5th Wheel or a Class A
We have decided that we want to give the rv living a shot. Selling the house and moving forward. I am having a really difficult time trying to decide on a Class A motorhome or a 5th wheel. The 5th whe...
Forum Discussion
The comparison should be between having a tow vehicle pulling a trailer or a motorhome pulling a small car. Either way you will be towing something. Both types involve more going up and down stairs than a travel trailer.
Two sets of friends that have towed 5th wheel trailers for many years recently sold them and both went to Class B motorhomes towing a small car. The park the motorhome at a campground and then use the small car to explore an area.
Many areas will not have places where you can pull off much less park with a Class A motorhome with or without its towed vehicle (TOAD). In addition the longer the total rig the more difficult you will find locating a campground in US national forests and BLM lands and at state parks and the more you will be relegated to staying at private RV parks at much greater expense.
Rent a Class A and a Class C and try each for at least a week so you can get an idea what works for you with each type and whether or not a motorhome is aligned with how you like to travel.
5th Wheel trailers require a 3/4 ton pickup and special mount. Travel trailers do not affect the available storage in the tow vehicle or make it very difficult to carry bikes and boats and other gear in the bed of a pickup truck or SUV.
A motorhome is not as versatile as a tow vehicle and travel trailer but you do have the option of mounting a bicycle rack and a roof rack on the towed vehicle.
Nothing depreciates (loses it value) faster than a Class A motorhome. If you decide to go this route get a used one and save yourself a great deal of money.
Two sets of friends that have towed 5th wheel trailers for many years recently sold them and both went to Class B motorhomes towing a small car. The park the motorhome at a campground and then use the small car to explore an area.
Many areas will not have places where you can pull off much less park with a Class A motorhome with or without its towed vehicle (TOAD). In addition the longer the total rig the more difficult you will find locating a campground in US national forests and BLM lands and at state parks and the more you will be relegated to staying at private RV parks at much greater expense.
Rent a Class A and a Class C and try each for at least a week so you can get an idea what works for you with each type and whether or not a motorhome is aligned with how you like to travel.
5th Wheel trailers require a 3/4 ton pickup and special mount. Travel trailers do not affect the available storage in the tow vehicle or make it very difficult to carry bikes and boats and other gear in the bed of a pickup truck or SUV.
A motorhome is not as versatile as a tow vehicle and travel trailer but you do have the option of mounting a bicycle rack and a roof rack on the towed vehicle.
Nothing depreciates (loses it value) faster than a Class A motorhome. If you decide to go this route get a used one and save yourself a great deal of money.
