We have been 5th Wheel owners for a few years now and we are contemplating going to a Class A in the future. We would like to hear from previous 5th Wheel owners who made the move to a Class A. We would like to know why you did it, what you like better, and if there is anything you miss from a 5th Wheel.Thanks in advance.John

Not a 5th wheel but we have both a TT and a MH. Every now and then I wonder if we should dump the MH and just keep the TT ($$$), then I drive the MH and all question is removed. The best way I've ever heard it described is with a TT or 5th wheel the vacation begins after you're set up. With a MH the vacation begins as soon as you turn the key.

JCGibson wrote:We have been 5th Wheel owners for a few years now and we are contemplating going to a Class A in the future. We would like to hear from previous 5th Wheel owners who made the move to a Class A. We would like to know why you did it, what you like better, and if there is anything you miss from a 5th Wheel.Thanks in advance.JohnWe are thinking of going to a 5th wheel from our 34' MH

We are in the same boat. After our summer in Alaska this year, we are starting to question the advantages we thought we had with our 5er. If we stayed in a place for a long time, the living space would benefit the trailer, but in Alaska we were moving a lot. The MHs were able to get setup and take down faster, and we found the large truck sometimes a hindrance with parking. So we are now kicking the tires and debating if the 5er does not have any advantages past the large amount of windows and square footage.

We went from 33' 5th wheel to gas motorhome last year. No turning back, we love it. About the only thing we miss is kitchen storage as most motorhomes have less than the 5th wheels and higher ceiling. Setup is a breeze, Mostly higher end finishes, ability for passengers to use facilities while driving down the road, exterior maintenance easier due to full body paint, ( mine is mostly black and it never looks dirty) abundance of outside storage, ability to site see with a much more economical vehicle, pure luxury, etc

We had a 2001 Alpenlite Augusta 32RL. We are now in a 2013 Monaco 34 ft MH. It is really a toss up. I like the MH, and probably would not go back to a 5ver. Like the bathroom being closer, not as tired driving all day in the MH. However, the driving may be because I drove a bus for several years (hauled prisoners) so feel more comfortable. I do like the small toad once we stop in an RV park. Getting around town is easier in the toad. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Going From 5th Wheel to Class A | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

dezolen
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014

I am in the same boat you were with a 2014 DRW F350 Crew Cab and a 39 ft. Triple slide Landmark Full Body Paint with one side being almost a full slide. Get tired of driving the big truck and white knuckles towing thru busy towns like Atlanta this Friday going to Disney World. DP might be in our near future with a Ford Escape to tow.

Never heard of anyone towing a 5th wheel and having the white knuckle syndrome. A pull trailer yes. Don't get me wrong we love our new gasser coach but it can be scary driving it with toad thru downtown streets. We would never go back to a 5th wheel now that we experienced a class A and ours is at the starter class. Pure luxury as far as we are concerned.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
5th wheel towed like a sled on pavement, head room in the sleeping area, hooking and un hooking, had to buy new tailgate every time for some reason. I don't know why! Like the rear engine and quiet going down the road at 70. Like to take the Prius and get that 50 MPG touring around.
I don't like paying more for fuel, campgrounds and if you worry about fuel mileage don't buy one. 7-8 Max MPG downhill, down wind in Texas.
Buy a MH and a enclosed deck, put the car on the bottom and stack your******on the top deck.
jswat
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
After 6 1/2 years towing a 33' 5er we sold it and bought a 2004 DP (HR Ambassador). We've been in the DP 6 years now and I wouldn't go back. The ride is much more comfortable, set-up and take down is so easy, and my DW loves having a bed and bath while going down the road.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
I feel it is not needed to ask anybody what to do because they will always think the best is what they have and that can be true. The facts are how much money you can afford to spend on rving as it will be much more to maintain a DP. So be happy and buy what you can afford and enjoy.

I just heard we are not supposed to live back 75 so live it up.

chevman
Ford_Man
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
et2 wrote:
Have owned 2 travel trailers - 4 fivers & now our MH. Our last fiver was a Cameo with three slides one was almost a full slide, it was 41' long. We love the MH as it's way easier to get in and go. Ours has just as much room inside as any fiver we've owned but way more storage. Much more pleasant driving than the truck trailer combo. One thing in ours that is noticeable - the air conditioning seems way quieter as well as the two furnaces. They don't wake us up at night like our trailers did.

Way better view and not as tired and white knuckle traveling. We went with the DP as I already experienced the benefits of a Diesel engine. Plus trying to get that dually everywhere was getting old, and I grew tired of climbing all over trying to get things hooked up. The toad makes getting around a great plus.

I am in the same boat you were with a 2014 DRW F350 Crew Cab and a 39 ft. Triple slide Landmark Full Body Paint with one side being almost a full slide. Get tired of driving the big truck and white knuckles towing thru busy towns like Atlanta this Friday going to Disney World. DP might be in our near future with a Ford Escape to tow.
1BryNelson
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
Good times & bad times in the Navy. Not easy to do a career in the Service to ones country. It demands a lot of sacrifice to those that choose that life.

For those of us that went down that road, salute.
JCGibson
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
NeverHome2 wrote:

BTW... Thank you for your service to our country! :)

I appreciate it. It is nice to hear from time to time as anyone who has been in the military knows, it isn't the easiest at times.
JCGibson
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
2gypsies wrote:
Now you need to do a post in the 5th Wheel section and see what they have to say. :)

Well we already know everything about 5th Wheels as we have had three since 2008. Just wanted to get likes and dislikes from previous 5th Wheel owners.
JCGibson
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
Ivylog wrote:
A DP is the nicest and most expensive way to travel and once I could us an RV 100+ days a year, the 5er is now used by my kids. No way would I go back to a trailer as driving the MH is a pleasure. Much easier and nicer to boondock in a MH... generator, converter, big tanks.
OP, get a 40' DP with a stacker trailer so you can take two cars.

Once the wife retires from teaching, getting a DP and stacker is probably the way we will go, but that is a few years away. Can't justify the price for all that as we wouldn't use as often as should. We are only in our 40s now.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 28, 2014
Now you need to do a post in the 5th Wheel section and see what they have to say. :)