Forum Discussion

DallasSteve's avatar
Jul 02, 2015

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 the two because there are so many choices. I would also throw a large Class C into the mix as a possible choice. I'd like to compare the price of a Ford F350 towing a Keystone Sprinter 319MKS. I would like to compare it to the same basic floor plan and space with the queen bed slide, closet/wardrobe, entertainment center opposite the sofa, and a W/D prep. The toad would probably be something economical like the Mazda 3 I've been driving.

That brings up a question: If the Sprinter is 35 feet long how long will a comparable motorhome run considering it has the driver's area in front? I'm wanting to compare something of a similar level quality as the Sprinter - not a luxury Class A. Can anyone suggest a Class A or Class C that would be comparable? I'll try to link the Sprinter floorplan here.



Keystone Sprinter
  • You might contact The RV Consumer Group who has specific ideas as to what makes an RV suitable for full-timing. As I remember the choices are between a 5er and a MH depending on what kind of full-timing you want to do, ie. stay in one place for awhile OR keep moving around.
  • We fulltimed for 7 months with a tt/truck and 10 months so far with a class A/toad.

    Ignoring the initial costs, the difference for us:
    Auto Insurance - we now have fulltimer insurance on our class A which we didn't have on our tt. For a year, we pay about $1200 more for class A/toad than we did for tt/truck. But, we have much more comprehensive insurance.

    Gas - we had a diesel truck to pull our tt. We now have a jeep as a toad. The costs are essentially a wash. The class A gets worse mileage but our jeep gets better mileage.

    Maintenance - a wash. We now have to do two oil changes but they happen less frequently as mileage is split between two engines. And neither are a diesel.

    Tires will cost us a lot more over time.

    Just an FYI - we tried to fulltime in a Sprinter (27RLS). The space was adequate, the storage was so-so. However, it really wasn't built for fulltiming and, after 6 months, things were failing at an alarming rate. Lights broke, slide seals failed, cabinets started separating, etc. Our 34' Bounder 33C has better space and seems a lot roomier, though it isn't.
  • Im with you Bruce with the exception of if I pull in a CG spot and its POURING down rain...I dont even run my slide out. I just kick back in my recliner with a coldie and watch TV or slide in a DVD that I always carry a supply of!
  • How many travel trailers have large pass through basement compartments?
  • As far as per mile cost, lots of variables there.

    As far as smiles per mile, here is what we've found;

    We have both a MH and a TT. We don't use the MH as much as we once did and started wondering if maybe it was time to sell it.

    Last year my Mom was camping with a group of us so I took the TT over for her to use - it's a 1.5 hour drive to the campground. Then I drove home and hopped into the MH. I wasn't 3 miles down the road and said to myself "what the heck are you thinking".

    Simply put, there is no way to compare the two. As wonderful as todays TTs are they are still limited by weight. The materials they need to use to keep the weight down just don't compare with a MH. Take a look at the nicest Sprinter TT built, then take a look at even an entry level MH. Thats not a knock on the TT, it's just the TT has a pair of 3,500# axles under it, a MH rides on a 16K to 50K lb chassis. It's simply a matter of mass and math. They can't do with a TT that they can do to a MH.

    Also, my truck is a '13 Super Duty diesel Crew Cab Lariat 4X4, it's a great truck to drive. However, given my choice to drive the truck pulling the TT or the MH pulling a toad, the MH wins every time. Long trips are easy.

    It has been said before, and I completely agree, with a TT the vacation starts once the TT is set up. With a MH the vacation starts as soon as you turn the key.

    Which brings up another point; it takes me about an hour to get the TT set up, it takes me about 10 minutes to get the MH set up. Arrive in the rain with the TT and you'll be getting wet. Arrive in the rain with the MH just hit the level button, send out the slides, and wait for the rain to stop.

    As far as room goes with the MH, with the drivers area you just spin the seats around and there's two more chairs for you.

    At one gathering a few years back it started to rain. We ended up with 27 people in our MH. Sure there were a few standing, and a few were cozy, but we had room.
  • Steve, RVers have been wrestling with the either or question since Winnebago started making motorhomes in the early 1960s. Setting aside the truck camper slide-ins, this gave folks a choice in their mode of RVing.

    It is all dependent on what you (and your family - if you have one) are going to be comfortable in doing? Are you more comfortable pulling a trailer, or, driving the motorhome/towed combination?

    I'm more comfortable with the motorhome deal, versus the trailer pull deal.

    It's all up to you.