Which is the better way to go 5th wheel or motorhome?

Curly Sue,

I hope you can digest all this, it is the most honest and complete analysis I have seen of a frequently asked question.

You will have to figure out what fits your lifestyle and/or plans the best. If you first buy used, then trading off when you found out you were wrong will be easiest. We have done it all. We are now in "Travel Mode" most of the time. That changed for the "Camp" and "Go and Stay" that we used to do. So our vehicles have changed as well.

Most of all, do not get "paralysed by analysis". Make your best guess based on what you know and expect today. Very few people have the same RV as long as we have.

Matt

As you pointed out, with the 5er you get to drive a big gas hogging truck to the store for a loaf of bread or a gallon of moo-juice (milk). With my A I drive a gas sipping (I mean it only holds 12 gallons) car.

Another advantage is set up.. I can pull on site and level my rig all from the driver's seat. I do need to go outside to plug in and hook up water/sewer and so on but Leveling and everything else is done from INSIDE (pull through site) (I also have to go outside to unhook car on a back in site).

I can pull off the road in a driving rain and visit the "Necessary" as some fiction writers call that small room where one sits a spell from time to time. AND NOT GET MY FEET WET, can't do that in a 5-er.

Plus a motor home is easier for many people to back into a site.. NOT me so much as I've done a lot of trailer backing in my life, but still Even for me it is easier....

True story:
Was returning to site,, Pulled onto a paved "Wash" across the road and backed straight into the site, Zip Zoom Parked.

As I got out to re-attach services the woman at the site next door was talking to her husband "You should see how easily the guy next door backed in". Now they had a 5'er.. And it was a back straight in site (I like those) but hey.

It is not usually that easy. :) But some of the places I've parked a trailer.... Well.. I was a lot younger then.

They are all expensive. We use a TT because we like the flat floor and use the bed of the truck a lot. I say make a list and check off pros and cons. The one with the most pros wins!

This is like asking "Which is better red or blue?" It is totally a matter of personal preforance. Everyone will give you an opinion but it all comes to what you like.

We full-time in a 1999 35 foot motor home. When traveling from north to south or vise versa we love it. However if we stay for three months or more which we do more and more we wish we had a fifth wheel.

It is our home and we are comfortable in it, but there are times we wish we had the space of the 5th.

Terryallan wrote:
The answer is. Get what you want. You are the only one you have to please.

Agree 100%. First I would not even make a decision based on costs. I would go with what you will want. You can get truck/5er cambos for the same price as Class A's. You can get some Class A's that are cheaper and more in line with teh truck/5er combo price.

5'er Pros
- Normally larger inside
- If truck brakes down, you can how 5'er towed to campground and stay in it
- Truck serves as a toad

5'er Cons
- When parking it at campsite, there is more to setting it up outside generally than a MH. Weather can be an issue
- Sit up higher, therefore more steps to get inside. Then once inside, even more steps.
- Have to go back outside to hook the truck back up.

MH Pros
- Fully self contained. Pull in anywhere and all the controls are inside. Can turn on generator from inside
- Less steps over all in general.
- Easier to stop somewhere and rest.

MH Cons
- If you want to get around, you wsill either need a toad, a rental or pack everything up and drive the MH (which can cause other issues).
- If you have a toad, then a second motor to care for.
- If MH breaks down, then your sleeping quarters are gone with it.Sometimes they will let you stat in it overnight at mechanic shop, but who really wants to do that?

This is trivial and maybe a little silly but I don't like the feeling when walking through a MH's kitchen or living room and seeing a steering wheel, bucket seats, guages, etc.

It just doesn't feel "homey"... feels like living in a bus.

However MH's are great for the frequent mover.

WyoTraveler wrote:
Most of the post are right on. It is what ever you like. The RVer that said you can buy a 5ver and PU for $70k is dreaming. My 5ver and PU close to quality of my MH was about $120k and that was approx price of my Mh and Jeep. You need to shop all of them. I have had a TT, 5ver and MH. I like MHs. Love running around in my Jeep. Just try finding a parking space for a PU Dually in a Walmart lot. Great for towing but terrible for running around town. Plus if you tow that 5ver all day you will be beat to death. Then you have to unhook. Pita. Unhook my jeep in minutes. Push a button and I am level. I'm on my 3rd martini while they are setting up the 5ver.

When we bought our truck & 5vr it was $85K set up ready to roll.
I & GF use truck for daily driving when not towing. Never have been in a parking lot/stall/garage that we didn't fit or have problem parking it.
Towing has never 'beat me to death' and I am unhooked in just a few minutes. You'll have to guzzle those martinis to make it to 3 if you're waiting on me setting up. Granted I don't have level up system but it's not that time consuming but it sure isn't a PITA either.
And I can/do use regular ole service stations.......not having to rely on trucker spots "Can I get in? Can I get out?"---got to unhook the toad so you can back up.
Sorry, just not buying it.

MHs & toads are fine......so are all the other types/styles of RVs.
Each has pros/cons.

I just upgraded FW. The new one has push button leveling jacks at each corner and automatic awning that you control with a remote, plus it controls AC and TV plus sound system and outside lights. Has cutting edge docking station (lighted) where you hook everything up.

I'm not bragging just pointing out that the hard chores of setting up and breaking down are about as hard for me now as a 350,000+ MH. I've had both by the way 3 FW's and 2 MH's (not a $350,000 unit by any means)

I got my new (2013) coach on year-end clearance sale for around $70,000.

The biggest difference in a MH and FW is the onboard Generator and it is tied in to the coach fuel system so, you can run one forever. A MH is truly self contained. You can pull in a WalMart parking lot in the middle of a downpour and never step outside the unit. Take a shower, cook a meal, watch a litttle tv and go to bed.

You and your bride are gonna have to get wet if you pull into that same WalMart, pouring down rain in your FW. But, hey I like roughing it a little myself.

I have not studied it, but a quick search suggests that, for an older RV, a diesel Class A might be as cheap or cheaper that a diesel truck of comparable age to tow a 5th wheel.

We bought a 1998 diesel motorhome for $20K. A search for a 1998 F350 diesel showed about the same price.

Matt B