done in a TT or 5er.
What would NOT be a fair comparison, would be any diesel pusher MH, many Winnegago models, or any Tiffin Allegro models. Those would all be considered more of a step up from entry level, whereas the Sprinter TT is basically entry level. Again, we must compare apples to apples.
Anyway, I think you will find that overall the MH usually is a bit more expensive to own and operate, but a LOT depends on just how much MH, quality you must have. You can get into a nice MH for not much more $$ than you'd put in a comparable truck and trailer, as long as you don't have to have a 45' Diesel Pusher with every amenity you can dream up, haha. :)
There are typically more systems on a MH that can potentially require maintenance/repairs, which is why maintenance can be more expensive (hydraulic leveling jacks, built-in generator just to name two). However, as many have already said, you do get a lot more luxury, convenience with that extra cost. You just got to decide, for you, if that luxury and convenience is worth the extra cost.
Its very difficult to compare the two as a true apples to apples comparison, for the reasons already said.
One thing I see very often when making this comparison that completely fouls it up, is folks compare an entry level TT that costs maybe $15-20k brand new, to a $500k top of the line diesel pusher. This approach is why sooo many folks make the asssumption that a MH costs obscenely more than a TT or 5th wheel, when that is NOT necessarily true in all cases. There are some cases where the cost for a MH is not that much greater than what you'd pay for a similar level of quality in a TT and truck.
You must compare entry level with entry level, mid range to mid range, or top of the line to top of the line. New to new, or used to used. Mixing that up, quickly makes the comparison worthless.
As to what the OP specifically asked for, a MH to comparable to a Sprinter 319MKS: I think something like a Fleetwood Bounder, Forest River Georgetown, Thor Hurricane, or Coachmen Mirada model around 36-37' would be the closest you could get. Tough part would be finding a floorplan that is most comparable to that Sprinter 319MKS. The nature of a MH with the cab up front drastically changes the way a floorplan has to be done vs how it is done in a TT or 5er.
What would NOT be a fair comparison, would be any diesel pusher MH, many Winnegago models, or any Tiffin Allegro models. Those would all be considered more of a step up from entry level, whereas the Sprinter TT is basically entry level. Again, we must compare apples to apples.
Anyway, I think you will find that overall the MH usually is a bit more expensive to own and operate, but a LOT depends on just how much MH, quality you must have. You can get into a nice MH for not much more $$ than you'd put in a comparable truck and trailer, as long as you don't have to have a 45' Diesel Pusher with every amenity you can dream up, haha. :)
There are typically more systems on a MH that can potentially require maintenance/repairs, which is why maintenance can be more expensive (hydraulic leveling jacks, built-in generator just to name two). However, as many have already said, you do get a lot more luxury, convenience with that extra cost. You just got to decide, for you, if that luxury and convenience is worth the extra cost.
