Fifth Wheel to Class A Diesel

We have owned 4 fifth wheels....the last one a 38'. Traded for 38 triple slide class A almost two years ago and wish we had made the move several years ago. Easy set up, love driving it. Wife really loves the ability to access the kitchen and bathroom while on the road. Traveling with the fifth wheel she would say " when it is convenient pull off so she could use bathroom"....my convenient was never what she thought....:S

The motorhome will cost more to buy and more to maintain, so you need to figure out what you want it for. If you travel often and don't spend a lot of time in one place, than a mo-ho is the way to go. But if you stay put for months on end, a 5th wheel is a better deal cost wise. IMHO a 35 foot 5th wheel has more (useable) living space than a 35 ' mo-ho. Yiou can tow a small car for running around in and not have to drive a big truck. Yet if you have a need for a big truck, that off sets it. Insurance on a mo-ho is likly more expensive than on a 5th wheeler.

Now, you have to decide if you want a diesel which will cost you 25 % more, either new or used. Again, how many miles do you plan on putting on the mo-ho? There are some very nice 36--38 foot gassers now, and they are OK if you stay out of the hills as they can be very noisy climbing hills. But then, hills are not the bigges part of the trip. The diesel will have better brakes, better suspension, and a Jake or Exhaust brake which is nice.

Me: Two 5ivers, than a 34 foot gasser, than a 40 foot diesel. If one can afford it, the diesel is the only way to go and we are parked way more than we are driving. So,oo didn't really follow my own advice but I LOVE my diesel.
WayD

I think one of the plusses of a class A vs. a TT/5th wheel is that you don't have to leave the coach for the bathroom or to make lunch, etc. If it's a rainy travel day, you can pull off at a rest stop, make lunch, take a bathroom break and never have to get out in the weather.

It's just me, but pulling a vehicle that is three to four times bigger than the tow vehicle seem intimidating. I like having a back-up camera on our coach as I can see when I'm past a semi or vehicle to change lanes. I don't think I've ever seen a 5th wheel with a camera on the back but maybe it's an option?

Once I pass a semi/car/truck, I put three 'lane stripes' between my toad and the vehicle I'm passing, then I know I won't cut him off pulling back into the right lane.

MM.

Thanks for all your reply's. We're just looking and thinking about it. We really enjoy our Teton......and have had no issues other than normal stuff. And we have plenty of storage for sure.

First, you might consider selling your 5th wheel yourself rather than trading it in. You'll come out ahead.

During our full-time years, we went from a travel trailer to a 5th wheel for 8 years and our present motorhome for the past 10 years. The 39' motorhome you're looking at will have plenty of space for you. We had no problem with the change. It will just be a different way and places to store things but you'll figure it out. You'll also have a huge basement which is nice.

The reason we switched from a 5th wheel to motorhome was mainly because we didn't like driving the big truck around all the time. Also, friends latched us on to 4-wheeling and we loved it. So we got the motorhome and Jeep Liberty and they have both worked out very well. We have no regrets.

As far as your 39' size, we fit our 40' in public parks with ease, as they are always our first choice. We've used national parks, national forests, state parks, COE, county and city parks, along with lots of good boondocking in the West. Our front windshield has faced some glorious scenes of lakes, rivers and mountains. Of course, we stay mainly in the West.

Driving the motorhome is a real pleasure. It's smooth riding and easy to set up. Fun travels whichever way you go!

As has been said, If you travel more than you camp, a m.h. is great. I've owned them all and from my retired perspective looking at liveability and cost of ownership, a quality fifth wheel fills the bill.

I don't think many people would dispute that there is less usable space in a Class A than in the equivalent length 5-er.

Well, we have a fifth wheel but prior to purchasing it, we were this close, to buying a Class A. We took a ride in it and although I didn't like the movement and the big window in front that seemed to distort my vision, I figured we could add stabilizers and I could look ahead to get past the vision issue. We visited it several days in a row on the lot and were in the finalization stage when DH asked me where I was going to put the garbage can and dog food. What?! Well, in that cupboard over there, I said, then opened it - wouldn't fit a kitchen sized wastebasket. Opened another, nope, no wastebasket in that one either. Then I thought, well, where is the dry dog food going to go? Long story short, we looked at a fifth wheel, then came back and decided not to sign on the dotted line for the Class A. Then the abruptness and lack of patience on the salesperson's part pushed me further ahead to say no to the RV. Now, not all Class A's will be limited on space. This one was a 2005 Winnebago Adventurer with two slides. Our fifth wheel, although has lots and lots of inside storage, we haven't filled it up and don't have a need to but I have my kitchen waste basket out of site and my dog food stored nicely.

Moved from Class C.

We have owned three fifth wheels in the past and now own a 34' Monaco DP. We really like the ease of set up, the spaciousness, and convenience of our MH. For us it was the perfect switch!