5th Wheel or a Class A

Again that comment is totally an opinion and in many cases not correct at all. If you're referring to a front engine gasoline then there is a issue as the engine encroaches into the cab area.

So an opinion that is different than yours is not correct at all? I guess not with three paragraphs of proof! Thanks for cracking me up!

BB_TX wrote:

et2 wrote:
There is no more room In a fiver than a DP MH. If both are the same dimensionally then they are they same. There is no magic wand making the fiver bigger. This is a urban myth. ................

Except in the 5er you do not lose space due to an engine compartment and front dash/steering/driving area.

Again that comment is totally an opinion and in many cases not correct at all. If you're referring to a front engine gasoline then there is a issue as the engine encroaches into the cab area.

In a DP the engine is under the floor. No living space is lost to the engine. Our bedroom sits over ours, and we even have under the bed storage. As far as the dash or frontal area the person who claims is a 5-7 foot loss is also incorrect ( in a DP). Much of the front is utilized. The two chairs can be turned around for seating ( and very comfortable ones I might add). Great for reading a book or watching TV, or just conversation with your occupants. There are many with bunks up in that area, ours has cabinets, others have TV's or storage. There is about 3 feet or less just in front of the steering wheel that is hard to use. However there are tables that go over the steering wheel if you so desire. We spend a lot of time sitting in the front driving area even when parked. It's like a little sun porch.

The rest of the dash area is totally usable. Lamps, printers, books, magazines, and whole bunch of other things can be set upon that dash. Actually that space is probably more useable than a fiver whose door is somewhere along the side wasting space where furniture could be. In a motorhome the door area is most of the time right up front conserving floor space, and most have a electric cover which covers that stairwell making it totally usable to walk on.

The nice thing about a MH is not having to worry about if your truck breaks down how your going to get around. You unhooked your toad and get off the freeway and where you want to go. Even get a hotel room. But there are repair facilities that will allow you to stay in your MH while being repaired if it matters. During the day while they work on it you can do whatever you want. Much easier driving a smaller vehicle when vacationing.

There have been a lot of good choices for both of the units. I have camped in a MH and also a 5er. I guess it is going to be whatever suits the 2 of you the best. I chose a 5er as when you have it set up you have a vehicle that you can use to sight-see and be a grocery getter without having two complete drive trains to keep serviced as you would with a toad. As some said you can't very easy back up a MH pulling a toad. I do feel that if both are the same overall length unless the MH has the same amount of slides as a 5er then the 5er "seems" to have more room as you do not lose any for the cockpit area.
Whatever you choose, Enjoy Retirement and your RV. Happy Camping and Good Luck.

et2 really put it out there. For those of us who travel, there is nothing on god's green earth like the view through the windshield of a class A motorhome.

Anything less is just another truck pulling a trailer.
And yes, they cost more. Sometimes a lot more. IMHO worth every red cent.

No one who can still travel ever goes back.

WyoTraveler wrote:
I've had both and now in MH. Towing a 5ver down the highway in the hot summer when I stop it is hot inside. So no stopping for a quick snack or nap on the road unless you enjoy the hot 5ver. I had a propane gen but that gets real pricy running that down the road. Get where you are going and that big PU is a pita in some areas.

With the vent covers, you just leave the vents open and it mitigates most of the issue (full timers usually travel with the seasons so they don't spend a lot of time in 100+ temps)

Does your MH dash A/C really keep the entire rig cold or is the fuel cost just hidden in the low mpg?

Whats your realistic budget? That may help you decide....

I've had both and now in MH. Towing a 5ver down the highway in the hot summer when I stop it is hot inside. So no stopping for a quick snack or nap on the road unless you enjoy the hot 5ver. I had a propane gen but that gets real pricy running that down the road. Get where you are going and that big PU is a pita in some areas.

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.

With the larger fivers for FULLTIMING , comes the larger tow vehicle.
Usually the one ton Dooley. As a daily driver we had some issues,. Getting
into parking spots while sight seeing. Always got you exercise as we usuallym
had to,park in the back 40! Again it is all personal preference. We have have had both.
Currantly have a MH..

Realistic prices.

Local Ford dealers routinely advertise Superduty trucks for around $13,000 off MSRP. That puts even a King Ranch in the mid $50K range depending on options. Lariats even lower. I would guess GM and Ram are in the same range.

And depending on the brand and style, you can get new 38'-39' 5ers with 3/4/5 slides from less than $50K and up with mid range 5ers going for around $60K-65K if you shop end of model year sales. Advertised prices drop dramatically when new year models start coming out.

If you are looking used, then prices would be proportionately lower depending on year. Same with MHs.